formulaWA

I have a 1980 corvette with the L-82 engine and was wondering if the 5000 L-82s built that year have some historical significance in that they were the last old school muscle cars ever to come out of an American manufacturer factory. It strikes me by that time all the rest of the so called "muscle cars" were simply regular passenger car engines while the L-82 still had purpose built hi performance parts that you used to see on all muscle cars from the factory IE 4 bolt mains, oversize valves, high lift cam, forged crank, pushrod guides etc. If I am correct in 1980 the L-82 was the most powerful engine available in any American car.

The13Bats

I like this, the 80 model did mark a few thing for me, I owed two 81's like them so much,
the 1980 L48 was like 190 hp and the L82 like 230 hp so some would not call that hp "muscle" but for the time it was what there was so in my way of thinking yeah, it was the last little hump GM tried with the c3,

The 80 model to me brought the beauty out of the beast, ( not saying all c3's aren't not stunning they are ) but the 80 marked a far more refined c3, they took the front and rear bumpers where it needed to be for the 80's, and it was in some ways to me the end of where gm could take a c3....

historical significance?
It does to people like you and I.....

mark79,80

Very happy with mine:

oldgto

Not that I care, nor does it matter to me... so consider this as just a question of differing views.... but was the Corvette ever considered a "muscle" car? I`ve heard it called a "sports" car, and I`ve also heard many times that it was outside the realm of what is thought of as a "muscle" car.
And while there was a slight resurgence in power afterwards, wasn`t 1972 basically the end of the "muscle car" era?
Again, no controversy intended, just curious to learn other`s opinions.

Easy Mike

The 1980 L-82 was the last optional Corvette engine until the introduction of the ZR-1s for the 1990 model year.

vettebuyer6369

I love the styling of the 80-82s but I think the historical significiance of the '80 is more the fact it was the last non- computer Corvette. I guess we are just talking semantics here, but referring to a 230 hp 1980 as a "muscle car" is a reach to me. Yes, it had the highest hp in a US market that had been completely detuned due to overregularion, but having the highest hp rating in a year where the closest competitors are 190-205 hp Firebirds and Camaros, followed up by the firebreathing 185 horsepower Riviera is not particularly "historical."

7T1vette

There was no "muscle" in C3's after the mid 1970's. The only GM "muscle" after that period might be some of the Pontiac Trans-Am cars and maybe the Buick Grand National cars. Can't think of any others after that period.

billschroeder5842

I'm your "traditional" muscle car guy so here is my .02..

"Pony cars" were the Mustangs, AMXs, Challengers, Camaro's, Firebirds and Cuda.

Muscle Cars were Chargers, Road Runners, Chevelles, Olds 44s, Buick GS and Torinos.

Sports cars were Corvettes.

Yes, the 71 model year was the last year that seemed to make a difference in engines. After that most seemed to de-tune (way lower compression" for emissions.

Ive had over a dozen varying years of Chargers and Roadrunners. The best all around car for me was the 71 roadrunner. 383 magnum with AC that was pretty well mannered and balanced. My "built to the hilt" 69 Charger with the 440 was stupid fast but too much to be streetable.

I like my '82 Vette. Feels more like the roadrunner for overall drivability.

99 Black Bird TA

That's what I was told growing up in the 70's.

The pony cars become defacto the muscle cars in the late 70's. The 6.6 litre Pontiac Trans Am comes to mind. To me the last GM muscle car pony cars of the era were the 1985 L69 3rd Gen Camaro's & Trans Am's. Ford's Mustang GT also abandoned the carb around the same time.

The TPI 3rd Gen Camaro, Firebird & TPI 4th Gen Corvette marks the start of the new era. The TPI C4, TPI 3rd Gen F car, Buick Grand National & 5.0 Mustang saved performance cars and usher in the ground work for the wonderful LSx cars we have today.