We have discussed the difference in eyeball appeal of the “four-eyed” Ford Mustang at length; so how do we feel about the same distinction between different eras of the Dodge Daytona? Flip-up headlights are indeed associated with peak 80s/90s style, but the fixed halogen lamps that adorned so many domestic vehicles are also symbolic of an era that was still getting its footing style-wise. Regardless of where you stand on the matter, this 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z listed here on craigslist is likely one of the best examples left in stock condition with original paint.
The seller is asking $7,500 for this survivor coupe, which still bears the original dealer emblem on the left rear top of the tailgate. The 1980s were not kind to performance cars of any variety, with a few exceptions, but it was especially hard to find vehicles on a tight budget that could deliver the thrills we all enjoy. Thanks to Carroll Shelby, Chrysler became a beacon of hope for those car shoppers not ready to step up to a Lamborghini Countach. The entire lineup of front-wheel drive, turbocharged hot hatches and econoboxes was a quick tune and some bolt-on mods away from being serious road burners.
Of course, looking back on it now, the cars don’t seem that impressive – but at the time, turbocharged Mopar products were a Godsend. The Daytona came in a few different varieties and got spicier each year. In the case of a 1986 model Daytona like this one, it features a turbocharged 2.2-liter engine, snazzy body kit, a close-ratio manual gearbox, and a variety of convenience-oriented features to make the cabin feel more expensive than it was. Of course, all those attributes aside, the real selling point for this Daytona is its clean condition, with a spotless interior and exterior showing very few flaws.
It’s also one of only a handful optioned with the T-top roof package, and it seems likely that the original owner wanted the best Daytona money could buy at the time. Of course, you could always push the envelope further if you stepped up to the C/S package, which unlocked thicker anti-roll bars, special shocks, and larger alloy wheels. Based on the wheels shown here, I don’t believe this is a C/S car, but you never know! The seller notes a few issues, the most significant of which are a fuel tank leak when the gas tank is full and inoperable A/C. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for the find.
You had to be careful on wet roads… 1st or second gear punch…when turbo spooled up would torque steer you in the ditch 😊
Pop in a Wang Chung cassette and you’re good to go! Seriously, for the condition the money looks right, at the time they were stout performers and can keep up with traffic today. Those seats look as though Corinthians were involved . . .
I bought a 1986 used in 1989 same car black with grey interior with a 5 speed. That was one of the most fun cars i ever owned. But like Rw said that torque steer was scary nearly put it into a tree going from 1st to 2nd when i first got it ripped the steering wheel right out of my hands. That was a problem with a lot of turbo cars back then that likely caused more then a few accidents.
Indeed, these were a breath of fresh air for the time.
A couple of friends had the Chrysler-badged Lasers. They were a hoot to drive….yep, watch that torque steer.
As I recall, theirs were mechanically reliable but less so for all the other bits after a couple of years.
Jeff… Our CS had the same wheels except they were painted gold to indicate the Shelby suspension. Also had graphics on the sides. Either way, fun cars.
These were the best-looking K-car derivative IMO, the quad headlights and decent proportions do it for me. It would be interesting to see one of these with a modern drivetrain, I think those 2.2s could be built up pretty well. The websearch AI overlord says a K24 swap is new, troublesome territory LOL.
I had an ’86. It had an electrical short somewhere. I had to disconnect my battery everywhere I went so I wouldn’t have to beg for a jump. Took it to Dodge 4 or 5 times and they couldn’t figure it out. I was coming home from school one late, cold, rainy night and, of course, I was on a major highway, and it just stopped running. Called a buddy…borrowed a truck to tow it home. When I got back to the car, a firetruck was leaving and a cop was writing his report about the huge fire that engulfed my car. Great looking car but I never bought another Dodge and never will again.
Looks like a nice car at a reasonable price. Would rather drive this than 99 % of the other “fish in schools” that drive Hondo cars . I don’t beleave the seller knows how to work on cars . Some of the fixes needed are easy.
I agree with everyone here about the turbo / torque steer, I had an ’85 with really strange problems that would crop up. 1st, the on board computer would shut down the car without warning. And I can think of at least 3 times the front window cracked. Tidy looking car here, Good luck.
These were great cars. Had one new in ’84 and several more over the decades. He had it listed over a year ago on CL for $8,500. It’s in beautiful shape minus the few needs that require attention. It’s not a CS as it’s missing those badges on the front fenders.
None of these were ever Shelbys built at the Shelby Automotive skunkworks in Whittier, CA and bearing Shelby marque badges and titles, with the CS logo instead of Dodge with a Pentastar logo. You may be thinking of the Shelby GLHS, the ultimate and final edition of the Dodge Shelby Charger.
That said, the facelifted version of these from ’87-up were available with a Shelby Z trim/spec package including a 2.2L Turbo II engine among other suspension/handling goodies, but those were still badged and titled as Dodges.
I never said these were actual Shelby built vehicles. There was a C/S handling package option on the ’86 Daytona turbo z that gave it various mechanical upgrades. If you opted to get this package there were C/S emblems on both front fenders. I’m very familiar with these cars.
The CS badges were just behind the front wheels.
This car was a step above at the time as American manufacturers started to learn about small,good handling, cars with descent horsepower were all about. Chrysler and Dodge like Ford learned from their off shore division and brought the lessons . Not ever American recognized what they were about. But collectors today know what they represent.
“The 1980s were not kind to performance cars of any variety, with a few exceptions, but it was especially hard to find vehicles on a tight budget that could deliver the thrills we all enjoy.”
Are you kidding? 0-60 times weren’t anywhere near today’s statistics, but there were dozens of entertaining cars available in the 1980s, including many for folks on a budget.
In 1984, you could get a Dodge Daytona Turbo like this one, a Dodge Colt GTS, a Chevrolet Citation X-11, a Saab 900 Turbo, a VW GTI, a Toyota Celica, a Toyota Supra, a RWD AE86 Corolla, a Mitsubishi Starion, a Pontiac Sunbird Turbo, a Ford EXP turbo, an Isuzu Impulse, a Mazda RX-7, etc, etc, etc. Even without brutal straight-line performance, most of these were a hoot to drive.