1981 Chevrolet Corvette Reviews, Pricing & Specs

First of all I love the looks of my car. I haven't gone on any log trips yet ( more than 3 hours) ,but with the power seat it adjust so that I have never found it to be uncomfortable. I have had 3 classic cars (Cord, Porsche, Corvette) and this is the easiest and least expensive to maintain. As far as performance ,braking and handling, there are newer cars that do it better. But I stopped driving cars to the edge in my thirties. Being a older car I have gone through it completely to stop leaks, rattles and to be sure its safe in every possible way .. That costs, but it also removes almost all doubt of disappointment. When I go to my toy after its sat for 5 days or 5 months (winter) . I`m good to go . Lastly ,every person who enjoys cars should own something they wished they could have had when they were younger. House payments , wife , kids came first . Now its my turn. I have had this itch since I saw the 1958 corvette , then it was the 63 through 67 and the 1978 thought 1982. Cost factored into the purchase. A wise man told me " Buy what you can afford ... then multiply that by at least two ". Boy was he right on . So in closing , I would say put a list together of your top five choices. Check your funds to spend. Give yourself at least five years if its even slightly a project. Then enjoy talking with people about your car .Going different places for both the drive and the destination. And hearing some weird comments.Mar 02, 2014

The last time I owned a C3 was 1985. It was a Red on Oyster 4 speed. I was 27 and had owned the car since new but thought it was a good idea to trade it for the new fuel injected 1985 Corvette. Bad idea. Like all 85 Vettes, it was terrible. So recently I got the fever and decided to get a 3rd Generation one more time before I die. So I started searching until I found one at a reasonable price in decent condition. And I did luck out. 81 one is the Penultimate Shark, and in my opinion the last year of the C3 to buy. 82 with the "Cease Fire Injection" system should be avoided unless a previous owner has replaced the engine. 81 has only the ignition timing controlled by a computer system. It's still a Carb system so you can replace the Rochester with a Holley or other choice. Nothing looks like the C3. The best looking car in American history I say. The 3rd gens ride isn't for anyone who is opposed to feeling every pebble on the road. The interior isn't the quietest either. And the interior is also pretty cheap material, although I do love the deep dish seats. And in 81 the driver's seat was power adjustable! The car while a VERY thirsty beast is very reliable. The engine if you change the oil regularly and do all the other normal maintenance will run forever. Chevy small block 350's are that good. The Transmissions on the Vettes of this era(say 78-81) are also durable and reliable. Mine is a automatic. Sticks are a tough find since of the 40 plus thousand made only one in about 8 in 81 were manuals. Only one in 10 of the nearly 42 thousand in 1980. It is listed at 190HP, but it seems to have much more. I had a Grand Prix GTP previous and it's 230HP was not nearly this quick or fast. It's pure FUN and even the most jaded ass wipes in their BMWs and Benz will stare at you with envious eyes. In this you are not a Sheep in the flock or just another Lemming packed into a shinny metal box. No way. You is wrapped in fiberglass!! Parts are easy to find and reasonable in price(although these days what is reasonable can be debated). So if you want to have fun driving again. Reconnect with your lost youth. Feed your mid life crisis. Or just want to dare to be different, find ye an 81, or a 1980, 79 even. The Sharks from 79-81 were the best. and from 80 - 81 the "Coke Bottle" Vette as they became known have it all. I would not lie to you. May tease you from time to time but I try not to lie on such serious Corvette matters.Sep 27, 2013

I bought this car for $4,000 a couple of years ago. It had been in a minor accident and needed a little body work up front, needed paint, and the automatic transmission was slipping. But under the hood was a very strong 383 stroker motor with Elderbrock intake, Holley 750 carb, and long tube headers. I spent a couple of weekends fixing the body work - using fiberglass body filler bought at Wal-Mart. Had the car painted at Econo-Bake for $500 and it looks darn good for what I've got in it. I bought a rebuilt TH350 transmission out of a wrecked Malibu for $125 and installed myself. I added a B&M shift improver kit ($30) to the transmission, bought the side pipes for $200 from Summit Racing and the car is perfect for me. She will smoke the tires as long as you hold the gas pedal down, looks great, and gets compliments everywhere. I absolutely love my Corvette but a car like this is not for everyone. You need the time, place, and tools to tinker and tune on this car.Sep 25, 2013

