By 1981, It was known that Chevrolet had essentially finalized the specifications of a new Corvette to replace the venerable C3 and that it was scheduled for release in 1983. It meant that any remaining changes to the existing model would be evolutionary and designed so that most would seamlessly migrate to the new model. This 1981 ‘Vette is a beauty, with its greatest attribute being that it is an original and unmolested survivor with 27,000 miles on the clock. It presents well for its age, ready for a new owner to slip behind the wheel and drive it home. The ‘Vette is listed here on eBay in Destin, Florida. The seller set a BIN of $23,950 but leaves the option to make an offer.
With the upcoming C4 Corvette set to emerge with a new body in around two years, it is no surprise that any upgrades Chevrolet performed on the 1981 model were below the skin. The company could not justify cosmetic changes, making it virtually impossible to differentiate the 1981 model from its predecessor. Code 10 White was chosen by 6,387 buyers, making it the most popular shade that year. It is what graces this car’s panels, and its appearance is impressive for an unrestored survivor. The seller describes this ‘Vette’s condition as “great,” and it is difficult to argue against that assessment. The paint shines beautifully, there are no chips or marks, and no cracked fiberglass. The seller supplies no information on the frame or birdcage, although the lack of visible corrosion across other areas suggests the news should be positive. The original owner selected the smoked glass roof panels that look as spotless as the rest of the glass, with the badges and factory aluminum wheels looking flawless.
The 40,606 buyers ordering a new Corvette in 1981 received the same L81 version of the 350ci V8. It was a significant moment in Corvette history because it was the first time since 1954 that buyers didn’t have optional powerplants from which to choose. This year also marked the end of the line for the venerable three-speed Hydramatic transmission, with the 1982 Corvette receiving the more versatile but slightly fragile 700-R4 four-speed auto. With the L81/auto combination, this Corvette should cover the ¼-mile in 16.7 seconds before winding its way to 131mph. Both figures fall well short of the early C3 models at the height of their power, but things only improved marginally for 1982. The seller claims this Corvette runs and drives perfectly and has a genuine 27,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but with the Owner’s Manual, Warranty Books, original Window Sticker, and other documentation included, the evidence could be there.
Chevrolet made one significant interior change with the C3 Corvette that is often overlooked. To emphasize its more luxurious leanings, the company axed vinyl upholstery after 1976. From 1977, buyers chose between leather and cloth in various colors. This car’s original owner selected Dark Blue leather, and the overall presentation is consistent with the claimed odometer reading. There are tiny imperfections on the front edge of the driver’s seat, but careful conditioning should limit potential deterioration. The Window Sticker states the car rolled off the line equipped with an AM/FM stereo radio, but it looks like an aftermarket radio/cassette player may occupy that spot. Otherwise, the interior appears original and in excellent condition. In keeping with the luxurious leanings, the buyer receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a six-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, a rear defogger, and the now-standard tilt/telescopic wheel.
By the time this 1981 Corvette rolled off the line, almost everyone knew that a new model was waiting in the wings. The most dramatic effect the news had was on sales. Chevrolet sold a record 53,807 Corvettes in 1979, but they struggled to top 40,000 in 1981. The cat was out of the bag, and the buying public decided to hold onto their cash until the C4 appeared in showrooms. Long ignored by enthusiasts, the late C3 Corvettes have experienced a recent surge in value. The BIN on this is at the top of the market, but its condition and odometer reading suggest it is justified. Do you think one of the twenty-eight people watching the listing will hit the BIN button, or is the seller in for the long haul on this classic?
True dual exhaust, carb & timing adjustments
make these abit more performance oriented
w/o detracting from its original appearance.
This is a very good looking example!
Absolutely.
This would be a fun car , price seems OK considering what that kind of money older muscle cars are bringing.
Plenty of performance mods available, these cars are still head turners today.
way overpriced.
24k is way to much…..15 sounds reasonable
If I can ask some of the experts here, I was told years ago to look at the position of the number dials on the speedometer. If the numbers from left to right are slightly higher on the right, tapering down to the left, that is you speedometer rolling forward as it should. If from left to right, slightly and gradually lower on the right, as is this one. I was told this is a sign of the mileage has been rolled back. I would welcome any thoughts on this. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
It is easy to roll the miles back these manual odometers. The digital ones are a different story. Some newer vehicles with a computer and a digital odometer, the miles will go back to the actual miles, even if you put a different cluster in it.
This is a sharp car, but i never believe miles unless it is verified with a periodic supply of receipts where it has been serviced by a reputable dealer or something that is believable?
