Vehicle Description
Get into the Corvette hobby for less than the price of a
garden-variety family sedan with this sleek 1981 Chevrolet Corvette
coupe. With handsome dark red paint, a beautiful tan leather
interior, and T-tops for the open air experience, this a
great-looking summertime cruiser that you'll enjoy far more than
the bargain price would suggest.
Unlike so many of its contemporaries, this gorgeous dark red
metallic Corvette will never go out of style and the luscious
metallic paint really accents the C3's dramatic styling. Although
1981 was nearing the end of the line for the C3, it didn't diminish
the iconic looks one bit, and even today these are some of the most
distinctive Corvettes ever built. Everyone loves them. And when
they look this good, falling in love is easy. Gaps are good,
putting to bed the idea that these were not well-built cars, and
the shiny paint is quite recent, so it looks like a million bucks.
The hatchback profile greatly improved Corvette aerodynamics as
well as the car's overall look, and it's enhanced by the modest
ducktail spoiler that debuted in 1978. There are very few marks on
the car at all, and if you're a purist, maybe this isn't the car,
because the nose cone and rear bumper match the bodywork, unlike
the original stuff.
Based on the condition of the interior, this car could easily claim
to be a decade or two younger than it is. The tan leather buckets
show no damage and only light wear, extraordinary for three decades
of entertainment. With the T-tops off, you'll appreciate the light
color, and it works very well to hide dirt, so it always looks
great. Corvettes typically came loaded with options, and this one
is no exception, carrying things like power brakes, power steering,
power windows, power locks, a tilt/telescope wheel, cruise control,
cold A/C, and a rear defroster. The original AM/FM radio has been
superseded by a JVC AM/FM/CD unit that actually looks right at home
in the original console, and it all works as it should. Nice!
The 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood is a far cry from the wheezing
smog-choked L81 that originally lived there. Dressed up with a
chrome air cleaner and other shiny parts, the engine bay is nicely
detailed, showing only light wear and no glaring issues. There's an
upgraded 4-barrel carburetor and intake manifold to help build
power and long-tube headers are good for torque production. You'll
also note an upgraded cooling fan, HEI ignition system, and newer
power brake booster, master cylinder, and alternator. The TH350
3-speed automatic transmission snaps off shifts even more quickly
today than when it was new and 1981 was also the first year for the
fiberglass monoleaf spring, which not only improved chassis
response, but shaved a considerable amount of weight. Four-wheel
discs have been standard equipment since 1965, and the C3s featured
some of the most powerful binders of the era, so it has the whoa to
match the go. The original wheels were chrome plated, so they
really sparkle against the dark red paint and now wear fat
255/60/15 BFGoodrich radials.
A lot of receipts are included, as well as maintenance records,
making this a car you can buy and enjoy with confidence. This
'Vette makes for a great way to get into the game without spending
a fortune. Call today!