The 1996 limited-edition Grand Sport Corvette was a standout addition to the Corvette lineup, building on the success of the Special Edition model. Available for an extra $3,250 for the coupe and $2,880 for the convertible, the Grand Sport package featured Admiral Blue paint with a single white stripe running down the center and two red “Sebring Stripes” on the driver’s side front fender. This unique design paid tribute to the classic Corvette Grand Sport Racer of the 1960s.
The coupe was equipped with ZR-1 wheels and larger rear tires, while the convertible featured slightly smaller tires. To accommodate the wider rear tires, the Grand Sport coupe had rear fender flares, a distinctive feature compared to the ZR-1’s wider body.
Inside, the Grand Sport came with either all-black or red-and-black upholstery, both featuring embroidered Grand Sport emblems on the headrests. Every Grand Sport was equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the new LT4 5.7-liter V8 engine, which produced more horsepower than the LT1. The LT4 was also available on other 1996 Corvettes for an additional $1,450.
While the LT4 offered 30 more horsepower than the LT1, there was little difference in acceleration between the two. However, the Grand Sport’s larger tires improved cornering but caused some oversteering at high speeds. Additionally, overheating issues were noted at sustained high speeds due to the lack of an oil cooler. Chevrolet produced 1,000 Grand Sports in 1996, all with unique VIN sequences, making them easy to identify by their iconic Admiral Blue and Arctic White paint scheme.
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