As with the C2 and C3, the last of the C4 offered something special. A special run of 1,000 Grand Sport Corvettes (RPO Z16; $3,250 - $2,880 for the convertible) with Admiral Blue paint and a distinctive white stripe were offered. The option included the LT4 motor and a separate serial number sequence. The option was tribute to a 1963 series of five racing Corvettes that were the brainchild of Zora Arkus-Duntov. Zora produced the Grand Sports on the sly but when his bosses learned of their existence, the program was axed since it violated corporate policy.

Below left: fuel filler door emblem; right: brief red stripes located only above the left front wheel, as seen on one of the original Grand Sport race cars.

The Grand Sport featured ZR-1 wheels painted black; Corvette lore has it that when ZR-1 production ended, GM found themselves with a surplus of wheels that found a home on the Grand Sports. Above left: Front wheel. Middle: Coupe rear wheel, with fender extension. As with the ZR-1, the rear wheel was 11" wide. Since the Grand Sport did not have the ZR-1's 3" wider rear bodywork, the fender extension was necessary. Right: For whatever reason, the convertible Grand Sports were equipped with 9.5" wide rear wheels so the additional flare was not included. 190 of the 1,000 1996 Corvette Grand Sport Corvettes were convertibles.