I have an '80 myself, and while it may not be a horsepower beast it has more than enough get up and go to have fun with because of how light it is and the lower gears that the factory put in them...plus, I feel so damn cool driving it around town haha.

It’s 2021 - I just bought a 40 year old Corvette and I’m in love with it! It’s weak and uncomfortable, but it’s fun to drive, fun to look at, and quite cheap to maintain.

Took me 33 years to arrive but arrived I have, in my 2014 C7.

One of the best corvettes ever ❤️❤️❤️

@jogmas12

3 жыл бұрын

Not for horse power

The "waka-waka" guitar throughout is magic!

I'm also the proud owner of an '81 Corvette, and I have arrived.

i'm an owner of a 1980 Corvette and i have been waiting .

What a beautiful handsome looking car.......that C3 bodystyle of the years...." 80, 81 & 82 "......are my favorites......i don't own a C3 yet.....but i will someday.....but i do own a C4.....1989......" I LOVE CORVETTES !!! "

I'm an owner of a 1981 Corvette and I have arrived. ;-)

@angelafowke4938

6 жыл бұрын

Squiggy Wigginz

@daveb1081

4 жыл бұрын

ive got one aswell and it's such a blast!

@SquiggyWigginz

4 жыл бұрын

@@daveb1081 you have arrived!

@daveb1081

4 жыл бұрын

@@SquiggyWigginz indeed i have!

At my age, style & comfort are what counts.

I don't think the driver needs that helmet for this 81 Corvette's "whopping" "190" HP engine. lol

@sqr2024

4 жыл бұрын

Omar Vale it’s stig

@daveb1081

4 жыл бұрын

190 isnt as bad as everyone makes it out to be, once you hit 3000 rpm the car just starts taking off! it's quite a powerhouse

@rocket4332

3 жыл бұрын

190hp is great

@TheButterygoodness

3 жыл бұрын

I agree. I own one - a 4 speed that less than 4K were built. It's got a lot of modifications including camshaft, crankshaft, exhaust, intake manifold etc Way more than 190 HP now but a helmet? no. The car is fiberglass and has fewer safety features than a Styrofoam cup. If I get hit, I'm dead.

@thud9797

5 ай бұрын

I drove a brand new 81 4-speed several times and was surprised at how well it went. Top speed? Never tried it but probably close to 130 mph. And on a racetrack a helmet is required either way.

The 81 was nothing to have to wear a crash helmet for at all. It was one of the 1st efforts to get away from the "old school" engine and all of the modern society problems it had. They had a long way to go but it was a cute start. They softened the ride to make it more luxurious since it wasn't exactly a street racer anymore. One of the nicest of the C3s for body style but they all were excellent on looks.

this makes me want an old stingray. reminds me of riding in one as a kid. so loud and always reminded me of the batmobile

corvette forever

I’m a proud to have myself a project car. (1981 C3 Vette) doing a complete rebuild can’t wait to whip it around

Interior quality was still high on these models.

No boasting about performance because it only had 180 hp. Thanks to the EPA. Today's automotive engineers are geniuses in getting amazing performance despite government restrictions.

@IlhamDefraN

7 жыл бұрын

i'm not american, but what i know in late 70-80's was kind of 'crisis' in US, so that affect many economic segment in US, including automotive industry

@jo23bulls

5 жыл бұрын

Such a shame. This is my favorite body style of the old vettes.

@timconnell9587

4 жыл бұрын

The 1981 Corvette was rated at 190 bhp which was common for a sports car. I bought one used in 1984. I'm glad I couldn't afford the new 84 Corvette although I wanted one. Looking back the 84 Vette had so many issues with the crossfire injection and problems with the electronics.

I have to admit you are right on! I love the pop up headlights as well!

i own the 1981 just got it repainted all black and orange pinstripes all vintage interior 350 bored over to a 383 this car is baddass

@dstarks80 Nice comment. Prince wrote a song about this year car called Little Red Corvette. I have one as it is stored right now for the winter. Even those these cars were not the fastest corvette, to me the 80 81 and 82 look the best!

