Glad to be here!
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Voorhees, NJ
Glad to be here!
Hello! I am a corvette lover and getting a bit on in years. I would like to get some advice on purchasing a car. I know there can be valuable cars with matching numbers and such, but I would like to own a 1980-1982 car. One just to drive and enjoy. Hopefully I can get some information on the different types of cars made in that year range so I can make an educated decision when I am ready to buy. You are all very lucky to already own a corvette, I raise my glass to you all. 
Administrator
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Welcome, and I am moving this to the C3 General section for some advice from other C3 owners.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
Welcome! Becoming a member of this forum was one of the best things that I could do (being a rookie C3 owner).
There are great folks here with a wealth of Corvette knowledge. They won't steer you wrong.
There are great folks here with a wealth of Corvette knowledge. They won't steer you wrong.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 486
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
Best advice I can give you is to take your time and learn about the typical problems to look for before buying your Corvette. Attend as many car shows and visit the classic car dealers to find out what appeals to you. See what condition cars are available in the price range you want to spend. You will likely find a wide range being offered in the years you mentioned. Be cautious as it is easy to end up with a money pit if you buy on emotion only.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 215
Likes: 86
Welcome, to me the C3 is a one off design which I fell in love with many moons ago and still love it, nothing out there like it. You said you we’re getting on in years so one thing I would urge you to do when looking at a Vette is to check out #2 and #3 body mounts. The C3 body is built around what is called a birdcage and it was poorly protected and prone to rust. A rusted out birdcage is really bad news and they do tend to rot around the windshield and body mounts at #2 and # 3. Best advice I can give you that is Vette peculiar as a rusted out birdcage would be a nightmare.
good luck
Pete
good luck
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
This is good if you can find a copy. It's out of print.
Good luck with the hunt.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Hey, you live in the same town as me. I have had a C3 for over 26 years and been on here for over 20. ANy questions let me know, be happy to help out. Also own a C6 Z06 and a Factory Five Cobra replica. No stranger to working on these cars. The 80-82 cars make great drivers. Not the fastest but for a driver probably the best. I personally like the 82 due to fuel injection and an overdrive transmission. The X fire injection can be challenging but when it is running correctly it is very smooth. I worked on one and had it for a few months and was one of the best driving C3s I have driven
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Welcome to the Corvette Forum. You are fortunate to live in the same town as Gordon, he and I live about two hours from one another and still manage to get together to talk cars, work on cars, etc. Good man and a good offer from him, he can help you a great deal. Great advice from others as well. Take your time and look at a few of them before pulling the trigger on any of them. They all have quirks to them but the later C-3's ride so much nicer than the early C-3's (no bashing folks, just facts) and I have owned a 71; a 72; a 74; and two 77's. They all have their own issues but all were fun for me to work on. I am restoring a 74 convertible driver now. I am certain there are cars for sale here on the CF and other places, so good luck with your search and let me know if I can help.
Best regards,
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
Best regards,
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 470
Likes: 276
From: So. Maine
Welcome to the forum. Before purchasing our car I searches this site extensively. There is a thread specifically for 1982 Corvettes.
As already stated, Conte’s Corvettes has a good inventory and is highly regarded on this forum.
Also, Keystone Classics in Pennsylvania has a good inventory at different price points.
We purchased our car form Hobby Car Corvettes, they specialize in C3’s and have an extensive inventory. They were fantastic to work with and responded to all my inquiries within minutes.
The old adage applies, find the best car you can afford, this way you only cry once.
Good luck.
As already stated, Conte’s Corvettes has a good inventory and is highly regarded on this forum.
Also, Keystone Classics in Pennsylvania has a good inventory at different price points.
We purchased our car form Hobby Car Corvettes, they specialize in C3’s and have an extensive inventory. They were fantastic to work with and responded to all my inquiries within minutes.
The old adage applies, find the best car you can afford, this way you only cry once.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Voorhees, NJ
Welcome to the forum. Before purchasing our car I searches this site extensively. There is a thread specifically for 1982 Corvettes.
As already stated, Conte’s Corvettes has a good inventory and is highly regarded on this forum.
