Vehicle Description
If there's a bigger performance bang for the buck than the C4
Corvette, I'm not sure what it might be. Even almost thirty years
later, this 1986 Corvette offers handling (thanks to the coveted
Z51 handling package) that'll embarrass more than 80% of today's
cars, powerful brakes, and the legendary L98 small block V8. With
just over 86,000 original miles, this clean and unmolested Corvette
coupe is a heck of a lot of horsepower and handling for the price
of a 3-year-old Hyundai.
Purchased from a GM executive employee when it had just 4000 miles,
this Corvette has been in long-term ownership with a guy who
clearly loved the car and cared for it. The burgundy paint gives
this Corvette a sophisticated look that is a pleasant change from
all the bright red and black C4s you see just about everywhere you
go. It received a full paint job in 1996 which remains in very good
condition today, with only a few very minor signs of age. Corvettes
aren't made of metal, so there's obviously no rust or damage to the
bodywork, and the doors, as with most C4s, close with a reassuring
thunk. Both the front and rear bumpers are in good condition with
no cracking or discoloration, and I, for one, have always liked the
high-mounted light atop the B-pillar hoop, which reminds me of the
mighty ZR-1.
The tan leather interior was part of Corvette's state-of-the-art
presentation, and GM poured every bit of tech they could dream up
into the 'Vette. The articulating sport seats are some of the most
comfortable ever fitted to a GM car, even today, and it's easy to
find just the right position. There's a bit of wear on the outer
bolster, as you'd expect, but the leather overall is in good
condition and certainly commensurate with its age and mileage. The
door panels are excellent the carpets are original, but the
steering wheel is showing some above-average wear that could
probably be addressed with some conditioner and a deep cleaning.
The digital dash was perfectly in tune with the tech-happy 1980s
and Corvettes came loaded with options like power windows and
locks, A/C, a tilt wheel, and a decent AM/FM/cassette stereo, all
of which are fully functional in this car. The trunk area under the
hatch is reasonably-sized and in excellent condition, thanks to a
fitted mat with the Corvette logo on it.
Power comes from Chevy's legendary 350 cubic inch V8, designated
the L98 in the Corvette. In 1986, it made 230 horsepower and torque
was an impressive 330. It starts with a bark from the exhaust
system and is at its best in cut-and-thrust driving where it's
perhaps the ultimate point-and-shoot machine. It's also very easy
to modify, but this one remains bone stock and runs like new thanks
to extensive maintenance since it was new (receipts included).
Linked to a 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive, it's a fine grand
touring machine whose road manners and performance were much
improved over earlier models. Of note, the A/C has been fully
rebuilt and uses R134a refrigerant, so it'll be easy to service in
the future, and it wears original wheels with a machined finish
that still looks good, all wrapped in 255/50/16 performance
radials.
This car is also nicely documented with the original window
sticker, owner's manual, and extensive maintenance records. If you
need a low-cost way to have some fun and get into the hobby with
some of the best enthusiasts around, this might be the answer. Call
now!