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1981 Bright Blue Metallic - Only 1 made

chevyaddict

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 12, 2002
Messages
894
Location
Tucson, AZ USA
Corvette
1990 Convertible
Hi everyone! I have an 81 vette that I picked up about four years ago. The car had been stolen at some point in its life so the trim tag was removed. Also, I got the build sheet off the gas tank but it is completely unreadable.

Anyway, I think this vette may be the only vette that was produced in 81 with the Bright Blue Metallic Paint. The car had been sitting for about 10 years before I got it and there is absolutely no evidence anywhere on the car that it was a different color. You can see the body seems on the front and rear fenders through the blue faded paint. Even looking around the gas tank filler, door jams and those areas there is no evidence of any other color except for the black primer the cars were originally primed with before painting. The car was produced in ST. Louis so I cannot retrieve a new build sheet for it.

So, I am asking for anyone's help to determine if this is THE vette or not. Someone told me that additional build sheets may be located under carpets and stuff in the interior so I am going to check that out as well. All I have is the VIN number but it would appear that someone should have record of this ONE vette because it would seem that someone ordered it this color from the factory.

I have been in touch with Bud at the 81 Vette Registry and he has helped some but I am at a standstill at this point. I have also been in touch with people at the National Corvette Museum and they cannot help either. I have halted sanding the car and repainting it because I don't want to destroy what little evidence I have! Anyway, thanks much and any help would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Dawn
 
Hi there. I really can't help in documenting the car. All I can suggest is that you photograph and record on tape the "evidence" that you have. What about overspray? Paint jobs from the factory were never perfect, so it there any?

--Bullitt
 
Dawn

I hope you post a picture of your rare find.

I'm not sure if this will be of any help.

I purchased my 81 from a lady who lived in Montreal, New York State would not allow me to register the car until I recieved documentation from the Canadian registry showing that it met all the Federal requirements for emissions. The documentation cost about $25 and listed everything about the car as it was built in St Louis and delivered to Quebec. Canada then transfered the ownership documentation in my name before US Customs would accept that the car was in tact as delivered. Is it possible that this might have been a Canadian vette long before it was stolen. General Motors gave me the address and phone number to call in Ontario, the VIN # is the key to the search. I will look for this information and try to post it tomorrow, Gee I hope this is helpful.

Lots of Luck
Chuck
 
Dawn

Sorry for the delay but finally found the information I mentioned last month. I'm under the impression that most cars that were shipped to Canada were from the St. Louis plant as was mine.

Is it possible that your car was originally shipped to Canada, one way to check is to look at the speedometer if it is in KPH not MPH.
For Information from Canada contact,

General Motors of Canada Limited
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

phone
905-644-4060
or
905-644-3387

fax 905-644-5436

Contact person:
George Zapora
Vintage Specialist

I hope this helps :upthumbs

Chuck
 
Thanks so much for all that info - but the car was actually originally sent here to Arizona - that much I can make out on the build sheet. Kind of the same sort of thing though, I am actually getting ready to solicit the DMV here for more information. The car had been stolen, so there should be some sort of record about that. Also, since it has been in Arizona all its life, I should be able to somehow retrieve all the previous owners. I think there were only three before me. If anything maybe I can reach them and they can tell me whether they ever repainted the car or not. That would help.

I actually have made a video of the car and am going to digitize it so I can retain what little "proof" I have. We have been waiting to repaint it just for this reason. (The poor thing is faded pretty bad). As soon as I digitize it I will let the forum know and anyone who wishes to see it I'll send a copy!!

Thanks much and I will definitely keep everyone informed!!
 
Dawn,

What dealer does the built sheet say your car was delivered to? In Tucson? What color code does the build sheet list in the right hand side of the options column? I know we emailed info between each other on this topic before. What else have you guys found out?

Regards........... Nut
 
All of the option info has been smugged off over the years, so it is completely unreadable. Actually almost everything is unreadable except for where the car was originally shipped. It was actually not sent to Arizona (don't know why I said that), it was sent to Ramona CA - a dealership called Buckeye something or other, can't make out the rest of it. I did a search on-line and, not surprisingly, this dealership is no longer in business.

Any suggestions??
 
Oh my gosh!!!!

Thankyou thankyou thankyou!! Renewed hope!!:Twist
My hands were all greasy, I had just come in for some water and I couldn't even wash my hands before ordering it! Lets hope everything jives! I will keep you informed!!
 
POOP!!!

Well, unfortunately he doesn't have any information on that dealer either. Thanks so much for the possible lead.........now back to the drawing board.:(
 
I'll ask some of my NCRS friends who deal in sharks and see what they have to say. I'll keep ya posted.
 
Is it possible that the dealership was bought and being operated under another name. Possibly contact another dealer in that area and maybe they might have some info?

You have probably already done this but just in case.

Lots of luck
 
I went into anywho.com and tried car dealers for Ramona Ca., 2 were listed for chevys

Dave Smith Motors 1-800-635-8000

Connell Chevrolet 1-800-568-9500

Maybe they can give you some direction to go.

Chuck
 
Chuck and Dawn,

Not sure if you've done so already but check out our Vehicle History Search page and there maybe some leads there for you.
 
Rob

When I purchased my 81 from Canada I went the long way around via phone and contacted General Motors of Canada LTD., the documentation is as the car was delivered to the first dealership and the detail is wonderful, also on genuine GM letterhead. Had I known there was a web site it would have saved me so much time. It amazing how much info there is on CAC. The help from everybody is great, thanks for everything.

Chuck
 
All this talk made me go on-line and do some searching. I feel really bad but a through searching, the following site came up:

http://www.nctimes.net/news/010300/y.html

An obituary for a gentleman that died who owned Buckeye Chevrolet AGency in Ramona for 11 years. Looking at my buildsheet I can make out a few of the other letters and this fits so this must have been the dealer.

Now, I have to be patient and wait for the family to grieve over their loss, then attempt to contact them and see what became of the business. It is no longer in business, but perhaps it was sold and the name changed - as was suggested by chockey so, new leads to follow!!

I already tried the local DMV and am awaiting a response - but I am probably going to have to physically go down there and spend a day because telephone and e-mail has been pretty unsuccessful so far.
 
To those of you interested.....

New development. We talked to the previous owner in more detail. We have owned the car for three years, he owned it for 12 and he was the second owner. The original owner was an air force guy and was stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base here in town. The 2nd owner said he had never repainted the car while he owned it. So, I am going to go to our local department of motor vehicle and see if I can get the name of the original owner. If this is all true, and we can get in touch with him, he would have been the one to order the car in the Code 24 color. I am going to investigate this this week. I'll let you all know what I find.

By the way, what do you guys think this car would be worth? Obviously it must be worth more then the average 81 corvette, any stabs? My hubby thinks it would be worth a lot more then what I think.
 
Dawn and Jerry,

Definitely keep us posted on this. It sounds like an awesome Vette. I'm going to move this into the L81 Vette Registry forum and hopefully the Registry guys will be able to help you out with your questions.
 

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