So, maybe amongst the purists, the last of the C3 Corvettes are not their favorite vehicles, but this particular car is a nicely equipped, low mileage example that is in beautiful condition. With a genuine and documented 29,000 miles on the clock, this Corvette looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor, while the color combination is stunning. If this is a Corvette that really grabs your imagination, it is located in Nixa, Missouri, and is listed for sale here on eBay.
Everywhere you look on this Corvette, it’s just incredibly clean. The black paintwork has a great depth to its shine, while this shot of the underside of the car is about as clean as they come. The car has been garage kept since new, and the only thing that isn’t original is the wheels and tires. Apparently, the original wheels had become a bit discolored from age, so these were replaced. The rubber front spoiler extension has also been replaced, while the front and rear bumpers have also been given a fresh coat of paint. The car features that T-Top and the panels and seals look to be in really good condition.
Under the hood are the 350ci V8 engine and automatic transmission. The original water pump has been rebuilt, and the original fuel pump has been replaced. The owner has retained the original fuel pump, and this is included with the vehicle. Everything else is original, and the engine bay presents as new. Of course, power steering, power 4-wheel disc brakes, and air conditioning are all part of the package.
The red leather interior is truly striking. That just gives this car the wow factor. The interior is completely original, and the presentation is basically flawless. Apart from the leather, you also get a power driver’s seat, power windows, power locks, a power antenna, and a tilt wheel. There is the usual assortment of standard Corvette features that round this out as a nice package.
Apart from the replacement of the wheels and the repainting of the bumpers, this Corvette is said to be original. The documented low mileage puts it in a nice position where it is low enough to add some value to the car, but not so low that you would be afraid to drive it. Values on the late C3 Corvettes have fluctuated a bit over the past few years, and there have been a lot of Pace Cars and Silver Anniversary cars flooding the market over recent times. This one is something a bit different to those cars, and the color combination is probably as good as you are likely to find. The owner has set a BIN price of $24,500 for the Corvette, but the option is there to make an offer. That puts it right at the top end of the market, but if the car stacks up following a personal inspection, then it might be justified.
I don’t know who the purists are but a think the 1980 – 1982 corvettes are beauful cars.
Agreed. In the C3 world I’ve always preferred the 68-72… But from 73 onward, IMO, 80-82 cars were the best looking.
Nice example but I wish they’d ordered it with a camel or gray interior.
No. Black on red is so over the top it just makes the car pop.
Agreed, TimS!!!
That black on red color combo is lustworthy. The only reason I even clicked on the article 😍😍😍
For $3,500 less than that ‘Black Plate Mopar: 1968 Dodge Charger’. I know where my mind is going. As much as I love the old stuff, I am just getting tired of doing much more than maintaining them.
I’ve always liked the look of the 80-82 Corvette’s. To me they represent the final run of a sports car design theme going back to the 50’s. Almost like the closing of the door on the curve and like everything else its successor ushered in the era of the angle.
Seems like the biggest knock on these is the low power output due to the emissions, but that can be addressed pretty easily. As my teenage boy has pleadingly pointed out….”they are cheap dad”.
Not this one though and deservedly so. If that oil pan is carrying its original paint still, then yeah, find another in this condition and in these colors and I’m guessing its gonna be close to this ask if its even for sale.
I would have NO problem owning this Vette. Awesome colors. To me it just looks right. Always wished I would get one for graduation from high school. It never happened. Could be a late gift to myself.
A rich girl got one from her Daddy for graduation at my high school in 81. Last time I saw her she said she still has it.
I like it! That owner must have never driven in the rain. Or he had a hoist and is obsessive about wiping everything down. Beautiful!
I thought I liked that burgundy one from a day or so ago. This one, in my opinion, has that one beat hands down.
My Dad passed away a few years ago & left me some money. I bought a house & a couple toys (down payments…that is why I am working 2 jobs now lol). If I still had that money, this & the ’68 Charger 3 on the tree would both be headed my way today. Might be for the best lol.
