I am a bit confused after reading info & history of my Vette.
VIN is 1G1AY8766BS427902 & dated 5th month 1981 & verified.

My reference material indicates that the 8th number (6) stands for the L82, 230hp option motor, but it isn't listed for that year in "Corvette Restoration Guide" by Richard Prince.
Another book I read stated that some 61 cars did leave the factory with the L82, 230 hp motor in 1981 though.

Appears to agree with the history & photos of the car. The car came out with L82 badges on the front guards. They have a part # 14016115 & General Detroit embossed on the back. Could tell that they were on the car from new, when I stripped it back to the gelcoat for repainting.

Seems to be two opposing claims out there regards this as a 1981 option??!!
Just wanting to know which one to believe & why?

 

I dont understand your claim that the 6 for an 8th digit = L82. My records tell me that ALL 1981 Corvettes have 6 for an 8th digit. The 9th digit is a security code and varies.

The 5th digit is a 6 for L82 in 1980.

I'm not aware of an L82 in 1981. Not listed in my Black Book, but that doesn't mean there isn't an error.

What does "L82 badges on the front guards" mean? What are front guards?

 

not familiar with a L82 in an 81. Std motor was an L81, for 1981's No option motors offered that i'm aware of. What reference book did u get info that indicated 61 or so L82's were made in 81?
would u have the engine suffix? Located on the front of motor head area.
Would be casting date the 3 letters.
they would be ZDA 4 spd,
ZDD auto,
ZDB auto/cali,
ADC 4 spd Cali.
Would be located on head with engine build date and vin #. Going by my old 81. But was a few yrs ago.
Hope this is of some help. Been into the 70-72's at decade.
Could it be someone before u added the emblems with L82's. happens more often then not.

 

There was only one motor in 1981. No L82's or L48's. Only the L81. My 81 has a 6 for the eighth digit in the VIN, but I'm certain it came with an L81, so whatever source you have that claims that the eighth digit being a 6 means it has an L82 for the year 1981 is incorrect.

Perhaps you're thinking about the two plants that they were built at?

 

Reply to Vettebuyer5869. By guards, I mean front fenders. Being in Australia, we are a funny breed with some names for car parts you see!!
Car is a "ZDA 4 speed" Has what we know as a Borg Warner T10.
Info that I used for desciphering the VIN was as follows;

Links
Index Motorera Books Cadillac Firebird Lasalle Honda m/cycle Dictionary C1
1953

Chassis Engine History ID Options Photos 1981

1981 CORVETTE
CHASSIS ENGINE HISTORY ID LITERATURE OPTIONS PHOTOS
Probably the most significant change this year was hidden from view.
Corvettes with Turbo HydraMatic had a new fiberglass-reinforced monoleaf rear spring that weighed just eight pounds (33 pounds less than the multi-leaf steel spring it replaced).
The new spring eliminated interleaf friction.
Manual-shift models kept the old spring, as did those with optional Gymkhana suspension.
Side door glass was made even thinner again, in a further attempt to cut overall car weight.
A new L81 version of the 350-cid V-8 arrived this year.
It was rated for 190 hp, with lightweight magnesium rocker arm covers.
New stainless-steel free-flowing exhaust manifolds weighed 14 pounds less than the previous cast iron manifolds.
A new thermostatically-controlled auxiliary electric fan boosted cooling and allowed use of a smaller main fan.
The engine air cleaner had a new chromed cover.
A new Computer Command Control system controlled fuel metering, as well as the torque converter lock-up clutch that operated in second and third gears.
Manual transmission was available in all 50 states.
It was the first time in several years that buyers of Corvettes sold in California could order a stick shift.
A quartz crystal clock was now standard.
The Corvette's standard anti-theft alarm added a starter-interrupt device.
Joining the option list was a six-way power seat.
Electronic-tuning radios could have built-in cassette or 8-track tape players or a CB transceiver.
The Corvette's ample standard equipment list included
either four-speed manual or automatic transmission (same price)
four-wheel power disc brakes
limited-slip differential
power steering
tinted glass
twin remote-control sport mirrors
concealed two-speed wipers
halogen high-beam retractable headlamps
air conditioning
power windows
a tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel
a tachometer
an AM/FM radio
a trip odometer
courtesy lights
a luggage compartment security shade
Corvette buyers had a choice of cloth-and-vinyl or leather-and-vinyl upholstery.
Corvettes rode on P225/70R-15 steel-belted radial blackwall tires on 15 x 8 inch wheels.
The optional Gymkhana suspension (price $54) was also included with the trailer towing package.
Body colors this year were
Mahogany Metallic
White
Silver Metallic
Black
Bright Blue Metallic
Dark Blue Metallic
Yellow
Beige
Red
Maroon Metallic
Charcoal Metallic
Four two-tone combinations were available:
Silver and Dark Blue
Silver and Charcoal
Beige and Dark Bronze
Autumn Red and Dark Claret
All two-tone cars were painted at the new plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Interiors came in Silver Gray; Charcoal; Dark Blue; Camel; Dark Red; and Medium Red.



