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1986 CORVETTE
The 1986 Corvette convertible was the first factory convertible option since 1975 and all were designed as Pace Car Replicas. Special decals were packed in the car, but not installed. Instead of a conversion by an outside company, as had become the practice for most 1980s ragtops, Corvette's roadster was built by Chevrolet right alongside the coupe. Chevrolet entered into a business relationship with Callaway Engineering to produce a 345hp twin-turbo Corvette at a cost of $51,000. The ABS braking system became standard equipment with 1986 Corvettes based on a Bosch ABS II design. 50 Malcom Konner Commemorative Edition 1986 Corvettes were built in a special arrangement honoring the New Jersey Chevrolet dealership's founder Malcom Konner . There were only 4 Copper Metallic colored Corvettes built and all were coupes. Corvette's engine was the same 350-cid (5.7-liter) 230-hp tuned-port-injected V-8 as 1985, but with centrally-positioned copper-core spark plugs. New aluminum cylinder heads had sintered metal valve seats and increased intake port flow, plus a higher (9.5:1) compression ratio. Aluminum cylinder heads were delayed half way through the model year due to cracking around the head attachment bosses which caused a redesign. As a result, all 1986 convertibles and late production coupes received the aluminum cylinder heads. The last 8,594 are believed to have received these heads. The aluminum cylinder heads resulted in an increase in horsepower to 235 hp; up 5hp from the previous model year. The engine had an aluminum intake manifold with tuned runners, magnesium rocker covers and an outside-air inducútion system. The new Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS) debuted A small electrically-coded pellet was embedded in the ignition key, while a decoder was hidden in the car. When the key was placed in the ignition, its resistance code was "read." Unless that code was compatible, the starter relay wouldn't close and the Electronic Control Module wouldn't activate the fuel injectors. A Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) above the rear hatch glass was added to comply with federal requirements. Cast alloy wheels design changed slightly from the 1984-1985 model years. The wheel center section retained a natural finish vs. the black finish in 1984 and 1985. Both four-plus-three manual and four-speed overdrive automatic transmissions were available, now with an upshift indicator light on the instrument cluster. Three monolith catalytic converters in a new dual-exhaust system kept emissions down during warm up. The instrument cluster was tilted to cut glare. The sport seat from 1985 was made standard, with leather optional. Electronic air conditioning, announced earlier, arrived as a late option. Otherwise, standard equipment was similar to 1985. Corvette exterior colors (and code) were: Silver Metallic (13), Medium Gray Metallic (18), Medium Blue Metallic (20), Yellow (35), White (40), Black (41), Gold Metallic (53), Silver Beige Metallic (59), Copper Metallic (66), Medium Brown Metallic (69), Dark Red Metallic (74), Bright Red (81). Two-tone combinations were: Silver and Gray (12/18), Gray and Black (18/41), White and Silver (40/13). Silver Beige and Medium Brown (59/69), Silver Beige and Black (Special Malcom Konner). Upholstery colors: (cloth/leather & leather codes): Blue (21C, 212), Bronz (65C,652), Graphite (-,122), Green (12C,-), Medium Gray (15C, 152), Red (-,732), Saddle (62C,622) and White.
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