If you want an investment buy a C2 or chrome bumper C3. If you want a more modern look keep the '80 and make it your own. 
1980 vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 1,483
From: Little Rock AR
20 years ago you could see them on used car lots for about the same price you can sell them for today. Nice ones should hold their value more or less but no big appreciation any time soon.
JMO.
-Mark.
JMO.
-Mark.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From: You Can't Buy Cool, No Friggin' Way - Mississauga Ontario
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 833
From: WI
You never know ...someone might make a dynomite action thriller with a C3 at center stage that will cause a rise in demand (like a Smokey & Bandit movie). But barring that, they made a lot of cars during these years and the demand isn't great. I think C5s will appreciate before C3's will.
Mark G
Mark G
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From: You Can't Buy Cool, No Friggin' Way - Mississauga Ontario
You never know ...someone might make a dynomite action thriller with a C3 at center stage that will cause a rise in demand (like a Smokey & Bandit movie). But barring that, they made a lot of cars during these years and the demand isn't great. I think C5s will appreciate before C3's will.
Mark G
Mark G
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Mize Mississippi
They are worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. But, in insurance claims they are worth NADA Blue Book value, I know this for a fact. They are also considered irreplaceable. http://www.nadaguides.com/default.as...&z=77301&da=-1
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
.They're already worth A LOT to the guys who own, care for them as original, modify or customize them! Get past the "investment value"- Thats alot a CRAP! Enjoy and drive your vette! Damn..... It ain't a lousy bank account!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
You could not get the optional L-82 with a 4 speed during the 1980 model year, so all the 4 speed cars are L-48s. Technically, they're rare (only 5726 produced) when you look at total production.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
i have a 1980, and i think they have a hidden value. That is you can get a solid rust free one for cheep, and then use it to modify the suspension and engine, you dont have a computer to deal with. And i even like the rubber bumper style.
so will it ever be worth much, no
but it is a great platform to modify into the car you want.
so will it ever be worth much, no
but it is a great platform to modify into the car you want.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
I have an 80 , I bought it about 5 years ago and have been making it the way I want it. New chromey polished engine. Newly refinished firewall, shaved handles, custom front and rear. I'm making it the way I want it, value be damned. It's my personal car and that's the way to look at it. If you like the car keep it modify it or restore it but don't expect it to be worth much more than best market values. But I don't care what the value it's what I wanted. If you looking for investment look elsewhere...Duesenberg anyone?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
1980 4 spd. is a very nice combo and relatively rare. Prbly won't make any money on it if you factor cost of paying for insurance, and maintaining it over the next 5 years. But I would predict that in 20 years from now that those looking at the 74 - 82 cars would see the 1980 4spd. as amongst the most desirable of this bunch - especially once it has a chance to age some more and really establish a "classic" persona. As for now it's very cool car for the current market value so enjoy it while you can.