The 1982 model year saw the production of Chevrolet’s venerable C3 Corvette draw to a close. It had served the company well, but the time had finally arrived when a fresh approach was required. This Corvette Collector’s Edition is from the final production year and is an unmolested survivor. It isn’t perfect, but a rock-solid driver needing little beyond a serving of cosmetic TLC. It spent six years hibernating in a carport but has been returned to a roadworthy state and is ready to find a new home. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Miami Beach, Florida. Bidding has raced to $7,809 in a No Reserve auction.
Chevrolet knew that 1982 would mark the final year of C3 production, deciding to release a Collector’s Edition that featured a few distinctive touches. These included Silver Beige paint, wheels that mimicked the styling of the iconic aluminum knock-off wheels that appeared during the C2 production run, and a glass rear hatch window. The company sold 25,407 Corvettes during the final year, with 6,759 buyers selecting a Collector’s Edition. This is one of those cars, and it is an unmolested survivor. The six years spent in a carport left its back end exposed to UV rays, which has baked the paint across its tail. It would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, but the new owner can start that process from a sound base. The fiberglass is in good order, with the seller indicating no issues with the frame or birdcage. The tinted glass is excellent, as are those unique wheels. With no apparent panel or structural problems, this classic could be an ideal candidate for an enthusiast wishing to be hands-on with their build.
The seller describes this Corvette’s interior as being in very nice shape, but it does have shortcomings. The leather seatcovers have some damage that might be beyond repair, meaning new covers are required to lift the presentation. These will lighten the buyer’s bank account by around $700 but could be the only significant cost to whip the interior into shape. The remaining upholstered surfaces are tidy, as are the carpet and dash. The leather-wrapped tilt wheel might respond positively to a high-quality conditioner, and there are a couple of pieces of scratched console plastic. The original owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player. The seller indicates a few functional issues. These include a non-operating driver’s window, radio, and the A/C doesn’t blow cold.
The most significant development for 1982 was Chevrolet’s decision to introduce the CrossFire Injection version of its 350ci V8. This small-block produces 200hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque. Also new for 1982 was the four-speed 700-R4 automatic transmission. It replaced the trusty Hydramatic, providing the ‘Vette with overdrive that gave it longer legs on the open road. The seller indicates that this Corvette is numbers-matching. It spent six years in hiding but has been returned to a roadworthy state. The process included replacing the master cylinder, tires, changing the fluids, flushing the fuel system, and cleaning the injectors. They claim it has 53,000 genuine miles on the clock but don’t mention verifying evidence. There is no information on how the Corvette runs or drives, but the impression is positive.
The C3 Corvette was a sales success, especially considering that, unlike other classics like the First Generation Mustang, Chevrolet sold the car into a niche market. By the time production ended, 542,741 buyers had parked a C3 in their garage. This one needs work, but it has attracted twenty-two bids from enthusiasts who see its potential. Could you join the action, or doesn’t the last of the breed tick the right boxes for you?
Seems to be sagging a mite in the rear. The original owner didn’t order air-conditioning, power windows, or tilt-tele steering column . All were included in the base price starting in 1980.
And here’s the thousandth C3 this week. A non muscle not rare non collectable gutless disco car. Hang a disco ball from the mirror and flip it in the crusher. This thing isn’t worth much over 3k.
Ooo, someone getting annoyed at the Corvette monarchy
I’d rather own that car then what they’re trying to pass off as a corvette now in 2023. It may need work but it was the longest run of a body style in corvette history. It’s a corvette not a Ferrari wannabe.
As a driver of a C8 and previous owner of C3’s, I can say that no C3 can hold a candle to the C8. Not looks, not handling, not acceleration, not braking … you’re entitled to an opinion of course.
Neil R Noris: yes the C-8 has plenty of power because it is a modern car and technology is always on the march. Therefore to compare a new Corvette to one from decades ago is to compare apples to oranges. However, when it comes to LOOKS I disagree with you fundamentally. The ’70-’72 C-3, in my view, is one of the most beautiful automotive designs ever, while a C-8 looks like a small Klingon spaceship. You are entitled to an opinion, of course…
If Chevy ALSO made the beautiful aerovette’s(aka the ’73 4 rotor corvette) body available with the c8’s drivetrain in the 2020’s, no one in their right mind would buy the currrent looking c8 bodied car.
The C8 is the least attractive Vette ever. 3 out of 4 aint bad I guess.
I happen to like the later C3’s, including the ’82. It was never intended to be a muscle car, but a GT-type cruiser.
Many of the C3’s can have a simple mill or mod transplant that makes these cars what they should have been, not a race car, but a decent performance GT-style semi-luxury cruiser.
Except the cross-fire models. The engine can’t be modified much, and the electronics mean a transplant is difficult without an EE degree.
Put 350 pones in this one and you have a fun sled.
The crossfire gets a bad rap from a lot of folks, but I’d rather have it than a leaky Holley four barrel with a bad power valve on a stock engine.
Nothing wrong with Holleys. Competent mechanics and amateurs have been tweaking them for decades. And there are other carbs than Holley.
Additionally, there are numerous other EFI systems far superior to the cross-fire.
A 10:1CR, properly cammed, headed, valved, and manifolded EFI system can yield a ton of efficient, reliable power that would totally transform the character of these cars.
It’s obvious you don’t know Corvettes your here to trash Vettes go on your Mustashe forum where you belong , these cars fetch around 40,000 on some sites. You should not be on this right now.
Everybody has an opinion. You are right pristine ones bring top money. This isn’t junk nor is it pristine. I don’t personally like the crossfire but carburetor isn’t the way to go either. Just don’t come down so hard on someone’s opinion. Don’t be john your better than that.
Scary.
I owned one for15 years! Traded it on a 98. Wish I had it back!
I agree, a gutless, emasculated Vette door stop, I can’t see the fascination with a 200 hp Vette, they were junk back then, cheap interiors, yuck!! My dad was a chevy dealer, I never had the Vette bug.
Every American car from the same era had the same cheap plastic interiors… to satisfy gubmint mandates. I recall these 200hp slugs were rocket sleds vs. other cars of the era except very few pricy imports.
Plenty of bashing here. I own a 73 coupe. Yes, in contrast to even a C5 they are slow, but next to the C2, the C3 is the best looking Corvette ever. Personally, I enjoy my car every time I get in. Mechanics at the time called this fuel injection system Misfire. Well, they had trouble with Rochester mechanical fuel injection back in the day.
The wear on the steering wheel, especially the bottom, show far more than 53k.
No worries! Rattlecan Motors of Miami and their Press Agent have never seen a Corvette they can’t sell!
A few months ago I went to view an ’82 like this that had come up for sale.
( They were asking $24 K) .
I totally agree that this is by far one of the best designs of that era, that being said, Anyone who is considering buying a so so condition example like this better open their wallet Wide. I looked into the cost of replacing the seats alone, and oh boy, … $$$$. Also when I walked around the car I noticed it sat unusually low. Again expect to pay large for a replacement rear spring ( the spring I saw was flat ), So any “Special” edition Corvettes needing parts are going to be more expensive than say a regular 1982.
Good luck !
I fell in love with the C3 when I saw the Mako Shark concept car in the early 60’s. It was my Monogram favorite plastic model car…although I couldn’t paint it correctly.
Yes, I’m old…:D
Funny this popped up again, I just bought a 82 Collector’s Edition like this a couple of weeks ago. I paid much less than this one for mine, with almost the same amount of miles. Don Leblanc is correct, the parts specifically for this model are more expensive than a run of the mill 82, door panels are over $500 each, and I have to get a set because mine are cracked. I like the rear hatch, only these models got that, GM should have used that when they went to the bubble back glass. As to the power, it feels like more than 200 hp, it’s no slouch. It may not be as fast as my 86 tuned port C4 was, but it’s still fast enough to get you a ticket on most any highway in the US. Corvette haters will never get it, but these cars are fun. And with the minimal electronics, it is easy to work on, something I can’t say about the C4 and later models.
Odd the chrome peeled off the auto shifter rod with such low mileage. Or is that rust?!
In 1980 with a carburetor the optional 350 avail in the vette made 230 hp.
Why would going to dual throttle body fuel injection in ’82 incur a loss of 30 hp?! At least tho you could recover some of that with a change to true dual exh with no cat where allowed.
I wonder if the possibly more comfortable std(not the thicker delux) high back bucket seats from the ’71-76 firebird or camaro would bolt/fit in here, or are they too wide to clear the corvette console & doors?
These ’82s are nice but, I’m glad I went with a ’93 instead.