1987 Corvette

1987 Corvette
The convertible's base price rose about $1,100 in 1987 to $33,172. Ragtop sales improved for the model year to 10,625, but coupe orders fell to 20,007.

The 1987 Corvette coupe and convertible saw several noteworthy changes. Chevy's continuing quest for reduced engine friction in the interest of both performance and economy resulted in rollers being added to the hydraulic lifters, along with rocker-arm covers with raised rails to forestall oil leaks. Thanks chiefly to the former, horsepower went up by 10, to 240 in all, and torque improved by 15 lbs/ft, for a total of 345. A six-way power passenger's-seat option was now offered (matching the standard driver's item), and major body and mechanical components were given special identification marks to further foil thieves.

What's more, a second suspension option was made available only on manual-transmission-equipped coupes; designated Z52 and priced at $470, this was essentially a softer version of the Z51 package, with the wider (9.5-inch) wheels, plus a solid and thicker front anti-roll bar, the new gas-charged shocks, quick-ratio steering, and all but one of the chassis stiffeners developed for the convertible. A thicker-core radiator and a second electric cooling fan were also included. Spring rates and bushings were carried over from the base chassis.

The racing-oriented Z51 suspension, listing at $795 for 1987, had all the Z52 hardware but much stiffer springs and front lower-control-arm bushings, plus a solid (instead of link-type) rear stabilizer. Enthusiast magazines praised the new suspension for the improved ride quality with only the most minor differences in handling characteristics.

On the acceleration side of things, Motor Trend timed a manual-shift 240-bhp roadster at 6.3 seconds 0-60 mph and clocked the standing quarter-mile at 15.11 seconds and 93.8 mph. With prices now starting at $27,999 for the coupe and $33,172 for the ragtop, critics felt the Corvette was becoming too pricey for its own good, though it was still perceived as being a better value than the European exotics of the time.

Though not a factory option, speed-hungry buyers could order a car with a new Callaway Twin-Turbo Engine package through participating dealers. Designated as RPO B2K, and priced at a budget-busting $19,995, the twin-turbo was rated at 345 bhp and 465 lbs/ft of torque and could reach a top speed more than three times the legal limit -- all the way to 177.9 mph with .60 overdrive gearing. These were specially modified Corvette engines (except for the first four off the line, which used GM truck shortblocks); cars would be shipped from Bowling Green to Callaway Engineering in Old Lyme, Connecticut, for modification.

Corvette sales continued their downward trend on the 1987 model year, sliding to 30,632; of that figure, convertibles accounted for 10,625 units, which was 3,400 above the 1986 Corvette total. Exactly 184 well-heeled buyers opted for the Callaway twin-turbo version.

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1984 Corvette 1985 Corvette 1986 Corvette
1987 Corvette 1988 Corvette 1989 Corvette
1990 Corvette


Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

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1987 Corvette Specifications

The year 1987 brought more horsepower to the Corvette, and with it came increased torque. For those looking for a little less speed, Chevy offered the Z52 package, which was essentially a softer version of the Z51. Here are the specifications for the 1987 Corvette:

1987 Corvette
Horsepower was up to 240 for 1987 via a revised exhaust system and low-friction roller-type valve lifters for the aluminum-head L98 V-8, new for the 1986 Corvette. Automatic transmission remained C4 standard, with an innovative "4+3" manual gearbox optional.
 

 

Vehicle Specifications
HatchbackConvertible
Wheelbase, inches
96.2 96.2
Length, inches
176.5176.5
Width, inches
71.071.0
Track, inches
front: 59.6 rear: 60.4
front: 59.6 rear: 60.4
Height, inches
46.7 46.4
Curb weight, pounds
3,2163,279

Mechanical Specifications (2-door hatchback/convertible)

Suspension
front: Independent; unequal length upper and lower A-arms, transverse fiberglass leaf spring, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, upper and lower trailing arms, lateral arms, tie rods, halfshafts, transverse fiberglass leaf springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar

Wheels/Tires
P245/60VR-16

Brakes
front: anti-lock 11.5-inch disc
rear: anti-lock 11.5-inch disc

Transmission
4-speed automatic
4+3-speed manual (4-speed manual with overdrive in 3rd and 4th gears)

Standard axle ratio
2.59:1 (auto) 3.07:1 (manual)

Engine Specifications

Type ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cubic inch
5.7/350
Bore X stroke, inches4.00 X 3.48
Fuel management
Tuned Port Injection
Horsepower @ rpm
240 @ 4,000
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
345 @ 3,200

Published Performance Numbers

Acceleration240 hp, 4-speed manual
0-60 mph, second
6.3
0-100 mph, second
NA
1/4-mile, second @ mph
15.11 @ 93.8

(Source: Motor Trend)

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Car Type
Production Price
2-door coupe
20,007
$27,999.00
2-door convertible
10,625
33,172.00

Options and Production

Option Production Price
Power Passenger Seat
17,124
$240.00
Power Driver Seat
29,561
240.00
Sport Seats, leather
14,119
1,025.00
Base Seats, leather
14,579
400.00
Power Door Locks
29,748
190.00
Callaway Twin Turbo (not GM installed)
184
19,995.00
Radiator Boost Fan
7,291
75.00
Dual Removable Roof Panels
5,017
915.00
Removable Roof Panel, blue tint
8,883
615.00
Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint
5,766
615.00
Electronic Air Conditioning Control
20,875
150.00
Twin Remote Heated Mirrors (convertible)
6,840
35.00
Illuminated Driver Vanity Mirror
14,992
58.00
Two-Tone Paint (coupe)
1,361
428.00
Delco-Bilstein Shock Absorbers
1,957
189.00
Performance Axle Ratio, 3.07:1
7,285
22.00
Engine Oil Cooler
6,679
110.00
Cruise Control29,594
185.00
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4,229
0.00
California Emission Requirements5,423
99.00
Radio Delete
247
-256.00
AM/FM Radio Stereo Cassette
2,182
132.00
Stereo System, Delco-Bose
27,721
905.00
Heavy Duty Radiator
7,871
40.00
Performance Handling Package (coupe)
1,596
470.00
Rear Window + Side Mirror Defoggers (coupe)
19,043
165.00

Color Choices and Production
Color Choice
Production
Silver Metallic
767
Medium Blue Metallic
2,677
White
3,097
Gold Metallic
397
Copper Metallic
87
Dark Red Metallic
5,578
Silver/Gray403
White/Silver
195
Medium Gray Metallic
1,035
Yellow
1,051
Black
5,101
Silver Beige Metallic
950
Medium Brown Metallic
245
Bright Red
8,285
Gray/Black
316
Silver Beige/Medium Brown
447

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1984 Corvette
1985 Corvette 1986 Corvette
1987 Corvette 1988 Corvette 1989 Corvette
1990 Corvette


Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

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