This beautiful C3 is a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette located in Solvang, California. The car can be seen here on eBay and has been bid to $5,101 with 4 days remaining in the auction. With only 60,000 miles on the odometer, this car appears to be a clean survivor. The car even has its original exhaust and catalytic converter. Since it is a 1981 car, a CarFax report is available showing that the Corvette has avoided any collisions or accidents.
The tan interior is an interesting choice. I would have thought a black interior would be more likely option with the yellow paint but the tan interior does look inviting and is probably a lot cooler on those hot summer afternoons. The seats look new and the seller states that they have been reupholstered. The car is equipped with an aftermarket radio, power driver seat and cruise control. The seller states that the car has been stored since 1992 and has recently had new brakes, tires and a battery installed. For California buyers, the car recently passed its smog test. All 1981 Corvettes came with a 350 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 190 horsepower. This was basically the L-48 engine from prior years but it was designated the L-81 for 1981 only.
The L-81 engine was available with either a turbo 350 automatic transmission or a 4 speed manual gearbox and was available in all 50 states. Like the prior year L-82, the L-81 came with a chrome air cleaner lid and cast magnesium valve covers. This was the first year of the computer controlled engine and the last year of the 4 speed manual transmission in the Corvette. The best 0-60 time that I have seen is around 8 seconds, which is not too impressive compared to today’s offerings. This Corvette is optioned with cast aluminum wheels that were first offered in 1976. The cast aluminum wheel was a popular option with over 90% of 1981 Corvettes being equipped with these wheels. As in 1980, the front and rear spoilers were molded in to the body style.
With production shifting from the St. Louis plant to the new Bowling Green plant, over 40,000 Corvettes were produced and sold in 1981. I like this Corvette a lot but I am partial to C3s even though they are somewhat unloved in the marketplace. Let us know what you think and how much you would bid for this clean, original Corvette.
Such a clean and pretty car, but once I saw the rotted intake snorkel it makes me wonder about every last seal and rubber piece on it.
It does look clean but as noted the deteriorated snorkel hose could indicate other issues. Price is currently reasonable for an automatic at current levels. Looks like it’s likely a decent driver based on current status.
Do these later year vettes stay cooler inside & have less rattles?
The snorkle condition could be from underhood heat & constant left & right shaking of the motor. I guess no cowl induction in ’81.
Is the stock low ground clearance of the exhaust pipes toward the rear of the car an issue?
That would be a nice car to give to your girlfriend.
Who does not like an inexpensive Corvette (hopefully)? Great car for someone who isn’t rich to feel richer. I still think they look great, so much style. I have owned a few and they are fun drivers and the fun part matters the most on the street anyway.
This looks to be a very well kept original car, I hope it’s bought and sold right. JoeNYWF64, although the exhaust pipes appear to be very low, (sometimes when following a C3 of this vintage it appears they almost touch the road) they never seem to hit. I’ve owned two and never scraped the pipes.
If it can stay below 6K, it would be a great buy.
The color combo isn’t for everyone, so probably is what is keeping the price reasonable.
If you already have a CarFax, why not just post it? Sounds like you are hiding something.
I didn’t know CarFax went back to 1981. Seems contrived to me.
Pretty cool car though. Not my first choice in color, but pleasant enough I would drive it. Price is definitely reasonable.
I still had the VIN for my ’81 Camaro, so I tried to locate it via CarFax.
The trail ended at 1992, I was bummed.
This looks pretty decent! However, I wouldn’t touch it! I bought an ’80 Vette when I got my first high paying job! It seemed fitting that most of my fellow workers-11, all had Corvettes! What a huge mistake it was! As recalled cars that was produced domestically from mid ’70’s to mid ’80’s were pretty much P.O.S. The firs thing that feel off was the driver’s side panel, had a bad vibration when I accelerated hard, the insulation for the cat converter fell off which melted some body parts. My worse nightmare was I wouldn’t dare to turn the A/C on in city traffic, the radiator would boil over! Imagine that driving in Houston? I recalled 1980, it was the hottest summer on record! I recalled X’mas was very balmy-90. I was lucky enough to get a refund for this disaster! I took the refund and bought a Datsun/Nissan 280Z which I still own and run beautifully and yes nothing fell off so far after 240+ miles!