Love ‘em or hate ‘em, body kits can serve as a relatively cheap way to totally transform the look of a car — for better or worse. While some panels can be replaced with kit that makes them look just a bit more aggressive, imposing, or even more luxe, the more adventurous, with a little bit of handywork, can go all out to create something totally new. The latter is the case for a 1984 Corvette now up for sale on Cars and Bids.

The C4 Corvette is an icon of the 1980s, but this custom model sports a styling that seemingly pays homage to another icon of the era, the Ferrari Testarossa. So, let’s throw on some New Wave music, an oversize turtleneck and learn more about this amalgam of two of the most recognizable sports cars of the ‘80s.

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A C4 Corvette With Ferrari Aspirations

The Corvette in question is a 1984 model, the first of the C4 generation powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 in its coupe guise (a convertible was also available). But its looks are anything but traditional of the C4 generation. This 1984 ‘Vette sports a unique, and we’re guessing bespoke, body kit from American Custom Industries, according to the listing. Up front, the Vette’s nose has grown significantly in length with an attention-grabbing front fascia.

The C4’s square fog lights are now deeply recessed into the front clip, and they are flanked by sharply styled inlets ahead of the front wheels. Instead of the Corvette’s standard, more squared-off nose, the body kit sports a curved bumper that slopes down from the standard nose. Adjacent to the front plate holder are narrow, horizontal inlets. Squint hard, and the nose is almost reminiscent of the Bugatti EB 110. Okay, you might have to squint really hard, but there may be some inspiration there.

Though the front clip of the 1984 Corvette doesn’t invoke “Ferrari,” its side strakes certainly “scream” Testarossa. The inlets aren’t nearly as dramatic as the Testarossa as they remain only on the lower portion of the Vette’s doors. However, they are not only prominent for their styling. The side strakes are applied to a wide rocker panel kit that widens the Vette overall.

A front 3/4 shot of a 1984 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe with American Custom Industries body kit

The strakes may dominate the attention of the custom Corvette’s profile, but look further and you’ll also notice custom wing mirrors that form a triangular shape from the A-pillar to below the Vette’s beltline. Unlike the original Testarossa, however, this Corvette features wing mirrors on both sides of the coupe.

The Testarossa-inspired styling continues behind the cabin in which the Corvette’s traditional wrap-around rear windscreen has been replaced by a custom unit. The smaller rear glass is flanked by quasi roll hoops to give it more of a Testarossa feel, and there’s even a bump on the piece of body kit that indicates the engine is at the rear, like it would be in the Ferrari from which it apparently takes its styling inspiration.

Highlights And Features:

• 42,800 miles on the odometer
• 5.7-liter V-8 developing 205 horsepower/290 pound-feet torque
• Four-speed automatic transmission
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Pop-up headlights
• American Custom Industries body kit
• Muffler delete
• Sony head unit
• Light blue exterior paint with black interior

Behind the updated rear glass is a larger spoiler that curves downward and hangs over the decklid. This is one area in which the body kit apparently carves its own path as neither the Testarossa or ’84 Corvette were fitted with a rear spoiler. Below the traditional quad, circular taillights, the effective widebody kit continues with a squared-off rear fascia and flowing rear inlets that mimic the styling of the front units.

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Is This Custom C4 Corvette Cool Or Sacrilege?

As with any body kit, the custom styling of this body kit is sure to attract plenty of people in both the “love it” and “hate it” camps. But unlike other cars wearing such kit, this C4 takes things step further in combining two styling icons of their generation into one amalgamation.

Surprisingly enough given the detail to the outside, the rest of this 1984 Corvette coupe is surprisingly stock. The only other modifications listed are a muffler delete and the addition of a Sony stereo head unit.

Otherwise, it sports:

• 17-inch wheels
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable driver seats,
• Power windows,
• Power door locks
• Power mirrors
• Air conditioning
• The Vette’s quintessential pop-up headlights also remain

Ultimately, this model is about as symbolic of memorable 1984 automotive styling as it gets. While not all may be sold on this custom Corvette’s looks, it’s not every day you come across a car that marked the beginning of a new venture for the Corvette nameplate while paying homage to another icon that made its debut the same year. And we’re pretty sure any model that combined pop-up headlights with “cheese grater” side strakes is going to rank as “cool” for many.

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The C4 Corvette Was An Icon On Its Own

A front 3/4 shot of a 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4

The standard 1984 Corvette may not be as distinctly styled as the Testarossa, but its looks and performance are certainly memorable. The first year of the C4 generation Corvette saw the American sports car crank out 205 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque from its 5.7-liter V8. That power was sent through the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission, at least in this case as an overdrive manual transmission was also available.

Performance

When it hit the road, the 1984 Corvette was among the fastest production cars in the world of the time. It delivered a top speed of 140 mph, could roar from 0-60 mph in under seven seconds (remember, this is the mid-1980s in which that was a hugely impressive time), and could complete a quarter-mile run in 15.2 seconds at 90 mph. Compared to its C3 predecessor, the C4 was larger overall and thus more practical, though that didn’t equate to a loss in performance.

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The Ferrari Testarossa: An Iconic Look

Shot of the Ferrari Testarossa at the Councors D’Elegance in Plymouth, Michigan.

If you are going to try and turn a burly, V8-powered American sports car into a European exotic — at least in looks — there’s few better options than the Ferrari Testarossa, which made its debut the same year as the C4. The name Testarossa came from Ferrari painting its camshaft covers red with “testa rossa” translating to red head.

The Testarossa features a screaming 4.9-liter flat V-12 that cranked out 385 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque, eye-popping stats for its day. A 0-60 mph run could be handled in just 5.8 seconds. The Testarossa was not only notable for its styling, particularly its “cheese graters” side strakes, it was also a star on the popular Miami Vice TV series, which helped solidify its iconic status.