For Sale: 1980 Chevrolet Corvette in Ft Worth, Texas

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!