1981 C3 94k miles price?
11-10-2016, 04:51 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
Member Since: May 2015
Location: Cape Girardeau Missouri
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While I generally consider stock condition as a good thing, it's not necessarily so with an '81--especially one that's not extremely low mileage. While build quality that year was considered about the best ever for a Corvette the only available engine (the 190 HP L81) was rather pathetic for a 350 V8.
Both the Computer Command Control (CCC) system and the hybrid electromechanical Quadrajet are pretty much despised and never aged well due to a lack of feedback loops. The only good thing I've read about the '81 engine is that the stainless steel exhaust manifolds were lighter and more freely flowing that the cast iron versions used before. Of course that didn't do a lot of good as the catalytic converter was very restrictive. Provided that emission control laws for cars of this age are relaxed in your state I'd say that a truly stock engine actually reduces the value.
The lack of any engine performance options (like the L82) also means that more parts and work are required to "wake up" the engine in a meaningful way.
The composite spring used with automatic transmission and without the Gymkhana sport suspension option was far more about weight reduction and comfort improvement than handling.
Both the Computer Command Control (CCC) system and the hybrid electromechanical Quadrajet are pretty much despised and never aged well due to a lack of feedback loops. The only good thing I've read about the '81 engine is that the stainless steel exhaust manifolds were lighter and more freely flowing that the cast iron versions used before. Of course that didn't do a lot of good as the catalytic converter was very restrictive. Provided that emission control laws for cars of this age are relaxed in your state I'd say that a truly stock engine actually reduces the value.
The lack of any engine performance options (like the L82) also means that more parts and work are required to "wake up" the engine in a meaningful way.
The composite spring used with automatic transmission and without the Gymkhana sport suspension option was far more about weight reduction and comfort improvement than handling.
11-11-2016, 12:39 AM
#4
Team Owner
Miles on the original odometer is not what you base price on when purchasing a 'vintage' car....unless it is an untouched museum piece.
Condition of the car and it's mechanical systems sets its value.
Condition of the car and it's mechanical systems sets its value.