Odometer wheel alignment alone isn’t indicative of tampering. I’ve had well over 125 (that I can remember) vehicles, predominantly GM and can tell you that many were not perfectly aligned, and they have not been tampered with. It is rather simple to change odometer settings, and rather common on “restored” cars to set them back to zero. I’ve restored many of these cars, and frequently would have to swap out parts, but I always set the mileage to the previous known mileage. I can’t say everyone does this or not. I purchased a Harley Davidson replacement speedometer with a tach for my Fat Boy, I had it set electronically to match the current mileage, and took numerous photo’s. Did the same thing with a GNX style dash conversion on my Grand National. Most recent was the Dakota Digital RTX dash swap on my SS396 El Camino, I always documented the changes with photo’s. But back to the “position of the dials” it is not an automatic sign of odometer tampering.
These are a series of plastic gears. Each one turns the gear ahead of it, start right to left. If a odometer reads for example,
29,998.8, then the numbers will start moving and becoming misaligned. It’s in the process of turning over to 30,000 miles. If it reads 29,850.0 , then the numbers should be straight.
Otherwise, the first numbers on the left should be in perfect alignment, as Tim mentioned.
Sometimes with age or tampering, the thin piece of plastic on the back side of the numbers will break. This plastic piece is intended to hold the number perfectly straight. I believe this piece is made of cheap plastic to keep Cuder from sticking an ice pick in the front of the odometer and turning it back. Actually, on GM vehicles, you have to turn it forward, not backwards to change the settings.
Older Ford’s can be altered by forcing the plastic gears up without removing the cluster.
But, if you force Ford odometer numbers up, or back as it is called, they will never realign again, regardless. You have damaged the plastic gears. The odometer has to be partially disassembled first.
I am not an expert on odometer tampering and i certainly have never done 125, but i understand the theory on how these work.
Misaligned numbers are suspicious!
Were raised YELLOW letter tires available back in the day? Could these have been later carefully painted yellow? …
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4TAAAOSwQJNji-fj/s-l1600.jpg
I don’t remember seeing yellow, but i seen some blue colored ones, but that was a factory protective coating not scrubbed off.
Goodyear did make yellow lettered tires, but from what I remember is they were “NASCAR” branded (also in raised letters but street tires) and their actual race tires. My guess is these appear to be white letter tires that were not maintained. BF Goodrich Radial TA’s suffer from this problem almost off the shelf, perhaps they have improved over the last couple years.
Question for the Corvette experts
Did GM try to lose weight on the later C3’s to help with performance.
Second, would a EFI conversion only help with drivability or would it improve performance as well?
This seems like a nice cruiser with minimal effort
I can’t speak to the weight issue, but as far as EFI, a properly installed and tuned EFI will improve all around performance, from startup through full throttle, with better mileage compared to a carbureted street car.
Very nice example of a late C3, it puts me in mind of one I used to enjoy, an ’80 L82 similarly colored except mine had the dark blue cloth interior. A fun car to drive. Not blazingly fast but nice enough to draw smiles from people when they saw it. Attached is a picture of it with its guardian “Hobo” who loved going for rides in it.
Really nice looking late C3, looks very original and honest.
Yes, GM did throw some weight savings at the late C3’s, thinner windscreens and fiberglass rear leaf come to mind….
Corvettes from 1980 to 1982 had a thinner lighter frame and an aluminum rear end carrier/ housing as well as thinner SMC fiberglass for a total weight savings around 200 lbs from the 1979 model year. I own a similar 1980 white vette and yeah real dual exhaust, a new camshaft to make the L48 closer to the L81 and some tuning make the car much more fun.
Does that mean that the “birdcage” on those were even more susceptible to rusting/rusted out faster? Or even if not, say when even new, was the structure less stiff – causing more creaks than the ’68-70 models?
Too bad the birdcage was not aluminum or stainless steel.
81 cars..these motors are junk..low horsepower..no 81 worth 23k..that’s a joke..those carbs make this car very slow..electronic carb..not good….car looks clean..81 vette is there at the 84 and 75.to 76 vette..very experimental. R
A true low mileage,pristine classic that has been well preserved, comes with all the paperwork from day one. ANYBODY that advertises “TRUTHFULLY “ low mileage will have nothing to hide and all the proof. ANY discrepancies after 41yrs tells me to look out. No proof- $15,000.00 tops for this one. Good luck to the new owner, it is a very nice car!
Is this still available ?
ebay says time remaining is 3 days and 5 hours. Buy it now is still up
so I would say it is still available or it would had said ended or sold. Good luck.