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I found a 1981 California Corvette with the stock 350 and stock 4-speed transmission. It's white with red interior and has been kept in great condition with 70k miles. Also it has t-tops which are also in great condition. He's asking $8000. Owning a Corvette is on my bucket list, so would this be a good deal?
I like it. Looks really clean, well taken care of. The interior is pristine and best of all, it's a four speed car, which for California, is near non-existent!
I like it. Looks really clean, well taken care of. The interior is pristine and best of all, it's a four speed car, which for California, is near non-existent!
The main thing I'm worried about is the power of the car. What's the point of having such a beautiful Corvette if you can't teach some J*p Junk Punk a lesson?
The main thing I'm worried about is the power of the car. What's the point of having such a beautiful Corvette if you can't teach some J*p Junk Punk a lesson?
From what I can find, the 81's only came with one motor (350), but was only rated at 190 HP. If that's a big concern, you might want to look for a pre-75 (non-smog) car that you can do more engine mods to. However, that IS a sharp looking car (and it's only an hour north of me.....hmmmmm - just kidding! )
Usually a car that has been kept near immaculate in appearance has received the same attention to maintainence. Neglect usually goes across both avenues as well, so by looking at the photo alone, it appears it is worthy of your effort to give a good look over. Best advice is get it to a reputable corvette shop and have them inspect it, even if it costs you a few dollars for them to do so on their lift and such.
Check out the 10 rules, and really look at it hard. If it is in great shape, that's not a terrible price. Might be able to get him to move down some too, it helps since it doesn't usually have to be a daily driver. That gives you more leverage since you don't HAVE to have it.
The main thing I'm worried about is the power of the car. What's the point of having such a beautiful Corvette if you can't teach some J*p Junk Punk a lesson?
Dude, you'd have a problem with just about any of the older Corvettes compared to what a Subaru WRX does, or a Mark IV Supra. If you're going to get this, to teach them a lesson, get something else. Even if you got a pre-smog '75 and back, expect to be throwing big money at a 1st Gen SBC to get that kind of horsepower, plus, working on it as well.
This is a really nice, clean looking, well taken care of Corvette, that has class and style to it, and it's still fun to drive. Leave it stock, or maybe do some CARB EO legal stuff to it, but otherwise, it's just a nice car to have.
PS: Believe me, it will have some good torque to it and it will move out decently. It is not a street racer, nor will it impair your street cred, if you don't race every stinking four door Honda Civic POS with white bathtub parts hanging off've it. Just play "I'm not interested" and you'll be fine. Admit that it is, what it is, when people ask, but that it is a classic, C3 that's always eye candy, to just about anybody who knows cars and most car guys, know this and still respect the machine, horsepower or not.
Buy it!! It's a beautiful Vette. Your not going to sell tomorrow, buy it, enjoy it. Too many eyes end up with too many ideals. I'd keep it stock but that's your call. I wish I could add such a nice Vette to my collection of 6. I'd drive it on Tuesday. Hugh
Did it have a luggage rack? Why the plugs on the back?
About 3300 '81 Vettes had the V54 option which is a removable folding rack that will hold the T-tops. It was a $135 option but I've seen the racks, bag and belts sell for over $500 at Vette gatherings.
Basically they screw into the mount holes you see, then you set the T-tops in and belt them down. I always promised myself that I'd never do over 50 with mine strapped on for fear of looking in the mirror and watching $1,000 of glass skid across the pavement. I can tell you I've been well past 70 when I remembered that they were there. They're not pretty but they do work....
I found a 1981 California Corvette with the stock 350 and stock 4-speed transmission. It's white with red interior and has been kept in great condition with 70k miles. Also it has t-tops which are also in great condition. He's asking $8000. Owning a Corvette is on my bucket list, so would this be a good deal?
Calikid.... I'm with Hugh, if it looks as good in person as it does in the pics, buy it, love it and drive it and don't lower yourself to worrying about the other guys.
Yes, if the engine/drivetrain is right you've got enough power there to have kinds of fun. About the only drivetrain element I'd worry about is the 4 speed. You might want to tuck an overdrive (5 or 6 speed) in for extended California freeway runs.
It's not always about speed... sometimes it's about 's per mile and that '81 looks like it has a lot left.
11-11-2014, 02:22 PM
Help with Corvette Purchase!
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Hugh, if it looks as good in person as it does in the pics, buy it, love it and drive it and don't lower yourself to worrying about the other guys. 
's per mile and that '81 looks like it has a lot left.