While a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette is not necessarily a show-stopper all on its own, throw in a rare factory interior color and it changes the desirability factor by a decent margin – for me, anyway. The Corvette has just been repainted, which is obvious from the pictures, but it retains its original blue interior, a color scheme both me and the seller cannot recall seeing in several years. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $15,250 and the option to submit a best offer.
I realize not everyone gets as excited by rare colors as I do, but you have to appreciate how unique this cabin is. The carpets, dash, seats, console, and door panes are all clad in a very pretty light navy blue. To me, color combos like this reflect the very specific interests of the first owner, as I doubt this combination would just show up on the lot from the factory. Thankfully, despite the repaint, the interior has remained well preserved, but new seat covers were installed.
The engine bay appears quite clean and the red paint lining the inside of the fenders under the hood indicate red was the original color. No special equipment is mentioned in the listing outside of the standard-issue 5.7L V8, so the first owner didn’t go off checking every option available – making that blue interior a very specific choice. It’s almost like the color choices were independent of each other, as I imagine a blue interior would look way better with a white paint job.
While I fear the paint job is a quicky respray, I can’t make that assessment without inspecting the car in person. I doubt the glass came out, but at least tell-tale signs of carelessness – like the exhaust tips being sprayed or the antenna grommet coated in red paint – aren’t apparent here. I’m not sure rare color schemes add a ton of value to collectors outside of the most elite levels of automobiles, but this Corvette still offers a cheap way to own something few others do.
Rare doesn’t necessarily equal valuable.
With the passing of time these C3 corvettes, especially the latter ones, 81 thru 83 present excellent Americana value. I find the interior contrast very sporty
The paint seems fine to me. Well worth a look!!
I agree, but sorry John, there were no ’83’s produced.
I for one like that the paint and interior are unlike most C-3’s
Tommy Hilfiger edition
My 86 930 is similar ; Guards Red over Cashmere leather seats,but the dash,headliner and upper door cards are Navy Blue.It’s subtle,and very nice.
I actually really dig the opposite combination ; dark blue exterior over red interior.I pretty much love red leather on anything,just try ordering that today,the choices are extremely limited.Btw,I Iove 1980 Corvettes,and prefer driving my black 1980, 4 speed ,C3 over the 930 .
Beautiful car, my favorite body style, the Disco Vette, however the only way to get any speed out of it is to push it off the top of a high building
I doubt you could get a ’70s camaro or firebird with that color combo.
Blue interior was not listed as an available color with red exterior. Somebody would need to show some paperwork proving this came from the factory with this combination. Buyer beware! Good luck passing this color combo on to the next potential buyer.
They’ve listed the vin# so you shouldn’t have too much trouble checking out the colors.
I don’t think the interior color or body color are part of the VIN. The trim tag on the door jamb is where that information is found.
If it is a color change, they did an excellent job. Either way, these colors actually work together pretty well. I thought it might be “butt ugly”, but it wasn’t.
I wish the buyer & the seller both well.
It could be a good purchase.
Not saying it is impossible. Just saying I believe it would have been a special order to get and there should be a paper trail to prove it. It would be a very rare color combination.
Frank according to the trim tag those are the correct colors. I’m sure you’re right about the special order and it’s probably a very rare color choice. It might have been one of those “what was I thinking” moments.
Frank, Unless being sold by the original person who ordered it, it might be impossible to prove it was a special order.
I bought a ’99 Z/28 new off the showroom floor. It was red with white seats and the rest of the interior was the standard gray.
I tried to find out if it was a special run of cars but never could find anything about it.