Dodge fitted 16 inch wheels to its Daytona Turbo Z in 1986, a the same diameter as that year’s Ferrari Testarossa. As the world emerged from the automotive low point that sent performance backwards since the mid-’70s, cars like this 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z represented a performance future where fuel-efficient turbocharged engines made V8 horsepower. In a year when the old-school 5.0L V8 Camaro made 155 HP, the Turbo Z made 146. Arrays of switches, dials, buttons, and graphics dazzled drivers; the more the better! This Iowa specimen adds luxury and style with leather seats and removable T-tops, and it can be yours for $8000. Check out more pictures and details here on eBay. Thanks to the factory brochures at Lov2xlr8 for some details.
The black leather needs some care, but should be salvageable. A good shot of the drivers seat showing any wear in the bottom or bolsters should be required by law. Showing the worst areas of a car begins the transaction with some honesty. Any seller who “cleverly” hides the worst spots during their photo shoot brands themselves as a liar the moment a potential buyer walks up to the car. Not good.
Air conditioning too; nice! The seller says the car was converted to R134a but does not blow cold. The 147 HP 2.2L turbo I4 also makes a satisfying 170 lb-ft of torque. Luckily this Turbo Z sports a proper five-speed manual gearbox and not the incongruously low-tech three-speed automatic. Tuners get well over 300 HP on these motors, so dial up more power with a simple exchange of dollars for horses.
The red paint and black trim shows well, and credit the seller for describing some missing pieces and other foibles like a gas leak that only shows up when the tank is completely full. You couldn’t buy a V8 Mustang with wheels larger than 15 inches in 1986, making these factory 16s a boasting point of the sporty Daytona.
These rear seats look surprisingly inviting and road-trip ready for a 2+2. Despite falling out of favor in recent years, the hatchback design offers excellent cargo capacity, easy access to your possessions from the cabin, and the ability to transport large objects with the rear seats folded flat. Though out-done by modern turbo fours, this ’80s Turbo Z offers a pretty good slice of performance and economy without mountains of modern technology to maintain. Would you give up the latest tech to enjoy this ’80s hot hatchback?
As most of you know I’m a fan of these cars having had an ’86 of our own. Crew Chief had a lot of fun on grocery runs and both of us had fun on the autocross courses.
And done in comfort judging by those great looking seats 💺 bobhess 👍 🏁
Took a cross country run and the seats were the best part of it.
I think I fell in love with the Dodge Daytona Turbos watching the TV show Hunter as a kid. The maroon and silver one that Dee Dee McCall had got me started on liking them. ( I think it was an ’84(?) But basically looked like this one but in different colors)
Those seats sure look comfortable, I remember the Fifth Ave seats in leather were some of the nicest seats around, probably whoever designed those seats must have had a hand in these as well.
Dee Dee and a turbo Daytona ? whats not to love.
The video shows a good shot of the front seats. They look fine, maybe just need a little leather conditioner.
The cloth seats held up better, but you are right, very very comfortable seats.
Had an 84 in red and silver but clear coat went bad and had it resprayed in Black Cherry Pearl and silver. Dodge should have made them that way. It constantly had people remarking on it.
This has some more features and some of the same problems my Barn Finds purchased ’85 Daytona Turbo Z. It also has 20,000 more miles and who knows when the timing belt was done, a key reason that I bought the gold one on here. I had to rebuild the wiper linkage, which wasnt difficult just time consuming. There is one good youtube video that helped greatly. Sagging headliner. Broken clock buttons. This one does NOT have cruise control, mine does and works well (except that it accelerates when you use the left turn signal while engaged.) I prefer my cloth interior and minimal electric gadgets. These wheels are better for sure. I did just drop $2000 on brakes and lines, but its worth it, very nice car with very comfortable seats and a good, efficient (35mpg hwy) and powerful engine.
Brakes and lines should be budgeted for so many old vehicles Dan. Expensive but necessary. Sounds like you have a great ride 👍 😎
Always loved these G bodies. Have had several over the decades. Had a new Daytona turbo back in 84′ and currently have a 84′ Daytona turbo z 5spd with 58k orig. miles I bought from the first VA owner over 20 years ago. Always loved the first gen. 84′-86’s the most. This has been listed on Ebay previously but from what I can see it’s a very nice original Daytona with the CS package, which makes it even better. Seeing any of these on the road now are like unicorns.
I was thinking Michael & Stephanie. Always simply referred to as the
“Turbo Z”.
Good God, I miss my 86 CS. Ttops, 5 speed, same Mark Cross interior…….. just the amazing Gun Metal Blue. Fantastic cars when cared for. They did take mods well too. If it was the “right” color, I’d be begging the wifey. Been looking for mine since the mid-90’s. I think it’s still somewhere near Port Jefferson on Long Island. Getting closer. The search will continue.
This was on the opposite end of the 2.2 Turbo spectrum. In ’86, I owned a GLH-T. Just about as ugly and plain Jane as they come, compared to this decked out out luxury model.
But man was that some raw fun.
SVO Mustang had 16″ rims in 1986.