- April 3
- Tony Rudd, of Lotus Engineering, meets with the Corvette Group of the Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada division. They discuss the powertrain for the future Corvette, with the possibility of Lotus creating 4-value twin-cam heads for the L98 engine. The conclusion is that such a 400-hp configuration would not fit in the present Corvette. It is proposed that an entirely new engine be created to meet the desired power and fuel efficiency needs. [4.5] [6] [99.43] [172.30] [231.70] (June [157.34]) (July [17])
- April 14
- Hendricks Motorsports tests the Corvette GTP race car at Road Atlanta. The car runs 0.2 seconds faster than the lap record. [687.166]
- April 28
- At the Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, the Playboy / Yokohama 6 Hours of Riverside race is held, round one of the SCCA United States Endurance Cup series. At the start of the race, Corvettes hold the first fourteen positions.
- Finishing 1st is the Morrison-Cook Motorsports Corvette, driven by Don Knowles and Bobby Carradine.
- Finishing 2nd or 3rd is the Morrison-Cook Motorsports Corvette, driven by John Heinricy and Tony Swan.
- Finishing 2nd or 3rd is the Morrison-Cook Motorsports Corvette, driven by Jim Cook and Ron Grable.
- Finishing 10th is the Baker Automotive Corvette, driven by Kim Baker and Dave Sikes.
- Finishing 20th is the Baker Automotive Corvette, driven by Jerry Lustig, John Dinkel, and Joe Rusz.
[414.28] [415.30] [417.138] [418] [613.67] [683.133]
- (month unknown)
- Hendricks Motorsports begins testing the Corvette GTP race car with David Hobbs driving. [687.164]
- May 5
- At the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, an IMSA Camel GT race is held. A Corvette wins GTO class. [3.125] [413.23] [613.67]
- May
- General Motors approves the LT5 engine program, to be designed and developed jointly by General Motors and Lotus. Roy Midgley, Chief Engineer for 90-Degree V-Type Engines at Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada group gives Group Lotus specifications for dual overhead cam heads for Corvette: 4.4-inch bore centers, 385 hp, no federal gas-guzzler tax. [99.43] [157.34] [231.70] [585.49]
- June
- Chevrolet Chief Engineer Don Runkle and Lotus' Tony Rudd discuss creating a new show car to show off their engineering expertise. (The project will become the Corvette Indy and CERV III.) [36] [168.40]
- June 28
- At the Nelson Ledges Road Course in Garrettsville, Ohio, the Quaker State Oil's Longest Day of Nelson '85, 6th annual 24-Hour Endurance Race for Showroom production Cars is held, over three days. Finishing 1st in Prototype class and 1st overall is the Morrison-Cook Motor Sports #98 1986 Corvette, driven by Jim Cook and Ron Grable. [411.22] [419.127] [613.67]
- June 29
- (to June 30) In Illinois, the Bloomington Gold show is held. The Special Collection includes four of the original five Corvette Grand Sport racers, and the original Sting Ray racer. [212.B8] [916.11]
- (month unknown)
- Corvette Development Group manager John Heinricy leaves to work for Chevrolet Division. [127.13]
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- Chip Miller and Ken Heckert start looking for previous owners of a 1959 Corvette they bought in 1974, to document its racing history. They discover it is the Purple People Eater Mk III. [827.32]
- July 14
- The NBC television network airs the two-hour movie Stingray, a crime drama about a man called Stingray who travels in a Corvette Stingray. The film is a pilot for a television series. [280.147] [686.9]
- August
- David McLellan calls Reeves Callaway, complimenting him on the Alfa Romeo Callaway Twin Turbo GTV-6 sports coupes, and asking about performing a similar conversion on the Corvette. [32.23] [354.52] [692.42]
- Specialized Vehicles Inc. completes its role in developing a twin-turbo V-8 for the Corvette, after delivering a total of 16 cars to Chevrolet. [692.42]
- Design of the LT5 engine is complete. [344.32]
- August 25
- At the Road America racetrack in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, an IMSA Camel GT race is held. Hendrick Motorsports debuts the #40 Corvette GTP, driven by David Hobbs and Sarel ven der Merwe. A component failure during qualifying leaves the car starting in 17th place. After advancing to 6th place, the car retires after 275 miles, finishing in 33rd place. [415.32] [454.165] [518.223] [525.75] [542.57] [687.164] [854.27]
- September 8
- At the Mosport Park raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, round 12 of the SCCA Bendix Brake Trans-Am Championship series is held.
- Finishing 10th is the Cavendish #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
- In 19th place, but not finishing the race, is the #76 Corvette, driven by Jerry Simmons.
[415.32] [423]
- September
- Callaway is given approval to develop a twin-turbo Corvette prototype. Goals are 400 hp, 450 lb ft, 0-60 MPH in 5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13 seconds, top speed 170 MPH. [692.42]
- October 3
- In Yosemite National Park, Chevrolet introduces the 1986 model Corvette, including the re-introduction of the convertible. [453.130] [583.81] [871.109]
- October 18
- At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Valvoline Road Racing Classic - The Runoffs final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held, over three days.
- Finishing 1st in Showroom Stock GT class is Danny Graham, driving a Corvette.
- Finishing 2nd in Showroom Stock GT class is Greg Graham, driving a Corvette.
- Finishing 3rd in Showroom Stock GT class is Geoff Burney, driving a Corvette.
[3.125] [394.4,15] [422.110] [686.142]
- October 24
- A special air flight leaves Newark, New Jersey, bound for Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Malcolm Konner Chevrolet dealership pays to fly a group of purchasers of RPO 4001ZA, the 1986 Malcolm Konner Special Edition Corvette, to the Corvette plant. There, they will tour the plant, attend a special ceremony to pick up their keys, then embark on a three-day 1000-mile rally back to the New Jersey dealership. Chevrolet made 50 coupes available, 20 manual transmission, 30 automatic, as a $500 option, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first group of Malcolm Konner-sponsored purchasers of Corvettes to pick up their cars at the plant. [323.44]
- (month unknown)
- The February 1986 issue of Car Review gives a four-page article on the return of the roadster with the 1986 model Corvette, and a brief history of the Corvette. [921.14]
- December 1
- At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the IMSA season finale race is held. The #40 Corvette GTP qualifies in record time, leads the race early, but retires with a blown engine. [418.26] [425.188] [638.129] [687.164]
- (month unknown)
- Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, A.G. of Germany, signs a contract with General Motors to supply six-speed transmissions for the Corvette. [232.64]
1986
- January
- Chevrolet introduces the Corvette Indy show car at the Detroit Automobile Show. It has 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, active suspension with microprocessor and hydraulics, cathode ray tube cockpit screens, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and a 600 hp transverse mid-ship 2.67-litre Chevrolet-Ilmore V-8 racing engine with dual overhead cam and 4-value intercooled twin turbo. [3.118] [36] [37] [42.94] [104.141] [168.40] [635.11]
- Chevrolet announces that the Corvette has been chosen to be the Official Pace Car for the 1986 Indianapolis 500 race. [104.102]
- Production of the convertible Corvette begins. [104.104]
- January 30
- Nevis issues two postage stamps that depict a 1953 Corvette. [831.1240]
- February 1
- At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the 24th Sunbank 24 at Daytona race is held, over two days.
- The Hendrick Motorsports Corvette GTP driven by Sarel Van Der Merwe and Bill Adam qualifies in record time, but is withdrawn prior to the race due to a vibration during the morning warm-up.
- Don Knowles, Bob McConnell, and Tommy Morrison race the #88 1986 Corvette, but a broken transmission ends its race.
- Ron Grable, Bobby Carradine, and John Heinricy race the #87 1986 Corvette, but a broken transmission ends its race as well.
[421.24] [423] [426.133] [634.131] [636.73]
- February
- Chevrolet begins selling convertible 1986 model Corvettes. [3.100] [104.101] (March [226.46a])
- March 2
- At the Miami Grand Prix Circuit, in Miami, Florida, the Lowenbrau Grand Prix of Miami race is held, part of the IMSA Came GT series. The Corvette GTP is fastest qualifier, and leads most of the first hour, but then the turbocharger fails. [422.22] [634.130]
- March 4
- The NBC television network again airs the movie Stingray, as episodes one and two of the new weekly series. The show airs on Tuesday nights, 10:00-11:00. [280.415] [281.271] [584]
- March 11
- The NBC television network begins airing new episodes of the Stingray series, based on the pilot movie of 1985. [280.228]
- March
- Chevrolet selects Mercury Marine to build the LT5 engine for the Corvette. [585.50]
- March 22
- At the Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the Coca-Cola Classic 12 Hours of Sebring race is held.
- Finishing 3rd in GTO class and 7th overall is the Morrison Cook Motorsport #88 Corvette driven by Ron Grable, John Heinricy, and Bobby Carradine.
- Placing 12th in GTO class and 29th overall is the Morrison Cook Motorsport #87 Corvette driven by Don Knowles, Bob McConnell, and Tommy Morrison. The car is not running at the finish, due to clutch failure.
- Placing 9th in GTP class and 49th overall is the K & P Racing #82 Corvette driven by David Fuller and Mark Montgomery.
- Placing 24th in GTO class and 63rd overall is the Dave Heinz Imports #51 Corvette driven by Dave Heinz, Don Yenko, Steve Zwiren. The car is not running at the finish, due to transmission failure.
- Placing 28th in GTO class and 72nd overall is the Bud Light Corvette #55 Corvette driven by Craig Rubright. The car is not running at the finish, due to an accident.
[423]
- (month unknown)
- Cylinder heads of 1986 production Corvettes are changed from cast iron to aluminum. [3.100]
- April 6
- At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the IMSA Atlanta Journal/Constitution Grand Prix race is held. Finishing 1st in GTP class and 1st overall is the Hendrick Motorsports #52 Corvette GTP, driven by Sarel Van der Merwe and Doc Bundy. They set a new race average lap record speed of 120.951 MPH. [422.22] [423] [427.101] [434.76] [518.219] [635.129] [638.129] [854.28]
- April 27
- The IMSA Los Angeles Times Grand Prix of Endurance six-hour race is held at Riverside, California. Doc Bundy in the Hendrick Motorsports Corvette GTP is involved in a crash. [421.24] [428.96] [635.129] [854.28]
- May 1
- In Norwich, England, Lotus engineers start the first LT5 V8 engine. This is Chevrolet's first new V8 engine since the 1965 Mark IV. [17] [231.70] [344.32] [454.169] [585.50]
- May 13
- The NBC television network airs the 10th episode of the series Stingray. This is the last episode for this season. [280.415]
- May 18
- At the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Harrisburg, North Carolina, the Charlotte 500 race is held, part of the IMSA Camel GT series. The new Corvette GTP chassis 86/10-01 finishes fourth. [424.30] [636.139] [854.28]
- May 25
- In Indianapolis, Indiana, the 70th Indianapolis 500 race is held. An unmodified production yellow 1986 Corvette convertible is the official pace car, driven by retired Air Force General Chuck Yeager. The car is given to the race winner, Bobby Rahal. [26] [42.116] [61.22] [197.65] [565.21,29] [583.81] [774.112]
- May 26
- At the Lime Rock Park raceway, in Lime Rock, Connecticut, the IMSA Camel Grand Prix race is held. The Corvette GTP finishes 7th. [421.24] [636.139] [854.28]
- June 8
- At the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the IMSA Lumbermens 500 Camel GT race is held. The Corvette GTP finishes 3rd. [422.22] [637.140] [854.28]
- June
- The NBC television network moves the Stingray show to Fridays, 10:00-11:00. [281.271,586]
- Callaway Cars unveils a prototype Twin-Turbo Corvette to General Motors and the automotive press. The car has 345 hp and 465 lb-ft torque. [576.51]
- Chevrolet assigns regular production option code B2K to the Callaway Twin-Turbo option for the Corvette. [692.43]
- June 22
- In West Palm Beach, Florida, an IMSA Camel Grand Prix race is held. Finishing 1st in GTP class is the Hendrick Motorsports Corvette GTP, driven by Doc Bundy and Sarel ven der Merwe. [3.115] [214.115] [236.68] [421.24] [434.76] [518.219] [637.140] [689.135] [854.28]
- June 27
- At the Nelson Ledges Road Course in Garrettsville, Ohio, the Quaker State Oil's Longest Day of Nelson '86, 7th annual 24-Hour Endurance Race for Showroom Production Cars is held, over three days.
- Finishing 1st is the Morrison-Cook #98 Corvette, driven by Don Knowles, John Heinricy, and Bob McConnell.
- Finishing 2nd is the Corvette driven by Bill Cooper, Parker Johnstone, Andy Pilgrim, and Ron Nelson.
[420.16] [430] [638.128] [689.135]
- (month unknown)
- Dick Guldstrand develops the Guldstrand Grand Sport 80, based on 1984+ Corvettes, with competition suspension system and 400-hp 383-ci engine built by Traco Engineering. (35-50 cars are built in total over the next five years.) [17] [325.93] [343.55,70]
- The Briggs Cunningham Museum, housing the CERV I and II, closes. The collection is sold to Miles Collier Jr. of Florida. [21] [42.84] [532.137]
- The NCRS Library, Archives, and Museum Committee is formed. (It later evolves into the National Corvette Museum Foundation.) [195.6]
- Wayne Walker sells his 1969 Corvette ZL-1 to Ed Mueller. [283.20]
- Scale Dreams releases a limited run of 150 copies of a 1/25-scale model of the Corvette Indy, based on the first non-running concept car. Issue price is US$300. [311.14]
- July 2
- Twentieth Century-Fox Film releases the film Big Trouble in Little China to theaters in the USA. A Classic White 1978-79 Corvette appears. [800]
- July
- Regular production of the Callaway Twin-Turbo Corvette begins. [692.43]
- July 28
- At the Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, the G.I. Joe's Grand Prix IMSA race is held.
