1988 Corvette 35th Anniversary Edition Coupe VIN: 1G1YY2181J5114176 Total Production: 22,789 (15,382 Coupes − 2,050 35th Editions) Manufactured at Bowling Green: March 1988 Exterior Color: Code 40U White w/41 Black Roof Bow (2,050 produced) Interior Trim: Code 113 White Sport Leather Seats (2,050 produced) Top: RPO C2L Blue Glass Lift-Off Roof Panel (5,091 produced) Engine: L98 350/240 Horsepower Base V8 Engine Code: ZMD Induction: Bosch Electronic Tuned-Port Fuel Injection Transmission: MX0/MD8 Four-Speed Overdrive Automatic Differential: Code “YA” 2.59:1 Axle Ratio Additional Regular Production Option (RPO): Z01 35th Special Edition Package (2,050 produced − $4,795) MSRP: $29,480 Base, plus $4,795 in options − $34,750 Total Delivered Mileage: 7,200 Owners: Three Purchased: 7-15-96 from Randy Harms Chevrolet; Spearfish, South Dakota

1988 35th ANNIVERSARY COUPE

“Continual refinement, a Corvette hallmark for 35 years, is evident in 1988 in the coupe and convertible version of America’s only true sports car. Reliability, convenience and performance improvements for the 1988 model year are the result of continued evaluation…” That’s the way Chevrolet Public Relations described the car in a press release. Highlights included newly designed standard and optional wheels, a coupe body vent system for improved interior airflow, redesigned front suspension providing zero scrub radius & rear suspension revisions, and new braking system with dual-piston front calipers. A new parking brake mechanism was incorporated into the new single piston aluminum rear brake caliper (eliminating separate “shoes” used previous) and the driver’s release lever was relocated slightly downward & rearward for easier entry and exit. Newly carpeted doorsills reduced entry scuffmarks. And the carpeting was solution-dyed to prevent fading.

Under the hood, now supported by an improved hood prop rod, a compact air conditioning compressor increased cooling efficiency and reduced mass, and a gear reduction starter motor (both supplied by Nippondenso) were new. Due to a camshaft change and less restrictive mufflers, engine output increased five horsepower in Corvette coupes with 3.07:1 rear axles only. With the 4+3 manual transmission, Chevrolet noted a zero-to-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds, and a 155.4 mph top speed.

The hot Corvette for 1988 was RPO Z01, the limited (2,050 built) 35th Anniversary Special Edition Package, available as a coupe only. Costing an additional $4,795 over the standard coupe’s $29,480 price tag, the Z01 was packed with extras. Sporting a predominantly white exterior, including wheels, body side moldings, door handles and revised Corvette emblem, the side badging signified Corvette’s 35th Anniversary. The body roof bow was painted black giving the car a two-tone appearance. On the inside the white theme continued with 35th Anniversary embroidered white leather seats, white door panels and steering wheel, and a special console badge with engraved sequence number. The Z01 option consisted of AQ9 White Leather Sport Seats, AC1 & AC3 Power Driver & Passenger seats, 24S Blue-tinted Lift-Off Roof Panel, C68 Electronic Air Conditioning, D74 Illuminated Driver Visor Mirror, UU8 Delco-Bose Stereo, Z6A Rear Window & Side Mirror defroster, and the Z52 Sport Handling Package. This Z52 package further consisted of RPO’s B4P Radiator Boost Fan, FG3 Delco-Bilstein Shocks, KC4 Engine Oil Cooler, V01 Heavy-Duty Radiator, a faster overall steering ratio, and larger “directional” (QA1) 17x9.5” aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle P275/40ZR17 tires.

“For the Corvette’s 35th Anniversary, design and product planners created a commemorative coupe edition featuring a white exterior and wheels, and special emblems both inside and out. Each of these special cars was numbered… check out this one’s number on the console (#271). This car holds two first place ribbons for Most Original Corvette, awarded at the Spearfish Corvette Classis, and is one of my personal favorites in this collection. I think you will agree!”

...Dave Ressler

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