1980 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Get into the Corvette hobby for less than the price of a used Honda with this brilliant survivor-grade 1980 Corvette coupe. Beautiful original paint, a beautiful leather interior, and T-tops for the open air experience make this a great-looking summertime cruiser that you'll enjoy far more than the bargain price would suggest.

Yes, the Code 59 Frost Beige paint is original, and it is remarkably well preserved and looks so good that more than one of us thought it was a fairly recent repaint. Quite remarkable for a 40-year-old finish, but when you consider the low mileage (only 23,817 miles on the clock!), it certainly makes sense. Sure, there are some expected signs of use and age, but nothing major by any means, and the curb appeal is one-of-a-kind. And as you might expect, the urethane bumpers have been repainted to match the body, which is incredibly common on these era C3 Corvettes because the paint faded very quickly on the rubber bookends back-in-the-day. Although 1980 was nearing the end of the line for the C3, it didn't diminish the iconic looks one bit, and even today these are perhaps the most distinctive Corvettes ever built. Everyone loves them, and when they look this good, falling in love is easy. The hatchback profile greatly improved Corvette aerodynamics as well as the car's overall look, and it's enhanced by the slight chin spoiler up front, the ducktail spoiler out back, and the T-tops up top. All the trim is in good condition as well, including the blacked-out rocker panels and front fender louvers that add a bit of contrast to an otherwise very monochromatic car and the lone Corvette badges fore and aft that are still great shape as well.

The 23,817 miles shown are believed authentic, although this car could easily claim half as many miles based on the condition of the cool Doeskin leather interior. Save for the driver seat cover, the interior is original, extraordinary for 40 years of entertainment. With the T-tops off, you'll appreciate the light color, and it works very well to hide dirt, so it always looks great and has aged gracefully unlike many of its siblings (I'm looking at you, 1978 Collector's Edition). Corvettes typically came loaded with options, and this one is no exception, carrying things like power 4-wheel disc brakes, power steering, power windows, power locks, a tilt/telescopic wheel, and factory A/C that's been converted to R134a refrigerant. The original AM/FM/Cassette radio is still in place and fully operational, the original leather-wrapped steering wheel still anchors the cabin, and a factory center console houses a shifter for the automatic transmission below. The dash is super-clean and shows no fading or cracks, the door panels practically look new, and the plush carpets below are protected with matching carpeted mats. Clean as can be and presented just like it would've been in 1980, this cabin is about as dialed-in as they come.

The Code H 305 cubic inch under the hood is the original, numbers-matching engine, and in 1980 it was the motor you got if you lived in California, which means that's where this car originally hails from. Factory rated at 180 HP, it's still wearing a correct Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel under the twin-snorkel air cleaner, the engine bay is highly original, showing the usual minor wear and no glaring issues. A recent detail has brightened things up and you can see many of the original decals and markings are still in place, while correct blue engine enamel can still be found on the engine and valve covers. The exhaust system is still original too, catalytic convertor and all, and the twin pipes out back bark out a soundtrack that you'll never get tired of hearing. The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission has crisp shifts and quick reflexes and the suspension is a good compromise between handling and comfort, making this Corvette very easy to drive. Four-wheel discs have been standard equipment since 1965, and the C3s featured some of the most powerful binders of the era. Machined aluminum wheels are just the right compliment to the beige paint, and wear 255/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GTII white-letter radials.

Fast, comfortable, and timeless, this is a great entry-level 'Vette that delivers more than most with an awesome pedigree and survivor status, all for a bargain price. Call today!