1981 l81
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
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1981 l81
Have owned this 1981 Corvette since 1986 and am trying to find out a little more about it.
Based on the Vin # (1G1AY8764B5108707) I believe it was one of the last ones built in the new Bowling Green Plant in 1981. Color is Dark Bronze (code 74) and interior is Camel or Leather. Might be Leather because on the Id. plate there is an "L" right after the color code 74, but looks like it could be either.
The car is absolutley original except for tires and has just recently turned over 40k miles
Question: I have never seen another corvette, of any year, painted this color (74 Dark Bronze). There is a small gold italicized # 7 located on the right rear bumper, just below the outer most tail light. According to the Corvette Black Book there were 432 cars produced in B-Green with this color.
Trying to find out the significance of the (7) on the right rear bumper and anything else any Corvette knowledgeable person can throw my way.
I was once told, but have never verified, that the car was one of the last L81's built in 1981 and was not built on the assembly line, but was built by a team. The number 7 on the bumper supposedly indicates that it was built by Team # 7.
Appreciate any info anyone can offer.
Thanks
Tom
Based on the Vin # (1G1AY8764B5108707) I believe it was one of the last ones built in the new Bowling Green Plant in 1981. Color is Dark Bronze (code 74) and interior is Camel or Leather. Might be Leather because on the Id. plate there is an "L" right after the color code 74, but looks like it could be either.
The car is absolutley original except for tires and has just recently turned over 40k miles
Question: I have never seen another corvette, of any year, painted this color (74 Dark Bronze). There is a small gold italicized # 7 located on the right rear bumper, just below the outer most tail light. According to the Corvette Black Book there were 432 cars produced in B-Green with this color.
Trying to find out the significance of the (7) on the right rear bumper and anything else any Corvette knowledgeable person can throw my way.
I was once told, but have never verified, that the car was one of the last L81's built in 1981 and was not built on the assembly line, but was built by a team. The number 7 on the bumper supposedly indicates that it was built by Team # 7.
Appreciate any info anyone can offer.
Thanks
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Have owned this 1981 Corvette since 1986 and am trying to find out a little more about it.
Based on the Vin # (1G1AY8764B5108707) I believe it was one of the last ones built in the new Bowling Green Plant in 1981.
Based on the Vin # (1G1AY8764B5108707) I believe it was one of the last ones built in the new Bowling Green Plant in 1981.
Color is Dark Bronze (code 74) and interior is Camel or Leather. Might be Leather because on the Id. plate there is an "L" right after the color code 74, but looks like it could be either.
The car is absolutely original except for tires and has just recently turned over 40k miles
Question: I have never seen another corvette, of any year, painted this color (74 Dark Bronze). There is a small gold italicized # 7 located on the right rear bumper, just below the outer most tail light. According to the Corvette Black Book there were 432 cars produced in B-Green with this color.
Trying to find out the significance of the (7) on the right rear bumper and anything else any Corvette knowledgeable person can throw my way.
I was once told, but have never verified, that the car was one of the last L81's built in 1981 and was not built on the assembly line, but was built by a team.
Question: I have never seen another corvette, of any year, painted this color (74 Dark Bronze). There is a small gold italicized # 7 located on the right rear bumper, just below the outer most tail light. According to the Corvette Black Book there were 432 cars produced in B-Green with this color.
Trying to find out the significance of the (7) on the right rear bumper and anything else any Corvette knowledgeable person can throw my way.
I was once told, but have never verified, that the car was one of the last L81's built in 1981 and was not built on the assembly line, but was built by a team.
The number 7 on the bumper supposedly indicates that it was built by Team # 7.
But it is interesting and deserves some study. My suggestion post a picture so it can be viewed in context. That would allow us annal retentives to offer an informed opinion...and you may get many of those.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
You may want to consider contacting the NCM and see if you can obtain the build order for your car.
http://www.corvettemuseum.org/learn/...ndow-stickers/
Last edited by Easy Mike; Dec 27, 2015 at 09:18 AM.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Number "7" appears to have been painted on (no decal). Car has never been painted so I have to believe its been there since day one. Owned it since 1986 and bought from the original owner.
Will definitley contact the NCM and try to get the Build Order.
Thanks for the advice and comments.
Will definitley contact the NCM and try to get the Build Order.
Thanks for the advice and comments.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Now I'm really intrigued.
Check the air cleaner cover since it's original and there appears to be nothing there.
The "7" has been there since I've owned it (86) and really does look original. Definitely not a scratch.
Going to try and order the Build Order tomorrow and see if that will shed any light and go from there.
Again, thanks very much for the advice!
Check the air cleaner cover since it's original and there appears to be nothing there.
The "7" has been there since I've owned it (86) and really does look original. Definitely not a scratch.
Going to try and order the Build Order tomorrow and see if that will shed any light and go from there.
Again, thanks very much for the advice!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The "7" is an interesting oddity. It's unlikely to have been placed on the car at the factory...but one never knows for sure. I would suggest that you keep it there for posterity, unless you can positively determine how it came to be. I suspect the original owner knows (or, at one time, knew) the details of that number and how it came to be applied to the car.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
The "7" is an interesting oddity. It's unlikely to have been placed on the car at the factory...but one never knows for sure. I would suggest that you keep it there for posterity, unless you can positively determine how it came to be. I suspect the original owner knows (or, at one time, knew) the details of that number and how it came to be applied to the car.
In any event, I've ordered a copy of the Build sheet from the Corvette Museum. That might show some light.
Thanks to all for the input.
Thanks