While the redesigned 1984 Corvette was certainly well received, there were some aspects that drew criticism. One was the glitzy digital instrumentation and Chevy revised the gauge panel somewhat for 1985 to make it easier to read – if no less annoying to sports-car purists.
Another point of contention was the suspension settings, which were deemed too stiff for day-to-day driving. Worse, the optional Z51 suspension was even firmer, and though it made the Corvette an all-star handler, it produced a brutal ride on anything other than glass smooth surfaces. Both the standard and Z51 suspensions were softened a bit for ’85, though most owners would have preferred them to be softer still.
One of the few visual changes was to the badge on the front fender, which previously read “Cross-Fire-Injection.” For ’85 it read “Tuned-Port Injection,” signifying a more sophisticated fuel-injection system that boosted the 5.7-liter V8 to 230 horsepower, up 25 from the year before.
The price of entry to Corvette Country increased by about $1500 to $24,873, and fewer people took the trip. Sales dropped from 51,547 to 39,729, though that was somewhat expected: The newness of a redesign often wears off after the first year, and the 1984’s enjoyed a longer selling season. Still, it was a portent of things to come.
While the redesigned 1984 Corvette was certainly well received, there were some aspects that drew criticism. One was the glitzy digital instrumentation and Chevy revised the gauge panel somewhat for 1985 to make it easier to read – if no less annoying to sports-car purists.
Might want to re-read that description.