Vehicle Description
It almost feels a little strange to say it, but how refreshing to
see a burgundy Corvette! The last of the C3s always seem to always
be silver or white or black, but this handsome dark red 1980 'Vette
hits all the right buttons. Powered by a 350 V8 L48 motor and
fitted with a handsome A/C interior with desirable T-tops, this is
definitely a party on wheels at a very attractive price.
There are no worries for the purists, either, because code 76 "Dark
Claret" was on the 1980 Corvette color chart, and the paint on this
survivor coupe is still the factory coat. It's really a refreshing
and great look, deep and rich without trending towards orange, and
even though it's 40 years old and showing signs of age, the curb
appeal is still massive. That means good gaps, no stress cracks
around the headlight doors, and front and rear bumper cones that
actually match the rest of the car. Like we said, it's a survivor
paint job so there are signs of use and some light scratches, but a
lot of it would disappear with a professional buff and detail. The
deep chin spoiler and ducktail spoiler out back give the Corvette a
hyper-performance look that suits its personality just fine, and
even after all those years, it still grabs peoples' attention on
the street. There's not a lot of trim on the 1980 models, but
things like the shiny rocker panel trim and 'corvette' lettering on
the tail make it really stand out. Go ahead, admit it: this is the
car you've wanted since you were a kid.
The disco era was in full swing when this Corvette hit the streets,
and the code 792 Claret leather and cloth upholstery makes the most
of the fashion of the time. Fortunately, the articulated bucket
seats are in reasonable condition given their age, with fabric
that's still pliable and showing a comfortable, lived-in look that
only vintage materials can offer. The door panels and carpet show
some wear and tear, as does the original 3-spoke steering wheel,
but it's all commensurate to the age and the light patina adds to
the overall appeal of this vintage survivor sportscar. Loaded with
options like power windows, A/C, a tilt/telescope wheel, power
antenna, and a heater/rear defroster, the Corvette had finally
matured into a real car that could be driven every day. Lift off
the mirrored T-tops and it's an open air experience that combines
the rumble of the exhaust with the whoosh of V8 acceleration, and
you'll be pleased to know that they seal up tight. The fastback
roofline added much-needed storage volume, and the cargo bay is
nicely preserved despite that big rear window and the added
sunlight.
The believed-original L48 350 cubic inch V8 remains under the
forward-tilting hood and unlike so many of its siblings, it remains
almost entirely stock. All the factory equipment including the
twin-snorkel air cleaner and even the original carburetor set up is
still in place, which means this car hasn't been raced or abused.
It's pretty original and in good working order, with upgrades
including R134a refrigerant in the A/C system, an HEI ignition, and
a custom dual exhaust system in place of the original wheezing
catalytic converter-led system. The TH350 3-speed automatic
transmission shifts properly and with rather tall factory gears out
back, this 'Vette a fantastic highway cruiser ready for a long
trip. Standard power 4-wheel disc brakes and power steering ensure
a great drive experience every time out, and the deep rumble from
the upgraded dual exhaust system sounds great. Factory slotted
alloys finish off the correct look and carry 255/60/15 BFGoodrich
T/A white-letter radials at all four corners.
C3 Corvettes are popular for a reason, and you can get into this
one for the price of a used Hyundai. Spend some time nailing down
the details and you'll have a car that runs and looks like it
should cost thousands more. Call today!