I BOUGHT A 1981 CORVETTE WITH AM/FM RADIO, AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ALUMINUM WHEELS, AND GLASS T-TOPS USED IN 1982 FOR $15,500. IT HAD AN EIGHTY MPH SPEEDOMETER. WAS CHARCOAL GRAY WITH SILVER INTERIOR. OTHER CORVETTE DRIVERS WOULD WAVE HELLO, SOMETHING I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN ANY OTHER CAR.

I like how one of the headlights pops up more slowly than the other.

@TheCarCrazyGuy

8 жыл бұрын

Most likely vacuum powered

@USCG.Brennan

7 жыл бұрын

Mike.....how many Vette's have you owned?? All my Stingrays (6) did the same thing (1965-1982). No big thing......

@mizuxoo

5 күн бұрын

@@TheCarCrazyGuyif you’re still alive, it is vacuum powered

@BrotherHubbs That would very much explain it! I am a 17 soon to be 18 year old swede with a passion for amerikan cars, especially Chevys, Olds. I Don't have a driverslicense since You have to be 18 to get it in Sweden. I'm currently not a Corvette-owner, but I hope to be some time after the summer, when the prices go down. The modell my budget would allow me to buy is a C4, but I'm aiming for a C3 and maybe also a C2. I'm thinking of getting a Camaro instead, but time will tell how it goes!

I had a 1980 red with l48 automatic .It didn't have much power but I loved the look of it !

just got that car. dad traded his motorcycle for it. got a little fixing up to do but it will be alive in no time. best dad in the world.

Back then,we,CORVETTE owners /drivers would greet each other by turning the light switch "ON" Fast enough and back "OFF" & it appeared like a "WINK". I had an '82 fully equipped. The auto tranny was Always CONFUSED. NEVERTHELESS, I ENJOYED IT...

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

I usually wave at the other vettes lol

I own a 1980 Vette,.......ripped all the emissions off....done away with the air conditioning.....fitted a new 650 Holly......and wow what a difference.....we don't have the emission laws in Britian for 1980 so all legal.......!!

Love them all I have a red 66

I took my modified C5 Z06 to Laguna Seca. What a blast :D

I agree with you,the C3 was sexy,but try to imagine the impact the C4 had in the auto market in 1984,it was simply the most advanced car in the world back in the day,there was too much stuff to list:Cx 0.34,best brakes in the market,quickest steering ever only 2 turns and the first time an automatic was faster than a manual,among several other things,it was really something...

@BrotherHubbs I agree, the pop up lights were the hallmark of a Corvette. My dad has this car (the 1981).

SOld!!! Also is that the voice from A Christmas Story, Ralphie!

Got a C-7 and a C-3, guess which one gets more attention? yep, the C-3!

Funny you say that....I was driving up from NC and a Mustang GT pulled up along side me on I-95 outside of Richmond. He wanted to test it so we went, and after dropping down to 2nd gear and pushing the pedal to the floor, when I hit fourth he was fading fast in my rearview mirror!!!!!!!! hahahahahaha

Glad you like the commercial! I love my 81!!!! : )

My Corvette is RED ON RED TOO I am having a brand new engine installed with more horsepower. I cant wait till i get it back!!

@daveb1081

4 жыл бұрын

my 81 is red on red and it's awsome!

Got a '69 myself and love it. Love all C3 vettes though!

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

I've got a red on red 81, I really want a 69 but I'm 18 and don't have the money for a beast as such!

Pwm - I totally understand how you feel. I loved the C3 all my life. I use to make models of them when i was a kid. Like what the commercial says, "For The INDIVDIUAL That Has Arrived!!" HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHHA

I own an '80, same car except for the L82 in mine. No, they do not "slip through the wind".....wind noise is very pronounced at 80mph. I installed a 700-R4 overdirve so I can easily cruise at that speed all day, its LOUD! Top of the windshield, the break behind the door glass causes buffeting and sounds like the glass is slightly open... never mind the tire noise right behind you. I live in central Texas and the speed limits here are 85mph.

