Corvettes for Sale: Modded 1981 Has Side Pipes and a 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Two of the major complaints about the C3s of the late ’70s and early ’80s: low horsepower and lack of a manual transmission.

This updated white 1981 Corvette being auctioned off on Bring a Trailer provides solutions, however.

A 350/330 horsepower Vortec V8 crate engine and a Tremec five-speed manual transmission have been installed as part of a mild resto-mod effort over the years that also includes power-assisted Wilwood disc brakes, 17-inch US Mags chrome and black wheels, a Holley Street Warrior carburetor, electronic ignition, side exhausts, stainless steel headers, and a retro-style digital stereo.

Unfortunately, some people may be nervous about the Carfax, which notes that this Corvette was declared a total loss after vandalism in May 1992 and that the front end was subsequently damaged in a November 2019 accident. The current owner bought the car in 2020 and says he had to repair the fender assembly in August 2021 when the left front wheel came off. At the same time, he also refinished the T-tops, nose, and a rear quarter panel.

Receipts and a hand-written yellow notepad show a ton of other work that’s been done on the car over the years, including $9,265 for a new transmission and a 3.73:1 Positraction differential in 2020. Nearly $1,500 worth of carburetor work followed in 2021, and $1,236 worth of brake, exhaust, sway arm, and tie rod repairs were completed in February this year. The crate engine had been installed sometime after a previous owner bought the car in 2012.

The black leather interior, which was replaced by a previous owner, remains in good condition.

The car comes with two sets of T-tops, one painted white and the other made of smoked plexiglass.

So far, the highest bid is $7,100, with the auction ending two days from now. How much would you be willing to pay?

Source:
BringaTrailer.com

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