New Features On the 1984 Corvette C4
The 1984 model year marked a new era for the Chevrolet Corvette. The vehicle's third-generation C3 was produced between 1969 and 1982 -- a long life cycle for any car, much less a sports car competing against the world's best. Corvette production skipped the 1983 model year, but the all-new fourth-generation, or C4, Corvette hit showrooms ahead of schedule, giving the world the 1984 models months earlier than usual.
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Targa Top
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The C4 Corvette dropped the T-top design employed on the previous-generation coupe. Chevrolet replaced this open-air styling cue with a fully removable Targa top that allowed more sun into the sports car's cabin. This fully removable roof panel design was the catalyst for Chevrolet's engineers stiffening up the chassis of the C4 in order to compensate for the lack of a crucial component of structural stiffness.
Grille and Bumpers
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The C3 Corvette made its debut at the end of the 1960s, years before federally mandated 5-mph bumpers. Chevrolet redesigned the front and rear fascia of the C3 Corvette as required to meet safety standards, but even the molded bumpers protruded from the body of the car, as the car was not originally designed with these bumpers in mind. The C4 Corvette introduced fully integrated molded bumpers that gave the car an almost bumper-less silhouette. Adding to this integrated design of the 1984 C4 Corvette was the elimination of a visible egg-crate style grille. Each Corvette redesign brought with it smaller grilles, but by 1984 the Corvette's advanced styling eliminated the grille all together, emulating the style of cars such as the Lotus Esprit.
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Doug Nash Transmission
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The 1984 model year marked the introduction of an interesting transmission option for the Corvette. Corvettes equipped with manual transmissions featured the "Doug Nash 4 + 3" transmission. This gearbox operated just as any other four-speed stick shift would, but 2nd through 4th gears were equipped with overdrive. This offered a two-fold advantage over conventional manual transmissions. The overdrive featured on the top three gears allowed the C4 Corvette to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, enacted by Congress in 1975, saving Chevrolet from incurring financial penalties. Additionally, C4 Corvette buyers were able to escape the gas-guzzler tax assessed by cars that didn't meet EPA standards.
Suspension and Steering
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The C2 and C3 Corvettes featured three-link rear suspension designs with origins tracing back to 1963. The 1984 Corvette replaced this aging suspension setup with a more complex and performance-minded five-link assembly on the rear end. In the front of the car, Chevrolet also replaced the recirculating ball steering system the Corvette had utilized since its inception. The C4 Corvette introduced a rack and pinion steering configuration, emulating the assemblies of other world-class sports cars and increasing handling precision.
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References
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