80-82 vettes
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Yes, 80-82's are some of the cheaper Vettes. Many people don't consider them as desirable as the earlier models. It's all a personal preference.
No one can tell you when or if the price of the 80-82's will go up. The market value is directly related to the demand for the vehicle. More people want chrome bumper sharks with big blocks. Guess what costs more, an '81 or a '69 BB?
I would say that as time passes, the value will raise, but don't count on a rubber bumper Vette as an investment. That would be a foolish decision.
No one can tell you when or if the price of the 80-82's will go up. The market value is directly related to the demand for the vehicle. More people want chrome bumper sharks with big blocks. Guess what costs more, an '81 or a '69 BB?
I would say that as time passes, the value will raise, but don't count on a rubber bumper Vette as an investment. That would be a foolish decision.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 2
From: Closter New Jersey
very simple. THEY ARE SLOW, they were made in the abyss of the emissions age, and though they are sexy, they just arent the beasts that they should be, i have an 80,and i love it, but the first thing i did was yank the motor. there is nothing really special about 80-82 vettes
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
They are not the fastest rides on the street but they look good and get reasonable mileage. With just a few bolt on mods my '82 runs high 9s in the 1/8 mi. With the T700 R4 trans it's very consistant +/- .05 sec.
Please allow me a moment to brag on my son/ Vette combo:
My son just won his class last weekend with reaction times of less than .1 sec.
He says it's because he was drumer in school and has good timing. All I know is he can cut better lights than me.
Thanks, bragging over.
Do what you want, but I think the late model C3's smiles/ $ ratio is very high.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,710
Likes: 299
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
It also depends on the condition of the car as well as demand. I'd love to own a chrome bumper Corvette but as far as the value for the rubber bumper cars, I think the '80 to '82s more than hold their own. They are easy to mod and personally, I love the body style. I own mine for fun rather than an investment anyway. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 829
Likes: 2
From: Scottdale Pa
Sorry no picture. But my 1980 looks just like AGVI's almost. If you want a great cruiser, you can't beat the 80/82 they have better seats that are more comfortable than they were before 1978, also power windows,locks, seats,rear defrosters. Better yet the stock motors,L-48 and L82 will run on 87 octane (regular). I can get 19-21 mpg on the highway the '82's get better as much as 24mpg so I'm told, due to the 4-speed auto/overdrive transmission. If you what to go fast buy a C5 they are way down in price also. You can also get collector's insurance which is very reasonable compared to your daily driver policy.You can get them up to 300hp fairly easy for not a lot of money. Investment? NO WAY that train already left the station. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
First of all, 80 - 82s are not cheap...they are affordable...some of 'em.
I'm partial to the two-tone cars, only available in '81 and '82. My '82 rides like a dream and routinely turns 24+ MPG. Is it fast? In my mind it is. Look good? Hell yes, a work of art.
I'm partial to the two-tone cars, only available in '81 and '82. My '82 rides like a dream and routinely turns 24+ MPG. Is it fast? In my mind it is. Look good? Hell yes, a work of art.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 10
From: Scottsboro Alabama
Originally Posted by startwith80vette
very simple. THEY ARE SLOW, they were made in the abyss of the emissions age, and though they are sexy, they just arent the beasts that they should be, i have an 80,and i love it, but the first thing i did was yank the motor. there is nothing really special about 80-82 vettes
my sentiments exactly although to most people they weren't considered slow back then. A corvette has an image to uphold. There is nothing worse to me than pulling up to a red light next to say a soccer mom in a Nissan Altima with two kids in the back. Although my vette is a lot cooler looking than her altima, she might not know it but she could blow my doors off if so choosed. That doesn't set to well with my manhood 
so I have modded mine to keep the corvette image upheld with todays technology in newer cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Originally Posted by Older Than Dirt
A corvette has an image to uphold. There is nothing worse to me than pulling up to a red light next to say a soccer mom in a Nissan Altima with two kids in the back. Although my vette is a lot cooler looking than her altima, she might not know it but she could blow my doors off if so choosed
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by 80crabvette
Sorry no picture.
80crabvette, who recently whom a prestigeous Corvette Show near Pittsburgh, is shown above (very-poor lighting ), while my '82 is below:
Originally Posted by Clint's C3
Please allow me a moment to brag on my son/ Vette combo:
My son just won his class last weekend.....
My son just won his class last weekend.....
it ain't braggin' when ya kick-azz, take-names, kiss the long-legged women, and eat steak with the Winner's Trophy on your table afterwards!!!!!
P.S.: what track, and need more info..... I recall when you got the '82, we spoke about your intentions of bracket-racing it, and am pleased with your success at the strip!
Last edited by Glensgages; Sep 22, 2005 at 10:38 PM. Reason: added P.S.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
Here are a couple more pics of my two-tone. Took these back in the spring, standing on an 8' ladder in my drive-way...neighbors think I'm nuts. For some reason I didn't shut the pass. side door all the way...
Semper Fi
2TONE82
Semper Fi
2TONE82
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
I like the front and rear bumpers of the 80-82 Vettes. Here's a pic of my 82, wish I could say that those are my tire marks on the road.
This thing is currently stock so it's pretty gutless, once things start to
break then I will upgrade to a more powerful motor. Right now I just cruise in style.
This thing is currently stock so it's pretty gutless, once things start to
break then I will upgrade to a more powerful motor. Right now I just cruise in style.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
I really like the looks of the 80-82 vettes. My daily driver is an 82 with a 383 carbureted motor, T5 manual trans and high 4 series rearend gears, hydroboost conversion, aftermarket stereo, and aftermarket 17 inch wheels. I like the stock seats and interior in this car best out of all my C3s as far as ergonomics goes. And the air con is ice cold. SO maybe it ain't a true 80-82, but it sure is fun and comfortable to drive.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: lakewood (tacoma/seattle) washington
I have the most money in my79.but my 80 is just plain good looking,I think 80-82 the best looking c-3 man the cars in this post are nice!! now about values a nice one wont go down and they are gaining aprox> $1,000 a year for a nice one.more pictures please murray