Faults:

Have replaced the water pump and main electric cooling fan. Ignition coil and plug wires.

The A/C didn't work when I bought the car. I drove it that way for a few years, and decided to have the A/C system checked and filled. Shortly after I did, the A/C compressor seized, but fortunately the A/C clutch disengaged so I was able to still drive the car with the bad A/C compressor on the car. I ultimately purchased a rebuilt compressor and condenser as well. However I never had the system charged again, as I don't mind driving the car without air conditioning. The A/C compressor bracket cracked, and I purchased a used one at the Carlisle Corvettes show.

I replaced the valve cover gaskets (the car still leaks oil from the valve covers) and replaced the radiator as well. I cleaned 20+ years of leaves and other debris that accumulated at the bottom of the radiator and inside the fan shroud. I've replaced the fuel filter. I've replaced both rear wheel bearings, one of the drive axle (half shafts) universal joints, as well as a few rear sway bar link bushings.

I replaced the interior carpeting with OEM style MAS back carpeting and did my best to repair the interior door panels (they've cracked with age as the plastic gets increasingly brittle). I installed heat shield and sound deaden-er beneath the carpet. Corvettes are known for transferring a lot of engine heat into the driving compartment. Even with the insulation, driving on a hot summer day can be uncomfortable.

I've never had to replace the brakes or shocks, but have had to adjust the parking brake mechanism. I also replaced the frame for the rear storage compartment wells as the frame had broken due to brittle plastic. Previous owners recovered the seats with cheap vinyl seat covers, but since they're still in good condition and quite expensive, I never replaced them.

In the 15 years or so before I owned the car, it had been in the possession of 4 - 5 other people... and it wasn't well taken care of. The floor pan at your feet is cracked, as someone drove it over bumps or through an automatic car wash. I've patched the cracks with roofing tar to ensure it remains water tight.

I've replaced the power window ribbon belts on both sides and the passenger door power door lock actuator. The window & windshield weather striping leaked very badly when I first bought the car, and I was able to successfully stop the wind shield leak and all but a few drops of water from the windows (it's definitely a fair weather car). Most of the window weather stripping needs to be replaced as it's cracked and brittle with age.

I replaced the fuel pump twice since I bought the car, but the best thing about C4 vettes is the ease of changing the fuel pump, since it can be reached through the fuel filler opening. I've replaced various interior missing or broken plastic trim pieces, as well as trim screws and rubber bumpers (such as for the rear hatch window and the fuel filler door).

The radio reception was very poor when I bought the car, and remains so today. I pulled the interior dash cover and installed dash mounted speakers. I've rebuilt/repaired the power antennae as well.

I've replaced the interior dash bulbs (very expensive, hard to find mini bulbs... don't go to a dealership for these as they're approx $25+ dollars per bulb... a good auto parts store should be able to order them for you).

It left me stranded twice in all these years. One time for the bad fuel pump (and I got taken by the shop) and the other time when the ignition cylinder locked. As it turned out, the cylinder locked, because the bolts that lock the joint together, which allows the steering column to pivot/adjust, loosened. When that occurred, the steering wheel flopped around and allowed a spring inside the steering column to dislodge and come to rest in the ignition cylinder mechanism... which in turn locked it, and prevented the car from starting.

General Comments:

The car is exceptionally fun to drive, and the best time of the year to do so (in the northeast anyway) is spring and fall. It allows you to drive with the roof off and enjoy open air driving.

Handling is phenomenal... I love winding mountain roads or sharp off ramps exiting from the interstate.

Faults:

Driver seat reupholstered due to tear on the side bolster.

Mass Air Flow sensor replaced at 118000 miles.

Instrument cluster replaced as it completely went blank.

Rear differential cover gasket replaced upon purchase of the car due to leak.

Brake pads on all four corners.

General Comments:

I bought this from an Australian ex-patriot who was working here. He wanted to return to Australia, so he came to my dealership and asked me if I wanted to buy it. Without too much hesitation, I said "yes".

This is an Australian spec car with a right-hand-drive conversion already done. At first, I thought the car was quite lacking in performance (considering its big 5.7 liter engine),but after doing some research on the internet, I found out that I can easily upgrade the engine performance on this Chevy. After emptying my wallet a few times, I purchased a set of aluminium cylinder heads from Air Flow Research, performance cam from Crane, intake manifold runners and throttle body from Arizona Speed and Marine, K&N air filter, tubular exhaust manifolds and 36lbs/hr injectors from Summit, and a custom made, dual 2.5 inch exhaust with Remus mufflers. I haven't dynoed the car yet, but I'm guessing its putting out around 300 to 350hp at the crank (standard horsepower was 230hp).The upgrade really woke up the performance. Fun to drive factor was multiplied 10 times.

This car handles exceptionally well, although at a heavy price of ride quality. The interior plastics aren't particularly of the highest grade and rattles alarmingly,the digital instruments are hard to see during daylight, the cockpit is claustrophobic, the 4+3 gearbox takes some getting used to, and the turning radius is very poor. But the fun to drive factor is so high, I overlook all the weaknesses. It's a car that is built to excel at what its designed to do, and doesn't pretend to be something its not. It was designed for performance, and to that end, it excelled. And that's the very character that I truly appreciate in this car.

This car is definitely a keeper. Its far from perfect, but when it sounds, looks, and performs this good, nothing else matters.