Need a C3 for daily driver... What can you tell me about '81's?

[craig0ry]

Hi Guys, I'm a somewhat mechanical twenty year old college student. My last Corvette was an '84 and I've felt dead inside since I sold it. I have always loved the C3's and I am looking for one in my price range (about $9,500 or less). I would be daily driving the car in the summer and storing it in the winter since I don't need a car at school anyway.

Anyway, I initially wanted a pre-'78 C3, but I've had my eyes on a really sweet looking '81 that is up for sale near me. I was wondering what your personal experiences with the late C3's were? What are some problem areas I should look for? I know the t-tops will leak, but what are some other areas that trouble commonly develops in? I know the gas mileage will be hurtin' on that '81 without overdrive, but I can't imagine it to be any worse than a modern SUV or truck.

And if you think that a different year C3 would offer a better bang for the buck, please feel free to point me in the right direction, I'm pretty impartial - to me, a 'vette is a 'vette, and when you're twenty, you take what you can get!

 

[craig0ry]

Oh, one other question. The seller keeps touting how this '81 is "numbers matching". When I go to look at it, where on the block and body do I want to look to make sure he isn't b.s.'ing me? I mean if he's going to try to use that to justify a higher price, I better at least keep him honest.

 

[bill81vette]

craig,for a matching munbers car it means that the it is the original engine that the vette was built with.compare the last 6? digits in the vin number with the engines number you will find this number on the right hand side of the car(pass)if you look down below the smog pumpand its brackets you will find there is a boss that sticks out,(it is also flat)on the block this just below the head,the owner should be more than happy to show you where it is if its a true matching numbers!!any way on this boss you will find numbers stamped into it these should match the vin number of the car!!!

as for what year C-3 you want it's pretty much what you want! some its highlights are,the 81's were the first year for the computers controlling the distibutor and the carb.it's the last year for a 4-barrel carb as they went to fuel injection in 82.it was the least amount of horsepower ever put in a corvette(190).not that it couln't be made into a non computer vette if you so choose(it's been done by some of our members...just ask!)these are just a few of the unique features of an 81.
good luck with your decision if you need any more info we'll be glad to help!!!!!

 

[DDLS3]

Craig,

I had an 81 automatic for 4 years before I sold it last fall, and they do have overdrive. As far as milage, well it really depends on how you drive it, but I saw 14-16 mpg pretty much all the time. C3's share common complaints 68-82. T-tops are tough to keep sealed and brakes are a challenge at times. I still love that body style, so all I can say is go for it! If I had a boat load of money, I would have kept my 81 and had a 2 corvette collection.

 

[photovette]

I've had an '81 and I have a '77 that's a daily driver. There's not much difference in up keep or gas mileage. Besides, if you've got that 'dead feeling inside' you're going to end up with one pretty soon anyway I'll bet!

And, absolutely nothing will get you female companionship like a Shark--the C3's just scream 'FUN!'

 

[Yoda]

Craig,

There are so many things to be aware of when looking at older Corvettes. Everything from having a good solid frame, as rust free as possible, floor pans, surface rust and general condition of the engine compartment and components to thread left on the tires. Mechanically one should inspect the suspension for wear, wheel bearings, end play on the rear end etc.. at the top of the page is a link "Learning Center" and within this section of the Corvette Action Center is a section called Buying a Corvette, it's a great resource

Also visit the L81 VetteRegistry for information specific to the 1981 Corvette

Good luck, enjoy the hunt, and

Bud

 

[gary b.]

check it out

Craig, there is a nice looking ''82'' in your price range right in your backyard at the corvette collection store on Lincoln Hwy.http://www.corvettecollection.com

 

[LanceB]

I have an 81 also. It is my favorite year, and it has been fairly reliable since I have fixed almost everything (radiator, brakes, rear end, power steering, exhaust, hoses, tires, and on and on.). If I was on the market for another, I would try to find one that has a good documented history of repairs with receipts. The most expensive items that usually need addressed are the rear end and brakes. I would go ahead and spend the extra to get a C3 with a good paint job and no rust anywhere. Look at the carpets also to see what kind of leaks it may have had. The car is 20+ years old, so repairs are inevitable. I would think 10K could find a pretty nice C3.

 

[Ripp 73]

Finding a daily C3 can be a lot of fun. Until that sleet and ice hit the road... or if you have to haul anything around. As for things to look for on a C3... everything that people have listed here so far. There are two "must's" in my book however. First being the frame... check the frame carefully, you want it as clean as possible. The second thing to check is the brakes. Check how responsive the brakes are and that they don't just go to the floor. Also check the emergency brake while you are at it. No matter how good the engine sounds and runs, it has got to stop on the road. Enjoy the hunt for a new to you C3!

 

[81 Corvette]

don't do it. you'd be better off getting a C4 for a daily driver.


81's don't have OD, but do have a lock up converter which helps a bit. if the miles are up there, mine has 150,000, tehn plan on lots of weekends spent under it. There also weren't the lowest HP C3 made. Not sure the year, but there was a smog shark base engine of 165.

In the last 2.5 years that i've been driving mine daily, i've had the tranny rebuilt, the rear end rebuilt, new radiator, all new hoses and belts, new starters, shifter cable and new exaust. these are things that had to be done. I've also chosen to remove most of the computer and put on headers, new carb and intake, as the old carb and dist need repaired rebuilt or replaced.

Now if the above doesn't scare you away, try and find a sub 100,000 mile car thats been well taken care of. Don't jump at the first one you see. You may also want to keep an eye on ebay, as every now and then a really nice semi restored one with a nice motor will go buy.

 

[craig0ry]

Now if the above doesn't scare you away, try and find a sub 100,000 mile car thats been well taken care of. Don't jump at the first one you see. You may also want to keep an eye on ebay, as every now and then a really nice semi restored one with a nice motor will go buy.

Well it scared me, but not enough to make me not want one!

Craig, there is a nice looking ''82'' in your price range right in your backyard at the corvette collection store on Lincoln Hwy.http://www.corvettecollection.com

Thanks for lookin for me! Actually, Corvette Collection is about 2 and a half minutes away from my house. But I will never buy a car from them...

 

[titan81]

I have a 81 I paid 7 for
47k miles on it...Doesnt need anything to keep running good,only
negative is power, but its so easy to add power to muscle cars...
The style and look is what sold me...