1991 Corvette – Vette-net

Pricing: $32,455.00 (Coupe), $38,770.00 (Convertible)

Engine options: Base Model: 350CI 240/245 Horsepower, Tuned-Port Fuel Injected L98 V8 Engine. ZR-1: 350CI 375 Horsepower, LT5 V8 Engine

Transmission: 4-speed automatic (standard), 6-speed manual (optional)

Top speed: 192mph

Units Produced: 20,639

Available Colors: White, Steel Blue Metallic, Yellow, Black, Turquoise Metallic, Dark Red Metallic, Quasar Blue Metallic, Bright Red, Polo Green Metallic, Charcoal Metallic

Highlights of the year:

With the arrival of the ZR-1 in 1990, the Corvette had once more been elevated to a stature that had been missing since the early seventies. The “King of the Hill” had arrived and had met or exceeded the expectations of most enthusiasts and automobile reviewers alike.

Cosmetically, the C4 Corvette received many additional enhancements to those listed earlier, including a smoother, slimmer front fascia with wraparound parking/cornering/fog lights, wider body-side moldings that were now painted to match the body color, and horizontal front-fender strakes that replaced the previous gill-like louvers.

Additionally, the 9.5-inch wide aluminum wheels were re-designed and now featured a turbine-like appearance, a “low oil” indicator was added to the driver information center, and all models were pre-wired to accommodate a cellular telephone or other 12-volt accessories. On the ZR-1’s, the “full power” indicator light was relocated to alongside the valet-selection key.

The Corvette’s exhaust system underwent some revisions for 1991. Included in the update were larger muffler sections with a more finely tuned exhaust note and lower backpressure. While the introduction of these new mufflers was intended to add power to the existing L98 engine, the horsepower ratings remained unchanged. In addition to the upgraded exhaust system, a finned power-steering cooler was also installed with the intent of improving performance.

1991 also marked the final year for the dealer-installed Callaway Twin-Turbo package. Much like the ZR-1 option, dwindling sales drove Chevrolet executives to make the decision to discontinue the Callaway option.

Notwithstanding Chevrolet’s decision to discontinue the Callaway line as part of Corvette’s RPO (available options package), Reeves Callaway introduced a Corvette conversion kit of his own for the 1991 model year. Dubbed the Twin-Turbo Callaway Speedster convertible, this aftermarket variant mated two turbochargers to the L98 engine to produce 450 horsepower and 600 lbs/ft of torque. The 1991 Speedster was somewhat reminiscent of the earlier 1988 Corvette Sledgehammer, although its overall appearance was more aerodynamic

The World Challenge racing series was continued in 1991, but Chevrolet no longer offered a specially modified Corvette to run in the series. Instead, consumers would have to purchase a Corvette and perform the modifications themselves.

Overall, sales of the 1991 Chevy Corvette followed the downward trend started earlier in the model year by the ZR-1. In all, 20,639 units were sold, with coupes outselling convertibles at a ratio of about three-to-one.

Photos of the 1991 Corvette: