1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

[Hugh P.]

Looking for information regarding very early production 1986 Corvette convertibles. Specifically any Corvette convertibles that may have been delivered from the factory with RED Delco HD 500 shock absorbers.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

What's your VIN #?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

Looking for information regarding very early production 1986 Corvette convertibles. Specifically any Corvette convertibles that may have been delivered from the factory with RED Delco HD 500 shock absorbers.

Hugh------


I don't know for sure on this. However, my recollection is that the Delco HD 500 shocks were SERVICE-only.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

My '86 with VIN #4435 came with black shocks from the factory. My father bought the car new.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

My '86 with VIN #4435 came with black shocks from the factory. My father bought the car new.

Stephen-------


Usually, if not exclusively, PRODUCTION and OEM SERVICE Delco shocks of the period were black. SERVICE-only, Delco aftermarket replacement shocks were often painted the color of the particular shock series which they were part of. I seem to recall that red was the color for the Delco 500 series shocks.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

Then how can you tell what shocks were installed from the factory? By the part number?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

Then how can you tell what shocks were installed from the factory? By the part number?

Stephen------

Check the Service Parts Identification Label (SPID). Codes and colors as posted above. However, Bilstein shock cars may also have code FE7 in addition to FG3.

What F codes do you have on your SPID label?

[Hugh P.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

Sorry I did not reply yesterday. VIN is within the first 50 cars. Convertible production started sometime in January I believe. Was used by Chevrolet as track car at the 1986 Indy 500 ordered by the Indianapolis Chevrolet zone office and returned to GM after the race. Was sent directly from Bowling Green to Indy Chevrolet Dealership to be prepped for the race that handled all 225 Chevrolet Indy 500 support cars and trucks for the Indy 500.
One of five yellow Corvette convertibles ordered from Chevrolet for 1986 Indy 500. All the remaining Corvettes (about 50) were different colors or coupes. Everything else is pure stock, nothing else was changed. The only other earlier convertible that I know of is VIN001. This was a Milford Proving Ground pilot build YE08, but this car was used for pre production development purpose sorting out structural ride and handling changes required for production build. That is why for 1986, the convertible started production much later than the coupe. First Corvette convertible available since 1975.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

Sorry I did not reply yesterday. VIN is within the first 50 cars. Convertible production started sometime in January I believe. Was used by Chevrolet as track car at the 1986 Indy 500 ordered by the Indianapolis Chevrolet zone office and returned to GM after the race. Was sent directly from Bowling Green to Indy Chevrolet Dealership to be prepped for the race that handled all 225 Chevrolet Indy 500 support cars and trucks for the Indy 500.
One of five yellow Corvette convertibles ordered from Chevrolet for 1986 Indy 500. All the remaining Corvettes (about 50) were different colors or coupes. Everything else is pure stock, nothing else was changed. The only other earlier convertible that I know of is VIN001. This was a Milford Proving Ground pilot build YE08, but this car was used for pre production development purpose sorting out structural ride and handling changes required for production build. That is why for 1986, the convertible started production much later than the coupe. First Corvette convertible available since 1975.

Hugh------


There should still be a Service Parts Identification label in the car if it was approved for retail sale. What does it say as far as "F" (or "Z") codes?

[Hugh P.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

Joe,

Thanks for your input.

I will need some time to verify, I am not available to look at the ID label (in storage). I have no reason to believe there would be F or Z codes on the ID label as F-41 or Z-51 would not be an available option for convertibles. You are correct as the red Delco HD 500 shocks are supposed to be SERVICE shocks and therefore would not come that way from the BG plant. This vehicle was retained by GM after the Indy 500 for several months until sold with less than 3000 miles, and was then purchased at that time by a GM executive until sold with a little over 10,000 miles that never changed anything (except oil/filter) including the tires. No reason to change shocks with that kind of mileage. I need to do more investigation and collect some information on early production convertibles just to satisfy my interest. I know they are incorrect, and will probably never know for sure why, but the car has an otherwise interesting history with documented participation at the 1986 Indy 500.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

Joe,

Thanks for your input.

I will need some time to verify, I am not available to look at the ID label (in storage). I have no reason to believe there would be F or Z codes on the ID label as F-41 or Z-51 would not be an available option for convertibles. You are correct as the red Delco HD 500 shocks are supposed to be SERVICE shocks and therefore would not come that way from the BG plant. This vehicle was retained by GM after the Indy 500 for several months until sold with less than 3000 miles, and was then purchased at that time by a GM executive until sold with a little over 10,000 miles that never changed anything (except oil/filter) including the tires. No reason to change shocks with that kind of mileage. I need to do more investigation and collect some information on early production convertibles just to satisfy my interest. I know they are incorrect, and will probably never know for sure why, but the car has an otherwise interesting history with documented participation at the 1986 Indy 500.

Hugh------


Yes, FE7 or Z51 were not available for convertibles. However, my thinking is that for a car with an unusual history and original purpose like this one, it would be possible that GM made an "exception". Not likely, but possible. There is no fundamental reason I know of that FE7 or Z51 could not have been installed on a convertible.

In any event, there will be "F" codes on the SPID label regardless of what suspension was originally installed.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 1986 Early Production Convertible Shock Absorber Pace Car

fyi: My original 86 convertible shocks are black and are part # 22052392.

Thanks,

Stephen