1981 corvette purchase
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 19
From: South Mississippi
1981 corvette purchase
I’m considering purchasing a 1981 corvette convertible hard top, color is silver metallic. From what I can find chevy did not make any convertibles for this year if this is true has anyone had any experience as to who did this conversion and what issues should I look for?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,901
Likes: 4,474
From: Virginia
It is true that GM did not make any C3 convertibles after 1975. If you post some photos, the much smarter members of this site will be able to tell you exactly what is going on.
Otherwise, try to confirm the basic matching stuff (partial engine VIN, correct engine for a 1981, correct front and rear clip for a 1981, no signs of VIN tag tampering, etc). One way to do the conversion is to take a converitible rear clip and graft it onto a later car. Another way is to take a later car's front clip and graft it on to an earlier convertible. In only the first case do you actually have an 81 convertible conversion. I've found this site very helpful for deciphering trim, VIN, and engine codes:
http://corvettec3.ca/
In any case, it's a 40 year-old car, and condition (especially rust) trumps all else.
Otherwise, try to confirm the basic matching stuff (partial engine VIN, correct engine for a 1981, correct front and rear clip for a 1981, no signs of VIN tag tampering, etc). One way to do the conversion is to take a converitible rear clip and graft it onto a later car. Another way is to take a later car's front clip and graft it on to an earlier convertible. In only the first case do you actually have an 81 convertible conversion. I've found this site very helpful for deciphering trim, VIN, and engine codes:
http://corvettec3.ca/
In any case, it's a 40 year-old car, and condition (especially rust) trumps all else.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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