I just bought my 3rd Corvette. 1981 automatic with 102,000 miles. I found it on craigs list Denver and figured it was beat since the asking price was $5300. I called the guy and he said someone was coming to look at it the next afternoon, But I could come the next morning to take a look. It was snowing when we spoke. I drove to boulder the next day not expecting to find a "sweet, unabused, white, very good condition " Corvette.
I was wrong. It was all that.
He said if you want to hear it run I can take the battery out of my van, When he started it, it purred like a kitten and the choke kicked down as soon as it warmed up.
So I tried not to seem excited and told him I would like to buy the car.
No I did not try to talk him down. I felt bad enough as it was.
He wanted cash so I called my computer guy who lives in Boulder and was coming to my office that day anyhow and told him he could have my truck for the day if he found me a bank to cash a check at.
I drove off in ice and snow only to have the car stop running 5 miles away on an exit ramp.
Now I am pissed, I figured this is why he wanted cash. So I call my best friend and ask him to come tow me the rest of the way to Denver.
His first response was "Are you sure its not out of gas?" since he has saved my out of gas *** quite a few times in the past. So I turned it on and off a few times and noticed the gas gauge did not move from 1/4 tank. I asked him to bring a tow strap and 5 gallons of gas.
45 minutes later the gas did the trick. (rookie mistake)
Got her cleaned up and now need to decide if i want to flip her or keep her.

 

WOW! Looks like a keeper to me. I'm sure though that if you decide to flip it you will have little problem making a buck or two selling it. It looks better than my C3 ever did!

Joe Johnson
www.MAGDANA.com

 

Look's good! How's the frame/birdcage? Not to long ago I worked on a 80 that is white with red leather int. I really thought that the car was sharp. Best of luck with your new toy!

 

Hell if the rust is minimal keep her I'd grab a deal like that if I could.

 

we need a "Flip that Vette" TV show......this can be the first episode.

 

Good deal.

 

Looks like a nice find.

 

You found a nice '81'. My '81' was in pretty bad shape, when I got her. To many bubba's owned her in the past. I was lucky there were no rust problem's. Have fun with her if you decide to keep her.

 

Very nice Find!

I have been searching for Months for a deal like this, you Are a lucky man.

I say Keep it! unless there are rust issues.

SDG

 

Thanks for all the reply's.
The frame has no rust. I have not checked the bird cage, but the tops, rear window and drivers door all have a water proof seal and the door frames have near perfect original paint.
The only noise is from the passenger door seal. Both doors are tight with no sagging.
I am going to do all the maintenance and keep her. She may not be a speed demon, but the more I drive her the more I want to keep her.

 

Good story & great deal. Congrats!!!

 

Nice car ! Not trying to be a **** ... but is there a "Lo Gas" light on the '81? I'm thinking theres one on my '79 ...... but I've never had the gas down low enough that it 's come up on my dash. I think I 'may' have seen it on my previous '79 , but that was a long time ago , and in a galaxie far far away.
Does anyone know? (I'm nowhere near my car now)

 

Keep the car,you got a good deal, and the used car market is tanking right now, if you can afford to hold on to the car a few years I would do that and also enjoy it while you have it.

All cars are not selling well, sports cars sales are even worse, as they are considered toys.
check out the tanking Ferrari market on autotrader.com

one example...
1997 Ferrari F355 Spider 26K miles $44,995

Everyone is feeling the pinch, some are dumping toys before it gets worse, and if you need to sell fast you need to be cheaper then the next guy...

All in All Keep the 1981 Vette for a few years! That seems like the right thing to do.

BTW.. congrats on the new car!

 

thats the first 81 I've seen without a rear window defrost. If it's an original Colorado car then rust shouldn't be too big a deal. When I was out there from 96-99 I bought a 72 Nova that was darn near rust free

 

yes. comes on (progressively) when it's midway between a 1/4 and empty

 

I don't think I've ever seen the gas light in my '81 ever work... In fact I know it hasn't because I ran out of gas once and it didn't come on! Luckily I was RIGHT in front of a gas station when it occured... hahaha