Sharks are the BEST! Cost of ownership is low, these cars are reliable...and every single nut and bolt is available Fun factor is off the charts, you get more stares and longling glances is a Shark...that you will ever get in 99% of the cars out there. Quality of the car itself matters...anything between $17000- 25000 these cars wont let you down...buy a $4000 beater...well its gonna be expensive, but gorgeous when you restore it. Performance...stock not so great....good news...its a chevy small block.....it's cheap and easy to make it stupid fast. Also, the chassis and engine bay was designed for a big block...yeah you can go that route too! A multitude of performance parts are available, race tuned suspensions, upgrade brakes, everything. The only cars with more tuning stuff available (and then its a tie) are Camaros and Mustangs. Feb 27, 2009

This car all in all is a great car. I bought the car for $6000 in 07, and I've probably got about that much into it, putting me right at about $12,000. Since then, I've put in a new 350 crate engine, put on a new hood, rear bumper, quarter panel, transmission, 2 different exhausts, new suspension parts, and a bunch of other goodies. It runs like all hell. It's got a .30 over 350 (355), 10.1 compression, good flowing heads, aluminum intake, 750cfm carb, and longtube headers into sidepipes. It moves damn well. It has independent rear suspension and coils up front, so it handles nicely, too. It does seem, however, that I'm always fixing something, but then again, it is 27 years old. Jul 20, 2008

I have wanted a Corvette since I was 18 years old. Finally, two weeks ago, I found one. I am very satisfied with it so far and have put 350 miles on it so far. It has 66,000 actual miles and runs pretty good, but needs some work. I already replaced the air conditioner compressor and am awaiting parts to repair the vaccum headlights. I understand that It is a common problem. I think I will be happy with the 350 engine because I have done a little "shade tree" mechanics on them in the past. I got some rough idling problems, but believe it is a result of the vaccum leaks in the emission control system that someone attemted to bypass. Hopefully, I will be able to get these minor problems corrected. Sep 21, 2007

This is my second vette, bought the'81 5 weeks ago. I could not pass it up for the price. Does need work. Has pwr/w, and locks,A/C,cruise control and is an automatic, built at Bowling Green. It won't handle as well as my 1993 Z07, however we are talking apples and oranges when comparing technology. I like the classic Corvette lines and the T-Tops. Engine is weak for a 350 Chevy, modifications are easy. Most everthing is easy to work on. I've replaced the entire brake system and most of the suspension componets as needed. Fit and finsih as with most Corvettes in the C3 line is, well, shakey at best. T-tops fit some what tight, body lines at the doors don't match too well. As stated for the price I paid I'll live with the questionable quaility for fit and finish. My dauther is hooked on my '93, once this one is rebuilt if I offer it to her she won't turn it down. I've already been approached by friends and famliy to buy it even in it's present condition. Shows the popularity of the C3 Vettes even today. If price presents its self again I would buy another '81.Apr 17, 2007

After wrecking up my dependable 1991 Miata I decided to buy a newer and larger car. That promise lasted until I saw this beautiful 1981 Corvette. It was all yellow (one of only a few thousand made that year) it had a stick and looked almost new. I bought it a few days later and I still find reasons to drive it every day. It has been in ths shop often however. I warn all new buyers 'origional parts' may sound good in the sales speach but when you are buying an old car that means parts means some slouch didn't bother with regular service and saftey issues. All of those nice origional parts will be worn and will need replacing quickly. For me it was u joints, front and rear brakes and a master cyl. The power window motor is shot, that is small but pricey. The shocks are qustionable and I have a leak in my windsheild and the idol races between stall speed and light speed and nowhere in between. But as each repair gets done we all know I am getting one step closer to having a collecter's car that could still out race the new Mustangs and could out shine any car built today. It is my first Vette and if I ever do get rid of it I know it won't be my ast Vette. It's a beauty eh?Oct 24, 2006