The later developments of the Chevrolet Corvette car after the fourth generation series were based on the tremendous achievements and enhancements made on the fourth generation models. At the final stage of the fourth generation Corvette production, serious thoughts were put behind releasing a multi sports car of Corvette. But, the more important stage in the production journey was the time when General Motors approached Lotus.

This happened in the year 1986, and the entire idea of design and implementation came from the Corvette engineers and designers and they proved to be the important catalyst for producing the multi sports car at that time. In the year 1996, Chevrolet unveiled the "grand sports" version of the Corvette, which actually ruled the race tracks of America. During that period of time, a total of one thousand grand sports version Chevrolet Corvette cars were released on the roads. This period is termed as the supreme era of Corvette cars by experts and historians since the latest sports model cars of Corvette defined the model and renewed the concepts in the making of a car.

Apart from these, there were other models of Corvette released in the year 1996, and this is certainly the reason why 1996 was called as the golden year of the Chevrolet Corvette. The other models released the same year were the coupes and the convertibles. When as many as 810 coupes were unveiled on roads, 190 convertibles also found their way. This was a cautious attempt by the corvette producers (General Motors) to differentiate the different models of multipurpose Corvettes released in the year 1996.

The ultra sports model of Corvette unveiled in the year 1996 was highlighted mainly because of its power and performance. The engine make was the great LT 4 and it was unique and different at that point of time. Not many cars were there at that time in the US to match the sports car of Corvette. To differentiate from the other models of Corvette released in the same year, and to stamp uniqueness for the multipurpose product, the throttle body the Sports car had a plate named "Grand Sport". The color and appearance of the Grand sport car was elegant and commanding, as the admiral blue body color defined the purpose and intentions of the car. The black colored wheels were too good on any rough surface. The bonnet of the car had a white colored stripe that added the style and uniqueness of the grand sport model Corvette.

The interior parts of the car gave a soothing appearance as black and red colors decorated the seating and other peripherals. The convertibles released that particular year did not have the hard top option, which is not to be considered as a drawback of that particular model. Also, the body had an elongated frame which was contributed by the arch extension of the rear wheel. This enabled added comfort for the driver and the style was also immaculate. In the year 1996, a collector edition of the car was also released.