It’s a shame how the C4 has somewhat become the red-headed stepchild of the Corvette family. While not yet vintage like its preceding generations, but still far from current like the C6 or C7, it seems to be stuck in the awkward transition phase to classic Corvette.

The C4 might be relatively outdated, but that doesn’t mean it’s the least bit obsolete. The car is an exceptional platform, in reference to both its performance from the factory and its potential for improvement.

From the factory, it was the tip of GM’s engineering spear. Corvette’s are esteemed for their outstanding handling capabilities, and the C4 was proclaimed as the greatest handling of them all. With a rigid unit-body construction, the car is able to remain stiff in the corners and provided a then-unparalleled driving experience.

In terms of horsepower, the car was limited to under 250 horses until ’92 (with the exception of the 375-horsepower ZR1 introduced in ’90). In ’92, however, it graciously received the second-generation, 350-cubic inch LT1 engine, affording it a significant 55-horsepower increase.

The C4 stuck with the LT1 until its final year of production in ’96, when its manual-transmission cars were given the LT4. The LT4 was essentially a high-performance edition of the LT1, and was rated at 330 horsepower.

While all these numbers may be a bit underwhelming in comparison to today’s 600-and-up horsepower factory cars, they were figures of remarkable performance during the C4’s time. However, attesting to just how great a platform the fourth-generation Corvette is, the car both receives and utilizes upgrades and modifications extremely well.

Take, for example LS1tech Forum member Z07 Josh’s 1996 LT4 C4. According to him, he purchased the car in ’96, sold it for an ’02 C5 Z06 when it came out, and then bought it again in ’08.

At the time of re-purchase, the C4 was showing its age and in need of a rebuild – and a rebuild, it received. The LT4 was torn apart and given an abundance of upgrades: Lunati 11.5:1-compression pistons with Eagle connecting rods, a Comp Cams radical camshaft, Lunati Voodoo roller rockers, milled heads with larger valves, American Racing long-tube headers, an MSD distributor, new flywheel and clutch, and a slew of other parts for suspension, braking, and the chassis.

The car also received a performance tune to round it all off, and – as is evident from its results on the strip – the rebuild seems to be doing the ‘Vette a lot of good. The car sounds like an absolute savage and is outrunning Mustangs and even Z06s 10-15 years newer than itself – proving that (with some modern touches, of course) the C4 is up to par even by todays standards.

With the C4 enthusiast being far less common today than that of just about any other Corvette generation, it’s refreshing to see that there are those who still love and have a passion for the car. A defining member of the Corvette lineage, it is definitely deserving of admiration.

It’s not often that you see clean, skillfully modified C4 projects like Z07 Josh’s Green Machine; it serves as a tasteful tribute to a truly fantastic car.