whats so bad about 81s
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: boulder wa
whats so bad about 81s
I have read a few articles and when they talk about later sharks they always forget to mention the 81, why? Is it because the motor is derated or what? I have an 81 and i think she is just wonderful. Let me know what you think.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: whats so bad about 81s (doopsvette)
In this day and age, 20+ years after the last shark was built, it really seems amazing to me that people debate the relative merits of one year over another. Any shark 'inferiority' can be instantly cured to anyone's satisfaction with the massive, blinding array of 'genuine' replacement parts, crate motors and speed equipment that is available today.
We can give our Corvettes just about any 'option' that we want now.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :smash:
We can give our Corvettes just about any 'option' that we want now.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: whats so bad about 81s (MassVette)
The 81 is the first computer controlled carburation model It is a stand alone year that uses a Rochester Carburator modified to adjust the fuel supply. I guess some people have had trouble with it, or feel that they cant modify it to suit their wants as easy as the 80. Interestingly the 82 is desirable, even with the cross-fire, but the 84 is not well thought of. Same thinking, it is not the best available for the body style, so it gets a bad rap. Properly operating, the 81 is the best of the carburated models in stock form.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: KS
Re: whats so bad about 81s (doopsvette)
I looked for the cleanest, most original(read: non-bubba'ed), latest model C3 with a carb, and the '81 was it. Same swoopy front fenders, clean interior design, look and feel of the Shark, just in a newer package.
:cheers:
:cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
Re: whats so bad about 81s (doopsvette)
Is it because the motor is derated or what?
But right now, that 190 hp lump is sitting in the corner of my garage, acting as a sawdust magnet. Here's what I replaced it with:
http://www.rogerscorvette.com/free/morris.htm
[Modified by Gator81, 10:13 AM 10/3/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Re: whats so bad about 81s (wombvette)
Join the party. :cheers: '68's are constantly talked down on too. Sure they had a lot of 1 year only parts but so what? If a '68 still exists today, any "quality" problems that the '68 model may have originally had have been corrected by a previous restoration, and if the car has existed this long in an unrestored state, the "quality" issues must not have been such a problem in the first place. The same thing holds true for just about any model year including your '81. I agree with the previous poster. To talk about one model year being better than another of a car that's 20-30 years old is absurd. Heck, any econobox built today has better quality standards than any of the cars built in the '60's and 70's so the issue is moot. You like a car this old because you like it. Period. Enjoy your '81 and don't pay attention to the hype.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
Likes: 72
From: Near Raleigh NC
Re: whats so bad about 81s (doopsvette)
nothing I had one for 10 years+;and done a lot to my baby :D
and yes front emblems can still be had, I picked up a couple at Carlisle over the last few years, but they are getting pricy. :(
[Modified by 81VETTOM, 8:45 PM 10/3/2003]
and yes front emblems can still be had, I picked up a couple at Carlisle over the last few years, but they are getting pricy. :(
[Modified by 81VETTOM, 8:45 PM 10/3/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: whats so bad about 81s (doopsvette)
Nothing wrong with the '81. Last carb on a vette, lighter than most vettes (3179 lbs. with right options), last available 4 speed. As far as performance my car would run right with a stock '95 Z28 with only a change to dual exhaust, and I still had the stock low performance 2.72 rear. Not apples to apples, but you can see with just a little work these cars can be fast. For me it was the perfect base car to start with to reach my goals. BTW, I've kept every last part just in case I want to go back to stock one day.
Massvette, that C2 of yours is just plain awesome! :thumbs:
:cheers:
Mark
[Modified by 81vette, 8:44 PM 10/3/2003]
Massvette, that C2 of yours is just plain awesome! :thumbs:
:cheers:
Mark
[Modified by 81vette, 8:44 PM 10/3/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: whats so bad about 81s (doopsvette)
My first ever Vette experience, was with an '81. My dad's. It was Claret over burgundy leather. Beautiful. Up until the day my dad brought it home (I was eleven), I didn't know Corvettes existed. I planted my rear end in those leather seats, and I never looked back. I knew I would one day have a Vette.
So there will always be a place in my heart, for the 81's. I love them. And some day, I wouldn't mind having another claret red 81. Not at all.
I have a picture of that Vette on my website. It's the only remaining photo of that car. :(
[Modified by joeveto, 9:36 PM 10/3/2003]
So there will always be a place in my heart, for the 81's. I love them. And some day, I wouldn't mind having another claret red 81. Not at all.
I have a picture of that Vette on my website. It's the only remaining photo of that car. :(
[Modified by joeveto, 9:36 PM 10/3/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: whats so bad about 81s (joeveto)
Joe, that's a really nice story on your website. I also like the cool picture of the Claret Red vette, and then the picture further down the page of your Corvette parked in the same spot many years later. The Claret Red was a very nice looking color.
:thumbs:
Mark
[Modified by 81vette, 9:47 PM 10/3/2003]
:thumbs:
Mark
[Modified by 81vette, 9:47 PM 10/3/2003]