1987 Corvette – Vette-net

Pricing: $27,999.00 (Coupe), $33,172.00 (Convertible)

Engine options: 350CI 240 Horsepower, Tuned-Port Fuel Injected L98 V8 Engine.

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

Top speed: 150mph

Units Produced: 30,632

Available Colors: Silver Metallic, Medium Grey Metallic, Medium Blue Metallic, Yellow, White, Black, Gold Metallic, Silver Beige Metallic, Copper Metallic, Medium Brown Metallic, Dark Red Metallic, Bright Red, Silver/Grey, Grey/Black, White/Silver, Silver Beige/Medium Brown

Highlights of the year:

In an ongoing effort to reduce engine friction with the intent of improving both engine performance and fuel economy, Chevrolet added rollers to the hydraulic lifters. In doing so, the engine performance of the 1987 Corvette was increased by ten horsepower, taking the engine’s overall horsepower rating to 240hp. The engine torque was also improved by 15lbs/ft., bringing it to a total of 345. In addition to the rollers, they also added rocker-arm covers with raised rails to help prevent oil leaks.

Designated with option code Z52 and priced at $470.00, this “sports handling package” option was essentially a softer version of the Z51 package, with the wider 9.5 inch wheels, plus a solid and thicker front anti-roll bar, new gas-charged shocks, quick-ratio steering, and all but one of the chassis stiffeners originally developed for the convertible.

A low-tire pressure indicator made a brief appearance in late 1986 (for the 87 model year). New for 1987 was an aftermarket option that was offered to consumers when ordering their Corvettes from the factory. Although it was not a factory option, speed-thirsty consumers could order a Callaway Twin-Turbo Engine package through participating dealerships.

Under the designation RPO B2K, the twin turbo option was rated at 345 bhp and 465 lbs/ft of torque. When installed, it allowed the Corvette to reach a top speed of 177.9 miles per hour with 60 overdrive gearing. Unfortunately for most consumers, the Twin-Turbo Engine package included a steep price tag of an additional $19,995 (over the base price of the Corvette), putting it well out of reach for many Corvette consumers.

Equipped with a manual transmission and the newly improved 240 horsepower version of the L98 engine, the 1987 Corvette Convertible accelerated from 0-60 in just 6.3 seconds and ran a respectable 15.11 seconds in the quarter mile, reaching a speed of 93.8 miles per hour.

For the 1987 model year, Corvette sales did continue to decline, although overall sales were still respectable with a total sales yield of 30,632 cars total, of which the Corvette convertible accounted for 10,625 units, which was actually an increase of 3,400 convertible sales over the 1986 model year. Additionally, a total of 184 Callaway twin-turbo models were also sold that year.

Photos of the 1987 Corvette: