1981 Corvette

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Apr 15, 2016 | 08:26 AM

John Darnall

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3rd Gear

Joined: Apr 2016

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1981 Corvette

I am a first time user and in need of some advice regarding my 1981 Corvette. The carburetor must be replaced, all the computer computer gear has been stripped out. The work is being done by a professional speed shop. I intend to sell the car after the work is finished and I have painted the car. How would you proceed to make the car presentable to the next buyer. Respectfully John Darnall. Blessings to you

Apr 15, 2016 | 09:22 AM

CV62Air

Racer

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 264

Likes: 58

From: Virginia

Hi John, I would hold off on the paint. The difference between driver and excellent is only a few thousand on an '81, which may exceed the cost of the paint job.

Once it is running well, I would try to sell it as is, first. On the for sale section and on craigslist with good photos and accurate description and reasonable price.

Good luck.

Apr 15, 2016 | 09:30 PM

texasbaehr

Racer

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 261

Likes: 1

From: Montgomery TX

I agree with CV2Air, a decent paint job on a Corvette is upwards of $8K and on an 81 you'll never get your $ back on it. Even if your body is perfect and you can get away with minimal prep still looking at $4K which you wont get back.
If you get a cheap Maaco paint job it will make the car even harder to sell. Your better off just cleaning, touchup and polishing as best you can to make it presentable.
I painted my 81 myself after 100s of hours of sanding and filling and sanding and filling and sanding and filling..... $500 worth of primer, paint, hardner, reducer and clear and I have a great 10 footer. Looks good in pictures and is a driver but not a show car.
The big expense for paint is the bodywork and prep, All old corvettes are full of spider cracks in the fiberglass, the panels are wavy and lumpy from the factory. Many have seam delamination. Any good body shop will want to strip, repair, fill, and block before any paint goes on and at $80 - $100/hr that's what adds up big time.

Apr 16, 2016 | 09:12 AM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Darnall

...How would you proceed to make the car presentable to the next buyer...

Tune it, make sure it's safely drivable, and clean it up. When you list it, don't try to make it something it's not.

Last edited by Easy Mike; Apr 16, 2016 at 09:13 AM.

Apr 16, 2016 | 02:54 PM

81corvettevortec

Racer

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 384

Likes: 8

From: Alberta

Make sure it runs good, and if the paint really isn't presentable then learn how to wrap it. For about $500 you can wrap the car yourself.

May 4, 2020 | 12:04 PM

81vette2020

3rd Gear

Joined: May 2020

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

1981 vette won't take off smooth

Hi, firs time post here. I have a problem with my 1981 corvette, it idles fine and once you take off it drives smooth. this issue im having is it is having a had time taking off, when you go to hit the throttle it will bog down and act like its going to shutdown then catches itself and will beginning driving smooth again. Not 100% sure what could be causing this?

Video of the issue of here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSxD...ature=youtu.be

May 4, 2020 | 10:42 PM

Mark G

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 3,694

Likes: 833

From: WI

Lot of those 81's that guys strip off the emissions by so-called 'professionals' never run very well. It probably reduces the value vs if it were all original. I guess depends who the buyer is. Most millennials probably wouldn't know the difference, I guess.