I.D. NUMBERS
The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
The St. Louis Assembly Plant Serial numbers ranged from 1G1AY87*4BS400001 to 1G1AY87*4BS431611
The Bowling Green Assembly Plant Serial numbers ranged from 1G1AY87*4B5100001 to 1G1AY87*4B5108995 Position Character Description
1 1 US built
2 G General Motors product
3 1 Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
4 A Type of non-passive passenger restraint system
5 Y Corvette car line series
6 & 7 87 Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe
8 * Engine type where * is replaced by the following
6 = L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp

9 ? A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
10 B The model year where B = 1981
11 S or 5 S=St. Louis, MO and 5=Bowling Green, KY
12-17 100001 and up production sequence

Engine serial number began 0001001
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
The one or two numbers shows the month
The last digit shows the year
Engine suffixes: Code Engine Horsepower Compression Transmission Fuel Supply Emission Control System
ZDA L81 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.2:1 manual four-barrel carburetor
ZDB L81 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.2:1 automatic four-barrel carburetor California
ZDC L81 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.2:1 manual four-barrel carburetor California
ZDD L81 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.2:1 automatic four-barrel carburetor

The 1981 Corvette exterior colors were:
06 = Mahogany Metallic
10 = White
13 = Silver Metallic
19 = Black
24 = Bright Blue Metallic
28 = Dark Blue Metallic
52 = Yellow
59 = Beige
75 = Red
79 = Maroon Metallic
84 = Charcoal Metallic
33/38 = Silver and Dark Blue
33/39 = Silver and Charcoal
50/74 = Beige and Dark Bronze
80/98 = Autumn Red and Dark Claret.
Upholstery Codes Color Cloth & Leather Upholstery Leather Upholstery
Charcoal 19C 192
Dark Blue 29C 292
Camel 64C 642
Dark Red 67C 672
Silver Gray 152
Medium Red 752




IDENTIFICATION
Model No. Body/Style No. Body Type Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
1Y Z87
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger $15,248 3179 40,606

ENGINE
Feature Standard Engine (RPO L81)
Type V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
Block Cast iron block
Displacement 350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke 4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio 8.2:1
Brake horsepower 190 @ 4200
Torque 280 lb-ft @ 1600
Main bearing five
Valve lifters hydraulic
Fuel supply Rochester Quadrajet

TRANSMISSION
Standard Manual Transmission
four-speed fully-synchronized
floor-mounted gear shifter
gear ratios
1st = 2.88:1
2nd = 1.91:1
3rd = 1.33:1
4th = 1.00:1
Rev = 2.78:1
Final drive ratio: 2.72:1
Automatic Transmission
Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
floor-mounted gear shifter
gear ratios
1st = 2.52:1
2nd = 1.52:1
3rd = 1.00:1
Rev = 1.93:1
Final drive ratio: 2.87:1



CHASSIS
Feature Coupe
Wheelbase 98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length 185.2 inches (4.704 m)
Overall width 69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height 48 inches (1.219 m)
Ground Clearance 4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread 58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread 59.5 inches (1.511 m)
Wheel size 15 x 8 inches
Tires P225/70R-15 SBR (steel-belted radial)
Positraction standard
Steering recirculating ball
Front suspension Independent, unequal-length control arms with ball joints, coil springs, and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension Independent, trailing link, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
Brakes Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers
Ignition HEI electronic
Body construction Separate fiberglass body and box-type ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank 24 US Gal (20 Imp Gal) (91 liters)


OPTIONS
RPO AU3 Power door locks $145
RPO A42 Power driver seat $183
RPO CC1 Removable glass roof panels $414
RPO C49 Rear window defogger $119
RPO DG7 Electric sport mirrors $117
RPO D84 Two-tone paint $399
RPO FE7 Gymkhana suspension $57
RPO F51 Heavy-duty shock absorbers $37
RPO G92 Performance axle ratio $20
RPO K35 Cruise control $155
RPO MM4 Four-speed manual transmission no cost option
RPO N90 Four aluminum wheels $428
RPO QGR P255/70R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires $72
RPO QXH P255/60R-15 Raised white-letter steel-belted radial tires $491.92
RPO UL5 Radio delete $118 credit
RPO UM4 AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with 8-track tape system $386
RPO UMS AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with 8-track tape and CB system $712
RPO UM6 AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with cassette $423
RPO UN5 AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with cassette and CB system $750
RPO U58 AM-FM stereo radio $95
RPO U75 Power antenna $55
RPO V54 Roof panel carrier $135
RPO YFS California emissions certification $46
RPO ZN1 Trailering package $110


HISTORICAL NOTES


Introduced: September 25,1980. Model-year production: 40,606 (but Chevrolet first reported a total of 40,593 units).
Calendar-year production: 27,990.
Model-year sales by U.S. dealers: 33,414.
Of the total output this model year, 8,995 Corvettes came out of the new plant at Bowling Green, Kentucky, which began production in June 1981.
Despite some weak years in the industry, Corvette sales remained strong through this period.


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I know that I just got up...but I didn't see anything in that list which referenced an L-82 option.

 

The last optional engine in C3s was the L-82 for the 1980 models. There were no other optional Corvette engines after 1980 until 1990 and the ZR1.

 

1980 was the last year for L82 motors. In 1981 the factory added the L82 valve cover to the L81 motor, so all 81's looked like L82 motors but they weren't. GM was more concerned with the computer working properly than HP

 

I believe he's referencing the following...

I still think it's incorrect. All 1981 Corvettes have a "6" for the 8th digit.

 

Here's the answer further down. The previous info about the VIN had to be a misprint.

 

That's a known mis-print. Breaking out the VIN code is straight from the break-out descriped for the 1980. Some one got lazy and cut and pasted info into the 1981 section of that book.

The only engine available for 1981 was the L81 - unique to the Corvette. The L81 was the first engine which met all 50 states emissions regulations including California - 1980 California Corvettes had the 305 with stainless steel mini-exhaust headers. These were carried over to 1981 with the L81 350.

 

I used to own an '81 until just recently. From all of the research that I did while restoring the car, I concluded that all '81s had L81 190 hp motors, including both 4 speed manual or automatic transmissions. They all had electronically assisted carburetors, and used a primitive ecm which is located behind the drivers seat in the storage bay next to the battery.