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Like New: 1981 Chevrolet Corvette

Finding a low mileage classic is great, but it doesn’t mean much if the car was stored outside and never maintained. Time can take its toll on an unprotected and uncared for car. Occasionally a low mileage car like this 1981 Corvette will show up that has been well cared for over the years. This car has 3,200 miles on it and is still like new. It is currently in Joliet, Illinois and can be found here on eBay with a BIN of $24,389.

The third generation Corvette is one of our least favorite generations of Corvette, but only because of the effects of emission regulations. With decreased compression and added emission devices, the carbureted 350 cui V8 only produced 190 hp and 280 lbs of torque. This car’s original engine has been serviced with new hoses and belts and is running great.

Like the rest of the car, the interior is still like new. This car came with power windows, power locks, power mirrors, AM/FM radio with 8-track, CB radio, and Power driver’s seat which are all still working. In ’80 Chevrolet decided to do a redesign of the integrated aerodynamics of the Corvette, which helped reduce drag and overall weight. This helped to make up for some of the lost horsepower.

This car is in amazing shape and has received the Bloomington Gold Survivor Certificate, Gold Certified, Benchmark Award, and the NCRS Top Flight Award. The asking price seems a little on the high side, but finding a Corvette in this kind of condition with only 3,200 miles on it is hard to do. You would easily spend this kind of money restoring a different car to this level, plus it wouldn’t be original. Being such a low mileage car leaves us wondering whether it should be driven or put in a museum. What do you guys think? Should it be driven like it was meant to be? Or should it go to a museum to be preserved?

Comments

  1. Avatar J. Pickett

    With the miles I put on a collector car, I’d drive it. It would be a decade before got to ten grand.

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  2. Avatar Troy

    Drive it lightly and preserve it.

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  3. Avatar Gnrdude

    Beautiful car but I’d be Too Tempted to get in it & drive it Like there Was no tomorrow.

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  4. Avatar erikj

    i agree with you both . drive it lighlty, and enjoy. These are not speedy but nice and comfy to drive. But keep it preserved and in nice dry storage.

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  5. Avatar Bear

    I have a similar very low miles 1980 Vette, w white exterior & dark burgundy interior.
    I didn’t pay anywhere near $24K for mine!! (I paid closer to HALF of that price!)
    It looks just like it rolled off the dealer’s showroom yesterday!
    Cheap low mileage Vette’s like this are not extremely hard to find.
    They are an inexpensive way to get into owning a Corvette, and there is little depreciation if you drive them!!
    PLUS, drop in a higher HP crate motor in a few years and you can have all the performance of an earlier 3rd gen Vette at a fraction of the cost!! :-)

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  6. Avatar Bartman

    Drive it like ya stole it!

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  7. Avatar Stephen Wilson

    Wouldn’t waste my money on that one….or any of them with smog motors.

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  8. Avatar Dan Skopp

    I own a 1981 Corvette. To get a vette with this low miliage, WOW

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  9. Avatar mikey

    Don’t pull out the six shooter boys………….but. These are heavy and so slow they won’t get out of their own way. The fact it has low mileage doesn’t make it better………it just means it has low mileage. For ask there are soooo many cars that a better.
    Yes, I know what I’m talking about having owned four Corvettes………..I’m not smart, I didn’t learn the first time. Did I think some how number 2, 3 and 4 were going to better?

    Now….where did I leave those disco chains and platform shoes?…………………..

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Vegas Vic

    Gorgeous body, great car!

    Like 0

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