1986 Chevrolet Camaro

The third-generation Camaro was produced from 1982 through 1992. The all-new 1982 Camaro was shorter and lighter, and now had a fastback appearance with a large, compound-curved window. It continued to use General Motor's F-body platform and were the first Camaros to use factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic transmissions, five-speed manual transmissions, 16-inch wheels, and four-cylinder engines.

For 1986, the Camaro received a newly required Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL). 1986 was also the only year to see this attached to the hatchback glass on base model Sport Coupes, IROC-Zs, and Z28s. This was the final year for the L69 5-liter 305 high output 4-barrel option, of which 63 were built for racing as Canadian Player's cars and 11 were made available for public sale, making a total of 74.

For 1986, the Camaro was comprised of the Camaro Sport, Camaro Berlinetta, Camaro Z28, and Camaro IROC-Z models. The only body style was a 2-door coupe. Engines ranged from four-, six- and eight-cylinders. The Camaro Sport Coupe had a new black accent band on the taillights and used 'Chevrolet' lettering instead of the Camaro name on the rear fascia. They had Rally wheels, wheel trim rings, black sport-style outside rearview mirrors, black-out rocker panels, special striping, and a 'sport tone' exhaust system. Wet-arm windshield wipers were standard equipment on all Camaros. Standard equipment including safety strength seat attachments, energy-absorbing steering column, energy-absorbing instrument panel, energy-absorbing front seat tops, front-seat head restraints, side marker lights and reflectors, a four-way hazard warning flasher, back-up lights, directional signals with lane-change features, a windshield defroster, windshield washer, dual-speed windshield wipers, an inside rearview mirror warning light, a starter safety switch, an audible reminder for ignition key removal, an anti-theft steering column lock, and a carpeted cargo floor with storage well. They had power front disc and rear drum braking system, power steering, and a torque arm rear suspension.

The Berlinetta had many of the same features found on the Camaro RS plus added electronic-tuning AM/FM stereo radio with a digital clock, dual horns, electronic instruments, dome and map lights, color-keyed sport mirrors, intermittent windshield wipers, a roof console, full wheel covers, tachometer, and locking rear storage. They also had a 2.8-liter multi-port fuel-injected V-6 engine and a five-speed manual transmission.

The Camaro Z28 added body-side moldings in eight colors and black. Standard equipment included dual sport mirrors, a front air dam, 'ground effects' rocker moldings, a rear decklid spoiler, a silver- or gold-accented lower body with striping, a carpeted cargo floor with stowage well, reclining front bucket seats, front stabilizer bar, power steering, tachometer, and hinged-cover console stowage. The engine was a 5-liter four-barrel V8 engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

The IROC-Z was an option package on the Camaro Z28. This added twin fog lamps inset into the grille opening, a low front air dam, striping at rocker panel level, and ornamental hood louvers. They had recessed quad headlamps, with parking lamps just below the crease line. The cars rode on 16 x 8-inch aluminum wheels and P245/50VR16 Goodyear Eagle GT unidirectional tires. Near the bottom of each door were large 'IROC-Z' decals. Three versions of the 305 CID V8 were available, with the standard version being a four-barrel with a five-speed manual gearbox. Another option was the High Output L69 carbureted V8 or the new LB9 Tuned Port Injection (TPI) version. The TPI V8 came only with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The IROC-Z had dual sport mirrors, new extended Z28-type ground-effects rocker panels, fog lamps, special IROC-Z badges, hood louvers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rear decklid spoiler, carpeted cargo floor with stowage well, reclining front bucket seats, 16-inch aluminum wheels, quick-response power steering, a modified MacPherson strut suspension in the front, and a tachometer.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2014

The 1986 Chevrolet Camaro came in four models, including the base, Berlinetta, Z28, and IROC-Z. The most popular was the base model, which found 99,517 interested buyers. 49,585 enthusiasts opted for the IROC-Z while 38,547 went for the Z28 option. The base engine was a four-cylinder unit that displayed 2.5 liters and offered 88 horsepower. Camaros powered by V6s received a five-speed manual with a four-speed automatic available as optional equipment. The V8 engine came with a four-speed automatic.

Changes for 1986 included black accents on headlamps and front fascia vents, lower body stripes, Rally wheels, and black sport mirrors. New 'Chevrolet' lettering replaced the 'Camaro' name on the rear fascia. Body side moldings were available in eight colors or black. There were 12 body colors available with 8 of them being new for this year.

New options included halogen foglamps, automatic day/night mirror, color-keyed bodyside moldings, and an AM radio with a digital clock. All Camaros had an air conditioning cutout switch, an upshift indicator was added to manual gearbox models, and an automatic rear hatch pulldown latch.

Five engines were available including the 2.6 V6, 5-liter V8, high-output carbureted 5-liter V8, and Tuned-port injection 5.0-liter V8.

The IROC-Z models had no grille opening at the front, and there were two fog lamps alongside the license plate opening. They had quad rectangular headlamps that were deeply recessed. They rode on P245/50VR16 Goodyear Eagle GT tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Also included with the IROC-Z option were special suspension components, special front struts and springs, rear springs, larger-diameter stabilizer bar, and Delco/Bilstein gas-filled shock absorbers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2013