1997 Classic Cars for Sale

The C5 Corvette arriving for 1997 was a genuine reset. The C4 had grown stale and the ZR-1 was discontinued. The C5 brought a hydroformed perimeter frame, an LS1 V8 making 345 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, and a curb weight of 3,245 pounds. It handled properly. It stopped pulling to the right under braking. It had a trunk. These sound like basic requirements, but the C4 had made Corvette enthusiasts accustomed to managing around problems rather than expecting them to be solved.

Porsche introduced the 996-generation 911 at Frankfurt, moving to water cooling after decades of air-cooled development. The decision was controversial and remains so. The 996 used a new 3.4-liter flat-six making 296 horsepower and shared front bodywork with the Boxster to reduce development costs, which irritated 911 buyers who felt they were paying a premium for a shared parts bin. The IMS bearing issue that would affect early 996 and Boxster engines was not yet known.

Honda Integra Type R reached US Acura dealers this year with a 195-horsepower B18C5 engine, a close-ratio five-speed, and Recaro seats. It weighed roughly 2,586 pounds. The front-wheel-drive handling balance was legitimate, not merely competitive for its class, and the engine wanted to rev past 6,000 rpm before it started making serious power. That characteristic filtered out buyers who were not committed to driving it correctly.