This 1981 Corvette isn’t perfect, but it appears to be tidy and solid enough to be used as either a daily driver or as a great car to just get out on the open road for a spot of relaxed weekend cruising. The owner says that it is in great shape for its age, but being 39-years old, it isn’t flawless. As well as wearing some aftermarket pieces, it does have one or two quirks that might require investigation, so it will be interesting to see what our knowledgeable readers think of this particular car. It is located in Miami, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $5,100 in what is a No Reserve auction.
I have to admit that Charcoal Grey is a color that I quite like and that it gives the Corvette a fairly menacing look. The paint isn’t perfect, because the car does wear all of the accumulated minor chips that you would expect to find on a vehicle of this age. I get the impression that the Corvette might have received at least a partial repaint at some point in the past, although whether or not this was at the same time that the distinctive aftermarket hood was fitted isn’t clear. For me, the jury is out on the hood, because I really can’t decide whether or not I actually like it. The alloy wheels could do with a polish, while a number of the lug nuts are showing enough corrosion to justify replacement. The owner states that the panel gaps are all good, and on initial inspection, this would appear to be correct. However, from some angles, the gaps and alignment along the rear edges of the doors, especially at the bottom, look quite odd. I can’t work out what to make of this, or whether I’m reading more into it than I should. Once again, it will be interesting to see what our readers think.
It looks like the next owner of the Corvette isn’t going to have to spend a lot of money inside the vehicle, because it actually looks pretty tidy. The original stereo has made way for a CD player, which is no huge surprise in a vehicle of this age. The seats are finished in Charcoal cloth, and while these have developed some light fading in a few spots, they are free of the sort of edge wear on the outer bolsters that can afflict seats of this type. They are also free of splits and tears and remain very serviceable as they are. The door trims and plastic generally look good for a vehicle of this age, while the dash and pad are free of any significant flaws or cracks. In reality, there is nothing significantly wrong with the interior, but there are lots of little dirty spots that can be quite distracting. In my own opinion, what this interior really needs is to be detailed by someone who really knows what they’re doing. I think that the results might be quite surprising. Comfort and convenience features in the Corvette include air conditioning, power windows, and cruise control. The A/C is said to blow, but the owner says that it does need a recharge.
Under the hood is a 350ci V8, along with an automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The owner states that the Corvette has covered 31,000 miles, but doesn’t indicate whether he holds any evidence to verify this. He also states that the vehicle has recently been fitted with two new brake calipers and a new master cylinder, while the carburetor has received a rebuild. The result of this labor is the fact that the Corvette runs and drives nicely. The engine presents very well, but it also presents us with a quandary. It wears an Edelbrock intake, which isn’t that unusual. However, it also wears a pair of painted Edelbrock valve covers in place of the original cast magnesium items. I’ve heard of plenty of people swapping painted valve covers for alloy items, but going the other way? That is really intriguing to me. The owner doesn’t make mention of it, but I am beginning to wonder whether this is the original motor, or whether a transplant has occurred at some point. The owner doesn’t mention it, but it is possible that if it has happened, the work was performed by a previous owner. I would probably want to clear this up for my own peace of mind if I was considering buying the Corvette.
On face value, this Corvette looks quite good, and a personal inspection might very well confirm this impression. To me, that’s the key here. There are enough little quirks that seem to be visible in the listing that would motivate me to either want to inspect the car myself, or I would want to get a competent person to undertake the process for me. Inspecting any vehicle before handing over your hard-earned cash is always a pretty smart practice anyway, and it would be interesting to see what that reveals with this car.
That hood has to go…
Then buy the car and take it off.
I read the eBay listing. Nothing in it states that this Corvette is an L82. Therefore it would have came with stamped steel valve covers from the factory.
The L82 was not available in 81, the only engine offered in 81 was the base L-81. The L-81 was sort of a hybrid of 1980 L-48 and L-82 pieces. All 1981 L-81’s came with magnesium versions of the finned aluminum valve covers, previously used on the L-82.
I see an unused pulley – used to have an air pump?
Not sure why this gen vette power brake reservoir has to be mounted so far forward, unlike on other GM rear drive cars of this era.
All 81 Corvettes came with an A.I.R. pump. Both the pump and a lot of other emission equipment, are missing from this car.
That is a stock master cylinder and brake booster, and it’s mounted in the stock position. Corvette engines are set back in the frame, behind the crossmember, not over it like on most cars. This allowed the engine to be lower in the frame, and improved the front/rear weight balance to a near perfect 50/50 balance. So in actuality, the master cylinder and booster aren’t mounted further forward than in other GM cars, the engine is installed further rearward.
Bidders should be sure to save enough money to replace that hideous hood.
“Also car is a clean title car and at some point in its the state issued a new vin number to the car which is MA19145.” — is that a legit thing that happens?!?
At one time, State issued VIN’s were somewhat common. Car’s that received a State issued VIN where usually theft recovery’s, but they were also issued to cars with lost VIN plates, flood cars and rebuilt totals.
Now a days, most States tag the title as “flood”, “totaled”, “reconstructed”, etc, and retain the original VIN number. About the only time a State issues a new VIN now is when the original VIN tag has been removed or tampered with. A State issued VIN kills the value of an old Corvette, to most collectors.
Thanks!
A lot of brake pedal wear for 36k
1981 notable for being the last year you could buy a Corvette with a carburetor, last year for a traditional 4 speed manual, last year for 3-speed automatic, and first year since 1954 with only a single engine option, if I am not mistaken. A fairly inauspicious end to an era. Nice color though!
Love that hood it’s very menacing. I don’t think that it’s the stock engine. Looks like it’s been rebuilt or replaced. No big loss as they were dogs anyway.
I own an 81 with the same color. Potential buyers beware ( don’t ask how I know). Car was basically all original until Bubba worked his mechanical expertise on it. That plastic fuel filter has to go. I would definitely check this one out carefully.
Way too much wear on it for an actual 31k mile car. 131k would be more believable.
The VIN shenanigans and the rust on fasteners at the door striker post and spedo bezel give me pause. I’m betting this ain’t no 31000 mile car. It looks too messed with.
I was going to mention that this is an ’81, so you can pull a CarFax on it to check the actual miles. But after reading about the state issued VIN – no thank you!
This will sell, but for less than half of what it should get, just based on that VIN.
.
“Needs a recharge” is like saying “needs brake fluid”.or “ran when parked”.
Tell the truth…
The A/C will Not hold a charge!
Beware :-(
It’s interesting I would want to get it up on a hoist and look at the underbody. I would also want to look at the body mounts and see if they have ever been off? The door gaps could be a little bit and I do mean a LITTLE bit because of natural droop over time but any more than that would tell me there was a reason to realign the doors, WHY?
Two pretty angry negative ratings from buyers in the past year on the seller… buyer beware.
The VIN with Ma first is what Massachusetts issued for a rebuilt stolen etc vehicle back in the day so IRS formerly a Massachusetts vehicle!
The VIN with Ma first is what Massachusetts issued for a rebuilt stolen etc vehicle back in the day so it’s formerly a Massachusetts vehicle!
SOLD for $6,600.