Survivor Shark: 27k Mile 1981 Chevrolet Corvette

This 1981 Chevrolet Corvette is a 27k mile “Shark” body style in the last year of production. Some would say that it had reached its refined, penultimate peak. As the C3 generation prepared to take its final bow, the 1981 model emerged as a fascinating bridge between old-school American muscle tradition and the dawning age of computerized automotive management. This example is located in Pompano Beach, Florida. It is listed here on eBay by a dealer. There are 5 days remaining in the auction and the bids have reached $6,100 after 20 bids.

Looking at the numbers, 1981 saw 40,606 Corvettes roll off the lines—a figure that mirrored the previous year’s 40,614 almost to the car. It was a remarkable end to the C3 considering most performance car sales were trending down. This was the year the Corvette lived in two worlds at once: as the sun began to set on the legendary assembly lines of St. Louis, Missouri, the future was already waking up in the high-tech halls of Bowling Green, Kentucky. For a few brief months, the ’81 was a traveler between two eras, marking the end of one legacy and the quiet start of another. Mechanically, the 1981 Corvette had only one engine available: the 5.7-liter L81 V8. This 350-cubic-inch engine was designed to be “50-state legal,” meaning that for the first time in several years, California buyers received the same powerplant as the rest of the country. Equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and Computer Command Control (CCC) system, the engine produced a pedestrian 190 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. While these numbers might seem modest by modern standards, the L81 was celebrated for its smooth delivery and improved efficiency. Weight reduction also played a key role this year, with the introduction of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic rear leaf spring on automatic models, shaving thirty-six pounds off the car’s rear end.

The silver over dark charcoal two-tone exterior finish highlights the aggressive curves of the fiberglass body. With just 27,000 original miles, this car is equipped with mirrored glass T-Tops that catch the silver leather interior. This Corvette is shod in its original aluminum wheels but there are no pictures of the engine bay. Today, we still wish the 1981 Corvette had more power but, we see the final, polished evolution of the classic Stringray silhouette. This car has a number of options including an ETR digital radio and power antenna.

Visually, the 1981 Corvette was a masterclass in late-C3 styling. The move to the Bowling Green plant introduced a superior base-coat/clear-coat paint process, allowing for the introduction of striking two-tone paint schemes that have since become iconic. Enthusiasts could choose from several combinations like Silver/Charcoal, Silver/Blue, and Beige/Dark Bronze. Standard colors remained diverse, featuring classic hues like Frost Beige, Autumn Red, White and Black. Inside, the cabin offered a “cockpit” feel with a new optional power driver’s seat and a refreshed instrument cluster.