The C3 (third-generation) Corvette was in its 13th consecutive year of production in 1980, having replaced the C2 in 1968. It’s the “Mako Shark” version that would soldier on through 1983. This 1980 ‘Vette was found in a barn in 2018 where it had sat for 25 years. It then changed hands, was cleaned up, had 2,000 more miles added to the odometer, and is now available here on craigslist. From Colchester, Connecticut, the Chevy is offered at $11,750. Thanks for the cool, tip, T.J.!
Changes to the appearance of the Corvette were few in 1980. A lower profile hood was added, the rear bumper cover incorporated a rear spoiler, and fully automatic cornering lights were now standard. We don’t know where they found excess baggage to jettison, but the Corvette went on a weight reduction campaign in 1980 that enabled Chevy to build them a fuel hundred pounds lighter, resulting in a nimbler car that was faster and better on fuel consumption.
The seller’s car is one of 40,614 produced in 1980, the Corvette’s fifth-best sales year since being introduced in 1953. As the story goes, this car got caught up in a divorce and sat in a barn from the late 1990s until 2018. As a result, the odometer reflected under 18,000 miles of which just 2,000 more have been added in the past four years. The photos provided are before and after and the car appears to have been cleaned up nicely.
But we’re told that the burgundy paint is due for a respray, yet the interior has held up well for being more than 40 years old. This Corvette has the standard L-48 V8, which equates to 350 cubic inches at 190 SAE net hp. If it had come with the L-82 version of the motor, the output would have been 30 horses higher. The motor is paired with an automatic transmission, and the seller says it drives well.
Some of the car’s parts have been replaced recently, including the tires, wheels, exhaust, valve covers, air breather, and brakes. For those who like original stuff, all the parts removed have been retained. One downside appears to be that the title is missing, perhaps lost during that divorce we mentioned earlier. According to Hagerty, in Fair to Good condition, one of these sports cars runs between $6-16,000, so the seller has priced this one in the middle.
‘ fully automatic cornering lights’ ?
According to the National Corvette Museum:
Other exterior highlights include a new hood with a lower profile. New rear bumper cover with integral rear spoiler. New flag emblems. New rear lights. And cornering lights, new to Corvette as well as being standard, are fully automatic. The lights are illuminated by the turn signal when the headlights are on and are turned off when the signal is cancelled. Inside there’s a new rich, ribbed pattern cloth interior. And for the driver, a standard sliding sun shield to help cut down on the side sun for added comfort.
Thanks Russ! Pretty sure thats how they work on my 1972.
Sharp looking car now that it’s cleaned up. I miss my ’82.. I think these were the best looking coke bottle cars. There was no ’83 – production went from 82 with this body style to 84 with the wedge shape.
No title , no buy .
No Title, good luck with this sale!! You’re gonna have a hard time moving this one for any price.
Texas used to be easy if you lacked a title. No more, they changed a couple years back and the process is so arduous it is not for the faint of heart.
Even a 42 year old car in Connecticut is a huge problem without a title. Have the have the individual listed on the title go to DMV & get a duplicate title. If that can’t be accomplished, good luck!
Title is not all that concerning to me. In California, all you need is a VIN that is not stolen, A bill of sale, and a CHP inspection. I did that for some old motorcycles I bought. No problems and very easy to do. Car looks like a good candidate to drop a ZZ4 and 4160 into. should even pass smog with that. Good luck
Worth 1/2 that price going for 9verpriced at $11,000??
In most states, the person having the title owns the car. What makes this sale almost impossible is that the holder of the title can come back after many years and lay claim to the car. Easiest way to change hands would be for the seller to get the holder of the title to get duplicate or sign off on the car. Seems to be too risky to buy without title or sign off.
For a nearly $12k asking price (or any price), it had better have a clear title in the seller’s name. Like Sonny stated, someone could claim the car many years later. Too bad because this is a nice low-mileage ‘Vette!