How to determine uniqueness

[EttevroC]

You're most welcome! Hope you can find more info on your baby soon.
BTW - That is one fine looking Corvette too. My first Corvette was a Torch Red C4 with black interior and a black top and I loved it! I hated to let her go but I had to after I bought my C5.

Enjoy and good luck!
JAG

Thanks, I waited years to find just the right Vette. I know what you mean, I'm selling my custom motorcycle this spring, and I'm going to hate to see it go.

I'm thinking about hosting a website to assist other Vette owners in gathering this type of data if I cannot find a resource at GM. I've already asked a database guru friend of mine if he could help. Here's to hoping.

 

[hAZcAT]

I agree with you full heartedly, most Convertibles would have been built with Automatics.

Not to bust on us Convertible owners, but I would suspect that Converts would have been more likely purchased as a pleasure car versus performance car, so I figured that my ride was somewhat a rare find.

It is very true I bought the white convert for Cruzin, and looking good, I bought the 85 for performance (and I like the Star wars dash of the early c4s).

I weighed the 94 convert with full tank and me and came in at close to 3500 lbs. then I weighed the 85 coupe it came in with full tank and me at 3004lbs. It could explain why people who wanted more performance went with the coupe.

 

[G Winter]

When I bought my 90 convertible , I really didn't want a convert but I did want the manual transmission. In this area there are not all that many corvettes for sale and I came across this one for a good price[for this area] and decided to go for it. I had no idea at the time that a 6 speed in a vert is not easily found. Now that I have the vert, really glad I ended up with it.
BTW hAZcAT with nobody in it full tank of fuel with spare mine came up right on 3400 lbs... suppose the mufflers weigh almost 50 lbs each ? been thinking of getting rid of them. Need just a liittle engine noise.

 

[EttevroC]

It is very true I bought the white convert for Cruzin, and looking good, I bought the 85 for performance (and I like the Star wars dash of the early c4s).

I weighed the 94 convert with full tank and me and came in at close to 3500 lbs. then I weighed the 85 coupe it came in with full tank and me at 3004lbs. It could explain why people who wanted more performance went with the coupe.

When I purchased my Vette it was also the first time I've ever driven a Vette so I was surprised on how heavy it felt when driving around. I used to own a Firebird and then a Camaro Z28 and from what I can remember, this Vette felt about as heavy as they did.

Now that I've driven it for a while, my perception on its weight has diminished and I find it quite nimble and fast. I love the way it accelerates and handles, and it is such a head turner; a very nice added bonus.

There’s just something about a convertible! I sure hope that I can find out how truly unique, or not, it is.

 

[C-4 Now]

I don't know number made? When I bought my 89 convert I wanted any color but red or black with a 6-speed and black interior. Nationwide search took about 2 years looking. I still haven't seen another with low tire pressure warning system UJ6. I still watch these cars still don't see many 89 6-speed convertibles and know 10+ years later it is even harder to find nice ones

Ike

 

[MyOtherCar]

I don't know number made? When I bought my 89 convert I wanted any color but red or black with a 6-speed and black interior. Nationwide search took about 2 years looking. I still haven't seen another with low tire pressure warning system UJ6. I still watch these cars still don't see many 89 6-speed convertibles and know 10+ years later it is even harder to find nice ones

Ike

As you know by reading through here, it is impossible to determine exactly how rare your Corvette might be. Instead, all we can do is extrapolate from the data provided through such resources as the Corvette Black Book.

For example, in 1989 Corvette produced 26,412 Corvettes of which 9,749 were convertibles (36.91%). Of the production run, 6,976 were equipped with UJ6 (26.41%) and 4,113 (15.57%) were 6-speed cars. From those three calculations you can estimate that there were 2544 covertibles built with UJ6 and of those, 396 were 6-speeds. You can further reduce these numbers based on the color and other options listed on your MSRP.

 

[hAZcAT]

For sure the convertable is quite nimble and quick, but if one is trying to get the most performance the extra 500lbs is a killer. Although the 500lbs makes the converts ride much better. (also I am compareing the ride of my 94 to the 85 and many factors make the 85 ride like a tank) To me the late model c4 convertables are one of the best looking cars ever made, and it goes really good too.


no mufflers could make it a bit hard to listen to the girlfriend, hmm on second thought I am going to go cut them off right now......:L

Ralph

 

[EttevroC]

I still watch these cars still don't see many 89 6-speed convertibles and know 10+ years later it is even harder to find nice ones

Ike

That's for sure, but that's the benefit of owning a older model Vette, exclusivity.

 

[EttevroC]

To me the late model c4 convertables are one of the best looking cars ever made, and it goes really good too.


no mufflers could make it a bit hard to listen to the girlfriend, hmm on second thought I am going to go cut them off right now......:L

Ralph

I have to agree, they sure are stunning vehicles.

I sure hope your girlfriend doesn't find out why your Vette just got louder. :L

 

[XLR8]

I'm thinking about hosting a website to assist other Vette owners in gathering this type of data if I cannot find a resource at GM. I've already asked a database guru friend of mine if he could help. Here's to hoping.

Keep us posted so we can check it out!

