This 1981 Chevrolet Corvette is a running project, albeit one that has been off the road for quite some time. It sports a very sharp color combination of red over red, with a leather interior that looks like it’s dripping in Saturday night’s hottest lipstick shade. The car does run but has the usual issues to resolve that stem from long-term sitting, like flat-spotted tires. The seller indicates there have only been two owners since new, and he admits that due to lack of time and lost storage, he’s not going to get around to giving it the love it deserves. Find this C3 Corvette here on craigslist with a firm price of $11,500.
As you can see in the top photo, the Corvette wasn’t the only car discovered in the garage, with a big body Cadillac convertible sharing in its dusty retirement. If I’m reading the ad correctly, the seller indicates the Corvette spent just one year with its first owner and then resided with the second owner from 1983 through last year. That’s when the seller came into the picture, bringing it back to running condition after clearly going into a prolonged state of disuse. The seller maintains he has the Corvette running and driving and it seems like all he had to do was change the fluids before firing it up. Of course, to drive it anywhere, you’re going to want to ditch those flat-spotted tires.
The interior is in phenomenal condition and seems to reinforce the notion that the 43,000 miles on the clock are genuine. The carpets look equally mint, as do the door panels. While the mileage isn’t terribly high, it’s still plenty of time for a car to fall into disrepair. Despite not being used, I have to believe this Corvette was loved by its longtime second owner, as there was seemingly some effort made to keep it in good condition even if it wasn’t being driven regularly. The Corvette is equipped with an automatic transmission, which was seemingly the gearbox of choice in C3 cars. The seller has also replaced the brake calipers, master cylinder, plug wires, and performed other minor repairs.
The engine bay is still quite clean, and while the front bumper needs some paintwork, the overall cosmetic condition looks better than decent. The seller maintains that if you look closely, you’ll see other areas that need paint correction. Still, for a driver, I wouldn’t worry much about that right now. Get some new tires mounted, refresh the cooling system, and potentially flush and replace the transmission fluid if it hasn’t already been done – and then enjoy it. The C3 is not likely to pick up much in the way of value over the next few years, so I wouldn’t have any qualms about driving the doors off of a car like this. Would you?
Very good deal. Best color combo. But I want the red C2 in garage
I don’t normally like red cars but this has so much red, I almost like it.
I understand the low mileage for this vintage but the $11,500 + tires + whatever else = ? Please don’t flush the tranny. Just drain and fill 3x.
This is a rarity, a decent car for what appears to be a realistic asking price.
While the interior and under hood look nice, I’m not sure I believe the miles. I too own an 81 Corvette, with about 44K miles on it. I’ve owned the car since new, and the weatherstrips haven’t worn any paint off of the door jams. Admittedly, mine is a Bowling Green car which means it has factory enamel base coat/clear coat paint. This car is a St Louis built car, so it has single stage lacquer. I don’t know if the enamel and/or clear coat could be the difference in wear, but I guess it’s possible?
I can see why the seller’s price is firm. Fresh carpet, repaint the front bumper, and do a little more detailing, and I see this car bringing another $3K-$5K. My car is a little cleaner, and has nicer carpet and paint, plus an NCRS Top Flight, and I wouldn’t consider selling it for less than $20K, and probably more.
Ever wonder about the quality of a St.Louis built Corvette? I’m guessing the folks who weren’t asked to join the move to Bowling Green didn’t have the interests of GM or their customers in mind. Through in a couple of angry UAW stewards and no telling what went into some of those cars.
I believe you can get a new Vette finally with an all red interior, but unlike here, it will cost you big time – avail only with expensive packages.
The new vette is modeled after ferrari – i would rather it was modeled after the beaUtiful! 4 rotor vette which LOOKS like a vette with a long hood & could fool you into thinkin it was front engined.
Red over red soft-bumper Corvettes are the nadir of Corvette design.
I want the Eldorado from the first photo!
Had an 81 it was garage queen. I never lost a show with this car. It was totally original. Only one problem….it rode hard, very hard. I’ve six more vettes after that one. My current one is a 2019 2 LT, best one thus far.
The top on the caddy should have been up and latched if the owner cared so much. The dust on the car is all over the interior. Just sayin.
When s he selling the caddy
Hey gbvette62,
I didn’t know the 81s were built in both plants…. Any more backstory?
BTW, the Bowling Green Plant Tour is amazing!!!
I didn’t see a location for this vette just on craiglist.