Also, Keystone Classics in Pennsylvania has a good inventory at different price points.
We purchased our car form Hobby Car Corvettes, they specialize in C3’s and have an extensive inventory. They were fantastic to work with and responded to all my inquiries within minutes.
The old adage applies, find the best car you can afford, this way you only cry once.
Good luck.
As already stated, Conte’s Corvettes has a good inventory and is highly regarded on this forum.
Also, Keystone Classics in Pennsylvania has a good inventory at different price points.
We purchased our car form Hobby Car Corvettes, they specialize in C3’s and have an extensive inventory. They were fantastic to work with and responded to all my inquiries within minutes.
The old adage applies, find the best car you can afford, this way you only cry once.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Voorhees, NJ
Welcome, to me the C3 is a one off design which I fell in love with many moons ago and still love it, nothing out there like it. You said you we’re getting on in years so one thing I would urge you to do when looking at a Vette is to check out #2 and #3 body mounts. The C3 body is built around what is called a birdcage and it was poorly protected and prone to rust. A rusted out birdcage is really bad news and they do tend to rot around the windshield and body mounts at #2 and # 3. Best advice I can give you that is Vette peculiar as a rusted out birdcage would be a nightmare.
good luck
Pete
good luck
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
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I would suggest you read the stickies for the C3 Tech and C3 general forums. I'm partial to the 82 due to 4 speed OD transmission and electronic fuel injection. I owned one previously and currently own a 82 Collectors Edition.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
While the 80-82 cars do not vary much visually in exterior or interior, I think it’s fair to say under the hood they are 3 very different animals and these differences should be considered by a potential buyer, especially a newbie.
The 1980 was the last Corvette without a computer. Some people find this significant. All 350s (except the aforementioned 305)
The 1981 was the first Corvette with a computer. Again, all 350s but with a twist. Still carbureted.
The 1982 went to the Cross-Fire Injection system, which was also used in the first year of the C4 in 1984 and then dropped. I’m not going to get into a debate; just tell you some people hate that motor and say it never runs right. Others disagree. YRMV.
Best of luck.
The 1980 was the last Corvette without a computer. Some people find this significant. All 350s (except the aforementioned 305)
The 1981 was the first Corvette with a computer. Again, all 350s but with a twist. Still carbureted.
The 1982 went to the Cross-Fire Injection system, which was also used in the first year of the C4 in 1984 and then dropped. I’m not going to get into a debate; just tell you some people hate that motor and say it never runs right. Others disagree. YRMV.
Best of luck.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Voorhees, NJ
While the 80-82 cars do not vary much visually in exterior or interior, I think it’s fair to say under the hood they are 3 very different animals and these differences should be considered by a potential buyer, especially a newbie.
The 1980 was the last Corvette without a computer. Some people find this significant. All 350s (except the aforementioned 305)
The 1981 was the first Corvette with a computer. Again, all 350s but with a twist. Still carbureted.
The 1982 went to the Cross-Fire Injection system, which was also used in the first year of the C4 in 1984 and then dropped. I’m not going to get into a debate; just tell you some people hate that motor and say it never runs right. Others disagree. YRMV.
Best of luck.
The 1980 was the last Corvette without a computer. Some people find this significant. All 350s (except the aforementioned 305)
The 1981 was the first Corvette with a computer. Again, all 350s but with a twist. Still carbureted.
The 1982 went to the Cross-Fire Injection system, which was also used in the first year of the C4 in 1984 and then dropped. I’m not going to get into a debate; just tell you some people hate that motor and say it never runs right. Others disagree. YRMV.
Best of luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,508
From: Virginia
To go a bit deeper, this site (among others) summarizes the year-to-year changes.
https://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
1981 was also the last year for manual transmissions in C3.
When you find the one you want, this site can help decipher the various codes on the car:
http://corvettec3.ca/
Let us know what you get!
https://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
1981 was also the last year for manual transmissions in C3.
When you find the one you want, this site can help decipher the various codes on the car:
http://corvettec3.ca/
Let us know what you get!