1985 Corvette – Vette-net

Pricing: $24,403.00

Transmission: 4-speed automatic (standard), 4+3 speed manual (optional)

Engine options: 350CI, 230 Horsepower, Tuned-Port Fuel Injected L98 V8 Engine.

Top speed: 150mph

Units produced: 39,729

Available colors: Silver Metallic, Medium Grey Metallic, Light Blue Metallic, Medium Blue Metallic, White, Black, Gold Metallic, Light Bronze Metallic, Dark Bronze Metallic, Bright Red, Silver/Grey, Light Blue/Medium Blue, Light Bronze/Dark Bronze

Highlights of the year:

When the C4 Corvette returned for a second year in 1985, it did so with some much-needed improvements. It had the Cross-Fire Injection System replaced with “Tuned Port Injection” fuel delivery which in turn aid in the car’s improved performance. This along with a half-point compression increase (9.5:1) improved the engine output by 25 horsepower, pushing the engine to a total of 230 Brake Horsepower (BHP) at 4,000 RPM. Similarly, the engine’s torque was increased by 40lbs/ft, taking it to 330lbs/ft at 3,200 RPM (versus the former 290lbs/ft at 2,800 RPM found on the 1984 C4 model.

With regard to the Z51 package, other suspension changes were introduced as well. This option now included larger fore and aft stabilizer bars which helped to offset total roll stiffness after GM introduced the softer suspension calibrations. Further, the package included wider, 9.5 inches wide tires to be mounted in the front (as well as the rear) of the car. Also included were Delco-Bilstein gas-pressurized shocks and a revised heavy-duty cooling system. The Delco-Bilstein shocks were also offered as a separate option on the base level Corvette.

1985 Corvette was lowered ¾ of an inch to reduce the drag coefficient to 0.33. As GM, engineers set out to have Corvette achieve higher speeds, it was determined that the steering caster angle should be increased by one degree (to a total of four degrees) to produce better straight-line stability. Similarly, the braking system was bolstered to produce greater braking power by the addition of a larger brake master cylinder and brake booster as well as different brake pad linings.

The interior received a minor facelift which included revised instrument graphics and optional leather upholstery for the more expensive Lear-Siegler Seats which further solidified the overall aesthetic quality of the car.

However, the cost of these improvements caused a sizable increase in the sell price of the 1985 Corvette. The cost of the C4 (base price) jumped from $21,800 in 1984 to $24,403 just a year later. As a result, the C4’s sales dropped dramatically, resulting in the lowest number of annual sales in more than ten years. Despite the decline in sales, General Motors knew that they were moving in the right direction with this new design and continued to layout further design revisions which would help the Corvette gain greater success in the years to come.

Photos of the 1985 Corvette: