1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
1981 was an interesting year in Corvette lore. As it happens, cars were being manufactured in two plants, one in St. Louis, Missouri and the other in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In mid 1981 all manufacturing would shift to Bowling Green where, among other things, they had a facility that applied enamels and clear coats where the Missouri cars only received single stage lacquer. So, it represents a pivotal year for the make and Bowling Green has been at the center of Corvette manufacturing ever since.
For consignment, a St. Louis built car with a fresh paint job, new and improved base/clear this time! It's got a lot of fresh pieces too, both cosmetic and functional and sits with 99,414 title verified actual miles. That's just 2,300 miles a year! This 1981 carries over the integrated aerodynamic shape that was introduced in 1980 and reduced the drag coefficient by measurable amounts. Pop the T-tops and get ready for your Corvette summer!
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
Classic White shines bright and is accented with red stripes the length of the car and around the hood hump, accentuating both the curvy hips and the bulbous hood of this Corvette. The T-tops are white as well. Only the black side vents and lower grille diverge from the white paint which washes over the wing and rear tail piece in a clean presentation. The chrome door handles are flush with the ascending curves of the long doors and are classic "push down" style actuators. The long nose, sport mirrors, and curved rear window are epic Corvette and this one wears it well. A few emblems are missing from the car but the mounting holes are there. There are a few spots of some paint imperfections, but you really have to look close to find them. We note a small tear in the body fiberglass under the car, out of sight, behind a rear wheel.
Interior
We open the long doors to reveal redyed red leather door cards as the consignor informs us, and they do look fresh. Electric windows are mixed with door locks and a manual mirror adjuster, along with the silver door actuator. Moving to the seats, which have also been redyed, the red leather buckets look to be in good shape with no tears. They retain the two piece configuration that started with the '79 models. A red, leather wrapped steering wheel is a three spoke with a center horn button, dressed in a lighter red. The tachometer and speedometer are housed in a cowled bezel while five smaller gauges and an AM/FM/Cassette radio take up the center stack and are reminiscent of a jet fighter cockpit. The black surround on all gauges is showing some age and the climate control panel is slightly askew, but no major cracks or blemishes were observed. The center console houses the automatic shifter with a round knob and push down actuator, all on a smooth plastic base and black leather shifter boot. The carpet is new, very plush and very red! The back storage area is also covered in loose red carpet and the plastic bottom side of the t-tops are red and could use a little love.
Drivetrain
The correct 350ci V8 is tucked in the big nose of this car with a single 4-barrel carburetor and tied to a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission. Out back 2.87 gears with Positraction turn the rear wheels. Our consignor informs us that it's had a fresh service and tune as well as all fluids being replaced. Visually, the engine bay is driver quality with normal surface rust and patina. Dressing it up would be an option and there are plenty of aftermarket resources as Corvettes enjoy one of the most enthusiastic followings of any sports car in the world. Power disc brakes, with new calipers, lines, and pads all around will get you to red lights with ease.
Undercarriage
Driver quality undercarriage includes surface rust on frame, driveshaft, and suspension parts. More advanced surface rust with pitting is seen on inner brake components and shock mounts. Residual oil film on the pan, but overall the underside is dry. From the Y pipe back, you'll find new exhaust which begins with a splitter piece, enters two glasspack style mufflers, then out the back just under the bumper with downturned pipes. We note the absence of a catalytic converter. Independent suspension is on front and back with coil springs under the nose and an independent suspension with transverse leaf springs and strut rods are out back.
Drive-Ability
Prime the 4-barrels and crank the motor, and the car awakens with a growl. Off to the test loop we roll and revel in the jet like cockpit and driving position of the car. The Vette runs great and accelerates well, keeping in mind that these were cruisers, not mile kings and with that you can really enjoy the roll, and we did. These short drives allow us to test the workings of the car and on this ride, we note a few things not working. In particular, the power antenna, the horn, the A/C, and the power locks were all inoperable. The pop-up headlights on Vettes' are notoriously finicky and on this car, the passenger light rotates up when engaged, then dives back down when the lights are activated. The new brakes, we're happy to report, work great!
The plastic fantastic never disappoints. The energy crisis, oil embargo, and smog regs all put a bit of a damper on C3 Corvettes, but there is no denying they are still cool! There's no way this white hot car will not get attention because despite not being the fastest Vette ever made, its lines are still the stuff of boyhood fantasies and look good standing still!
1G1AY8762BS425564
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
A-Manual Belts
Y-Corvette
87-Coupe
6-350 ci V8 4bbl
2-Check Digit
B-1981
S-St Louis, MO Assy Plant
425564-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
I14-April 14th
TRIM 752-Medium Red Leather
PAINT 10L-Classic White
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