- The Hendricks Motorsports GTP Corvettes #22 and #52 finish 7th and 8th, driven by Doc Bundy and Sarel van der Merwe.
- Finishing 10th is the Corvette driven by Jerry Brassfield.
- Finishing 13th is the #29 Corvette driven by Doug Taylor and Don Smether.
- Finishing 14th is the #54 Corvette driven by Parke Duff.
- Finishing 15th is the #11 Corvette driven by Rick Stark.
[376.163] [421] [638.128] [689.135]
- August
- The NBC television network temporarily cancels the Stingray show. [281.586]
- The first LT5-equipped test Corvette is running. [344.32] [585.50]
- The September issue of Motor Trend magazine compares the Corvette convertible, Porsche 911 Cabriolet, and Mercedes-Benz 560SL. The Corvette rates highest at 71 of 96 points. [639.56]
- Budd Hickey buys the 1969 Corvette raced by Tony DeLorenzo for the Owens Corning Fiberglas Racing Team, and begins a restoration of it. [226.80] (1985 [35.37])
- October 9
- Chevrolet introduces the 1987 model Corvette. [453.133] [871.113]
- October
- Chevrolet enters into a business relationship with Callaway Engineering to produce a 345-hp twin-turbo Corvette, for US$51,000. (This is the first and only ever engine package developed outside of General Motors offered by General Motors as a regular production option.) [3.110] [576.56]
- (month unknown)
- Tim Partridge of Illinois buys a 1957 Corvette, which turns out to be one of the cars that Chevrolet specially prepared for racing at Sebring in 1957. [213.82]
- The January 1987 issue of Hot Rod magazine includes a reprint of the full letter Zora Arkus-Duntov wrote in December 1953 about Chevrolet producing high performance parts for the Corvette. [927.21]
- November
- The first prototype Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette is running. [32.23] [354.52]
- Rich Mason of Carson City, Nevada, buys a Corvette SR-2. The car was originally built for Jerry Earl. [18.57] [231.32]
- November 20
- Grenada issues a 60-cent postage stamp depicting a 1963 Corvette. [819.468]
- November 21
- New Century Vista Film Company releases the film The Wraith to theaters in the USA. The lead tough guy drives a customized Corvette, model year about 1980. The climax of the film is a race between the Corvette and a mystery black car. [754]
- November 26
- At the Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Eastern Airlines 3-Hour Camel Grand Prix for IMSA GTP race is held.
- Finishing 14th is the Hendrick Motorsports #52 Corvette GTP.
- The Hendrick Motorsports #22 Corvette GTP retires early with exhaust problems. Drivers of the two Corvette GTP entries are Darel van der Merwe, Doc Bundy, and Wally Dallenback, Jr.
- The Walker Racing #55 Corvette is raced by Greg Walker and Nort Northam.
- The Morrison-Cook Motorsports #87 Corvette is raced by Bob McConnell and Tommy Morrison.
- The Morrison-Cook Motorsports #88 Corvette is raced by Ron Garble and John Heinricy. The two Corvettes finish 17th and 43rd overall.
[376.97] [423] [429.24] [432.112] [692.138]
- (month unknown)
- Corvette Indy Number 1 show car is completed, at Lotus in England. It features a 2.65 litre dual overhead cam 32 valve mid-mounted V8 engine, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, antilock brakes, traction control, and active suspension. [36] [168.40] [210.40]
- Ertl/AMT releases its 1/25 scale 1953 Corvette model, as kit number 6519. [176.64]
- At Lotus Engineering, in England, a number of prototype LT5 engine crankshaft failures leads to the decision to switch material from cast-iron to forged-steel. [223.52]
- Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, of Germany, supplies General Motors with the first prototype six-speed transmissions for the Corvette. [232.64]
- December 12
- Troma Entertainment releases the film Class of Nuke 'Em High to theaters in the USA.
- A custom 1978-82 Corvette appears during the opening title credits.
- A red 1968-73 Corvette Convertible appears briefly.
- A blue 1968 Corvette Convertible appears.
[804]
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