The mid-1980s were a turning point for Dodge. With muscle cars of the past gone and emissions rules choking power, Chrysler and Dodge needed a new way to bring performance to the street. Enter the Dodge Daytona Turbo Z — a front-wheel-drive, turbocharged sports coupe that brought Carroll Shelby’s influence into the lineup. This 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z CS is a great example, showing only 55,000 miles, finished in black with gold accents, and factory-equipped with the Shelby-developed CS handling package. It’s now listed at no reserve on BringATrailer.com.
Exterior – 1980s Mopar Attitude –
The Daytona was Dodge’s answer to cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, but with a more high-tech, turbocharged twist. This one is finished in black with gold striping and trim accents that scream 1980s performance. Highlights include a removable sunroof panel, a rear spoiler, a rear window wiper, body-color trim, CS fender badging, and a single exhaust tip. It sits on bronze-finished 15-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/50 Kumho Ecsta AST tires, keeping the stance period-correct.
Suspension & Handling – Shelby’s Touch –
The “CS” in this car’s name stands for Carroll Shelby, who was heavily involved in Dodge’s turbocharged performance cars of the era. The CS handling package wasn’t just a sticker — it added real performance upgrades. A thicker front sway bar and a solid rear sway bar gave the Daytona more balance in corners, while the chassis was tuned for sharper responses compared to the standard models. Brakes consist of front discs and rear drums, typical for the time, but more than capable when paired with the lighter weight of these cars.
Interior – Retro Comfort & Tech –
Step inside, and it’s straight back to 1986. The beige cloth bucket seats feature patterned inserts, with matching rear folding seats and door panels. The driver faces a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a 125-mph speedometer, a tach with a 6,000-rpm redline, and auxiliary gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, voltage, and fuel level. A factory-installed boost gauge is mounted in the center stack, reminding you that this isn’t just another economy coupe.
Creature comforts include air conditioning, power windows, locks, and mirrors, plus a digital clock. Dodge equipped this car with an Infinity AM/FM cassette stereo paired with Boston Acoustics door speakers — high-end sound for the mid-’80s.
Powertrain – Turbocharged Performance –
Under the hood sits the turbocharged 2.2-liter I4. Rated at 146 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, it gave the Daytona strong acceleration for its time. All power is sent to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual transaxle, giving enthusiasts the control they wanted in an era when most competitors were automatic-heavy.
This particular car received an oil change in October 2024 and has had about 500 miles added since the seller acquired it in 2023.
Documentation & Condition –
The Daytona comes with manufacturer’s literature, service manuals, an AutoCheck report, a clean Carfax, and a clean Massachusetts title in the seller’s name. The Carfax shows no accidents or damage, supporting its well-preserved condition.
Auction Details –
With just 55,000 miles, factory CS handling equipment, and original styling intact, this Daytona Turbo Z represents an important piece of Dodge performance history. These cars rarely come up in such original shape, and the fact that it’s being offered at no reserve makes it even more exciting for Mopar fans and collectors.
Bidding ends Tuesday, August 26 at 3:54 p.m. EDT on BringATrailer.com.
1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z CS 5-Speed Image Gallery:
