Thoughts on this 1980 4 Speed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Loganville Ga.
Thoughts on this 1980 4 Speed
I'm thinking about buying this 1980 Corvette 4 speed on Saturday and was just wanting to get some thoughts on this car. I can buy it for 10,000 and I thought it was a pretty good deal. It still has the factory 8 track player and the original engine with less than 500 miles on rebuild .
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Looks clean. Make sure all the accessories work; ac and all vent positions, windows, locks, headlights (move up and down), etc. Take a test drive and make sure everything feels tight, brakes work good, run the trans through the gears, no winding or grinding noises coming from the trans/ rear. Check the frame, floor boards, and birdcage for rust. Check the battery box for damage from leaking battery. Check for fluid leaks underneath. Find out all recent work that has been performed and ask for receipts.
If all checks out, doesn't look like a bad deal. If you find things wrong, maybe you can talk them down and fix it yourself.
If all checks out, doesn't look like a bad deal. If you find things wrong, maybe you can talk them down and fix it yourself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
A couple of things stand out to me, if its an 80 model like you said.
Are you sure this isnt a 1981 car ?
In 1980, those valve covers only came on an L-82 motor. Problem with that is: NO L82's had a 4 speed. The fenders have an incorrect badge for 1980, unless they replaced the current ones where the L82 badge went.
I'm thinking NO WAY is that an L82 with a 4 speed, but things dont match up with those valve covers and the chrome air cleaner lid.....
Get the VIN number. If the 5th digit is an "8", then its an L48 motor which I suspect it really is. Someone replaced the valve covers/air cleaner lid.
If the 5th digit is a "6", you best run buy this car right now b/c it is only 1 on the 1980 L82 with a 4 speed out there that has never been found.
Oh- the car looks great otherwise. I'd pull the kick panels and look for rust before I would commit to ANY C3.
Are you sure this isnt a 1981 car ?
In 1980, those valve covers only came on an L-82 motor. Problem with that is: NO L82's had a 4 speed. The fenders have an incorrect badge for 1980, unless they replaced the current ones where the L82 badge went.
I'm thinking NO WAY is that an L82 with a 4 speed, but things dont match up with those valve covers and the chrome air cleaner lid.....
Get the VIN number. If the 5th digit is an "8", then its an L48 motor which I suspect it really is. Someone replaced the valve covers/air cleaner lid.
If the 5th digit is a "6", you best run buy this car right now b/c it is only 1 on the 1980 L82 with a 4 speed out there that has never been found.
Oh- the car looks great otherwise. I'd pull the kick panels and look for rust before I would commit to ANY C3.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
A couple of things stand out to me, if its an 80 model like you said.
Are you sure this isnt a 1981 car ?
In 1980, those valve covers only came on an L-82 motor. Problem with that is: NO L82's had a 4 speed. The fenders have an incorrect badge for 1980, unless they replaced the current ones where the L82 badge went.
I'm thinking NO WAY is that an L82 with a 4 speed, but things dont match up with those valve covers and the chrome air cleaner lid.....
Get the VIN number. If the 5th digit is an "8", then its an L48 motor which I suspect it really is. Someone replaced the valve covers/air cleaner lid.
If the 5th digit is a "6", you best run buy this car right now b/c it is only 1 on the 1980 L82 with a 4 speed out there that has never been found.
Oh- the car looks great otherwise. I'd pull the kick panels and look for rust before I would commit to ANY C3.
Are you sure this isnt a 1981 car ?
In 1980, those valve covers only came on an L-82 motor. Problem with that is: NO L82's had a 4 speed. The fenders have an incorrect badge for 1980, unless they replaced the current ones where the L82 badge went.
I'm thinking NO WAY is that an L82 with a 4 speed, but things dont match up with those valve covers and the chrome air cleaner lid.....
Get the VIN number. If the 5th digit is an "8", then its an L48 motor which I suspect it really is. Someone replaced the valve covers/air cleaner lid.
If the 5th digit is a "6", you best run buy this car right now b/c it is only 1 on the 1980 L82 with a 4 speed out there that has never been found.
Oh- the car looks great otherwise. I'd pull the kick panels and look for rust before I would commit to ANY C3.
Maybe they changed the valve covers and air cleaner.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Panama City Beach Florida
Car looks very good. Follow what a couple of the guys have suggested and if you find some problems you may be able to negotiate downward some. Two things I like: The color and it's a 4 SPEED!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
All 1980 four speed cars were L-48 cars. There were no fender badges for the L-48s. Valve covers are L-82; chrome top air cleaner is the 81 item and a very popular swap on the 80s.
Nice car.
Nice car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
If the car is actually an 80 model, an L82 and a 4 speed, I'm offering $15k
OP- Good luck buying her. Check for rust, dont forget ! Oyster interior and a 4 speed is a very attractive combination. Let us know how the buy goes .
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15,836
Likes: 90
From: Fairfield, VA
always ask myself - "Will this pass My State Inspection?
and
How much $ will it take to get it street legal?
I think the car looks clean, any underside pics?
'Cause THAT's what its really all about...
deep down....
and
How much $ will it take to get it street legal?
I think the car looks clean, any underside pics?
'Cause THAT's what its really all about...
deep down....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
In agreement with the others. It looks like a fair price for a clean looking car, from what can be seen in the pics at least. Careful on that shiny clutch pedal, looks like its missing its rubber pad.
I owned its twin back in the day.
It was a pretty vette to look at, but not much there in performance. Good luck Saturday.
I owned its twin back in the day.
It was a pretty vette to look at, but not much there in performance. Good luck Saturday.
Last edited by John 65; Sep 26, 2013 at 06:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Let us know how the sale turned out !
I see the car is posted on fleabay with 5 days left in the auction.
Hope you sealed the deal .
I see the car is posted on fleabay with 5 days left in the auction.
Hope you sealed the deal .
