1986 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

 When the C4 debuted in 1984 it was as if a spaceship landed on earth.  It was such a radical departure from the previous generations of Corvettes and the design was polarizing among Vette enthusiasts.  But eventually, as they were refined over the years, they developed quite a following.  After the initial year's production of 51,000 cars, subsequent years dropped to about half that number making them relatively uncommon. 

For consignment, a third year C4 in two tone silver on black, owned and garage kept by the consignor since 2006.  It has 87,353 title verified actual miles.  With some bumps and bruises, it could use some TLC, but C4's still represent an ideal car to jump head first into the classic car world without the need for a Brinks truck full of cash.  They're fast, fun, supported by an aftermarket community, and still have the iconic American sports car look and feel.  This one comes to our Hallowed Halls with a transmission swap for the better with a Tremec T5 replacing the Doug Nash 4+3 unit along with a new clutch as well as a new battery and radiator hoses. 

Exterior
Distinctive silver over black paint envelopes this car which like most Vettes, has a long hood, steeply raked windshield, and sloping and curved rear window.  The wide, inset marker lights were new for the Corvette and were accompanied by side mounted indicator lights.  The gills on each side are topped with embossed “Tuned Port Injection”.  Even if you didn't know what that was back in the day, the fact that it was perched over the gills was just plain cool.  Our car features a red pinstripe at the mid line and as we'll learn, this is a hint at the interior color.  The inset twin taillights were definitely space age at the time, clean and unencumbered looking very much like afterburners.  The reverse lights which were integrated into the circles in previous generations, are moved to the license plate cove.  The pleasantly symmetrical rear also includes twin exhaust tips on both sides.  The 16-inch “salad shooter” wheels are original and despite aftermarket wheel availability, nothing quite fits a C4 like the originals.  The paint is in decent condition.  Love marks on this car include damage to the glass targa top and some aging and discoloring on the wheels.  

Interior
We go from somewhat subdued silver and black on the exterior to fire engine red on the interior.  The multi material door panels include a carpeted lower half and black plastic controls.  Corvette seats are often the subject of disdain and complaints, but the red leather buckets of this '86 are supportive and sporty.  The side bolsters are still firm though the driver's seat showing just a bit of wear.  The back cargo area is covered in red carpet and without the benefit of tinted rear window, some fading has occurred.  The pre airbag standard two spoke steering wheel is present.  Looking very much like an arcade game and certainly mind blowing in the mid 80's, the digital dash with its graph-like displays and segmented digits is the stuff of Radwood dreams.  The center stack has controls, an info center with idiot lights, and an aftermarket Jensen AM/FM/CD radio.  The padded dash in front of the passenger was probably a better choice than the molded steel dashes of yesteryear.  The center console is red and shows some wear and cracking and an aftermarket shifter squeezes into the slot where a Doug Nash 4+3 once lived.  More on that soon.  The plush carpet in the footwells looks good. 

Drivetrain
A 5.7 liter V8 with tuned port injection is accessible via the reverse opening hood, yet another Vette fun feature made even cooler because in the C4, the entire front clip moves and swings up.  A T-5 5-speed manual transmission was installed according to the consignor in 2010 when the original clutch went bad.  This unit replaces the Doug Nash 4+3 manual transmission from the factory.   Power is sent to the rear wheels and 3.07 gears.  The engine bay is in driver condition and we note new radiator hoses and battery in place per the consignor.  Power disc brakes spin at all four corners. 

Undercarriage
Pure driver quality underneath with its share of surface rust, general patina, some dry bushings, and oil residue splattered about.  The dual exhaust joins one catalytic converter, then splits again to exit from tips that leave two mufflers near the rear.  The standard suspension exists with a front single fiberglass composite mono-leaf transverse spring with unequal length aluminum control arms and stabilizer bar.  The rear comes to us as a fully independent 5 link system with a transverse fiberglass single leaf spring, aluminum upper/lower trailing links and strut rod tie rod assembly. 

Drive-Ability
I love me some C4 and was anxious to get this one out on the loop.  It's like an old friend and that exhaust note on start up brought it all back.  The tail end digs in as the powertrain sends significant torque to the rear wheels and the car settles into its acceleration, which belies its 230 horsepower.  The wide 255/50ZR16's keep the Vette planted and stable, even around turns.  She runs well and sounds good but we note a number of items that are not functional: the speedometer, (the consignor states it needs a gear), the horn, reverse lights, passenger power window switch which sticks, the passenger headlight does not rotate all the way up, the A/C is not working, the dash lights pulse, and the Service Engine Soon light is illuminated.  

C4's are the gateway drug to the car hobby.  While they sometimes come replete with common issues, there's a vast aftermarket network and support community and clubs that are there to help.  Great father and son project car that runs and can already be taken to cruise nights and the ubiquitous Corvette club gatherings. 

1G1YY0784G5100471

1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
YY-Corvette
07-2 Door Coupe
8-350ci V8 230hp
4-Check Digit
G-1986
5-Bowling Green,KY Assy Plant
100471-Sequential Unit Number

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