80 - 81
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: tulsa, ok usa
80 - 81
guys
Thinking about picking up an 80 or 81.
I plan to go to Carlisle this year and look around.
Is a Pennsylvania or Ohio area car OK??
Should I be concerned about the history of a car from that area with all the salt and snow ???? Being from Ok, we are mostly free from that worry.
Maybe I am being way too picky on this issue, but I thought that I should at least ask some opinions.
I guess if you can get under it and look, that should give me my answer ??
What do you think??
Thinking about picking up an 80 or 81.
I plan to go to Carlisle this year and look around.
Is a Pennsylvania or Ohio area car OK??
Should I be concerned about the history of a car from that area with all the salt and snow ???? Being from Ok, we are mostly free from that worry.
Maybe I am being way too picky on this issue, but I thought that I should at least ask some opinions.
I guess if you can get under it and look, that should give me my answer ??
What do you think??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
first look for bad rust on the frame just in front of the rear wheels and below the radiator. Most important is the bird cage, if it is rusted out the car is a parts car. 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
I live in Maryland - Bought an 81 - just over a year ago. No rust and no damage. There are people that do take care of these cars and keep them in garages during the winter. But DO check the frame out very carefully. Not everyone will be as lucky as I was with my find.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,689
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
St. Jude Donor '15
You should be on the alert for rust problems wherever you buy a car. As mobile as American society is and the age of these cars, who knows how many states (and climates) the car has lived in.
That said, I think you can find a better-than-average vette in the midwest / north due to seasonal use and lower mileage. Folks in the south and west talk about the benefits of year-round vette season. That can also translate into more miles and folks using their vette as a daily driver. When you only have 4-6 months of good driving weather, most northern vette owners have one or more other daily drivers. Our vettes tend to have fewer, gentler miles. We usually use our vettes in nice weather and don't use the car to take the dog to the vet, eat lunch in the car every day, help friends move with it, etc.
That said, I think you can find a better-than-average vette in the midwest / north due to seasonal use and lower mileage. Folks in the south and west talk about the benefits of year-round vette season. That can also translate into more miles and folks using their vette as a daily driver. When you only have 4-6 months of good driving weather, most northern vette owners have one or more other daily drivers. Our vettes tend to have fewer, gentler miles. We usually use our vettes in nice weather and don't use the car to take the dog to the vet, eat lunch in the car every day, help friends move with it, etc.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: tulsa, ok usa
80 - 81
thanks guys.
I guess I'll bring a mat to lay on and just crawl under a bunch of 'em in Carslile.
The bird cage and the frame seem to be the most critical.
I was reading about a guy that bought a C3 on ebay, and he was describing all the rust that he found when he got the car home.
What a nightmare that would be.
I'm continue to be afraid to buy a car on ebay !!!!
Again, thanks for the info.
I guess I'll bring a mat to lay on and just crawl under a bunch of 'em in Carslile.
The bird cage and the frame seem to be the most critical.
I was reading about a guy that bought a C3 on ebay, and he was describing all the rust that he found when he got the car home.
What a nightmare that would be.
I'm continue to be afraid to buy a car on ebay !!!!
Again, thanks for the info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 33
From: Folsom Ca
I grew up in Pa..and the roads when I was there were like the worst in the entire country...oh actually alot of them were just goat trails more than roads...and when they tried to fix them..they made them worse...patches..potholes,and salt..issues..maybe its better now..these California roads have spoiled me...
Good luck...dont jump at the first one..with C3 that can be easy to say and hard not to do..because your eyes will go...
when you see a nice one...
Good luck...dont jump at the first one..with C3 that can be easy to say and hard not to do..because your eyes will go...
when you see a nice one...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
are you looking for a 4-speed ?are you looking to make a lot of mods ?if not you should also look at the 1982 .overdrive trans, better gas milage .better ride has fiberglass spring .same looks as the 80-81 ,just a better car .[IMO, i have a flame suit]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 33
From: Folsom Ca
Originally Posted by terry82
are you looking for a 4-speed ?are you looking to make a lot of mods ?if not you should also look at the 1982 .overdrive trans, better gas milage .better ride has fiberglass spring .same looks as the 80-81 ,just a better car .[IMO, i have a flame suit]
The 81s did have a fiberglass spring as well if you ordered a base suspension car..Auto..
One diff. between 80-81 is that 81 have a power drivers seat..I believe..not a big deal..but a diff none the less..
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Originally Posted by 8T Shark
No flame..The 82 was more refined..no doubt..I have an 80 and I put an 700 tranny in it..love it...but...some people do have a problem with the CF thing...I think their decent engines if properly maintained...but other hate them...
The 81s did have a fiberglass spring as well if you ordered a base suspension car..Auto..
One diff. between 80-81 is that 81 have a power drivers seat..I believe..not a big deal..but a diff none the less..
The 81s did have a fiberglass spring as well if you ordered a base suspension car..Auto..
One diff. between 80-81 is that 81 have a power drivers seat..I believe..not a big deal..but a diff none the less..
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach Florida
I have a 81 for sale 98% complete.$new paint two tone silver/grey , new seat covers, carpet ,rebuilt auto under warranty, all emissions removed , edelbrock performer carb and manifold, new goodyear 255/60 /15s ,extra t top blue mirror glass and a few extra parts. email me a prissyo@aol if interested..$14k...75000 miles
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
if your able pull the interior pannels right beside the left drivers foot and right pass foot to check out the body mount there. this shows the condition of the birdcage. i never did this and look what i took home:
drivers side
passenger side
drivers side
passenger side
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by chevy69
Hey Surkon, how is your car coming along? Hopefully you are making good progress