Good luck,
JAG

 

[EttevroC]

Keep us posted so we can check it out!

Good luck,
JAG

Two new developments. First my friend said that he will help me with the database and his wife will help with creating the background programing, so maybe I will be able to produce an actual website for all of us to use in our quest. I will let you know when I get something going.

Second, I've discovered an even more detailed source for Options versus production numbers, "Cor-vette Specs." I just purchased this book because of hearing about the Corvette Black Book here online and the author of this book is the same person who writes the "Black Book."

According to this book there were....

9749 Convertibles build for the 1989 year.
3034 of them had Red Interiors
2206 of them were White
and just 1292 of them had 6-Speed transmissions.:dance

I guess that's a pretty close approx. of uniqueness.

FYI The rarest of the 1989 convertibles..... Sport Leather in Blue.... just 1!

 

[Ruby Fan]

EttevroC

Good luck with the database, I'm sure we would all appreciate that kind of thing. If you look at the 40th Anniversary site they have a data base there well organized. They can even tell where the car made before and after yours was shipped to. They may have some key insights on how to collect the data. I haven't looked in a while, but I am pretty sure that at a main GM homepage, there is an archive section that is pretty much open to all of their vehicles, at a cost.

 

[EttevroC]

EttevroC

Good luck with the database, I'm sure we would all appreciate that kind of thing. If you look at the 40th Anniversary site they have a data base there well organized. They can even tell where the car made before and after yours was shipped to. They may have some key insights on how to collect the data. I haven't looked in a while, but I am pretty sure that at a main GM homepage, there is an archive section that is pretty much open to all of their vehicles, at a cost.

Thanks, I'll check out the 40th Anniversary website. I did check out GM's website and it seems that their "Owners" section only supports owners of 1993 cars or older.

 

[Roadster Guy]

For sure the convertable is quite nimble and quick, but if one is trying to get the most performance the extra 500lbs is a killer. Although the 500lbs makes the converts ride much better. (also I am compareing the ride of my 94 to the 85 and many factors make the 85 ride like a tank) To me the late model c4 convertables are one of the best looking cars ever made, and it goes really good too.


no mufflers could make it a bit hard to listen to the girlfriend, hmm on second thought I am going to go cut them off right now......:L

Ralph

I just got around to reading this thread so I know I am a little late to the party, but I enjoyed the read....it is an interesting thread. I wanted to toss in a couple of thoughts reagarding some of the posts..
The 1996 convertible for example is only about 60 pounds heavier than the coupe according to the black book and so are most other years so I am a little puzzled by the 500 pound difference mentioned earlier, but mabe I misunderstood.

I always thought of sports cars as 2 seats, top down, shifting and lots of go. My first sports car was a TR6 (convertible only) and I couldn't have imagined an auto in it. When I bought My Vette a few years back I wanted a 6 speed and a convertible and I wanted it to melt the tires when the urge rose. Therefore for me, a convertible was not just for cruising. However, it may be true that there are more autos in convertibles because people just want to float around out there in them, but I still wonder about that.

I too love the look of the C4 convertible. Great lines and the top is a cool shape...much better I think than the C5 top, but just my opinion. Yearly production numbers on the C4 were not that high after 85 and as was mentioned there were not many convertibles and not many 6 speeds. Get into certain years, colors and options and things start getting unique with Vettes. I think each Vette owner gets off on having something unique about their one...................... Only 68 days to spring!
RG

 

[EttevroC]

I just got around to reading this thread so I know I am a little late to the party, but I enjoyed the read....it is an interesting thread. I wanted to toss in a couple of thoughts reagarding some of the posts..
The 1996 convertible for example is only about 60 pounds heavier than the coupe according to the black book and so are most other years so I am a little puzzled by the 500 pound difference mentioned earlier, but mabe I misunderstood.

I always thought of sports cars as 2 seats, top down, shifting and lots of go. My first sports car was a TR6 (convertible only) and I couldn't have imagined an auto in it. When I bought My Vette a few years back I wanted a 6 speed and a convertible and I wanted it to melt the tires when the urge rose. Therefore for me, a convertible was not just for cruising. However, it may be true that there are more autos in convertibles because people just want to float around out there in them, but I still wonder about that.

I too love the look of the C4 convertible. Great lines and the top is a cool shape...much better I think than the C5 top, but just my opinion. Yearly production numbers on the C4 were not that high after 85 and as was mentioned there were not many convertibles and not many 6 speeds. Get into certain years, colors and options and things start getting unique with Vettes. I think each Vette owner gets off on having something unique about their one...................... Only 68 days to spring!
RG

I agree, IMO a sports car has a convertible top and a manual trans but I know many people will disagree with me.

Once, a long time ago I owned a 79 Fiat 2000 Spider and had a ball toolin around in it. Funny thing is that my Vette gets better gas mileage then that little 4 banger. Oh, yeah... and it is a lot faster.

Woooohooo 87 days to spring!

 

[ProEMTPFF]

I just bought the new Corvette Black Book 1953-2005 and came up with the following numbers in 1986 for my car "coupe". Is there anyone here that could help me figure out where my car "sits" 1 of ??. Thanks in advance.

