RE: Chevrolet Corvette (C4): PH Ad Break
Thursday 11th February 2016
Now we're used to car commercials being fairly punchy about their claims for new models; it's kind of the point, after all. But this 1984 advert for the Corvette really takes corporate confidence to a new extreme.
Chevrolet Corvette (C4): PH Ad Break
Thought the 80s were fairly modern? Think again!
Where to start? "It began as genius and grew to be legend. And has become, at long last, the most advanced production car on the planet." That should do it. The soundtrack and vocals - oh yes, there is singing - are pure 80s cheese, their campness at stark and very amusing contrast to the very aggressive narrator.
It gets better too. America-is-best perspective? Oh yes. "14 separate instrument readouts. English or metric." Huge excitement at quite ordinary tech? You wait for the "out of this world" four-speaker stereo.
It's a very entertaining 90 seconds, this Corvette ad, another one that proves just how far we've come in terms of marketing. The car has got a little better too...
Watch the ad here.
Discussion
If you still have a first-generation smartphone (about 10 years old), it offers more capability than all the processors and displays in this car, combined. Today we live on another planet.
If you see a C4 Corvette in the flesh nowadays, the most striking thing about it is the svelte shape. The roof is a good two to three inches lower than the C7 (the current Corvette) or the C6. You literally tower over the car.
Probably no mass-market car today is as low and flat and small in form factor as the C4. Consider also the contemporaneous Lotus. Since then, cars have grown much wider and notably taller -- for reasons both worthy and unworthy.
Another notable feature of the C4 is the clam-shell hood. Or bonnet. If you wanted access to the engine bay of your C4, by golly, you had access. See the white car in the photo below. Note also the targa top has been stowed. And there is also the utility of a full glass hatchback.
When I was a kid, my friends and I never liked Corvettes. We idolised the Porsche 911. And when we turned 16 and could save up some money from mowing lawns and such, we bought disused roadsters (MG, Triumph) and clap-trap Germans (the 914) and brought them back to life. At least for a little while.
Curiously enough, I have a C6 today. My old buddies thought I'd gone all barmy... acquired a tropical disease... until they got behind the wheel. We had grown up and so had Corvette.
From a UK perspective, the most interesting C4 will be the ZR-1 which ran a 32-valve V8 (that's right: no pushrods) which General Motors engineered with input from Lotus. Curiously, GM sub-contracted assembly of this engine to a marine engine company in, of all places, the plains state of Oklahoma.
More details and photos of this ZR-1 here.
I'm not too keen on older Corvettes, especially the C4. Recently, however, the Corvette market seems to be experiencing a sort of reconciliation toward that car. They're affordable. And for guys who are prepared to devote the hours, the C4 can be restored and updated in such a way that you'll catch yourself looking twice. See the second photo, that cracking black car, below.
unsprung said:
If you still have a first-generation smartphone (about 10 years old), it offers more capability than all the processors and displays in this car, combined. Today we live on another planet.
Indeed - I reckon that one of the better ways to qualify technological progress over that timeframe to a layman is that the original mid 1980s Apple Macintosh desktop computer had a lower resolution for its entire screen than a single icon on a current iPhone.As for the C4, surely its biggest issue is that unless you have got a ZR-1, everyone will assume that you haven't got what you wanted...?
[Unless it is white with a red stripe and the driver thinks that he is Dirk Benedict in the A-Team]
I'm not too keen on older Corvettes, especially the C4. Recently, however, the Corvette market seems to be experiencing a sort of reconciliation toward that car. They're affordable. And for guys who are prepared to devote the hours, the C4 can be restored and updated in such a way that you'll catch yourself looking twice. See the second photo, that cracking black car, below.
Quite agree about the black Corvette. It's an extremely good-looking machine - stylish, sleek, svelte and, dare I say it as we are after all talking American here (no offence intended), elegant?
I'd have the black one without a moment's hesitation.
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There are some amusing references to retro 80s television programmes, on this thread. You culture vultures know who you are!
LittleEnus said:
DiscoColin said:
everyone will assume that you haven't got what you wanted...?
Why?Who cares what they may or may not think?
That black one is stunning. I love the bonnet and the dash on these but always thought they were kind of an automotive Dirk Diggler. Little bit pron.
However, in its domestic market, the C4 has lots of non-ZR-1 models about. And they're affordable. And the aftermarket for Chevrolet is, as all of us here on PH know, an entire solar system of affordable kit. A well-preserved or restored C4 could have serious power under the hood -- exceeding what is available in terms of performance and reliability of the ZR-1.
I, too, am impressed by the black C4 in that photo above. Clean and contemporary in appearance. And if I would be in the market for a C4, I might consider an upgraded "ordinary" model over a ZR-1. Simply for reasons of affordability.
firebird350 said:
Quite agree about the black Corvette. It's an extremely good-looking machine - stylish, sleek, svelte and, dare I say it as we are after all talking American here (no offence intended), elegant?
I'd have the black one without a moment's hesitation.
Well stated, I'd say. I agree each of your words, which, to my mind, appear both accurate and carefully chosen.I'd have the black one without a moment's hesitation.
rottie102 said:
I have to say as much I love my C3 and the C5, I still think C4 is a bit of an ugly duckling.
I have often thought the same.However, having seen some nice upgrades / rebuilds over the last couple of years... I've begun to look a little more favourably upon the C4.
It's that "pro touring" look or whatever. Clean, contemporary and (usually) restrained colours that give the car a new lease on life. And let's not forget: upgrades to the powertrain and suspension.
I should add, however, that there remain a surplus of ragged old C4s which have been run into the ground. So, while there are some interesting signs of life in the world of the C4, it's not all clever owners and smart rebuilds.
And a restored or pro touring or resto-modded C3 -- again, with a certain amount of restraint -- looks far more sexy.
In the interest of disclosure I own a C6........
Even a few years ago I just could not have imagined being a C4 owner. I was stateside then and could have picked up an absolute belter of a southern example with low miles for money that would make people here cry. However, medallions, hairy chest etc etc........
Now though, yes indeed. This is a great example of when a car tips over into classic status if you ask me. It would have to be either a mint stocker in dubious 80's color scheme or a stripped out and caged track rat making upwards of 500 RWHP.
As for your ZR1, wasn't even that good in it's day, happy to leave it to the collectors.
What a great advert, we'll look back on todays ads with as much contempt i'm sure.
Even a few years ago I just could not have imagined being a C4 owner. I was stateside then and could have picked up an absolute belter of a southern example with low miles for money that would make people here cry. However, medallions, hairy chest etc etc........
Now though, yes indeed. This is a great example of when a car tips over into classic status if you ask me. It would have to be either a mint stocker in dubious 80's color scheme or a stripped out and caged track rat making upwards of 500 RWHP.
As for your ZR1, wasn't even that good in it's day, happy to leave it to the collectors.
What a great advert, we'll look back on todays ads with as much contempt i'm sure.
I had a 94 C4 Coupe for 3 years. Great car. In a lot of ways it was ahead of it's time. Passive entry, and yes, despite common misconceptions they DO go around corners, in fact very well indeed. Also Corvette had Head-up-display from 1999 (C5) onwards, 17 years ago !! Anyone who has tried HUD usually agree it is not a gimmick, but should be on all vehicles. With the speed and volume of traffic we have, you do not need to spend too much time looking down at your instruments.
OK, I am biased, But Corvettes and I've had C4,C5 and C6 all great cars for differing reasons especially the C4.
and as usual the new C7 is well ahead of its time too.
OK, I am biased, But Corvettes and I've had C4,C5 and C6 all great cars for differing reasons especially the C4.
and as usual the new C7 is well ahead of its time too.
griffin dai said:
unsprung said:
What's the difference between the c4 & zr1?
More details and photos of this ZR-1 here.
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