dano 1

It's a shame that the value isn't showing up yet for these cars. The one I have is is awesome shape and I really don't want somebody just to buy it and trash it.

If you know of anybody that can respect the car please feel free to forward them to me. Thanks

JT

iTrader: (1)

Since it was released in 1986, as it was according to the Car Distribution Bulletins, it was an official option for 1986. Production options and changes happen regularly in the car industry and not confined to wait until the next model year. The Car Distribution Bulletins show many changes (new features, new options, deleted options, delayed options, etc.) that occurred during the model year. While it may not be in the first prints of the dealer album or dealer order sheet, it was still an official option in 1986 as shown by the CDB and up to the dealers to sell it. The dealer order sheets and albums have print dates, and revisions, to reflect the changes during the model year.

I have a 1986 digital cluster with the "prototype" design. Aside from the tachometer display, it's virtually the same as those in 1987 and 1988 production. Some had a choke warning lamp. Some had a Security lamp. Some had different amber/red lines (tachometer and coolant temperature). Realistically, I doubt those subtle differences will ever account for a car being worth thousands more than another. It does come down to condition, options and desired equipment. Once again, your car is pretty nice. And I still suggest updating your For Sale pictures to show the replacement parts, as well as fix the other distractions, since you're asking for a premium price and also not hinge (price) the car on a different tachometer display as that's not likely to sell the car or sell it for a premium.

t/aws61985

iTrader: (2)

You wanna sell that 86 cluster? I can always use a spare for this car.

dano 1

I stand corrected. I guess what I meant to say was it was not an original option for the 1986 model. Does that sound like a more accurate way of saying it? I want to make sure I don't over sell the option on the car.

t/aws61985

iTrader: (2)

Its been a while since I posted some updates with this car. I have mostly been fixing the car up to get it running well. I did new intake gaskets, smog tube delete, AC box delete, and a few other things. I am prepping the car for paint currently, and have started a few projects to raise the bar with this car. I have some big plans with this car now. Which I really didn't want to do at first but here we go. Added LEDs to the digital dash as well. The car will have a 4th gen keyless entry installed soon. just waiting on more wire. Anyways here some random pictures of my progress on this one.




2nd Fuse box. Gonna add some cool stuff

t/aws61985

iTrader: (2)

Delete

t/aws61985

iTrader: (2)

We have some big plans. Just stand by

ForestCat

I'd like to add a few anecdotes re: '86 T/A with Digital Cluster. I own one that I bought new in '86. In the spring of '86, my brother (who had an '84 firebird at the time) received a Pontiac ad in the mail. It showed the new T/A's. There was a picture of a gold (absolutely gorgeous, very metallic color, have yet to ever see one in the flesh, similar to the 2nd Gen gold color) T/A with a Digital Dash. I fell in love with it and set out on a mission to find one. After a month of phone calls to dealers across the country, to CPC, etc., I found 10 of them. This was the story I heard REPEATEDLY from dealers across the country: The option was announced for 1986, but there were big problems trying to get some type of EPA certification regarding the digital dash and the "Electronic Air Conditioning" (look, it sounded like bullshit to me, too, to at the time, but that was the party line from every dealer I spoke with...). Supposedly, The decision was made to actually remove the digital clusters from finished cars in the factory lots from the original production run, retrofit them with analog clusters so that they could be shipped to dealers and sold. The certification finally came through at the 11th hour, and, I was told, they were going to just hold off until '87, but some 86's did 'sneak out' at the very end of the production year w/ the U52 digital clusters. No one had exact numbers, but they were estimating "a couple of hundred at most". My car, to the best of my recollection, had a mfg date of June '86. The original radiator is long gone, and I can't find the original sticker. Final assy was Norwood, OH. Actually found my car on a fluke at a local dealer. Supposedly, a senior salesman had ordered it for himself, got tired of waiting, and bought a Vette instead.
P.S. I had issues w/ the cluster annunciator panel and one of the headlight doors. One of the circuit boards had burned components and kept blowing a fuse. The dealer (obviously) had no clue. It being the 80's, I was actually able to get the engineer at Delco-Packard who had designed the board on the phone. He was really anxious to get his hands on the failed board, and mailed me a new one overnight. IIR, he confirmed the story about U52's being yanked back out of finished cars earlier in the production run.
I had high hopes these "rare birds' might be valuable some day, but 33 years later, not so much. Oh well.

ForestCat

I had the exact problem. I believe it was a cold solder joint. I removed the circuit board and re-soldered every single pad (single layer board, not that bad). Problem solved.

dano 1

Thanks for the info. Do you still own yours, what color?
Do you have any interest in adding one to your collection. It has not been chopped up and is all original. Some body panels painted, it is 30 years old.
I really need to sell this for my medical bills but I want it to go to somebody that will appreciate the car for what it is.
Let me know if you or somebody you know would be interested in buying my car.

Thanks,

Dan

ForestCat

I still have it, in the process of giving it some well deserved TLC. Car is all white, no decal on hood. Still have the window sticker & the build sheet. Factory WS6, Aussie 9-bolt posi. T-Tops. Body is in great shape, grey velour interior very nice except for some sun damage to top of rear seats. Putting in all stainless fuel/brake lines. Replaced the fuel tank/pump. Replacing all bushings/ball joints in suspension/steering. Having anything that's rusty sandblasted & powdercoated, k-member, a-arms, etc. I'm doing a 5-speed conversion right now, as well as Hedman shorties/y-pipe, Magnaflow cat & catback and a proper cam, something similar to the 5-speed cams of that period if I can match the specs. Also removing the A.I.R. stuff. Other than that the car is all there, all stock. So I'm keeping the 305 and TPI setup. The 700R4 was replaced under warranty at 12,000 miles, so it wasn't the original tranny anyway. The car has a ton of sentimental value to me. I bought it new when I was 26, with my first royalty check from a new record contract as the down payment. Ah, the 80's, the decade of MTV, slow cars and fast women, lol.

I'm so over budget on this that there isn't a prayer of me buying another car. If you give me all the info on your car, I can pass along the info to friends.

dano 1

sorry for the dust, in my front yard

at a local car show a couple years ago
I had a full message for you but for some reason it kicked me out. Can personal e-mails be shared on this site? If so I can send more info to you direct. I really need to sell her but want somebody that will take good care of her and appreciate her for what she is.

Thanks,

Dan

zman1969

iTrader: (9)

I think these Digital dash cars are cool I'd love one but too many toys as it is (5+DD) I never even saw one of this till the last year or so - super cool option

t/aws61985

iTrader: (2)

Just reading back on this thread, it is incredible all the information that has been brought to light by people who bought these new/worked for GM. My personal 86 digital dash car is sadly gone. I ended up parting it out. I kept the whole electrical system on the car and the whole dash. I sold the bare shell. I was going to make the car into a Mecham racing clone 86 car. But I found a real one and bought it. so that was that. My mint 86 car that I have restored will get this dash. The 86 digital car will live on through that one. Tbh, That's why I bought the digital car in the first place. for the swap.

t/aws61985

iTrader: (2)

t/aws61985

iTrader: (2)

U52 was the option for the dash. Now everyone should know production numbers. They were made in 85 as well. There were a few SE cars too. Pretty cool. First owner wasn't lying. He was told wrong.