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I am looking at a 1982 for a project. I am waiting on acquiring the VIN so I can do some more research, however, from the initial pics, it appears the engine is an L81 and not the L82. It definitely has a carb and not the crossfire injection. I know many owners converted their cars over to carbs but usually owners upgraded the air cleaners, etc. This one has all of the equipment associated with an L81. I am new to the 1980's corvettes.
1. Is it possible for a 1981 to be sold in 1982 and registered as a 1982?
2. Was a carb ever an option? I found 1 website that listed a Rochester carb for a 1982.
3. The 700R4 was an option so I'll know something is up if the car has a TH350.
No 1982 corvette came with an L82 engine. All 1981 corvettes had the L81, and all 1982’s had the L83/700R4 combo (and were fuel injected).
while it certainly is not definitive, does it have a hood emblem like the one in my avatar (from the 81), or is it a less stylized set of crossed flags (the flag poles are more prominent) like on the 82’s. Does it have a crossfire emblem on the fender. That would indicate an 82, but of course the vin is definitive.
the computers in the 81 and 82, and the crossfire fuel injection in the 82 got a bad rap (possibly undeserved) as temperamental and unreliable with mechanics and owners who had learned about cars in the analog age. Many owners removed the computers and fuel injection/computer controlled carbs and swapped in the more familiar pre 1980 carbs.
Last edited by StDomingos; Feb 1, 2019 at 04:08 PM.
I had my brother look at it for me. If it's worth it he'll be doing the purchase on my behalf as I won't be home till MAR. It is an 81 but listed as an 82. Go figure. The headlights don't flip up but that might have something to do with the vacuum leak, missing vacuum line, open vacuum ports. It was too filthy to drive (sitting at a dealership) so I don't know if the suspension, trans, etc is OK. The car did start up cold, supposedly had the motor gone through (although missing vacuum lines doesn't sit well with me). The trans was rebuilt and has new exhaust. The interior needs a lot of TLC. It was repainted and needs to be polished and waxed. My Brother says it's in decent shape. the T-top seals and the rest of the rubber is new or in good shape. My brother says a tune up is all the engine needs. No issues there. Here are a few pics, any suggestions?
If you can get a good deal on the car, you should have a lot of fun with it! Make sure the VIN and year all line up on the title.
Does your brother know where to look for rust? The mechanical/tuning/and vacuum stuff is easy to fix. The interior can be brought up to snuff with some elbow grease and some cash, but you'll end up replacing the seat covers and carpets at a minimum. Dash, too, probably. You should put on new tires before you leave the lot. New paint will cost more than the car is worth (probably twice as much), so make sure that you are happy with it.
Rust in the birdcage, however, will kill the car. If it's at a dealership, have your brother ask them to get the car up on a lift and check. He can also take off the kickpanels and look there.
My 80 was in a similar state when I bought her, also with a recent, good-enough paint job.
EDIT: The air conditioning is almost certain to not work. The dealership will tell your brother that it just needs to be recharged. This is false. Expect to either do without (free), spend a bunch of time fixing it yourself ($1K) or replacing it entirely with a new system ($2K). If it works as is, buy the car, and a lottery ticket!
Last edited by Bikespace; Feb 1, 2019 at 05:44 PM.
If the dealership says the A/C just needs a charge, then make them do that. Definitely check for rust in the above mentioned places, and I wouldn't buy it without a thorough test drive first.
Don't get anxious. Don't buy it without rust check. Don't accept the b.s. about the a/c just needing a recharge --- if that's all it needs, then have them do it, and then make sure it cools.
It better be real cheap because it needs a lot of work. Like real cheap.
I'm not sure I understand the doublespeak about 81 vs 82?
I do NOT buy the story about the engine having been gone through if there are vacuum lines missing.
In all honesty this looks terrible unless you're getting it REALLY CHEAP....
That center console looks like it has been lifted.... you know. It's just horrible. Maybe it's because I'm old, but I would not undertake fixing this thing. I'm sure you can find many other vehicles that require a lot less work.
Maybe it is just the weather. But it looks like scuz on the seats. My guess is it has been sitting outside, and is moldy and disgusting inside. The carpets can be replaced. The seats cleaned and aired out, and eventually the smell will go away.
Bring a blanket, and leave the windows rolled down.
Again, if the car is rust free, everything else can be fixed, if the sales price is right. Less than $3K, as long as the paint is in good shape.
I'd personally pass on this car. There is a lot of crud on the inside and this C3 had sat outside a long time. Long enough that the water flow created a pattern in the paint by the right front turn signal and down the door, from dripping off the passenger side mirror. The dealer or seller polished the front fender, but didn't do the lower part and that's where I see the water wear pattern. C3's are notorious for bird cage rust and they don't do well sitting outside for long periods of time. A lot of paint chips around the hood and lights too. The engine might have been gone through, but that was a long, long time ago, from the looks of it. It does have an Edelbrock manifold (you can see the American flag underneath the air cleaner, but it has a stock Delco HEI and who knows what carb is sitting on top? You're going to end up dumping a whole lot of dough into this '81, like the entire interior for starts. Take a look at what a new interior will cost you.
If you have to have AC, the later C3's, certainly had them a lot more often (correct me if I'm wrong here), than the earlier C3's. You might wait to get back and include in your search a '73 to '77 with an L82 or a built L48 and a four speed. The stick shift cars always bring a little more money and they are a lot of fun to drive as well. Just my .02 and thanks for reading.
PS: The plastic 'Racing' logos pasted all over the car, are a pretty good indicator of a juvenile mindset, because those are totally tacky on a Corvette. This car when it was driven, was probably flogged hard, to keep up with the 'racing' image, the owner tried so hard to project.
OP, you mentioned the car is sitting at a dealership. I’m not trying to argue symantics, but is it a dealership or used car lot? I’d be extra cautious in dealing with a used car lot. So many of these lots sell very questionable autos, putting it mildly. You may have experience in this, others may not. Best of luck!
Hopefully if you get this you get it for a really good price.
Hopeful a very thorough inspection will take place.
Also....have your brother WASH the car like if it were his and then see if the floors fill up with water or you have any major water leaks. You might think this is foolish until you find you have some and they are a royal pain to get to stop leaking due to WHERE the leaks begin.
1982 C3 Question
