Vehicle Description
1980 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
The C3 Corvette, built between 1968 and 1982, was the third
generation of Chevrolet's venerable Corvette sports car.
Occasionally seen as polarizing, the C3 garnered both praise and
criticism for its radical design, purpose and driving dynamics.
Expectations were huge when the model launched. Zora Arkus-Duntov
and Billy Mitchell, the second generation C2 Corvette designers,
had just built the hugely successful, powerful, and respected Sting
Ray Corvette. Even today, the Sting Ray is widely regarded as one
of the best Corvette models ever made.
Classic Auto Mall is proud to present this 1980 Corvette. Turning
the spotlight on we are met with a beautifully designed and bathed
in charcoal blue body, retina searing red leather interior, and
some deep dish rally wheels. Some new parts and new paint make this
one of the most striking late C3 'Vettes to ever grace our Hallowed
Halls.
Exterior
From the swooping front long racing style hood, to the simple 4
round lighted rear with just a touch of spoiler, this car presents
in a respray of a blue tinted charcoal metallic finish. Showing
some chips, scratches, light spider cracking and inclusions in the
paint, it is not perfect, but still beautifully designed. These
flaws can only be noticed upon careful inspection and disappear
when more than 5 feet away from the body. Hidden headlights up
front give it an aerodynamic feel and the black and stainless
rocker trim compliments this body style nicely, and for some sun,
you can pop off the body-colored panels of the roof. A long and
curved greenhouse rear glass covers a large storage area in the
rear. Earlier style deep dish rally wheels adorn the corners and
are wrapped in Cooper Cobra raised white letter rubber.
Interior
In wonderful 1980's style the overstuffed padded bolster seats with
deep inserts and high backs provide the seating for this ride.
Nearly no age-based wear and folds are present in the red leather
of these seats. These are floating in a sea of like new red
carpeting which is protected by carpeted mats. A red 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
midpoint 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 courtesy of Alpine with 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 shifter and
power window controls with some wear to the black insert. The side
door panels, like the seats, appear as new with a sensual mix of
padded red leather and lush red carpet. The rear carpeted storage
area under the greenhouse glass shows as new with the addition of
aftermarket speakers.
Drivetrain
With all this charcoal and red we don't want to forget the red line
that is on the tachometer and to get there under the hood is a
350ci V8 circa 1969 through 1979 according to the casting number. A
RV camshaft has been installed in this engine and a new 4-barrel
Edelbrock carburetor is atop an Edelbrock intake manifold and shiny
valve covers and an air cleaner cover can be seen. Some patina and
surface rust is noted within this engine bay but overall things are
looking fab. There is a non original TH350 3-speed manual
transmission bolted to the back of the engine with a 3.07 rear axle
in the back. A new radiator has been installed at the front of this
well-kept engine bay.
Undercarriage
Very nicely preserved with some patina on the black paint of the
undercoating, and surface rust on the steel parts, 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 as is power steering and the factory single exhaust with
dual mufflers and tailpipes are noted.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and our date with the test track began. Here it
behaved very well with nearly unending acceleration, great handling
thanks to all the above geometry, and bias free panic stopping. The
leather overstuffed styled seats were nice and comfy. Numerous
frowns crept up during our drive, those being the headlights turned
on and the passengers light was slow to rotate up and the driver's
never came up, the speedometer and odometer are inoperable, the AC
blew warm, we heard a distinct vacuum leak from under the dash that
went away upon pressing the brake pedal, (a sign of a bad power
brake booster), the turn signal stalk is only half its length with
the remaining portion made from electrical tape and the engine ran
a little rough at first idle.
A lighter, longer hood, better airflow fiberglass sculpted body
with the 350ci V8 engine is 1980 in every way. A beautiful red
leather interior, and a few faults in the paint, some mechanical
frowns, driver quality car that you can still enjoy while you turn
a few wrenches.
VIN DECODE
1Z878AS403371
1-Chevrolet
Z-Corvette
87-Coupe
8-350ci L48 V8
A-1980
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
403371-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
A25-October 25th Build
TRIM 722-Red Leather
PAINT 10L-Classic White
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
