The Collector Edition Corvette
This is a 1982 Collector Edition Corvette, the last of the third-generation Corvettes. The Collector Edition Corvette has special Champagne paint and upholstery, special cloisonné crossed-flag emblems on the hood, steering wheel and rear deck, a custom exterior graphics package with shadow-style graphics on the hood and sides, varying from Champagne to dark brown, along with a special set of 15-inch turbine-vane aluminum wheels. These are similar to the custom wheels on the 1963 split window coupe.
The custom interior includes champagne leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, matching carpeted floor mats, (CC1) smoke colored T-top removable roof panels, matching carpeted luggage area with black concealment shade. The rear window hatch was engineered with hinged glass to open on the Collector Edition Corvette, rather than a fixed window. Although due to a design flaw, most hinges fail after regular use.
Collector Edition Corvettes also has standard equipment that was optional on other ‘82 corvettes such as electric windows, (AG9) six-way power driver’s seat, (AU3) power door locks, (K35) cruise control, automatic electric antenna, (DG7) power mirrors, (C49) rear window defogger, etc.
The 5.7-liter, 350 cubic inch, L83 V8 uses Cross-fire fuel injection which features two cross-mounted 48mm throttle-body injection units. Each throttle-body feeds one bank of cylinders on the v8 engine. This gives it 200 horsepower at 4,200 rpm and 285 lb.-ft of torque. During full throttle a solenoid operated door in the hood opened to allow air directly into the air cleaner. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. This car can move.
1982 corvettes came with a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and a lockup torque-converter clutch - breakthrough technology at the time.
The collector edition includes standard features such as power steering and brakes, a telescoping and tilting steering wheel, pop up halogen headlamps, full instrumentation such as fuel, oil pressure and temp gages, tachometer, and voltage. Four-wheel independent suspension. Limited slip 2.87 differential.
An authentic Collector Edition Corvette will have a “0” as the sixth character in its VIN as this car does. Production was limited to 6,759 cars. This makes this car a rarity.
About this Collector Edition Corvette
I Bought this Vette here in Maryland in late 1984 from a GM mechanic who loved it but couldn’t afford it. It had about 20,000 miles on the odometer. Today it’s 61,000 miles.
For a few years I commuted in it, before making it my weekend ride. It’s always been garaged, even at the office.
My employer paid for all maintenance and repairs, so nothing needed was missed.
To my knowledge, the car has not been in an accident and the engine is original.
Restoration
Over the past 12 months, I’ve invested over $10,000 in restoration. All documented. Including:
Additional Features
Also included is a custom cotton dust cover and a framed poster of the 1982 Collector Edition Corvette. The dust cover is especially helpful for protecting the car in your garage. I have the original keys, as well as several copies. Plus, the original T-top leather storage covers, original owners manual and the Chevrolet Corvette service manual are included. See photos.
Notice the champagne leather T-top bracket bag in the back - this is for the optional: (V54) Roof Panel Carrier. It contains mounting brackets for the T-tops when they’re off the car. I have included photos of the mounting frames. They’re like new. I’ve never seen these offered for sale in like new condition.
Not a Perfect Car
There is a scratch on the passenger door, which I’ve shown in the photos. I had a recent quote of $350 to repaint the door. I’ve also highlighted a few other flaws, no matter how trivial, in the photos.
Aside from the Air Conditioning, all power features and gauges on this car work. The air conditioning compressor runs, but needs Freon. The rear windows on Collector Edition Corvettes nearly all have problems opening due to the design flaw in the hinges. The release handle on this car does not allow the rear window to open.
Want to learn more?
I’d be glad to put a prospective buyer in touch with both the local Corvette mechanics who’ve recently worked on the car. They’re more than happy to speak with you. You are also welcome to hire a mechanic for an independent opinion on the car. Of course, I will answer any questions you might have to the best of my knowledge.
Asking Price
The asking price is not arbitrary nor based on an inflated opinion of the car’s condition. After much study, I set the asking price based on the recent sale of a Collector Edition Corvette, in very similar condition and owner history. That car sold for $29,400 at auction sixteen months ago. Auctions are a strong indicator of true market value. I’ve observed at least eight other completed auctions of similar vehicles in that price range in the past two years. Allowing for the air conditioning and the scratch on the door, I’ve set my price slightly lower. I believe it’s a very fair market price for this car.
Why you should seriously consider this car
Buying this car is like stepping back in time to 1982. It’s in showroom condition.
I love this car, but I’m selling it to make room in my garage for some other projects. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, but now it’s time to pass it on to bring joy and someone else.
When I sell a car, my name goes on the bill of sale. There should be no surprises for the buyer. I’ve made every effort to be candid about the true condition of the car.
Every repair expense since I’ve owned it is fully documented and indexed in a binder. See photos. These records are included with the car so you can protect your investment.
When you buy a car from a dealer, you don’t know the history of ownership and care. This dramatically increases your risk. With this car, you have a wealth of information available to you. Including a 40-year ownership history. Plus the recent investment of over $10,000 in restoration. All fully documented.
A quality classic corvette is an investment. They always go up in value. If you compromise your standards, and buy a low priced, low quality, classic car, you’re setting yourself up for failure if you ever choose to sell it. But if you buy a high quantity specimen, like this one, and take good care of it, you’ll do very well if you decide to sell it. That’s far more important than bargain hunting or haggling for a great deal. Think strategically about the long game for your investment. Don’t let this one get away.
Summary
This is a high end, recently restored collector vehicle. If you want a C3 Collector Edition Corvette in original condition, that you won’t have to spend time and money on to drive and enjoy after you invest in it, with a known and documented history, this car won’t disappoint you.
