For Sale: 1981 Chevrolet Corvette in Charlotte, North Carolina

There's no doubting the C2 Corvette's significance in the collector car world. Like the '57 Bel Air and F1 Camaro, second-generation Vettes are considered one of the all-time great Chevrolet classics. That said, the popularity of third-generation Corvettes is certainly growing. That's why it's a great idea to get ahead of the curve by investing a little money in this striking coupe. Sporting an original L-81/4-speed drivetrain and smooth silver and blue aesthetics, this C3 is a vision of opportunistic '80s performance. And, as a well-optioned cruiser that's benefitted from solid maintenance, it's a great piece of classic car potential that's available for relatively modest money!

HISTORY/CONDITION

Sold through Weil-Koenig Chevrolet of Amherst, New York, this Chevy spent the first 22 years of its life in the hands of one loving owner. Roughly 40K miles later, the car was passed to its second owner, an Oregon native who kept it running clean and strong for close to a decade. Circa 2012, this Chevy's third owner, a New Jersey resident with a penchant for collectable Corvettes, polished the car's wheels and upgraded its radio. But, unfortunately, the collector had to downsize, and the Corvette met its fourth owner that same year. In addition to tinting the car's windows and detailing its interior, that fourth and present owner commissioned Rock Hill, South Carolina's Corvettes Unlimited to repaint this Chevy's bumpers. And today, one close look at our high-resolution photos reveals a highly original gem that, except for a few blends, features largely original paintwork.

ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN

Tilt this Corvette's sculpted hood and you'll find 350 cubic inches of original L-81 V8 that twists stout 8.2 to 1 compression into 190 horsepower and 280 lb./ft. of everyday torque. Behind that VIN-stamped mill, a lightweight Borg Warner Super T10 4-speed, an original unit that's branded with a correct partial VIN, spins a lightweight Dana 44 differential. That driveline hangs in a fully independent suspension, which combines correct power steering with correct power disc brakes. That suspension is dissected by a factory-style exhaust system, which centers a factory converter in front of polished stainless tips. And everything rolls on polished alloy wheels, which spin 225/70R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As around correct cross-flag center caps.

INTERIOR

Open the car's long doors and you'll find a largely original interior that's been freshened as needed. A duo of leather buckets is free of significant wear. In front of those seats, a crack-free dash hangs a modern Kenwood CD player between factory telemetry and factory air conditioning. At the bottom of that dash, a refurbished console centers a chrome shifter on fade-free carpet that's protected by Corvette-themed mats. Opposite that console, 1-piece door panels front factory power windows and factory power door locks. And the driver commands the road through a leather-wrapped steering wheel, which laps a standard tilt/telescopic column.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

A vintage marketing brochure

A copy of the car's original Build Sheet

The car's original Window Sticker

An original Owner's Manual

Vintage factory literature

Miscellaneous service records

Miscellaneous car show literature

The car's original radio

A few spare parts

One of the world's most enduring combinations of performance and style, classic Corvettes present excellent opportunities for savvy enthusiasts. And, because of their cool aesthetics, third-generation cars are likely to rise in both value and demand. With its detailed history and original drivetrain, this fully sorted coupe is the kind of old school muscle that can make any enthusiast happy. And for our asking price, it's one heck of a deal!

SUMMARY

Original 350 cubic inch L-81 V8

Original Borg Warner Super T10 4-speed manual transmission

Factory air conditioning

Largely original Silver Metallic and Dark Blue Metallic paint

Largely original Silver Gray leather interior

Factory power steering

Factory 4-wheel power disc brakes

Factory alloy wheels

Modern audio / Sale includes the car's original radio

Sale includes: A copy of the car's original Build Sheet / An original Window Sticker / Service records