1981 or c4
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
Do what I did and buy one of each! In my case, it was an auto C3 for my wife, then a manual C3 for me.
Get the auto C4 first, join a local Corvette club, and test drive someone's resto-modded manual C3.
I'll look for your C4 in the for sale section in a few months.
Get the auto C4 first, join a local Corvette club, and test drive someone's resto-modded manual C3.
I'll look for your C4 in the for sale section in a few months.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,972
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From: Virginia
Hard to say without photos of the rust troublespots, and under the air cleaner. Is the (one year only) CCC system intact? The paint looks good, but do you like that color?
Post 107, here, quotes the original (deleted) post that shows many of the trouble spots of C3s, especially the rust issue.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orvette-6.html
If you want a plush automatic, 81 and 82 came with a composite rear spring. 82 came with an overdrive auto. Though any year can be set up however you want.
Obligatory retro review:
Post 107, here, quotes the original (deleted) post that shows many of the trouble spots of C3s, especially the rust issue.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orvette-6.html
If you want a plush automatic, 81 and 82 came with a composite rear spring. 82 came with an overdrive auto. Though any year can be set up however you want.
Obligatory retro review:
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Nowhere
The Dark Claret/Doeskin interior is one of my favorites also. My 1980 was Dark Claret/Doeskin from the factory. However, the ******** original owner decided to paint it black....
. I didn't know this till after I bought it from a buddy of mine that purchased it from the original owner.
. I didn't know this till after I bought it from a buddy of mine that purchased it from the original owner.Corvette Stories
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,511
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Paint appears to be sweet , if it doesn’t have any rust issues and all the stuff works that price is a good starting point for the seller. Any recent repairs or upgrades ?
there’s a nice 82 CE in the sale ads here that’s been redone and maintained, up grades include new non warped bumpers, fresh od transmission, fresh paint, 3.55 gear upgrade from the 2.87 gear and in your price range that might be of interest https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uthern-md.html
there’s a nice 82 CE in the sale ads here that’s been redone and maintained, up grades include new non warped bumpers, fresh od transmission, fresh paint, 3.55 gear upgrade from the 2.87 gear and in your price range that might be of interest https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uthern-md.html
Last edited by Eric P; Mar 4, 2021 at 10:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 1,192
Here you go...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ed-yellow.html
Last edited by KingRat; Mar 5, 2021 at 03:35 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 136
Likes: 28
From: Liberty Island
The biggest suprise with a C3 is the bird cage rot / rust. Frame rust is pretty easy to spot but birdcage rot is hidden by kick panals and other interior parts. Just because it was an NY car does not mean it’s a rust bucket. Higher chance? Yes. But most of these got love and were at least kept inside or not driven in the winter.
got to check it over hood but it maybe a nice car. That goes for any c3... a lot may look good but the trim and interior can hide a lot especially if the car lived near the beach or sat outside.
to your main question... to beat on and modify for speed I would prob go for a manual C4. For a keeper I would love to own and enjoy not only driving, a C3.
I own an 80 4 speed. They are both going to cost money.... I would rather put money in a C3.
you need to go test drive both to see what YOU like.
got to check it over hood but it maybe a nice car. That goes for any c3... a lot may look good but the trim and interior can hide a lot especially if the car lived near the beach or sat outside.
to your main question... to beat on and modify for speed I would prob go for a manual C4. For a keeper I would love to own and enjoy not only driving, a C3.
I own an 80 4 speed. They are both going to cost money.... I would rather put money in a C3.
you need to go test drive both to see what YOU like.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
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Did you also post this question in the C4 forum? How did they respond?
Last edited by Factoid; Mar 5, 2021 at 11:50 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,614
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Oops, yep I meant C4. Fixed it.
It would be interesting to hear the C4 perspective.
It would be interesting to hear the C4 perspective.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,614
Likes: 8,454
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Most over their believe C4 is explosives, but they own Corvettes. A bit of confusion within their ranks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 228
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From: Arizona