The 1980s gave us plenty of iconic muscle cars to admire, like the 1987 Dodge Charger. It should come as no surprise that there were some memorable Corvettes
from that decade as well. One that deserves special attention is the 1985 Corvette. On its own, the 1985 Corvette is another exemplary entry in the series of classic cars. However, a Car and Driver
review of it from the time shows that it was a much-needed improvement over its predecessor. This made it an icon that helped pave the way for successful 'Vettes moving forward. The 1985 Corvette was dedicated to improvements
To understand the 1985 Corvette, you need to see where it came from, which means understanding the 1984 Corvette. After a series of successes like the 1979 Corvette, the muscle car brand was in a weirdly bad place. Car and Driver noted that the 1984 model was loud, handled poorly, and simply did not seem well-constructed.
The team behind the Corvette must have been aware that their prized vehicle was not getting the acclaim they were used to. Essentially, every major complaint that Car and Driver had was solved with the 1985 Corvette.
Improvements came across the entirety of the 1985 Corvette. Noise reduction was a major point of focus for Chevrolet, and the design was tweaked throughout to make the car more bearable.
The overall build quality was also improved, giving the 1985 Corvette the high-quality feeling that a Corvette should have. One bizarre issue that Car and Driver noted in the 1984 model was that the mirrors would not stay in place. This pointed to an issue with the overall build quality being poor, and it was fixed for the 1985 model.
Specs and performance of the iconic '80s muscle car
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Overall, the 1985 Corvette proved to be a major upgrade from its previous model year, but how did it drive? Thankfully, its performance was also much better than the 1984 Corvette.
The 1985 Corvette is powered by a satisfying 5.7-liter V8 that takes the car through a quarter-mile track in about 14.5 seconds. Its top speed is 150 miles per hour, and as you could probably guess, this was an increase over the 1984 model.
In addition to its power, the 1985 Corvette was acclaimed at release for being comfortable to drive. Unlike the model that came before it, it could handle bumps without problems.
How much does a 1985 Corvette cost today?
If you are looking for a classic '80s muscle car, the 1985 Corvette is one to look for. According to Hagerty
, a model that is in good condition is valued at about $6,700 today, and the value has been slightly increasing. Models that are in better condition or have different optional features would likely be more expensive. There are some unique optional features available for the 1985 Corvette, so if you can find a model with them, it could be a good collector's car. Car and Driver noted an innovative air conditioning system as one of these features. At the time, something like this would have been a major selling point for the Corvette.
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