1986 CORVETTE

One new body style and an engineering development were the highlights of 1986.

• The Corvette line added a convertible during the model year, the first since 1975.
• A computerized anti-lock braking system (ABS) was made standard.
• It was based on a Bosch ABS II design.
• During hard braking, the system detected any wheel that was about to lock up, then altered braking pressure, in a pulsating action, to prevent lock up from happening.
• Drivers could feel the pulses in the pedal.
• This safety innovation helped the driver to maintain traction and keep the car under directional control without skidding, even on slick and slippery surfaces.
• 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.
• The engine had an aluminum intake manifold with tuned runners, magnesium rocker covers and an outside-air induction system.
• 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.
• Cast alloy wheels gained a new raised hub emblem and a brushed-aluminum look.
• 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.
• A new electronic Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) was also made standard.
• 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.
• Corvette's back end held four round recessed lenses, with "CORVETTE" block letters in the center.
• The license plate sat in a recessed housing.
• Cloth seats had lateral support and back-angle adjustments.
• The new convertible (a.k.a. "roadster") had a manual top with a velour inner liner.
• The yellow console button that ordinarily controlled Corvette's hatch release instead opened a fiberglass panel behind the seats to reveal the storage area for the top.
• Size 16 x 8-1/2 inch cast-alloy aluminum wheels held unidirectional P255/50VR-16 Goodyear Eagle GT SBR tires.
• Corvette exterior colors were
  • Silver Metallic
  • Medium Gray Metallic
  • Medium Blue Metallic
  • Yellow
  • White
  • Black
  • Gold Metallic
  • Silver Beige Metallic
  • Copper Metallic
  • Medium Brown Metallic
  • Dark Red Metallic
  • Bright Red.
• Two-tone combinations were
  • Silver and Gray
  • Gray and Black
  • White and Silver
  • Silver Beige and Medium Brown
  • Silver Beige and Black.
• Interior trims came in Blue; Black; Bronze; Graphite; Medium Gray; Red; Saddle; and White

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• The Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY07*9G5100001 to 1G1YY07*9G5127794
• The Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY67*9G5900001 to 1G1YY67*9G5907315

• Engine serial number began 0001001
• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
• Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
  • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
  • The one or two numbers shows the month
  • The last digit shows the year
• Engine suffixes:

• The 1986 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 13 = Silver Metallic
  • 18 = Medium Gray Metallic
  • 20 = Medium Blue Metallic
  • 35 = Yellow
  • 40 = White
  • 41 = Black
  • 53 = Gold Metallic
  • 59 = Silver Beige Metallic
  • 66 = Copper Metallic
  • 69 = Medium Brown Metallic
  • 74 = Dark Red Metallic
  • 81 = Bright Red
  • 13/18 = Silver and Gray
  • 18/41 = Gray and Black
  • 40/13 = White and Silver
  • 59/69 = Silver Beige and Medium Brown
  • special = Silver Beige and Black (used on 50 "Commemorative Edition" Corvettes made for Malcolm Konner Chevrolet of New Jersey)
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Coupe	1Y	Y07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$27,072	3086	27,794
Convertible	1Y	Y67	2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger	$32,032	N/A	7,315

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Automatic Transmission
  • Four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic (TMH 700-R4)
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 3.06:1
    • 2nd = 1.63:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • 4th = 0.70:1
    • Rev = 2.29:1
  • Final drive ratio: 2.59:1 or 3.07:1
• Manual Transmission
  • Four-speed manual with overdrive
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.88:1
    • 2nd = 1.91:1
    • 3rd = 1.33:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • overdrive = 0.67:1
    • Rev = 2.78:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.07:1 (optional 3.31:1)

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES