This Chevrolet Corvette hails from the final year of production of the C3 Corvette. It is located in Durham, North Carolina, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The seller refers to this as a restorer grade car, and is selling it with a clean title. He has set a price of $5,500 OBO, but would be willing to trade either up or down for the right car or truck.
I am well aware of the fact that the last of the C3 ‘Vettes was not the most popular among enthusiast, but this one may well be a viable project car. Of course, it may not be either. It is certainly worth examining as there are some issues here that will certainly grab your attention. The car has been in hibernation for the last 18 years, and has only just emerged. Looking at the location for these shots you have to wonder whether this is where the car spent all of those years, or whether it’s where it currently lives. I tend to think that this is where it currently lives though, and you will see why shortly. There is no doubting that there is a lot of work to be done on this Chevy to whip it back into shape. There are a couple of stress signs in the fiberglass that will need to be addressed before a fresh coat of paint could even be considered, but I would certainly be taking a long, hard look underneath as some of these appear to be near the door frames, so there could be some issues that the eye just can’t see. Also, I have been trying to work out whether some of the deterioration in the paintwork is some sort of mildew. The general condition of the car certainly doesn’t indicate that it has experienced the easiest of lives.
Under the hood is the fuel-injected V8. This was given something of a birthday when this Corvette was being revived. The fuel tank was cleaned and the fuel pump, fuel filter and battery were replaced. The car also sports new brake calipers, pads and a master cylinder. It is also this shot that raises further concerns about the state of the Corvette. There’s an awful lot of dirt, leaves and other debris visible there (including moss!) which doesn’t indicate that this car has been stored in ideal conditions. This is all the more reason to check items such as bird-cage on this one.
When you make a list of what the interior needs just write “everything”. In all honesty the interior is completely trashed and the best course of action would be to tear it out and start again. I actually find some of the damage quite perplexing. Some of it looks like the sort of damage that you might expect to see in a car that has sat out in the sun in a hot, dry environment, some of it almost looks like fire damage while some of it also appears to be water damage. Maybe the t-top is a bit suspect and has allowed water to leak into the car. If so then it adds further weight to the idea of getting under the car and going over it with a fine-toothed comb.
At first glance this Corvette seems to show some promise as a straight forward project car. Closer examination reveals some truly worrying issues. Even if it is structurally sound, by the time you factor in the cost of bringing the exterior up to scratch combined with the interior trim replacement and the scales tip into the negative. To me the greatest concern is that there are indications that this Corvette has spent considerable time in a damp environment which never bodes well.
Mechanically, weren’t the 82’s the worst of the C3’s to own? Something about the fuel injection system (first year) being very problematic, making the 82, at least in reputation, pretty unreliable? I’m no expert obviously, but lately my 16 year old has noticed that unloved in Corvette world equals cheap. And, well, to a 16 year old, ANY Corvette is cool….he’s actually making looking at certain old cars fun again; certainly thru a new lens anyway.
At 5K for an unloved year in this condition….I think the seller better have great patience.
The buyer will need even greater patience. Cool to hear your son is interested in Corvettes and cars in general. Hope you guys find the right one. Keep in mind the world is filled with “experts” who know everything about cars they have never even sat in. If you go the Corvette route, find the closest NCRS chapter and join up. Nice folks with a wealth of knowledge and tons of reference materials. Best of luck to you and your son!
The T -Tops are worth $ 2 grand ,everything else is Garage Art
Bird cage not Bird cages…do you actually know anything about cars?…
You are right, missing an s tacked onto the end of a word is inexcusable. How dare someone make such an egregious error.
Steve R
Sanity Factor, I accidentally dropped a sprintcar term in there, but it is now fixed.
Add up the cost of new interior parts and you’ll walk away. Even free might be too much $ for this one.
The seller on this one should of cleaned it up some and boxed the interior pieces up a lil too.
I see a a potential car and a potential rust bucket . staging staging….,prep …prep…👀👀👀👀👀👀🤢
The door panels scream rust when they should of been pulled off as well as cleaning up the engine and rear fiberglass spoiler stain or whatever. Yes it needed to show parked but not abandoned after ridden hard…
“BULL”, Durham!
$2,000 parts car but only if you need the parts.
What he said
These in perfect condition are only worth $15k or so. Ideal project for a young person, and or a high school shop class. I am always amazed at how trashed corvette interiors get. This one looks like the Tasmanian Devil had go at it.
Damage and condition screams “flood car ” to me!
Why spend $5k on this when a decent driver could be had for about $10k?
I have a great idea for an automotive reality show…”Flipping Money Pits” with this one featured in the premier episode.
Lol That’s hilarious I would watch it!
an ’82 Collectors Edition….given its unique multi tone leather interior, exterior graphics and paint is probably the most expensive Corvette to totally restore for the least return. Neat cars in excellent condition…yet this one is sadly not. The Crossfire FI, although quite usable, suffered from acceleration inadequacies. Sad to see this deteriorated example.
Nice year and a decent ride.They’re especially nice when restored or found clean and original, but I wouldn’t be the one to undergo this restoration.(the driver’s side door panel looks like it melted)Parts are expensive, and this would make a fine candidate for just that. I’m a big fan of chrome bumper C3’s, and this is my ’71 LT1 .
@Mike – I think you and I have corresponded before, but I’ll say it again: I test drove a 1971 LT-1 at a time when I was between Corvettes (rare, for me). It was Silver, with a red interior. From my handle, (and my history), I am a big block guy.
That said; this was the closest I have come to buying a small block Corvette (except my 1995 coupe). It was a revelation in some ways. It wasn’t so much brutal as it was sophisticated. I have described the accelerator pedal as a speed rheostat. Press more – go faster. It felt like it would never have run out of breath. The car felt more nimble than most of my other Corvettes, too (all of my big blocks had A/C as well – except my 396 roadster).
I truly loved the experience of driving the LT-1. Always regretted not buying it. I can only imagine what a 1970 was like to drive. My heart is beating faster.
@tripowervette I agree, these solid lifter motors love to be opened up ! You couldn’t order A/C (except ’72) or auto in the 70- 72 run. Only 1,949 produced , I feel lucky to own one. This particular one has the M 20 trans , and 3:55 rear
@Mike – Perfect.
Welcome to what happens to car interiors in the South. In the North, the bodies and frames rot. In the South, the interiors go to hell in a handbasket. The one advantage is that the interiors are easier to fix. It’s just parts replacement. Neither is a cheap date. Nice car for 1/3 the price.
Lol That’s hilarious I would watch it!
Found this on Wilmington NC craigslist.
Reduced! 82 Vette – 42k Original Miles – $8900
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1982 chevrolet corvette
fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
Numbers matching, clean and reliable 1982 Corvette for sale with under 42,000 original miles. White exterior base with custom charcoal metallic fade that accentuates the body line of the car and grey leather interior that brings the color inside. Aluminum wheels with old school knock off hubs, upgraded stereo and a few chrome engine touches to complete the look. Have owned the car since 1998, clean title and has been a great ride. Call Eric at show contact info
Sorry the pics didn’t copy.