Some people get caught up in the first and last years of certain models as if there’s an extra dose of collectability attached to it. This 1982 Chevrolet Corvette is one such example, as ’82 marked the end of the line for the long-lived C3 Corvette. This example looks fairly clean for a driver, with the seller noting that despite living in Vermont, it hasn’t seen any winters. Hopefully, that translates to a rust-free frame, as Vermont is not known for being kind to even late-model cars, let alone vintage vehicles. The seller has listed this white-on-gray Corvette here on craigslist with 81,000 miles and an asking price of $12,900.
The paint is said to be original, and it’s a sharp two-tone job with white over gray. The aftermarket wheels may be a bit jarring at first, as we don’t normally associate the mesh-style wheels with American makes – they’re usually found solely on European models – but it actually works quite well, in my opinion. It gives the C3 a different vibe, maybe even a slight air of sophistication. The Corvette features a T-top roof, and given the condition of the interior, it doesn’t appear to be suffering from any bad seals leading to leaks. It’s hard to assess whether the paint is still in good order, but it’s at least a solid 15-footer.
Corvettes of this era may not have been the performance icons of their forebears, but this platform did come with awesome sport seats. I love these buckets and those found in the next-generation C4- they are the epitome of a sport seat, looking like they’re practically sucking you into the material. The seller doesn’t mention any previous upholstery work, so let’s assume this one retains its original upholstery material. It looks quite good, and the same goes for the carpets and door panels. The automatic transmission may be a bummer, but it’s hardly a surprise.
For whatever reason, it’s surprising to see a Vermont plate on a vintage car – likely because all other vintage car owners figured out long ago trying to protect fragile sheet metal from the likes of a Vermont winter was a losing proposition. Still, since this example hasn’t seen any winter use according to the seller, the next owner will hopefully find zero issues underneath. The 350 V8 and automatic transmission is hardly the most exciting set of options out there, but if owning a final year version of the C3 in stock condition (aside from the wheels) is a goal, this one may be worthy of a closer look for our readers in the northeast.
So, “no winter use” – does that mean he trucked in the snow on the ground, or that the car just sits outside all year and no one drives it?
Maybe the seller backed it out of the garage so you wouldn’t complain about the bad lighting.
I wouldn’t assume that anything in the interior is original. The plastic seat buckets and the center armrest have been replaced, they’re black now and would have originally matched the interior. The reproduction seat buckets (originals are usually cracked and broken) only come in black, and need to be dyed. The door armrest doesn’t match either, and looks like a repro 78-80 Oyster one, probably since the 81-82 Slate Gray isn’t reproduced. I doubt someone would go to the trouble of removing the seats and console, and not replace the carpet and seat covers at the same time. The steering wheel’s also been replaced.
I’ve always liked the 82 White over Silver two-tone, especially with the Slate interior. The combination is fairly rare too, with less than 700 being built. I don’t care for the ARE wheels though, or the mismatched interior. I think $12,900 is a little high for what I see here, but if the car is solid, and in relatively decent shape, it might not be to far off the mark. Being a CrossFire, I do wish the seller had included a pic of the engine.
1982 Corvettes were all automatics. This was the first year since 1954 that a manual transmission was not offered, and it wouldn’t happen again until the C8 in 2020.
They are saying the 82 was the last C3 but the C4 didn’t start til 1984. Was there an 83 Corvette?
Yes and No. It’s complicated depending on who you are talking to. IMO there was no 1983 Corvette. At least none were for sale to the public.
There was no ’83 they retooled for the completely different C4
Corvette did produce prototypes in 83, all but one was destroyed to my understanding. Therefore 84 was first year of the C4.
1982 was the low point for performance and styling for Corvette.
Some say 1983 was.
Final year example is a good thing. A low point of the GM styling department.
The wheels would have to go. I like the mesh-style wheels on Bimmers and such. Not so much on a Vette.
Many sport oriented pontiacs in the 80s came with mesh wheels as did some of the optional wheels on the late 70s Mustang IIs, and I’m sure many more.