Bought A 1981 Corvette This Weekend
09-28-2010, 12:54 PM
#1
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Bought A 1981 Corvette This Weekend
So I am officially a Corvette owner. I have owned a dozen F-body's from various years in addition to other sports cars like Datsun/Nissan Z cars. This is my first Corvette, a 1981 in Charcoal Metallic and black leather interior. This car was at Maxwell Ford in south Austin, listed on Ebay twice and the local Craigslist. I went to look at it on a whim Saturday afternoon, more of an excuse to get my '99 Z28 out than anything else. I was not even contemplating buying it since the front nose needed paint really bad and I suspected the rest of the car would be in the same shape. However after getting to see the car up close and take it for a test drive I could tell a ton of money had been sunk in to it and the front nose was not as bad as it looked in the pictures. The highlights included an aftermarket MPFI system, 5-speed transmission (looks like a TKO), new A/C, new radiator, new headlight vac. hardware and lines, new carpet, and the front end has had some attention as it is very sharp and solid. So I pulled the trigger on it and I am very happy with it. It needs some center caps, a few new lug nuts, and I am planning to replace the console pieces that have the faux wood screwed to it. I will also be removing the false L-82 badges at some point. For $8,700 out the door considering all that has been done to it I think I did okay. This site is truly a wealth of knowledge and look forward to learning more from you guys. Below are some pictures of my car and the PB link. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...81%20Corvette/
http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...81%20Corvette/
09-28-2010, 06:55 PM
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Congratulations and welcome. Looks like a nice car and you live in a great area to enjoy the way it handles around Austin. Plenty of curvy roads to drive on there for sure...but watch out for those damn deer, they are everywhere down there.
09-29-2010, 09:05 AM
#9
Safety Car
Does your car have cruise control? If so, does it work. The reason I ask is I have a 5 speed but I thought cruise was not available in 81 with 4 speed.
09-29-2010, 10:34 PM
#13
Team Owner
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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
Great looking Vette, congrats! 
09-30-2010, 12:40 PM
#17
Pro
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Thank you for the compliments everyone. I have discovered that it has an Edelbrock Pro-Flo 2 EFI system on it with the twin blade throttle body on it. The speedo has in fact been repainted and reworked, explains why I found a speedo gear in the glove box. I absolutely love driving it! Feels more nimble and responsive than my '99 Z28 6spd and has tons more style and personality. Plus, my girlfriend likes it too!
09-30-2010, 02:54 PM
#18
Race Director
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2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Congrats! I just bought an 82 black/grey earlier this month. Are those wheels chrome? Do you need the centre caps? I have a set with the 80/81 emblem if you're interested.
