'81 Vette purchase
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Thousand Oaks CA
'81 Vette purchase
I have a chance at an '81 4-speed fully restored Vette for $6000 OBO. Good deal or no? The only thing wrong is the front seal needs replacing just like my '84. My God, I thik I'm becomming a collector.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Doesn't sound like a bad deal. In 98 my brother bought a 81 vette for $4500. I looked o.k. on the outside, but the interior needed replacing. I helped him recover the seats and install the carpet. They, in my opinion, are much easier to work on than the C4 (with computers). He kept it for about 2 years as a DD an sold it for $5000
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 0
From: Just the Tip... Just to see how it feels...
Without pics or too much info its difficult to tell. '81 is down there in power, but IMO that is a gorgeous year. If its restored correctly, sounds like a good buy! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
If it's in decent shape then it's a good buy. Just double check the frame on it as C3's are prone to really bad rust especially on the frame rail in front of the rear wheels and the windshield frame as well. If there's any rust keep looking as that can quickly lead to a huge $$ investment to repair.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Good buy for a 4-speed. In addition to the frame rust make sure that the windshield frame is not badly rusted. Big bucks to repair.
I had an 81. Their computer only adjusted the spark timing if I recall. I pulled the engine on mine, disconnected the computer and built an Edelbrock equiped 355 cu motor. What a difference! You can also install a Keisler tranny and get some great low-end grunt and decent highway gas mileage without too much trouble. Go for it if the car looks solid.
I had an 81. Their computer only adjusted the spark timing if I recall. I pulled the engine on mine, disconnected the computer and built an Edelbrock equiped 355 cu motor. What a difference! You can also install a Keisler tranny and get some great low-end grunt and decent highway gas mileage without too much trouble. Go for it if the car looks solid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Originally Posted by 1986pacecar
If it's in decent shape then it's a good buy. Just double check the frame on it as C3's are prone to really bad rust especially on the frame rail in front of the rear wheels and the windshield frame as well. If there's any rust keep looking as that can quickly lead to a huge $$ investment to repair.
Last edited by CMYC4GO; Sep 18, 2006 at 02:42 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer