Take a look at this photo- anything strikes you? I mean, besides the new-in-Israel Skoda Kodiaq SUV.
Not really a trick question, it’s quite a rare sight, not only the Corvette C4 but also red color itself. Anyway, this is what I saw on my way to the bus this morning, around 6:15. Given the low dawn light, had it not been for the red color I might have missed it.
So I moved in closer. Good thing the ‘Vette was parked just before a private parking entrance, thus making it more visible. The surprise was that this was not a classic parked on a public street for a short while, or during mid-day. In Israel, usually classics like those are parked hidden away during the night, much less a red convertible Corvette that might draw unwanted attention from potential vandals.
Walking right up to the Corvette, I lightly touched the hood. Yep- cold, this car was parked here overnight. Although I’m sure if this C4 was mine, I would never dream of parking it like this on the street, I must admit that starting my morning looking at one is nice- very nice, so hats off to its owner.
Its red color made me think I saw this car before earlier this year, and even caught it on dash-cam, but that other C4 was a coupe, not an open-top.
Side view contrasts the distinctive Corvette shape- and paint- with background modern cars. I’ll leave you with this last photo as I’ve already elaborated about the Corvette C4 scene in Israel here and uploaded photos of other C4s in both linked posts.
What’s also interesting to me about some of these pictures is that at first, casual, glance the curbside scene could be somewhere in the US. In fact, it wasn’t the cars, but details of the paving, trash bins (?) and scooter on the sidewalk that look more foreign than the cars. Sure, I guess there’s a Skoda in there somewhere, and some other non-US market cars, but the majority of stuff on the street looks like the generic Korean and Japanese compacts and CUV’s one sees everywhere here now. Well, except Eugene. Throw in the Vette to distract you, and it could have been Orange County or somewhere in Florida. Remove the Vette, and it could be Taiwan. This automotive globalization sure has changed the scene over the last 10-20 years. Thanks for sharing.
And such generic colours too. Who notices yet another black, white or silver car? I guess that’s why we get such weird or awkward shapes; an attempt to make the product noticeable. Political correctness applied to the colour spectrum. I’m always surprised more cars don’t come in green!
Although the C4 has plenty of haters, it’s a clean design and clearly an evolution of the C3.
The dashboard is a little too utilitarian for me. The 1990 redesign was much better suited to the overall shape of the car, IMO.
I like the boxy dash better in person, the later dash exhibited a lot of the Rubbermade qualities 90s GM interiors were known for
The C4 came out just as I was entering High School, so despite all of its shortcomings it still tugs at my heartstrings a little bit, the whizzbang electronics of the era certainly proved to be its downfall rather quickly. I still like the overall design though. Rather crisp and clean.
The C4 was such a revolutionary design for GM, when they were first produced. I would love to have one now, as many features are still current. The fact so many people hate them makes it all the better for me – keeps the prices down.
I think the 84 was flawed, but the 85’s and up were much improved and worthy of ownership.
Flawed might be an understatement. In the pantheon of ‘bad’ Corvettes, it’s generally accepted that the first year of a new series is to be avoided. It was true with the C3, and true with the C4. Besides the mechanical gremlins, the 1984 rode very hard. Of course, they’re also among the cheapest way to buy into Corvette ownership, but you’ll be paying just as dearly as any exotic afterward, too.
The easiest way to tell a 1984 is the downturned tailpipes. 1985 and later had pipes that exited straight.
A wonderful sight, and a real standout against today’s styling. I used to look down on these because of the shortcomings highlighted in the road tests I’d read, but in today’s environment they’re better-looking than ever.
The C4 always looked better to me in convertible form, there’s an almost Ferrari Daytona like profile to it. The worst part about them is they normally age terribly, the paint turns chalky, the panels warp, the interiors crumble and those polished wheels corrode, but this example however looks showroom mint.
That Kodiaq is a lot bigger than I thought. For once, Israel beats Europe on the new vehicle introduction front – I’m a couple of hours from the Czech Republic and have not seen one as yet here.
And yes, the Corvette owner is brave (or stupid) – it’s not just vandalism, cars like this have been known to disappear into the PA area where they obtain a new identity; alternatively the car owner is contacted by a “friendly member of the public” who – for a contribution – will “help” him to get the car back. Don’t believe everything you see on the news – the IDF generally does not rush to the help of stolen car owners as any incursion into the PA areas can potentially end up in one type or another of a political crisis.
You can see the main reason for the Kodiaq’s hasty arrival to Israel in the second-to-last photo; parked just one car after the Kodiaq is the Mitsubishi Outlander (older model). Aging as it is, if you’re after a leased, company car with seven seats, that’s your only option these days, now that the Ford S-Max has gone.
Of course, privately you can get much more, but I’m talking leased cars. So the Kodiaq importers were quick to bring it to Israel, and almost all I’ve seen until now were predictably company cars. And yes, it’s MUCH better than the Outlander. Much safer too.
As ever, thanks for all your comments. 🙂