1980 L-82 question..............
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 937
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
1980 L-82 question..............
My first Corvette was an 80 L82 and if memory serves me isnt the L-82 option code a 6 in the VIN and were there any 4-speed L-82s made in 1980?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Guston KY
There were no L-82 4sp's in '80 as far as I know. '79 was the last year.
That is actually 1 of the reasons I went for a '79.
Last edited by 79-L-82; Jan 18, 2007 at 11:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Yes, L-82 code is "6", L-48 was "8" and LG4 was H. The book I have "Corvette ID Numbers" shows a 4 speed was available on all engines except LG4 which must have been a CA only model.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes. 6 in the VIN indicates the L-82.
Almost all the 80 L-82 cars with automatics. There may have been a few very early L-82s with 4 speeds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
I worked for General Motors back in 1980 and ordered a 4-speed L82. I was told that the engine/transmission combination failed emissions certification and was on stop order. Since it was projected as a low volume powertrain combination, they were not going to try and recertify because it wasn't cost effective. I had to change my order to a L48, 4-speed combination in order to obtain a 1980 Vette.
Since that powertrain combination was originally planned for production, you might find early sales literature and mention of the combination in magazine articles before it was stop ordered. There might have been pilot cars built with the combination. But pilot cars are not supposed to be sold to the public.
Since it never had certification, I would doubt that any 1980, L82, 4-speeds were ever produced but you never know.
Jim
Since that powertrain combination was originally planned for production, you might find early sales literature and mention of the combination in magazine articles before it was stop ordered. There might have been pilot cars built with the combination. But pilot cars are not supposed to be sold to the public.
Since it never had certification, I would doubt that any 1980, L82, 4-speeds were ever produced but you never know.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jan 18, 2007 at 12:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
AFAIK, no one here has ever been able to come up with a factory '80 L82 with a 4 speed. There has been a ton of debate as to whether or not any were produced. If you have one, it's a rare car indeed.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,714
Likes: 299
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
I think you will find one in an old press article that shows an early pre production L-82/4 spd but that is the only one I have seen. There is a corvette archive out on the web with a copy of the article but I have lost the link.
The one I have was built during the last 2 weeks of production and it is an automatic.
-Mark.
The one I have was built during the last 2 weeks of production and it is an automatic.
-Mark.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
L-82 4 speeds
When I ordered my 1980 in October of 1979, the dealer told me there was a production issue and the L-82 4-spd was going to be unavailable.
I changed to a L-48, 4-spd. When the car came in Jan 1980, I was talking to the GM and he claimed there were only six L-82, 4-spd cars built before the Feds flunked the combo due to emission problems. I remember joking with him that if only I had ordered it earlier! Since the St Louis plant paperwork is non existant, I don't know how the truth will ever be uncovered. BTW, I still have some of the original paperwork for the 80. Currently have an 05, vert.
I changed to a L-48, 4-spd. When the car came in Jan 1980, I was talking to the GM and he claimed there were only six L-82, 4-spd cars built before the Feds flunked the combo due to emission problems. I remember joking with him that if only I had ordered it earlier! Since the St Louis plant paperwork is non existant, I don't know how the truth will ever be uncovered. BTW, I still have some of the original paperwork for the 80. Currently have an 05, vert.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 937
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Theres one on Ebay and the guys just sent me an email stating it is an L-82 4-speed.He sent me the engine stamp stating its an L-82 but the VIN doesnt have the motor option in it.Looks like another typical Ebay car.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,147
Likes: 477
From: NM
So if you find one it had better have the ZBD code
tom...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 937
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
There were two engine codes for the L82, ZBC was for the L82 auto, then there was ZBD for the L82 but with unknown usage. Sounds like the intent was for ZBC to be L82 auto and ZBD to be L82 4-speed. But due to emission issues the ZBD was never put into production other thant the "possible exeception of a few early production builds." stated above.
So if you find one it had better have the ZBD code
tom...
So if you find one it had better have the ZBD code
tom...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
I also dealer ordered a 1980 L-82 4 speed in the very late summer of 1979. Order was kicked back to dealer by Chevrolet; I had to choose between L-48 with 4 speed or L-82 with automatic. I had the very same experience as Jim Shea and Jaki30.
"Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
I don't have the dealer experience from '79 but can confidently say I searched/researched for an L82 4speed before I purchaed my '80. Numerous sources stated that the 4speed was not available with the L82. Ended picking up an L48 4speed and building the heck out of it..
Very happy now...
Ed
Very happy now...
Ed
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
I got reamed once in OT because I said no '80 L-82 4 speed cars existed. Some dude gave me the ol' 
and told me I was wrong and that his neighbor owned one. I thought I was wrong and let it go. A couple months later in a thread dedicated to the subject here in C3 I mentioned it and a couple people wanted to know who said that. I think they intended to find out the truth but I was unable to dig up the old thread.
and told me I was wrong and that his neighbor owned one. I thought I was wrong and let it go. A couple months later in a thread dedicated to the subject here in C3 I mentioned it and a couple people wanted to know who said that. I think they intended to find out the truth but I was unable to dig up the old thread.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Here is the Chevrolet Motor Division order reject for my 1980, L82 with a 4-SPD trans. The order entry was 10/08/79. It indicates that the rpo engine/transmission combination L82 and MX1 must be ordered.
MX1 was the Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission.
Wow! I just went through my file on my 1980. Six pages of warranty work: Clunk in driveline; T-top seal ripped; Left door glass - air leak; alternator belt broke; Paint - thin, runs, pitted; exhaust rattle; AM radio static; hood alignment; hood bumpers missing; etc, etc, etc.
I really liked the car so I guess that I just didn't remember all the quality problems.
Jim
MX1 was the Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission.
Wow! I just went through my file on my 1980. Six pages of warranty work: Clunk in driveline; T-top seal ripped; Left door glass - air leak; alternator belt broke; Paint - thin, runs, pitted; exhaust rattle; AM radio static; hood alignment; hood bumpers missing; etc, etc, etc.
I really liked the car so I guess that I just didn't remember all the quality problems.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jan 22, 2007 at 08:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 937
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I just got another email from this guy.The VIN on the car matches the motor.He must have the numbers wrong but states the ZBC code and the VIN are for a 1980 L-82 and the 4-speed came in the car,Im done with this.Thanks for all the info guys.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 937
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Must be this one.
"L82" 4-speed on ebay
"L82" 4-speed on ebay