The fourth generation (C4) of America’s Sports Car, the Chevrolet Corvette, arrived in 1984. They had skipped the 1983 run to focus on readying the all-new model. Not a lot had changed by 1986 when the seller’s example was built, and a 350 cubic inch V8 was your only choice. We’re not told much about this tip from Tony Primo other than it used to run and does not now. Located in Coos Bay, Oregon, this set of cheap wheels is available here on craigslist for $1,200 OBO.
Perhaps the biggest news item for 1986 was the return of a Corvette convertible for the first time since 1975. That body style had fallen out of favor in General Motors circles but was starting to make a comeback. 7,315 of them were produced in ‘86, but the seller’s vehicle is one of 27,794 coupes and may or may not have the removable roof panels. The car was apparently parked at 150,000 miles, and the seller says it used to run (was that the reason for being parked, something went awry?).
What may be Dark Red Metallic paint is faded and worn, and the seller only includes two photos, so we added a third in terms of what the Corvette may have once looked like. No interior pics are offered, so we don’t know if any small woodland creatures managed to take up residence and decorate it to their liking. It has an automatic transmission, suggesting the 350 may have been rated at 230 hp. For the price, is this ‘Vette worth the gamble?
There are days when I’d buy this just to piss off my wife. Then there are other days when I’d decide to stay married after 45 years.
Fortunately the latter far outweigh the former, and my fondness for C4 Corvettes is far outweighed by my fondness for my wife.
I like C4 Vettes. But I’m looking for a cheap one like this with 3 pedals. THEN I can have/build a track day car. I’ve been told there is at least 500 pounds that can be shaved off without really trying. And there are tons of go fast parts available. I have even found one for $500. But, also what I have been told. Changing one over from automatic transmission is a huge deal.
@Wayne, if you ever do, I’d be happy to give you free advice on how to make it handle. I built an autocrosser in the late 1980s that with D.O.T. tires, pulled 1.03G on a skidpad for a magazine test, and the car was 2 seconds faster around the Streets of Willow Springs than Dick Guldstrand’s GS80 with the same driver.
The manual cars (Doug Nash 4+3) also have a stronger Dana 44 rear axle than the automatics, but there is an option that sort of appeals to me. Do a ZF8 8-speed automatic swap, and unless you are really wedded to a clutch pedal, get a modern computer controlled, multi-mode, blip downshift automatic with plenty of gears and lightning-fast shifts. But I would source a rear suspension from an 88 or later manual (better roll center/camber geometry in addition to having a better limited slip).
Thanks! I appreciate that. I have a long history of autocross. Ice racing, pro rally and until last year, track days. (Race car partner got old (younger than me) and wanted out. Being in the throws of building a house, I couldn’t buy him out. So the heavily modified Spec Racer we ran for 15 years was sold. I’m definitely going through race track withdrawals.
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I’d buy it for 1200 but it’s 3000 miles away so it is too far away to drag it home.
@Wayne, I was part of the Herb Adams group that raced a GTO and a Firebird in Trans-Am, worked with Jerry Thompson in IMSA GTO, got to fly with Don Yenko, built/raced an IT class Golf, raced Jim Russell Racing Formula Mazdas, and more recently spent 10 years as advisor for San Jose State University’s Formula SAE team (600lbs w/driver, ~90-100BHP, 2.2Gs cornering, 0-60MPH in < 3 secs, double A-arm suspension, traction control, etc.). In 2025 SJSU was fastest of all 100+ North America teams. If you want to connect, my email is: [email protected]
Didn’t the feds cause American manufacturers to nix convertibles in the 70’s and switch to t-tops?
1986 was the first year in ages that there was a convertible Corvette.
Love the C4’s but they’re cheap enough where I’d look for a nice running example before this. Posting has been deleted by seller.
Had an 86 Convertible for 11 years. It had already had the DN overdrive unit changed for a Tremec 5 speed before I bought it. Admittedly the suspension was sloppy when I got it due to the bushings being trash. I put a Banski suspension under it, made all the difference in the world, drove like a slot car after that. This was the first year for the aluminum head L98 engine which was a solid engine. I miss it.