1980 4 spd. car
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Intermediate
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1980 4 spd. car
just heard about this car. guy says needs restoration.. say its a 4 speed car...Are these rare in 1980 ? would it be an aluminum Muncie ? any other things to look for other than solid bird cage and rust issues ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
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a stick in a 1980 is not common (~5700 I believe), most 1980 Corvettes were autos. The stick was a BW T-10 and only came on L48 cars IIRC.
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Sep 24, 2017 at 08:47 PM.
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From: Shamong, NJ
Yes, the L-48 was the base engine in 1980, while the L-82 was the optional engine. The L-48 was rated at 190 hp, the L-82 at 230. The L-48 was available with either an automatic or 4 speed trans, the L-82 could only be ordered with an automatic. All 1980 California Corvettes came with a 180 hp 305, and an automatic.
The 4 speed used in 1980 was the Borg-Warner Super T-10, and only available in wide ratio form.
The 4 speed used in 1980 was the Borg-Warner Super T-10, and only available in wide ratio form.
Last edited by gbvette62; Sep 24, 2017 at 10:52 PM.
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From: Virginia
I have an '80 4-speed. Love it, although it's a work in progress. I wouldn't have bothered with this car if it wasn't a manual.
Be sure to read the 10 rules for buying a C3, and really be sure to look for rust in the usual spots. Bring a screwdriver and pull the kick panels, carpet, and windshield trim to be sure Rusty cars will ruin your enthusiasm for the hobby. The floors are galvanized, but mine rusted where the heater core had leaked on the passenger side.
1980 was the first year for significant weight-saving and aero changes. I can scrape the nose in places that my '79 clears, so look for cracks in the front air dam, or a misaligned hood or doors.
L-48, BW Super T-10 (aluminum, FWIW), and it should have AC, tilt-telescoping wheel, and the comfy seats of the '79+.
Good luck, and post pictures!
Be sure to read the 10 rules for buying a C3, and really be sure to look for rust in the usual spots. Bring a screwdriver and pull the kick panels, carpet, and windshield trim to be sure Rusty cars will ruin your enthusiasm for the hobby. The floors are galvanized, but mine rusted where the heater core had leaked on the passenger side.
1980 was the first year for significant weight-saving and aero changes. I can scrape the nose in places that my '79 clears, so look for cracks in the front air dam, or a misaligned hood or doors.
L-48, BW Super T-10 (aluminum, FWIW), and it should have AC, tilt-telescoping wheel, and the comfy seats of the '79+.
Good luck, and post pictures!
Last edited by Bikespace; Sep 24, 2017 at 11:35 PM.
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
When i went hunting for my current car a 69, convertible was a must,
Easy enough to add the 4 speed, so i wasnt going to miss out on a good car good price,
I owned 2 81s dds
And man would a factory 4 speed been cool, i still would not miss out on a otherwise good deal/car just because its auto and i wouldnt buy an 80 4 speed that was a mess just because it is a rare ish 4 speed car,
Well, i helped zero.
Easy enough to add the 4 speed, so i wasnt going to miss out on a good car good price,
I owned 2 81s dds
And man would a factory 4 speed been cool, i still would not miss out on a otherwise good deal/car just because its auto and i wouldnt buy an 80 4 speed that was a mess just because it is a rare ish 4 speed car,
Well, i helped zero.
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Thread Starter
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saw it, one glass top is cracked, frame has a few holes , interior is good but needs seat covers, engine has a tick like a stuck lifter, faded from outside sun exposure, no brakes , no wheels and tires, sitting sence 1995....complete car but needy. how much should I pay ?
Thread Starter
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swiss cheese
yes . behind the front wheel looks like Swiss cheese and in the rear where someone jacked it up is soft. Looks easy to patch.
Last edited by acorvetkid; Sep 26, 2017 at 09:28 AM. Reason: spelling
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From: Matthews NC
saw it, one glass top is cracked, frame has a few holes , interior is good but needs seat covers, engine has a tick like a stuck lifter, faded from outside sun exposure, no brakes , no wheels and tires, sitting sence 1995....complete car but needy. how much should I pay ?
Sounds like you may want to avoid this one. It's wiser to purchase a running and drivable car vs one that needs so much repair. Just my $.02 worth.
Post pictures if you can, and good luck!
Last edited by RMVette; Sep 26, 2017 at 05:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Sounds like it might need a "Rustoration."
Unless it is being purchased as a parts car, The answer to 'how much I should pay" might be nothing.
Unless it is being purchased as a parts car, The answer to 'how much I should pay" might be nothing.
saw it, one glass top is cracked, frame has a few holes , interior is good but needs seat covers, engine has a tick like a stuck lifter, faded from outside sun exposure, no brakes , no wheels and tires, sitting sence 1995....complete car but needy. how much should I pay ?
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I recall a 69 convertible we went to see advertised as a project car,
The guy a leo takes me over to a rusted out hulk. Roller, sorta but stripped way down,
Tina blurted, was it in a fire,
Being courteous i looked around it, all the metal looked like it had been soaked in saltwater, any rubber rotted away, nothing else much there, the fiberglass was patchy hairy,
The asking price started dropping without me saying a word, it got to 2k being bottom dollar that the parts were worth that, according to the seller,
Then he mentioned the vin on the car and paper title were off a number and he couldn't get it fixed,
I just said it was too much project for me,
There wasnt 100.00 in parts on that poor car, very sad.
The guy a leo takes me over to a rusted out hulk. Roller, sorta but stripped way down,
Tina blurted, was it in a fire,
Being courteous i looked around it, all the metal looked like it had been soaked in saltwater, any rubber rotted away, nothing else much there, the fiberglass was patchy hairy,
The asking price started dropping without me saying a word, it got to 2k being bottom dollar that the parts were worth that, according to the seller,
Then he mentioned the vin on the car and paper title were off a number and he couldn't get it fixed,
I just said it was too much project for me,
There wasnt 100.00 in parts on that poor car, very sad.
Thread Starter
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guy called. Me back...he will take 1000$ so what you all think...ya or nay ?
Race Director
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From: Virginia
If the body is good, are you willing to re-frame it, and do you have a garage with two open bays? You can buy new frames, and dump a ton of cash into a sweet restomod. It'll never be worth more than half what you spend, though.
Also, make sure the manual is original to the car. Assuming the engine matches the VIN, the three letter engine code will tell you if it came with a manual.
If you just want a cool car to drive, look elsewhere. This will be a major project.