1981 Corvette with opening hatch?

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May 18, 2007 | 12:12 PM

ROBMERRILL

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Racer

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From: Little Neck NY

1981 Corvette with opening hatch?

I saw this car on EBAY for sale. I thought that the 1982 Collectors Edition was the only C3 Vettes that the hatch opened? All others were closed. This is a custom hatch?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-...QQcmdZViewItem

May 18, 2007 | 12:31 PM

Hybrid117

Racer

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From: Springfield MO

that is wierd, the vin says its an 81 but it also has an extra A between the make of the car and the body type on the VIN

May 18, 2007 | 12:55 PM

skeptic

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From: Keizer OR

Hate the rear spoiler, but I love the idea of having a hatch that opens. Nice looking car as well.

May 18, 2007 | 12:57 PM

ROBMERRILL

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Racer

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From: Little Neck NY

Your right. I just did a quick lookup on Carfax.com and it states its a 1981.

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/check_orde...&PopUpStatus=0

I also checked/research and as much as I could, there was NO option for 1981 for an opening hatch.

Last edited by ROBMERRILL; May 18, 2007 at 01:01 PM.

May 18, 2007 | 01:21 PM

Xakk

Burning Brakes

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From: Tulsa OK

I've got an 81 with an opening hatch. It was transplanted from a 82 CE. Not hard to do.

May 18, 2007 | 01:45 PM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

There was an aftermarket kit to convert big back window cars to the opening hatch. CEs only had them originally.

May 18, 2007 | 01:49 PM

kdlp

Pro

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From: Juneau AK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xakk

I've got an 81 with an opening hatch. It was transplanted from a 82 CE. Not hard to do.

Yep, I'm sure that's what you're looking at on the e-Bay car. Eckler's (I think) many moons ago had an aftermarket kit that could be retro-fitted to 80-81 Corvettes. I'm not sure they ever got a water tight fit however.

The other thing I don't like about that e-Bay Corvette is the air cleaner. I'm sure for $16 it gets the job done but I can't help but wonder what happens after the first back fire melts the foam rubber filter element.... and it drips into the intake, etc.

Oh, and unless the e-Bay car has had a manifold/carb transplant or total repower you know it's an 80 or 81. 82's had the cross-fire injection system.

kdlp

May 18, 2007 | 02:27 PM

1B.DZ

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From: Winter Haven Florida

He claims it was a rare option in the 81. He also says the timing belt has been replaced. Wonder how he did that. Looks pretty decent I guess for what it's worth, though. It does have a CD/DVD player in dash.

Josh

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May 18, 2007 | 03:55 PM

Strats-N-Vettes

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From: ♫ ♪ ♫♫ ♪ ♫ ♪♪ ♫

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1B.DZ

He claims it was a rare option in the 81. He also says the timing belt has been replaced. Wonder how he did that.
Josh

Silly....the timing belt is another "RARE"

option.

The timing belt is what keeps the carb from backfiring and melting the sponge stuff...
(which I did have happen to my AMX

)

The back hatch opening makes it easier to flush out the rear area with a water hose instead of only vacuuming (ad said interior needed a good cleaning)...these type of "RARE"

options did have specific purposes.

I posted this because I want all the noobs to have this vital "RARE OPTION"

info.

Jim

May 18, 2007 | 03:56 PM

#10

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1B.DZ

He claims it was a rare option in the 81....

Very rare, indeed. It's a kit, or a PO went to the trouble of cobbling together the necessary parts, including the rear glass, and making the swap.

May 18, 2007 | 04:46 PM

#11

79L48

Pro

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Posts: 528

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From: Grand Rapids Michigan

Thank god he had that timing belt replaced...I hear when one of those goes it can be really rough on an engine...Oh, wait, I'm not on the Mazda Forum! Ha...timing belt.