I decided to take a drive down memory lane today. My memory of the 1983 Corvette was there was only one released to the public. So I googled it and discovered there was only one and it is in the NCM. Well it has been 30 years since I thought about this, but I was sure one had been donated to Spinal Bifida to be raffled off. Well I found a story about the raffle winner and in the Headline it says it is an 84 but in the text it stated 1983 serial # 0001. So I guess there was alot of confussion about this car. I have though for 30 years it was a 1983, but I guess it was 1984. Does this car still exist?
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Re: 1983 Corvette
I've seen pictures of the 1983 Corvette with unique 1983 wheels, and also with what appear to be 1984 wheels. Maybe that is some of the confusion? -
Re: 1983 Corvette
The story I heard last year, IIRC, at the NCM was that the one they have is the only one in existence. He said the other few were crushed and the remaining one was hidden away and escaped long enough to be retained.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
The ad refers to a 1984 Corvette which carried s/n one. As the '84 was built in late '83 and also '84, but all were titled as '84, I don't think these are the same cars.Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
The one at the NCM is serial #23. If you read the text of the story it says it was 1983 #001 that was raffled off. My recollection was it was an 1983 and that made it very special, but it appears it was in fact an 84.Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
I remember former plant manager, Paul Schnoes telling me the story of that white 83 being his driver for a short while. I think it spent time behind the plant before it was taken back in and freshened up !!Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
I was at the 1983 Indy NCCC convention when they gave away the first production 1984 Corvette (SN 00001). Keep in mind the '84 came out in March of 1983 so that creates a lot of confusion. I think there is also the last remaining pilot C4 that is also a white car that is called a '1983 Corvette that wasn't crushed and somehow made it out to the public. That's the car with the 15" wheels that never made production. So the long and short is two different white cars both with red interiors.
MikeComment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
I couldn't believe it when I saw this post. You see I had a May 1983 Corvette for many years. But it is long gone as lost it in the big D.
There are at least two of 83 Corvettes stashed away that were used for testing purposes. They are not stock but as they were used for mules to test various suspensions.
They are in storage not too far from where John Hinckley lives.
The above info is from a retired GM employee that is well known in our hobby but I dont' want him to get in trouble. Those test cars and others like them are well protected by security. That's all the info I can provide. Tru story. JDComment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
But yours was VIN Numbered and titled as an '84, as was mine delivered at about the same time. As you mentioned, the '84 production run was actually about 18 months long. The question is were any released for retail sale, and considering the costs of certification for Crashworthiness, emissions and fuel economy to allow ONE to be sold the probability is slim to none, and as the old saying went, slim just walked out the door...Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
Since the '83 was never actually "production Released" Any picture represents a prototype presented as the "intended" (at the time of the picture) final design. As that changed from point to point it's hard to pin down ANYTHING specific to an '83, and that includes some of the '83 test mules that were still at the Proving Grounds in summer'84 used for testing '85 configurations...Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
My pictures show the same side of the car with both style wheels.Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
It was my understanding (from years ago, so take it for what it's worth) that Chevrolet simply asigned a 83 VIN to one of the "test mules" with no intention of offering it to the public. It was done to maintain continuity within the car line. They've been building them since '53..., 35th, 40th, 50th Anniversary models, etc.. Chip.Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
Hard to believe that was 30 years ago.Comment
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Re: 1983 Corvette
I agree to that! I'll have owned my '84 thirty years this coming May 11th. I have several dealer brochures including the first edition that depict the 15" wheels. Mine is red/saddle interior, build # 4935. Anyone know when they started building red ones? The first ones delivered were white and silver.Comment
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