Some cars bear all of their secrets in full view rather than forcing the next owner to go digging for answers. This 1986 Chevrolet Corvette is a great example of this phenomenon, as it was clearly modified in-period and hasn’t been touched since. The side strakes, the hood scoops, the rear spoiler, (likely) knock-off BBS wheels – it paints quite a picture. The Corvette hasn’t run in quite some time and was apparently sitting at a friend’s house for several years. The good news is it’s equipped with the preferred (and hard to find) manual gearbox, so it has that going for it. Find the Corvette here on craigslist for $1,200.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader PRA4SNW for the find. The C4 Corvette isnt exactly loved by enthusiasts, especially when it hails from the earlier years. This is both deserved and also undeserved, as the chassis itself is a decent handling platform, but the performance was always somewhat underwhelming. It wasn’t until the early 90s that this era of the Corvette really came into its own, so the earlier models are still huge bargains on the classifieds boards whereas a later C4 and the subequent ZR-1 will set you back some meaningful dollars. This one needs a total cosmetic overhaul if you’re looking to lose the 80s stlying details, and the drivetrain health is an unknown given it doesn’t run.
Now, here’s another interesting detail: the cloth bucket seats. Cloth seating was extremely rare when it came to outfitting a C4 Corvette, so hopefully the next owner will bring these back to life. The door panels have been given some custom touches, and I wouldn’t recommend preserving this look if you end up restoring this Corvette. The manual gearbox is a treat, as most C4s of this era seem to come with the automatic. The Corvette has been sitting for 15 years, so you’ll have to plan on draining and replacing all fluids, instlaling new belts, and upgrading the tires and brakes to start. Hopefully, the carpets are dry and there’s no evidence of water sneaking in for all the years it’s been parked.
The engine bay was certainly a home for rodents as evidenced by this nest, and you can bet they found their way into other areas. The seller would be wise to blow this out and re-picture the car. While everyone loves to see a barn find in its most pure form, most people don’t want to think about mice nesting inside. The Corvette will be sold on a bill of sale as the title doesn’t exist, so that right there limits the pool of potential buyers. Still, if you love 80s style like I do, this is the kind of car I’ld buy and use as a static dispaly peice after the cosmetics were refreshed. Would you keep the bodykit or ditch it?
This poor car. I can’t imagine being right side up on this even if given for free. Those door panels though..
A marginal car made worse.
Dennis, I hope you are not thinking about this one?
Never! It just struck me as interesting that someone obviously sunk a lot of money into this to get this look, only to park it without any care of preserving it. There is a story there that we will never know and I thought it would be fun to read the comments that this one will get.
I did not think you would bite! Looking forward to the comments also, take care.
Definitely a mouse motor, not a rat.
Oh look, it comes with a glovebox full of 56K modems!
Awesome comment!
I guess Rat’s Nest is the new Barn Dust? I don’t see how that helps a sale
A gallon of gas and a match is what this car needs
Gas is too expensive to waste on this.
Overpriced by about $1200.
FFS. A drug dealer in the nineties lost his gem when he went to jail…
The rear hatch looks unique
Can only be used as a parts car now
They may be BBS’, but with 5 lug nuts, they’re not “knock offs”.
The Doug Nash built 4+3 manual trans used in these cars was an interesting and novel idea in the 80’s. But it’s quite questionable as to whether having one today in an 84-89 Corvette is an improvement over an automatic, if for no other reason than that repair parts are almost non existent for them. This car may in fact be an automatic, as the seller doesn’t say, and the auto shifter, knob and boot are almost identical to the manual ones.
Considering what you can buy a nice 86 for, this car isn’t worth putting back together. I sell Corvette parts, and at $1200 I don’t think there’s enough usable parts there to even make it worth buying to part out.
The listing states automatic? So the one potentially redeeming factor is gone….
Looks like it was a nasty accident!
And to think someone thought this was a good idea.
Why, just why would you do this to a car?
See Claudio’s comment above.
Who needs an EV when you have an Eco-friendly engine like that?
All that extra plastic and an automatic to boot.
This things going to be sitting in someones yard for a long time.
With that huge mouse nest under the hood, I have smell-a-vision on that interior…
Well, it’s ugly as sin, but at least the critters loved it, apparently!
My God. Let the car be itself. Horrendous.
Wow!! And I don’t mean that in a good way. My best suggestion is to just move to the next listing!
Miami Vice Edition? Crockett and Tubbs wouldn’t be seen dead in this monstrosity.
Not that far from me, i think i can smell it from here.
hurry !! where’s the nearest auto compactor???
LS Swap candidate. The motor is a boat anchor at best. Good start for a project!
Overall I like the looks of the car, sans it’s currently neglected state of course.
The valve cover in the front seat should always be considered an option delete item.
Even though the CL add says automatic the photo clearly shows a Manuel transmission.
At $1200 you’d never recoup and you’d have to LUV this car and own it forever, even if it was a gift.
The add has some concerns:
The seller states “Lien” title, yet goes onto say he’s selling it for his sister, who if you read between the lines should have the title.
I think it’s a salvage or an auction based on the number wax penned on the bumper.
Unless the sister got it at salvage 15 years ago and it sat in her Long Beach California wheat field!!!???
Regardless I’m not a buyer but if you are the story doesn’t math with regards to this cars origin.
Wonder if a carfax would tell you?
A Radwood shoe-in for sure.
I wonder if the Birdcage is… oh, nevermind.
Wow, what can you say about this train wreck. But it could be used for some sort of a parts car for a rat rod project I suppose….I’m a Mopar guy so not really into Vette’s, just make some money off of them. About 13 years ago, while driving my large delivery truck, I made a wrong turn in a rural neighborhood and as I was turning around, I spotted a shiney bumper (it looked like a ’68 – ’70 Charger) behind a rickety old fence of a house. What I found was a 1966 Corvette, one family owned, 427, 4 speed, 85000 original miles, sitting since 1972 in the same spot. I was able to buy it that day from the woman who set the price, I respectfully did not try to talk her down, and paid her price…….$4500.00 !!!! This purchase will NEVER happen again to me in my life, but better buy it, even though I don’t care too much for Chevys…(die hard Mopar guy) , I saw investment potential, I’m not stupid. Kept it for about a year….did not wash it or clean it or try to start it…..never told anyone I had it. Finally, I was contacted from a gentleman who had heard I had a car he may be interested in. He came over, could not believe what he was looking at and made a CRAZY cash offer. He also told me it was a rare “tanker car” after examining the Corvette for nearly 2 hours…cash money baby. A modest investment of $4500 brought in good money to build up my bank account and fund some money for my Mopars. Don’t pooh, pooh projects that could turn out to somewhat profitable, if purchased cheaply. Good luck friends !! Ray
More pics of my 1966 427 Corvette find…
427, 425 horse….sad to have let it just sit idle all those years till a Mopar guy came along to seriously buy, matching numbers car….new owner restored in less than a year, happily enjoying even to this day….Mopar guy makes a Chevy guy very happy…..lol !!
Woodgrain wheel in excellent condition considering it had been sitting all these years, though the body was covered.
Last picture guys, as not to bore you all any longer. The 1966 427 4- speed Corvette now fully restored by the man that purchased it from me and enjoys it in his collection. At least I did my part to get it to the correct guy who would show it the love. A BarnFinds happy story !! Take care everyone !!
Ray
Here’s the pic.
Ray
Now down to $1K. I feel a VetteKart coming on…
It’s a period piece and worth saving for that reason.
The world is not short of stock C4s.