Incredible original survivor with just 55,965 original miles. Completely stock, no modifications. Extensive service records back to new. Books, records, and lots of Indy 500 memorabilia included. There is no better $15,000 car anywhere.
Unlike so many other C4s, this awesome pace car remains completely stock and unmodified, with only the usual service items having been replaced over the past 31 years. The yellow paint looks fantastic and it’s always been a great choice on a Corvette, with the yellow used in 1986 being bold and very similar to Daytona Yellow—it doesn’t care if it’s in-your-face or not. The pace car decals were not installed at the factory, but rather shipped separately so the dealer could install them at the customer’s request, and this car did not have the original decals installed and they were subsequently lost to the sands of time. However, this car does wear exact copies that were created just for this car by the experts at Phoenix Grafix, using colors and measurements taken from the actual pace car used at the 1986 Indy 500. Obviously the car has never been hit or wrecked, and like 99% of the Corvettes out there, it has never seen inclement weather so it’s spotless throughout. It’s a time warp back to the ‘80s, yes, but you’ve probably forgotten that cars were actually pretty darned good in 1986. This Corvette is living proof.
Speaking of proof, there’s more evidence of the car’s low mileage claims inside, where the beautiful charcoal gray leather interior is in fantastic condition. The perforated leather sport seats are as comfortable as they look and given the Corvette’s considerable cornering capabilities, they really grab and hold. There are some very minor scuff marks on the driver’s outer bolsters, which is all but inevitable on these cars, but everything else is in extremely good condition. Even more importantly, everything works, including the digital dashboard, which remains bright and clear, not dim and spotty. The A/C blows ice cold thanks to good old R12 refrigerant inside, the factory Delco/Bose stereo system sounds great, even with the top down, and the trip computer monitors a dizzying array of functions. Things like power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats were standard, as was a tilt column (this was pre-air bag, you know) and cruise control, so there was really no way to get a stripped Corvette. All of it works like it should. There’s a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission, and to be honest, that’s really the right choice on an early C4 because the Doug Nash 4+3 manual gearbox was really clunky and not much fun. The black canvas convertible top is the model of civilized operation, and yes, it’s 100% original including the crystal clear rear window, which should really tell you about how nicely preserved this ‘Vette really is.
1986 was a great year for another reason, too: the introduction of the 5.7 liter L98 V8 engine. This is, of course, the car’s original, numbers-matching engine and with so few miles, it’s only just broken-in. It starts quickly and easily, and idles smoothly even when it’s ice cold—that’s the miracle of fuel injection. Those long intake runners help make the L98’s legendary torque, and this car feels insanely quick off the line because of it. Of note, convertibles came with aluminum cylinder heads, which added 5 horsepower and shaved about 50 pounds from the nose of the car, so they’re lighter and better balanced than the coupes. Nice, right? It’s completely original under the hood, with only the usual service items having been replaced over the years, and there’s nothing that needs attention today. Just get in and go. It runs right, idles properly, and pulls hard through all the gears.
Underneath, it’s likewise very clean and original, right down to the factory exhaust system with catalytic converters, so it’s 100% legal in every state. The 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission snaps through the gears and offers a towering overdrive that makes this car a pleasure on long highway cruises and with 2.73 gears out back, the L98 is always loafing, with explosive performance just a prod of the throttle and a quick downshift away. Obviously there’s no rust, since the floors are fiberglass, but the steel frame is unmarked and in fantastic condition. Recent 255/55/16 performance radials have been fitted to the original aluminum wheels, which are likewise unmarked and in excellent condition.
It includes original manuals, books, maintenance receipts from new, and lots of Indy 500 paraphernalia.
This is a heck of a lot of car for the money. You won’t find anything for less than $15,000 that goes faster or looks better, and this particular Corvette has led a very easy life with extremely detailed service records. Buy with confidence? You’d better believe it! Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