I had an 81. Stock it was 190hp and not much of a mover. But after a top end rebuild removing the stock 224 duration 380 lift cam and replacing it with a 284 dur 480 lift as well as ALL other top end parts replaced with high perf parts, alum heads, as well as removing the Borg Warner T-10 4spd (that I blew up twice) and replacing it with a Muncie M-21 4spd the very tame Corvette that I purchased turned into a 300hp MONSTER that wasted EVERYTHING on four wheels!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like a nice 81!!!

I wish I had one of these with an LS7 and a six speed transmission:)

@larrydrozd2740

3 жыл бұрын

No...you don't. The chassis is from 1962 and the rear end is entirely made out of aluminum. You WILL break it, really quick too, putting that power through it. So unless you want to spend a fortune and reinvent the wheel and modify the ENTIRE chassis and drive line to make it reliable and actually be able to control it....then, knock yourself out.

1974 was the last year for the big block.. Under rated at 300hp and 400ft lbs.. Typical of chevy to under rate. The last year was 82.. Power was down to just shy of 200hp and 285 ft lbs. Still pretty good..

The C3 Corvettes looked the ultimate sports car to me, although a 1967 Stingray looks great too. The 1969 Corvette coupe has to be the best looker. The C4 is great looking too and although it has straighter lines than a C3 its a great looking car for the times..1980's along with the ferrari 308's.

I will admit you are right When the 84 corvette came out, i never really liked the car again. It was a completelly differnt machine and the body didnt have the lines like the C3 had and was not as sporty etc...But i cant wait until the 2013 corvette comes out! It! Peoples mouths are going to drop when they see this car on the street!!

@mysterybat35 I agree on the Camaro. I had a couple 3rd gens but never got into anything after '92.

Ha ha ha."Smoothly through the wind".Unless you got a window down, and then it's like a hurricane.And the air drag coming off the top of the windshield,when the tops are on, sounds real smooth. And I think test driver dude had the right idea wearing a helmet in that bucket.I had mine up to 137 mph, and shut it down.With all the bump steer, I needed both lanes to keep it in line.I'm sure it'll go faster ,but won't be trying to find out without a helmet. But ya know what? I'll never sell it

Thats too bad. I love the pop up headlights. The new vettes dont even have them anymore. What a shame.

Even brand new the lights didn't come up at the same time?

@boomer1991 I also own the car. I just went to the Bloomington Corvette show here in ILLinois and it was one of the best Corvette shows i have ever been too. i drove my 1981 red on red corvette there. Yes the pop up headlights are great. I was driving the car last week and a person driving next to me at a stoplight asked if i turn them off and back on again to show his little daughter and she loved it!

Baby makin music.

Own a 78 C3 with a 350 355 horse crate motor. 700R4. Trans. Much better then new s true Resto Mod. A wolf I'm sheep's clothing

haha well I like the pop up headlamps I just would have liked them more if they were single lamp instead of double lamp.. and the other thing is that they don't open at the same time, first time I saw that I thought something might be wrong with those headlamps, I would keep them close all the time, that car is beautiful, to me is the best looking corvette ever made

@R. Smith not in the case of the appearance of? The C4 is an ugly duckling against the C3, it was and is the most beautiful corvette all times. The late C3 was battered by the oil crisis, with little horsepower, as opposed to the early 3C, these are all breath taking! All in all, the C4 had a few good innovations, but the C3 is a beautiful legend!

Just got this same car , with red interior and 4speed . 70,000 original kms

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

got mine, red on red, 65,000 original for 9500, numbers match, great paint, original interior, and it's my first car lol

Still the nicest bodystyle Corvette ever had! Ilove my C3! But mine is a 210 wide body greenwood with a 750 HP engine, not that oil crisis engine!

@BrotherHubbs I read that all C3s were difficult cars to assemble due to all the bodywork needed when working on the FRP and keeping everything clean, especially in the St. Louis plant, was a bitch. And let's not get into the panel alignment...

