1986 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy.

* * *

The 1986 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible marked a significant milestone in Corvette history — it was the first factory-built convertible offered since 1975. Chevrolet reintroduced the drop-top model in response to renewed consumer interest and advancements in safety regulations that made convertibles viable again. The 1986 convertible was based on the fourth-generation (C4) Corvette platform, which debuted in 1984 with a focus on modern engineering and aerodynamics.

The convertible featured a fully manual soft top and retained the sleek, wedge-shaped styling of the coupe. Under the hood was a 5.7-liter Tuned Port Injection (TPI) V8 engine producing 230 horsepower, paired with either a 4-speed automatic or a 4+3 Doug Nash manual transmission. Notably, all 1986 Corvette convertibles came equipped with a third brake light mounted on the rear deck, a new federal safety requirement.

Chevrolet also introduced the Corvette Convertible as the official pace car for the 1986 Indianapolis 500, further boosting its visibility and desirability. Though not a limited edition, all convertibles from that year carried special pace car badging. With 7,315 units produced, the 1986 Corvette Convertible helped reestablish the model’s legacy as a true American sports car with open-air appeal.

Highlights 

• Offered from The Generous Collection 

• Finished in Bright Red (81) with red leather interior 

• Saddle convertible top 

• Official Pace Car decals 

• 5.7-liter Tuned Port Injection V8 rated at 230 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque 

• Four-speed automatic transmission 

• Air conditioning 

• Accident-free CARFAX history report

Features 

• 16-inch wheels wearing 255/50R16 BF Goodrich tires 

• Performance mufflers 

• Fighter-aircraft inspired digital instrument panel  

• Driver information system 

• Power seats, windows, locks, mirrors, and hatch  

• AM/FM/Cassette Electronically Tuned Receiver (ETR) stereo 

Known Imperfections 

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Paint chips and patina on nose and hood 

• Exterior emblems worn 

• Driver side seat and door panels worn, seat power not working 

• Tires worn 

• The included accident-free CARFAX history report lists two mileage inconsistencies:

  • Odometer reading went from 86,900 miles in February 1994 to 47,170 miles in February 1995

  • Odometer reading went from 61,020 miles in September 2015 to 30,117 miles in February 2025

Included

• Wheel lock key 

Ownership History

The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report places this 1986 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in Georgia and since 1996, Alabama.

Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty. 

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 email: rpotts@hagerty.com  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.