Buying a 1980
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (home in Colorado Springs)
Buying a 1980
I'm over in Iraq right now. I found a 1980 Vette in good shape, on-line.
I'm sending my brother to drive it home.
This will be my 1st Corvette. I grew up on GTO's & Trans Am's.
What should a new owner of a 1980 model look for, mechanically, in this vehicle?
Thank you all!
Karl...
I'm sending my brother to drive it home.
This will be my 1st Corvette. I grew up on GTO's & Trans Am's.
What should a new owner of a 1980 model look for, mechanically, in this vehicle?
Thank you all!
Karl...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Hey Karl, First off, let me thank you for serving, I'm guesssing you are in the military and secondly the major and in my opinion the only reason not to buy any corvette would be for frame rot/rust along with "birdcage" rust/rot,,, anything else can be dealt with more easily, Good luck over there and good luck in your future buying the car of your dreams,,,Peace,,, Moosie 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
The list can get long depending on what you can live with. To me the worst things are "surprises" and there are usually a few with each car I have worked on. Bubba can get you without you even knowing it. If the car has not been kept up to daily driving standards you should expect to replace wheel bearings, u-joints, all rubber bushing and pads on the suspension. Then there are the leaky things like hoses, seals in the engine, trans, power steering system, brakes and differential. These seals become especially leak prone if the car has sat for six months or more. I mention rustrot last because it is usually easy to spot. Surface rust is easy to deal with, rot on the other hand requires more work and $$$. That brings us to plastic pieces. When I first started with the vettes I thought I could drive one that looked good outside but need work on the interior. Well, after buying an 80 with no interior and installing what the seller had to go with the car I have upgraded my standards. Cheap plastic 25 years old is fragile and expensive to replace. Now that I have you shaking; Good luck with it. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Thanks for serving 
First order of business would be replacement of all fluids/filters and inspection of key wear items (belts, hoses, suspension bushings, brakes, bearings, shocks, tires, etc.) and a good tune up.
Also, if original, the vacuum systems WILL require attention. Often, leaking vacuum systems can cause mis-diagnosis of engine performance problems (rough/poor idle, poor throttle response). I replaced ALL vacuum system components from 1998-2000 on my L48. All vacuum components sourced from Dr Rebuild (www.docrebuild.com).
First order of business would be replacement of all fluids/filters and inspection of key wear items (belts, hoses, suspension bushings, brakes, bearings, shocks, tires, etc.) and a good tune up.
Also, if original, the vacuum systems WILL require attention. Often, leaking vacuum systems can cause mis-diagnosis of engine performance problems (rough/poor idle, poor throttle response). I replaced ALL vacuum system components from 1998-2000 on my L48. All vacuum components sourced from Dr Rebuild (www.docrebuild.com).
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Pumpkin Center CA
Originally Posted by VIPERBARON
I'm over in Iraq right now. I found a 1980 Vette in good shape, on-line.
I'm sending my brother to drive it home.
This will be my 1st Corvette. I grew up on GTO's & Trans Am's.
What should a new owner of a 1980 model look for, mechanically, in this vehicle?
Thank you all!
Karl...
I'm sending my brother to drive it home.
This will be my 1st Corvette. I grew up on GTO's & Trans Am's.
What should a new owner of a 1980 model look for, mechanically, in this vehicle?
Thank you all!
Karl...
