Just bought 1981 C3
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 534
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From: Duncan South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '10
Just bought 1981 C3
I just purchased my first vette 
a L81 (from St Louis, not Bowling Greene) and need some advice on what I should be on the lookout for as far as possible problems I may encounter. It is in excellent shape, 88k miles, and body of an angel. I replaced the alternator the first day I bought it, and have kept the old one for a rebuild later on. I have had it a week and have put about 225 miles on it already, all seems fine, but you guys, and ladies, would know best. My husband has a 1990 and loves it, but this baby is all mine 
! Thanks for any advice you can offer.
a L81 (from St Louis, not Bowling Greene) and need some advice on what I should be on the lookout for as far as possible problems I may encounter. It is in excellent shape, 88k miles, and body of an angel. I replaced the alternator the first day I bought it, and have kept the old one for a rebuild later on. I have had it a week and have put about 225 miles on it already, all seems fine, but you guys, and ladies, would know best. My husband has a 1990 and loves it, but this baby is all mine ! Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Congrats, 1981 is a super year to own!
Saftey first, reliabilty second, cosmetics third, and power mods forth.
Check the brakes and brake lines for leakage and firmness.
Check for play in steering components and suspension.
Check the radiator fluid for clarity and radiator hoses for integrity.
Check all wiring for frayed/burnt areas.
Check all or better yet, replace all vacuum lines.
Then just drive and enjoy and replace things as they break.
And, that's the body of a beautiful female demon. Angel? Please.
Saftey first, reliabilty second, cosmetics third, and power mods forth.
Check the brakes and brake lines for leakage and firmness.
Check for play in steering components and suspension.
Check the radiator fluid for clarity and radiator hoses for integrity.
Check all wiring for frayed/burnt areas.
Check all or better yet, replace all vacuum lines.
Then just drive and enjoy and replace things as they break.
And, that's the body of a beautiful female demon. Angel? Please.
Last edited by PhotoVette1; Jul 3, 2006 at 07:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by C3 RV
Welcome to the world of 81s! Prepare to get lots a looks, waves, and people wanting to talk about your car. People love these cars unlike any modern car.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 307
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From: River Bend NC
Congratulations on your find. The '81s are some of the sleekest, sexiest, best lookin' bodies Chevrolet stuck the vette drivetrain in. I loved the looks and stance of mine so much....I did a bit of custom work to it. Alas...someone else liked it more, so I sold it......and bought a '75. They're beauties too. Come to think of it....THEY ALL ARE!!!
The wife and I had two also after this one, both white convertibles.....but we like motorcycles just a bit better and are now down to one and one. Here's a pic of our '81 after we finished messing with it........
jd
The wife and I had two also after this one, both white convertibles.....but we like motorcycles just a bit better and are now down to one and one. Here's a pic of our '81 after we finished messing with it........
jd
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 534
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From: Duncan South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks for the advice
Thank you all for your expert advice, especially Photovette1. I agree safety first and reliability and then looks, but as one stated the "devil" is just so awesome to look at. I will advise how all comes out once I get through checking the brakes and brake lines for leakage and firmness, the steering is great, no problems there, radiator leaks a bit, but just needs a new seal replaced, doing that next weekend, will check for burnt wires, didn't see any but will look closer, and replacing the vacuum lines....how difficult is that going to be? After all this is complete I need to reduce the heat in the cockpit....pretty easy fix right?
Christine (Not Lennie...he is the husband who owns the 1990) Forums go by email address and I can't get my own logon and that makes me
Christine (Not Lennie...he is the husband who owns the 1990) Forums go by email address and I can't get my own logon and that makes me
