Black paint, red leather, and a four-speed stick. This 1981
Chevrolet Corvette brings a combination that makes walking past it
without a second look a tough assignment. The sculpted C3 bodywork
delivers classic Corvette attitude, while American Racing wheels
add a hot-rodding touch. Its driver-quality finish makes this a
natural candidate for someone who wants to enjoy the car out on the
road.
There's some meaningful history behind those three pedals, too.
Chevrolet built 40,606 Corvettes for 1981, with roughly one in
seven equipped with a four-speed manual. It also marked the final
year a manual transmission was available in the C3 generation,
giving the model a special place in Corvette history.
Under the hood, this Corvette packs a 350ci Vortec V8 backed by a
floor-shifted four-speed manual. Stainless steel long-tube headers
give the small-block combination some enthusiast-approved hardware,
while dual electric fans handle cooling duties. Power steering and
power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes round out a package built
around the pleasure of driving a V8 Corvette and choosing your own
gears.
Inside, red leather bucket seats provide a bold contrast to the
black exterior. A tilt steering wheel, power windows, and an
aftermarket radio bring useful cruising conveniences, while
removable T-tops let you open the cabin to the sunshine. Factory
air conditioning is present but currently does not work. With its
Vortec power, manual gearbox, and unmistakable C3 profile, this
Corvette has the ingredients for a weekend worth clearing your
schedule for.
No - Horn
Yes - Tachometer
No - Air Conditioning
Yes - Headlights
Yes - Wipers
Yes - Turn Signals
Yes - Runs
No - Oil Pressure Gauge
Yes - Temperature Gauge
Yes - Heater
Yes - Brake Lights
Yes - Radio
Yes - Speedometer
Yes - Tail Lights
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