1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Prior to going out on a big night, a woman likes to go all out sometimes on the presentation, and part of that mystique is the use of lipstick. Red signifies sexuality, an allure, and power. For consignment, a night out for this version of the 1981 C3 Corvette bathed in red. A numbers matching 350ci L81 V8 and 4 speed manual proving the go factory and lots of factory options on the inside. Purchased by our consignor's uncle and kept in a garage, never seeing foul weather, it was passed to our consignor in 2016 when the uncle's health was failing. It's all dressed up and awaiting your turn of her key which will provide you with excitement! ( I told you the red would work!).
NOTE: Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.
Exterior
For 1981, after several years of progressively gaining weight, this year it went on a diet and has lost some weight. A thinner hood and outer doors, lower density roof panels, and making use of aluminum for the differential housing and crossmember help with this effort. Some front and back bumper "caps" are gone for this year, and this redesign decreased the overall drag coefficient. We can see the use of crossed flag badges, a black rocker that follows the coke bottle design on either side, and a mirrored T top with removable panels. The fiberglass is in overall good condition and we see some chips off of the paint near the gaps along with some spider cracking, scuffs, touch ups and severe road rash on the pointed nose. All glass, including the greenhouse rear window, which forms itself nearly to the rear spoiler has a fairly substantial storage area underneath remains in good condition. The Corvette cove in the front fender remains, round headlights survive another year under the flip open doors, and now shiny 15-inch slotted wheels are on all 4 corners. All bathed in a nice coating of red. Honey!!! I'm ready to go!
Interior
In wonderful 1980's style, the overstuffed padded bolster Camel leather seats with deep inserts and high backs provide the seating for this A ticket ride. A few age wrinkles and tears are noted in the driver's bolster. This tearing appears again in the passenger seat, but is not nearly as bad. These are floating in a sea of Camel tan carpeting which is all nice and clean but shows with some color fade. A Camel dash can be seen upfront, and while the raked angle remains for the dash, gauges are now behind a flat piece of clear plastic with some mid point warning lights stacked next to these gauges. In the center the cluster of 5 gauges remains and just below is an aftermarket stereo neatly inserted which is now digital and has AM/FM/CD capabilities. Temp wheels of the past are now sliders and on the center of the console is a black ball topped chrome level shifter. The side door panels are nicely preserved, as is the rear carpeted storage area under the green house glass. May I hold the door for you?!
Drivetrain
With all this red let's consider the red line, that being of the tachometer and to get there under the hood is a 350ci V8 L81 which is capable of 190hp and is numbers matching. A single 4-barrel carburetor is atop and ribbed valve covers and a shiny air cleaner cover can be seen. Some patina and slight corrosion and surface rust is noted within this engine bay. There is a numbers matching T10 4-speed manual transmission bolted to the back of the engine with a 2.72 limited slip rear axle in the back.
Undercarriage
Very nicely preserved with some patina on the black paint of the undercoating, but all else is unremarkable and structurally sound. For the front suspension we note an independent SLA type which features coil springs, mounted shock absorbers, and spherical joint steering knock pivots. In back is an independent SLA forged aluminum upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, transverse mono leaf springs, a steel stabilizer bar, and spindle offset. Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners and true dual exhaust with stock style mufflers is on, but is sans catalytic converters.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and our date with the test track began. Here we performed our first test, the brakes and we noted the pedal sank to the floor, but the car did stop. That being said, our test drive speeds were kept low but overall the car behaved very well with smooth acceleration, great handling thanks to all the above geometry, and bias free braking, albeit with subpar distance to a halt. The leather overstuffed styled seats were nice and comfy, and I found the radio not to generate any music and the AC, while blowing cool, was not as icy cold as it should be.
A lighter, longer hood, a better airflow fiberglass sculpted body with the powerful 350ci L81 engine. Nicely aged Camel leather interior, and a few faults in the paint, grab her hand and walk her up to the test track, and you'll fall in love...hopelessly...awwwww.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
