question about 81 C3
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
question about 81 C3
A coworker says her brother just bought a very rare 1981 corvette. Since I don'tknow much about 81s I am wondering what he means.
She calls it one of only two built and a pace car. The only two built sounds a little unrealistic and is there an 81 Pace Car version?
Thanks
She calls it one of only two built and a pace car. The only two built sounds a little unrealistic and is there an 81 Pace Car version?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello, and that story sounds pretty unrealistic with limited information.
Typically the pace car is associated with the Indy 500. The 1981 Indy 500 pace car was a Buick Regal. The Corvettes during that time were the 1978 and the 1986 years. So it is not an Indy 500 pace car.
1986 Chevrolet Corvette Gen. Chuck Yeager
1985 Oldsmobile Calais James Garner
1984 Pontiac Fiero John Callies
1983 Buick Riviera Convertible Duke Nalon
1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Jim Rathmann
1981 Buick Regal V-6 Duke Nalon
1980 Pontiac Turbo-Trans Am Johnnie Parsons
1979 Ford Mustang Jackie Stewart
1978 Chevrolet Corvette Jim Rathmann
1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 James Garner
Typically the pace car is associated with the Indy 500. The 1981 Indy 500 pace car was a Buick Regal. The Corvettes during that time were the 1978 and the 1986 years. So it is not an Indy 500 pace car.
1986 Chevrolet Corvette Gen. Chuck Yeager
1985 Oldsmobile Calais James Garner
1984 Pontiac Fiero John Callies
1983 Buick Riviera Convertible Duke Nalon
1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Jim Rathmann
1981 Buick Regal V-6 Duke Nalon
1980 Pontiac Turbo-Trans Am Johnnie Parsons
1979 Ford Mustang Jackie Stewart
1978 Chevrolet Corvette Jim Rathmann
1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 James Garner
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Thanks for the replies. I know about the 1978 (beautiful vette), Day's Chevrolet near me has a new and untitled 78 Pace Car they keep in the showroom. Whatever my friend's friend bought is a mystery to me, but I was told he paid $15K for it and thinks he got a tremendous bargain. I asked here because I couldn't find an 81 Pace Car or anything else as special as he thinks he bought. Thanks Again.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
According to the '81 Corvette Registry, there are only a couple that are 'significantly rare" - one was ordered in primer, the other in bright blue metallic. There were hundreds to thousands of other colors. I hope he did his homework before he shelled out a bunch of cash...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 298
From: MN-C3, AZ-C7
He maybe talking about the two-tone paint treatments that were available at the end of the year. They had a silver/gray that resembled the '78 silver anniversary paint treatment. But none of the 4 available paint "jobs" are "rare" with production over a thousand units of each.
Unless he purchased one of the aftermarket Duntov Turbo'd units?
JU
Here's my "rare" 4 spd two-tone Claret '81
Unless he purchased one of the aftermarket Duntov Turbo'd units?
JU
Here's my "rare" 4 spd two-tone Claret '81
Last edited by John Ulrich; Feb 8, 2008 at 12:36 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Since I just bought an 81, I spend loads of time researching the stats. And there really isnt any rare ones other than that blue one that were mentioned anywhere in anything I read.
Every C3 is special anyhow, right? I paid $12200 for my baby. She is one of 5757 4 speeds made in 81 (7%). I am still digging to find out how many black/red 4 speeds were manufactured, but regardless of the numbers she is the best car in the world to me!!!
Every C3 is special anyhow, right? I paid $12200 for my baby. She is one of 5757 4 speeds made in 81 (7%). I am still digging to find out how many black/red 4 speeds were manufactured, but regardless of the numbers she is the best car in the world to me!!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO.
this thread is awesome...I'm laughing out loud at this guy as he will be hitting the local car show's telling everyone about his ultra rare 81 that he got at "bargain" for 15k...it better be darn near perfect for that money. 
Did I mention I own the other one of the two. I just repainted it to look like a normal one
Did I mention I own the other one of the two. I just repainted it to look like a normal one
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 298
From: MN-C3, AZ-C7
Here's a few RARE '81's
http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.com/StreetDaytona.html
http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.com/StreetGTO.html
A Duntov...
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_g...cars/424.shtml
Of course the argument arises as to what is considered production or aftermarket. I don't remember if a Duntov was dealer ordered like a Callaway is/was?
JU
http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.com/StreetDaytona.html
http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.com/StreetGTO.html
A Duntov...
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_g...cars/424.shtml
Of course the argument arises as to what is considered production or aftermarket. I don't remember if a Duntov was dealer ordered like a Callaway is/was?
JU
Last edited by John Ulrich; Feb 9, 2008 at 11:11 AM.
