- 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
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