Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’: 1980 Chevrolet Corvette

Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.

Stalled projects come in all shapes and sizes, and the work required can sometimes prove overwhelming. The previous owner of this 1980 Chevrolet Corvette commenced its restoration eight years ago, but it stalled early. It has sat exposed to the elements ever since, and it is a car where what you see is what you get. Its greatest strengths could be the price and the clear title. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Vancleave, Mississippi. The seller has set a BIN of $700 but leaves the option to make an offer. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this classic.

Although there isn’t much to this Corvette, a few factors are worth considering. The seller indicates a previous owner stripped the car around eight years ago, planning a total frame-off restoration. They cleaned and refinished the frame, adding new suspension bushings and other parts before abandoning the project. It has sat in the weather ever since, which has taken its toll on the frame paint. Regardless of what the future holds, the buyer would need to repeat the process. However, they would be doing so with a rock-solid frame. The remaining fiberglass looks okay, but we can see significant rust in the upper windshield frame. It is repairable but would require specialist attention to ensure it is safe.

What you see is what you get with this Corvette, which is a shame when considering its original specifications. The VIN confirms the original owner ordered it equipped with the optional L82 version of the 350ci V8. That small-block produced 230hp, and regardless of which transmission they selected, L82 cars were the only ones in 1980 capable of cutting a sub-16-second ¼-mile ET. All that remains are the front and rear ends, with no information on the fate of the drivetrain, missing panels, glass, or interior.

We’ve seen a few “what you see is what you get” projects at Barn Finds, but this is one of the barest to grace our pages. It would have been the most potent Corvettes to emerge from the factory in 1980, but those days are long gone. That raises the question of whether anyone would tackle the task of returning it to its former glory. I doubt that will happen, but I believe the BIN price is justified purely based on the parts it offers. Do you agree with that assessment?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    Even the frame could be junk if they didn’t rust proof the inside of of the rails. Whole thing isn’t worth the effort.

    Like 7
    • Robert

      Rolling alright, roll it right into the scrapyard and you’ll probably get $50 for the frame. Shame on Barn Find for even putting this P.O.S. on their page.

      Like 4
      • 370zpp 370zppMember

        “Shame on Barn Find”? Really?

        Like 9
  2. Harvey HarveyMember

    Just like fishing,all you need is bait and patience.

    Like 9
  3. James PickardMember

    Wow, possibly the worse POS I’ve ever seen for sale. Call 1800 GOT JUNK and they will haul it off.

    Like 5
  4. HoA Howard AMember

    Rawhide!!

    Like 5
  5. shelbyGT500Member

    I am sure someone will buy it just for the VIN #.

    Like 5
    • EuromotoMember

      No doubt. The market is just going crazy for these 1980 Corvettes.

      Like 5
      • bobhess bobhessMember

        Didn’t realize it got that crazy…..

        Like 2
  6. Keith

    In before the first “VETTE KART!” comment.

    Like 2
    • Ethan

      Thinking the same a lil 400hp sbc or ls and u could do burnouts for days lol

      Like 0
  7. Vette parts party

    I am sure someone might need some parts off the car

    I see a gas tank and frame rails.
    The vin of course might grab attention too

    If one has a crusty frame to patch then this could be it.

    Like 3
  8. DA

    “Comedy is not pretty.”

    Like 2
  9. Ric

    This is a joke, right? You could buy several 1980 Vettes for what it would cost to even make this look like an automobile again.

    Like 2
    • randys

      Yes, if starting from scratch, but, somewhere, somebody has the opposite of this car, and they are thinking this is a perfect.

      Like 1
  10. Bill

    I don’t know, this would be a good purchase for a car loving 14 year old who wants to learn automotive mechanics.

    Like 0
  11. Carl Bacon

    But, it’s one of two…..

    Couldn’t resist.

    Like 0
  12. Pnuts

    “Needs work”

    Like 2
  13. Lapeer Hot Rod

    Suspension for a street rod is all I see.

    Like 0
  14. 1980flh1200

    Okay I will say it. RAN WHEN PARKED

    Like 2
  15. Howie

    I wish it had some cup holders.

    Like 8
  16. Ed Jennings

    If this were the frame and partial body for a split window coupe, it would bring some big bucks. Even a different mid year would get some decent attention. If you were to spend the effort and treasure to bring this one back from the dead, you would have a real nice 1980 Corvette. Which I think you can buy all day long for less than $10K I think. I wouldn’t pay half that for a perfect one. Anyway, you’d be so far under water that you’d never be seen again.

    Like 1
  17. Frank Sumatra

    This should put an end to the “what’s a birdcage?” questions and also show why it is not the easiest thing to inspect.

    Like 4
    • PRA4SNW

      Frank, that’s exactly what I was thinking – there it is, the birdcage revealed!

      Like 1
      • Frank Sumatra

        Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes!

        OK, that was a little over the top.

        Like 0
  18. Adamsallycat

    Million dollar car at the big Auction. 😂

    Like 0
  19. George Mattar

    Barrett jackson 2024 for $544,000. Sold.

    Like 0
  20. 3Deuces

    Well, at least it’s easy to inspect the birdcage for rot!

    Like 0
  21. Johnny Nickel

    I’d rather have three good nights at Hooter’s with my $700.

    Like 0
  22. Big C

    You still could hook up a team to it. Just air up the tires, and advertise it in the Amish Times. “Jacob! What is thou riding in? Ah, Amos, hast thou not seen my Corvette?”

    Like 2
  23. Robert Levins

    I LOVE BARN FINDS! So does everybody else! What a great concept putting a completely lost cause in one of their articles! Think of all the comments, all the way knowing their is absolutely no hope no way of doing anything with this car. All joking aside, I would like to meet the person who does buy this. I just want to see the expression on his face when he realizes his mistake. Oh well though- good luck to the new owner.

    Like 1
  24. gregory kina

    just push it back into that pond.

    Like 0
  25. Engident

    I think you meant “Stolen stolen stolen”. I’ll believe that “clear title” when it is posted. Move ’em out, cut ’em up: Chopshop!

    Like 0
  26. Jim Johnson

    If you can get for 10 bucks then you can join the Corvette Club and brag to your friends that you own a Corvette. 🤣

    Like 0
  27. Robt

    Looks like a nice chassis to start a c-3 wagon build with that Greenwood body shown in BF back on 12/26/22!
    Need to move quick though as the sale of that sport wagon on fb marketplace says ‘pending’.

    Like 2
    • Carl Bacon

      I like your style!

      Like 0
  28. Randy jones

    I agree..50 bucks..and you pay my mileage..

    Like 0
  29. George Birth

    Keep it! Good boat anchor.9

    Like 0
  30. Howie

    Relisted, now $489.

    Like 1
  31. John Traylor

    April Fool’s Day has come early this year

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.

Barn Finds