My first vette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: North Branch MI
My first vette
Hey all, just took the plunge and bought a 1980 L-82, I've been riding sport bikes for the past 20 years, wife and I were in a very bad accident last October, so a new bike was out the question and I've always wanted a C-3 so I used the check from my bike pay off and picked her up in Chicago. The car is as nice as I had hoped it would be 
, wife is hoping this will keep me off the bikes [ it just might ] It needs a lot of detail work but runs good and is very clean. Can someone please tell me where the fuse panel is, gauge and dash lights not working hopefully its a fuse and not all the bulbs are shot, and how do the seats fold forward? I'm sure I will have more ?? to follow but thats all for now. Todd
, wife is hoping this will keep me off the bikes [ it just might ] It needs a lot of detail work but runs good and is very clean. Can someone please tell me where the fuse panel is, gauge and dash lights not working hopefully its a fuse and not all the bulbs are shot, and how do the seats fold forward? I'm sure I will have more ?? to follow but thats all for now. Todd
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Seat backs fold forward on their own and only lock in place under braking. If your backs will not fold, you may need to rebuild/replace the seat back hinges.
Order a reproduction owner's manual for your '80. Lots of valuable information in the owner's manual. If you have an original manual with the car, take it out and store it in a safe place. Keep the repro manual in the car.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: North Branch MI
EasyMike, thanks for info, will get to the fuses today, seats still won't fold forward, will take the hinges apart, clean, and see if that helps. I will put the original manual aside and order reprint when I order Chiltons manual, will post pics when teenage daughter gets home from Florida and shows me how! I'm really liking this car, I'm going to clean it up as a driver not a show car, just want it super clean and driveable, I'm sure those are famous last words, my FZ1 was well detailed and modded, but never done.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
EasyMike, thanks for info, will get to the fuses today, seats still won't fold forward, will take the hinges apart, clean, and see if that helps. I will put the original manual aside and order reprint when I order Chiltons manual, will post pics when teenage daughter gets home from Florida and shows me how! I'm really liking this car, I'm going to clean it up as a driver not a show car, just want it super clean and driveable, I'm sure those are famous last words, my FZ1 was well detailed and modded, but never done.
People love the c3 no matter what shape its in.
Mine always gets attention at the local drive ins, stop-lights, grocery stores, parts store, malt shops, convience store, stop signs,............
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Welcome... glad you survived the bike crash... I got my Vette after my own mishap with the TIE fighter (SV-650S) - when you find yourself missing the bike and need to compare notes, feel free to drop me a line.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 24
From: Boston MA
dont waste money on the chilton, buy the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) and Factory Service Manual, both available where ever books are sold....or from half the places over to the left side of your monitor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
Welcome to the forum, I rode bikes for 30 years and 3 years ago I gave them up for the Vette. I could not be happier and do not miss riding at all. I still get that speed fix but now on 4 wheels. Good Luck with your car.....Tim
