Vehicle Description
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
How many cars can you name at a single glance? That should tell you
something about the continuing uniqueness of the Corvette. It could
very well be the most recognizable car on the road today. It has a
host of imitators, but none of them strike your eye with such
striking authority. Because the Corvette remains what they can only
aspire to be... a legend. Still the only true American sports
car.
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 isnow
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
matchingT10 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 thepedal sank to
the floor, but the car did stop. That being said, ourtest 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.
1G1AY8768BS426203
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
A-Manual Belts
Y-Corvette
87-Coupe
6-350 ci V8 4bbl
8-Check Digit
B-1981
S-St Louis, MO Assy Plant
426203-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
I27-April 27th
TRIM 642-Camel Leather
PAINT 75L-Red
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.