The REAL C3 is the -68-73 models with chromed bumpers. They f*****d the C3 up with all the plastic.

Hey dude I agree with you, you got that right, I Love the C3 body style I call it the Female body style, just like women has those curves. When I was young I worked at a Chevy dealer Parking these babies man they were awesome. And as far as the Dodge Viper the newer Vettes do resemble the Viper,man they really look like them.I thought may be they hired the same designer.

@MegaSwenne Nice. I hope you get the car of your Dreams someday. I know there are alot of other cars out there worth a hell of alot more then a 81 Corvette, but too me the 81 Corvette I own now is my Passion. Unfortunally one of the tires went flat from can you believe it, a pair of Long nose Plyers was on the street and my corvettes passenger tire hit them and it ruined the tire so now i am looking for a used Eagle GT 2 solid white lettering 15" tire but they are literlly impossible to find! :(

No Problem! I love this car! As a matter of fact, i own one!!! : )

@BrotherHubbs you know the 80-82 model Vettes are my favorite as far as looks are concerned .. I too like the pop up lights but I usually prefer them with the lights down ... I know in the rain and at night u pretty much have to use them but I still prefer the popups over the look of the new vettes. the new vettes too closely resemble a Dodge Viper

When Altman Chevrolet was on Miami Beach I used to walk over there and drool over these. They were badly made like all GM cars in 1981 but in those days it's only real rival was the 280 ZX. One advantage the C3 had over the C4 it was a useable as every day transport car. You could get in and out with no problems. The C4 that came after was a creature of Roger Smith's GM

@mysterybat35 Beauty is subjective. Some of us like the boxy look of 80s cars. Plenty of C4s owners bought them because they prefer the look. Personally I think C3s are the sexiest but C4s are the cleanest and have the space ship feel with the digital dash. I'd be happy to own one of each. Along with my Mustang :)

The C3 Corvette was the body style I least cared about from 1974-1983 but it's still a great looking vette... Now the 1968-1973 Stingray was the best of that body style in my opinion... I actually like the C3 Stingray more than the C4 body style, up to 1990 anyway. Everybody has different opinions on what body style they like best obviously... This is just my opinion.

I'm hoping to find a '78 Disco machine.

Yes, and the bottom line is that they were getting a bit long in the tooth to say the least in the early 80's. The chassis was still the one they had used 20 years before which debuted with the original Sting Ray. While almost 20 year old chassis did appear in mass produced cars all over the world those were all either econoboxes, station wagons or vans/trucks. For a "state-of-the-art" supercar (especially from a huge company) this was cynicism towards the customers.

The reason they where not the best quailty is because GM pumped out over 40 thousand so it was i high production sports car but i still love there look and havnt seen a corvette since that had the lines (except for the last C3 which i shyed away from because of all the electrical problems i read and that crossfire fuel injection was not the best design) until i read about the 60th aniversary corvette (2013) that if all goes well will, hit the dealers in the fall of 2012. Look out Ponys out there

naw, the bubble hood is when the c3 stopped being a c3. 1977 model was the last REAL c3 in my opinion.

Oh come on! I love the pop up headlights!! Get with it! HAHAHAHAHHAHAH

C3 is a great looking car... A sport tourer... Not a track car... 1975 was the last year for many purists..

That was one great car, I miss it.. But it was a hard rider, but as you drove it - it just out classed the other cars of 1981... Now, a newer model is just like the other cookie cutter cars, they all have boost and aerodynamics styles...

Some 81's headlights may not open up at the same time but mine does. That is so minor. Who the hell cares anyways. It is the most beautiful corvette ever made

That moment when the headlights were wonky even from the factory.

i had no frigin idea my corvette had a adjustable steering wheel

THANK YOU... WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS GREAT PROMO.... THANK YOU

Why on earth would you set this video so that others cannot share the link as a reference? Opening it up provides your channel with better monetization stats, no?

