1980 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

There can't be many car guys who haven't lusted for a Corvette at some point in their lives. This great-looking 1980 example is a fantastic way to break into the Corvette hobby for not a lot of money, and with only 26,417 original miles, it's an incredible survivor that'll get a ton of respect at shows.

You simply can't go wrong with a classic combination like white over red on your fantastic plastic. This one remains almost entirely original and has been very well maintained from new, so the finish sparkles and the shine is outstanding for a car that's 35 years old. It's virtually impossible to duplicate the factory look (even though a lot of shops try), and this one has a wonderful patina that screams "survivor" the moment you see it. By 1980, build quality had improved by leaps and bounds, so you'll find tight gaps, neat-fitting bumper caps, and T-tops that seal up well. With an update in 1978, the fastback profile with aggressive front and rear spoilers is as good as the C3 got, and is instantly recognizable today. There are no notable deviations from stock and we're quite impressed by how well the various pieces and parts match, always a problem with early C3 Corvettes. Crisp emblems, nice lenses, and only modest signs of wear make this car a slam-dunk in preservation class judging.

The contrasting burgundy leather interior is pure 1980s cool, but it looks more elegant and upscale than, say, the silver space capsule look of the 1978 pace cars. With a comfortable look that's inviting, it's hard to resist sliding into those deep buckets and looking out over the long, dramatic hood. The driver's seat shows only very minor wear that's commensurate with the car's age and mileage, while the rest of the interior is very well preserved with almost no signs of use. Corvettes were loaded with standard equipment in 1980, including A/C, power windows, power locks, tilt wheel, and a complete array of gauges that are highly visible and easy to read. A newer Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo head unit has been fitted to the center stack, and the workmanship is excellent, not to mention the sound, so it doesn't really detract from the overall presentation. The weather-stripping is mostly original, but this is one T-top Corvette that seals up rather well and it is remarkably free of squeaks and rattles inside.

Dual snorkels on the air cleaner mean an L82 engine with 230 horsepower, and it's coupled to an automatic transmission. With 230 horsepower, it was a stout performer in 1980, and even today the rumble of the exhaust and solid whack of torque will get your heart racing on the street. It starts quickly and idles easily thanks to a recent service, and there are few engines more reliable than a 350 Chevy topped by a 4-barrel carb. Highly original, the engine bay is clean and well-maintained, and unlike so many of its siblings, it remains completely stock so no worries about previous abuse. Underneath, it's in good order, and even still runs an original-style exhaust system with catalytic converter. The original slotted alloy wheels look great and wear fat 255/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

This car represents a great opportunity to get into the Corvette hobby at an awesome price with a car that has survivor status everyone will admire. Call today!