1981 Chevrolet Corvette Base

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 is now 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 matching T10 4-spe