@MegaSwenne Hi Mega, I disagree with your statement about the chromed bumpers. I personally really don't care for the chrome bumpers. I own a 81 corvette and love it even tho i know there not the fastest vette but they look great to me without chrome. My ole man loves the C3's too with the chrome bumpers but its all in what you like and what a boring world it would be if we all like the same thing.

That funky disco soundtrack they used makes me wnat to buy an 81 vette and pick up some hot chick in a mini-skirt.

@BrotherHubbs Wow, that's quite unfortunate! I bet I will, the amount of beautiful cars in the world is damn near infinite! But, for now, my 2.5 litre, straight 5, turbodiesel Mercedes will have to do, until my budget allow me to buy my Vette!

@mysterybat35 Finally! Someone else noticed that the C6 Vettes are Viper wannabees. Still hot cars tho...

@dukeallen2001 no problem. and I understand what you mean about beauty being subjective.. good point.. and another car is the Camaro.. I love the new ones and the older ones but the 4th gen camaros are just not the bee's knees lol.. just my opinion tho

@BrotherHubbs It's true that we think different of things, and I respect your opinion on the matter. It's just that it saddens me that Chevy destroyed the looks of the -74 and newer Corvettes and Camaros with the new designs, in my opinion that is. I'm not trying to shove anything down someones throat.

@MegaSwenne No Problem Bro.. I never even thought of you shoving anything downs anyones throat. I am 49 years old and the 80 81 and 82 came out when I was 18 19 and 20 years old. Maybe that has to do with it. I dont know. I just love the 80 to 82'a vettes looks the best but thats just me. My old man loves the chrome bumpers too on the older C3's. I was curious to know your age and if you own a Corvette yourself and what year is it etc?

I have one... red too. Lots of modifications. Sucks gas and hauls ass.

Do you have any 1974 corvette commercials ? ? ?

@scren99 It sounds like you need a new front end

A 1960's design in the 1980's. This car got way too long in the tooth for production. Way out of date by 1981. No mention of the smogger mandated 305 for CA in 1980.

Driven by the stig!

Only thing I've never liked are those headlamps.. Awesome car all the way around except for that I'd say

Slooooow!

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

garentee you don't own nor have driven one, they are snappy, and big on power if you get the motor up there

@brycebatchelder10 You cannot bore to 383, you stroke it to a 383...lol

Must have been a very disappointing test day with a redline of 4400rpm and only 170hp on tap. "Either way its 5.7liter 350 C I D V8 makes Corvette one lethargic sports machine!"

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

190 net, it's really not bad, I've revved mine to 5k and let off after that, it's got some get up and go, but it's not super powerful, I can tell the motor has more in it, it just needs to be woken up

these engines were so weak stock. that primitive fuel injection didn't do it any favors either. in the process of redoing one of these cars and so much money has to be spent to just open things up for horsepower. the 80s were truly the dark ages for cars I hate to say it. cant beat the 11 to 1 compression lead burning monsters from the 60s.

Ok give it another 20hp then. All I said was they are gutless just like everything else produced from 74' to 93'. I love C3 Vettes and have nothing against yours. In fact there is 80' down the street from me I'd love to own. My dad had a 78' Silver Anni and because the L-82 was laughable he tossed a L-T1 from a 70' vette in it to make it perform the way it should have. Late 70's early 80's Vettes are great looking but they are slow. Oh and for the record I like the pop up headlights.

Notice they didn't show the 85 mph speedo.

@sebastiane_606

8 жыл бұрын

They did. And pretty much all speedometers were up to 85 back in the day but that car can go about 130 to 140

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

@@sebastiane_606 I've had mine maxed out on a back road, speedo hit 85 and it still had some room to rev, I'd say 100 probably max

put a new create motor really nice car but that 190 hp engine has to go it's a real slug ,I mean really slow but it really looks good when not moving

very small leg room!

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

78-82 has more than the 68-77, that's one of the reasons I got an 81, I'm about , 6 foot and have a good amount of room

I am 5ft 10 so no prb with me.

@daveb1081

3 жыл бұрын

same, 5'11 here and no issues, the earlier models are a tight squeeze which is why I went with a later one

you me what is go