I agree about the burgundy one a few days ago. Someone commented it was “shoe polish brown.” I don’t think so. They are both beautiful cars.
I do not understand the term “survivor”. This car is so labeled and is a “survivor” except for repainted bumpers (80% factory paint?), repainted mufflers/exhaust, replaced spoiler, wheels and wheel hardware.
Nice car but…buy it for $24k drive it for a year and you have a $16k car.
$14,000 tops on its best day. More like $10,000-12,000 is realistic. $24,000 gets you a nice 1990 ZR-1 or a 1996 LT-4 (330hp), six-speed.Can’t blame the seller for trying but this will be back a year from now.like the 1974 Z-28 that has resurfaced.
While it is true that you can pick up a C4 corvette with more power for less money, they have the styling of a doorstop when compared to a C3…
I was never a big fan of any post 72 C3, but the 80-82’s have grown on me as well. As a kid in the 80’s, I had an older brother who had a 75 Stingray. It was originally brown (seriously) with the lo po L48. He stripped the paint by hand, molded in 80-82 fiberglass front and rear bumpers, and painted it gold and black in the style of the 78 Indy pace car. OEM aluminum wheels of the same type were also installed. After rebuilding the 350 with some late 60’s “Camel Hump” heads, flat top pistons, edelbrock performer intake, tweaked q jet, true dual exhaust and a Comp 268H cam. It was a good runner then.
@Steve- I get it.My comment was based on my perception of value, not looks.The Corvette for sale looks amazing. I have owned a 76 and a 79 so I know a little bit about the C3, I currently have an 84 and I really enjoy the way the C4 evolved. I think a 96 with the LT4/6-speed set up is a truly under appreciated vehicle. I would love a ZR-1, but I think the 96 will be my next (And probably last) Corvette purchase. Enjoy the ride!
i think the issue now is lack of power for those cars ( not in their day ), but I also agree they were very good looking and friendly cars to actually get in and drive anywhere
Lack of power due to emission controls. Can be remedied. Bid a little lower. See what happens.
I have the same car but red over black in very nice but not THIS nice condition. I love the 81 Vette and get a ton of attention every time I fill up and thumbs up on the road. Still looks great after all these years.
Feels pretty good when I think back to the ex telling me it was a “waste of money” when I bought it 15 years ago for $7500. Silly girls say silly things :)
Hmmmm ,great memories ;I bought my black on red 1980 4 speed Vette in 1983 for $15k cash.I wasn’t necessarily looking for that color combo but grew to love it and still do,on darn near everything.(my 1960 Ferrari 250 GT California ,so sorry boys it’s a replica , and 66 Toronado are splendid in black/red).Anyways,loved that car to death and sold it for exactly what I paid 4 years later to fund the start of my business.That was a good move,as I still have the latter,as well as a sizeable collection of just about every cool car I ever wanted.Bitd,every Mustang Gt,Lazer turbo,and GTI wanted to race,and I lost only once, to a very built Mercury pick up (okay bud,let’s go find some corners LOL ).Last year I paid the same 15k for the same car,with the unfortunate exception of the oyster interior,documented 20,000 miles.Is it as fast as our 07 Z06 manual ? duh no.
However it is in the acceleration ballpark of most of my heyday muscle,and twice the car overall. Back in 83,everyone preferred the looks of my C3 over the replacement.Simalarily to the way many of us prefer the C6 to the C7.These will not be cheap forever,and this featured car is a stunning example.A liitle high for sure but won’t hurt you long term.Nice Feature !
Too Bad it’s not a 4 speed.
Too bad it’s not $12,000.
Thanks for all the good comments first time Vette Buyer and have 81 vet in my sites 69K milesAnd less than 10 K price is there anything I should be wary of or look out for
Thanks for all the comments guys as a first time vet buyer I have a 81 in my sites for less than 10k Has a 350 engine but not sure if it’s the L 48 or the L 68Has nice ansa pipes Looking for a nice trouble free driver what do you think