We appreciate Bruce M. finding this 1980 Chevrolet Corvette for sale in Bangor, Maine. The car is listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for only $6,000. It was originally listed three months ago for $7,200. The Corvette is maroon with an oyster leather interior. The past owners have done some work on the car including a new 350 cubic inch V8 crate motor, new brakes, new wheels and new tires. However, the seller admits that the car is a work in progress.
The interior is dirty and the seats are soiled. The seller states that the car runs and drives well. New door seals and new T-Top seals have also been installed. The ad states that the seller has many new parts to include with the sale of the car. There is no mention of the mileage on the car or any rust. Like all 1980 Corvettes, this one has power steering and T-Tops. It appears to have an aftermarket radio installed in the dash.
Not much is said about the power output of the crate 5.7 liter engine. However, the ad states that the engine has an Edelbrock aluminum manifold, ceramic coated headers and a Holley carburetor. From the factory, there were three engines available. The base engine was the L-48 350 cubic inch V8 engine rated at 190 horsepower and could be ordered with a 4 speed manual or 3 speed automatic transmission. The optional engine was the L-82 350 cubic inch V8 engine that only came with an automatic transmission in 1980. It was rated at 230 horsepower. An LG4 305 cubic inch V8 engine was also available in California. It was rated at 180 horsepower.
The 1980 Corvette came with a new hood, front end treatment and rear end design. Sales for the Corvette declined from 53,807 in 1979 to 40,614 in 1980. This car is a unique color combination so maybe that is someone’s cup of tea and will buy this Corvette before it languishes on the market any longer.
Love the color. It appears to be the same as my 79 Olds Cutlass. Olds called it “Dark Carmine Metallic”. Depending on lighting, the appearance ranges from a rich red wine/burgundy in bright sun to a deeper maroon in flat light, or black cherry or brownish in dim light. The white interior is a bold contrast. My Cutlass has “Carmine” or dark red interior, which is a little less contrast.
I’ve always felt like modifying a Vette with visible changes was blasphemous. The old adage ” it’s your car, do what you want to it ” applies. But it would make me think twice about buying it. It makes me think, it’s been rode hard and put away wet.
I don’t see any “visible changes”. I am a lifelong (55 years) Corvette owner and other than the fact that Chevrolet managed to really “ugly up” the 1980 model, this seems to me to be a fair price. The stance is weird and the automatic is a drag, but with a newer motor and a decent body, it’s worth it in my opinion.
This looks to be a decent price for a drive it while you work on it project. It all depends on what the seller can tell you about the replacement engine, and of course a peak at the frame.
Looks like having a mullet might be a prerequisite to drive. Bring your Motley Crue cassettes.
I never was a fan of Weld wheels but they’re period correct for this vintage. I personally love the color combination. The interior looks like it would clean up without too much fuss. The body style is iconic and will never lack for interest. Corvettes are a profiler’s car and the C3s are the ultimate in that department. Depending on an inspection of the frame, birdcage, etc. and verifying the engine details this could be a bargain.
The only drawback I see is that you’ll get more compliments than you’d ever get driving an EssYouVee.
Those aren’t vintage Weld Wheels, they may not even be Weld Wheels at all. At best, if they are Weld’s they are a newer cast wheel, rather than the forged wheels, which would have been period correct. Any Weld style wheel that has a recessed acorn style lug nut is a newer, cheaper, cast aluminum wheel, forged Weld Wheels do not have recessed lug nuts, they used a long shank lug nut that uses a washer. The newer cast version has been copied by other manufacturers they are even available with either Summit and Jegs branding through their respective websites.
Steve R
It’s well past 25 years. It has always been a mystery to me why it is not MORE common to put a real engine in these things that had wheelers powering them for most of this generation.