1986

Coupe: 27,794 Convert: 7,315
pwr Seat: 33,983
Sport Seat: 13,372
pwr D/L: 34,215
Custon Feature pkg:4,832
Dual roof pnls: 6,242
Elec A/C: 16,646
2 Tone paint: 1,014 "my color"
Cruise: 34,197
Bose: 32,478
z51: 12,821

It also has iron heads but GM gives no numbers for the amount of coupes that had them.

 

[MyOtherCar]

I just bought the new Corvette Black Book 1953-2005 and came up with the following numbers in 1986 for my car "coupe". Is there anyone here that could help me figure out where my car "sits" 1 of ??. Thanks in advance.

1986

Coupe: 27,794 Convert: 7,315
pwr Seat: 33,983
Sport Seat: 13,372
pwr D/L: 34,215
Custon Feature pkg:4,832
Dual roof pnls: 6,242
Elec A/C: 16,646
2 Tone paint: 1,014 "my color"
Cruise: 34,197
Bose: 32,478
z51: 12,821

It also has iron heads but GM gives no numbers for the amount of coupes that had them.

Try substituting your numbers in the following sequence. You'll have to add some categories and delete others, but should give you an idea of how you can "extrapolate" Good Luck. If it don't work, email or PM me and I can play with your numbers a little next week. This is for my '92 coupe:

Total Production: 20,479
Total Coupes: 14,604
Total Converts: 5,875
Total ZR-1: 502 (all 6-speeds)
Yellow: 678 div by 20,479 = 3.31%
6-speed: 5,487 " " = 26.79%
Base Leather Seats: 10,565 " " = 51.59%
Power Pax Seat: 16,179 " " = 79.00%
Delco-Bose/CD 15,199 " " = 74.22%
FX3: 5,840 " " = 28.52%
Less Convertibles: 14,604 " " = 71.31%
Less ZR-1 502 " " = 96.56% (are LT1)

(20,479) (3.31%) = 678 of all production, those that are yellow
(678) (26.79%) = 182 of all yellow, those w/6-speed
(182) (51.59%) = 94 of those w/6-speed # w/Base Leather
(94) (79.00%) = 75 of those, # w/PAX Pwr seat
(75) (74.22%) = 56 of those, # w/Delco Bose /CD
(56) (28.52%) = 16 of those, # w/FX3
(16) (71.31%) = 12 of those, eliminate convertibles
(12) (96.56%) = 12 of those, eliminate ZR1

 

[XLR8]

ProEMTPFF

Love that avatar!!!

Have you had any luck crunching the numbers using the Extrapolate section in your Black Book?

Maybe I can get together with the mathematician tomorrow.

JAG

BTW is your username shorthand for pro EMT and pro fire fighter? Don't mean to be nosey... just curious.

 

[ProEMTPFF]

Love that avatar!!!

Have you had any luck crunching the numbers using the Extrapolate section in your Black Book?

Maybe I can get together with the mathematician tomorrow.

JAG

BTW is your username shorthand for pro EMT and pro fire fighter? Don't mean to be nosey... just curious.

LOL, I like the avatar too. No, I haven't had time to even try the numbers yet. If you could be of ANY help it would be appreciated.

Yes my username is short for "Professional EMT Paramedic Firefighter"

 

[XLR8]

Ballpark

LOL, I like the avatar too. No, I haven't had time to even try the numbers yet. If you could be of ANY help it would be appreciated.

Yes my username is short for "Professional EMT Paramedic Firefighter"

Fire eater...
First and foremost, thank you. That's all, just thank you.

Now, as to the question of quantity produced of your Corvette (all facts and figures stated were taken from Antonick's Corvette Black Book):

In 1986,
Total production 35,109
Coupes 27,794
Custom Feature Package 4,832
Two tone paint - Silver Beige/Medium Brown 1,014
Sport Seats 13,372
Dual Roof Panels 6,242

If we divide CFP 4,832 by Total 35,109 it equals 0.1376 or 14% This means that 14% of the Corvettes built in 1986 had the Custom Feature Package.

I would then multiply your Color 1,014 times 0.14 which equals 141.96 or 142.

So we can extrapolate that in 1986 there were 142 Corvettes built in the Silver Beige/Medium Brown color with the Custom Feature Package. Then we consider that there were 13,372 Corvettes produced with the sport seats. If we divide 13,372 by total prod. of 35,109 that equals 0.38 or 38%.

We then multiply 142 times 38% or 0.38 and that equals 53.96 or 54.
There were 6,242 Corvettes Coupes with Dual Roof Panels. If we divide this by the number of Coupes (27,794) it comes to 0.2245 or 23%. Then multiply 54 times .23 equals 12.42 or 12.

So... it would seem reasonable to extrapolate that in 1986 there were 12 Silver Beige/Medium Brown Corvettes built with Sport Seats, Custom Feature Package, and Dual Removable Roof Panels.

Keep in mind this is all an estimate only, though based on actual production figures and percentages.

BTW - that is one very nice Corvette. Post some pics when you can.

Hope this helps.
JAG