1980 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe                     

The third generation of Corvettes, known as the C3's, ran from 1968 to 1982.  Famed designer Larry Shinoda is credited with penning the design inspired by his 1965 Mako Shark II concept car.  The C3 would go through several body modifications over the years and in 1980, the cars had a wider appearance with the integration of front spoilers into the bumper cover and a redesigned hood.

For consignment, a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette coupe.  This is a black on oyster car with a manual gearbox, garage kept by the same owner for the past 35 years and he has provided us with a list of items that are newer on the car.  

Exterior
Few colors are as desirable on a Corvette as black and this one wears it well.  This first year of the exterior redesign gives the C3 an aerodynamic stance that makes it look lower and wider than previous iterations.  Fenders rise above the hood which now includes a sculpted aero bulge.  The fenders blend into the shoulder line which rise at the door handle and swoop over the rear wheels before sloping to the rear wing.  This tail is sculpted into the bodywork and leans over the rear fascia with quad tail lights.  The curved rear window tapers down to the rear deck where air that has spilled over the car is now launched skyward by the wing to create downforce on this fast moving black jet.  And like a jet, the glass T-tops allow in light like a canopy and are easily removed for open air driving without compromising structural rigidity.  Functional side vents, a staple of Corvettes, blend with the black paint and outlined in sculpted bodywork for emphasis.  Stock YJ8 Corvette wheels were an excellent design choice and look better than most aftermarket wheels could.  Imperfections include some bubbling in the paint, significant flex cracking on the injection molded polyurethane front and rear bumper covers, numerous random scratches, gravel chips throughout, and some curb rash on the wheels. 

Interior
Oyster is sort of a pearlescent shade of white and it starts on the vinyl panels of the long doors.  A gray carpeted lower panel is high enough to house the armrest while all other controls are towards the front of the door.  The vinyl shows its age a bit with wavy piping and some loose fitment.  The two piece leather sport seats are distinctively Corvette and the driver's side shows a good bit of wear and discoloration and tells the story of a car used as intended!  Some leather cracking is noted in the passenger seat as well but not as bad and both seats provide good lower seat support.  Newer gray carpet covers the storage area behind the seats as well as the floor and is in very good condition, protected by carpeted Corvette mats.  A newer leather wrapped steering wheel is mounted on a tilting and telescoping column in need of some detailing, and it leads to a simple black plastic gauge cluster with speed and RPM on display flanking idiot lights.  The center stack is more jet like with numerous gauges and a clock just above an AM/FM radio and climate controls.  A glowing orb is in the center console and it's the chrome knob to the shifter, housed in a hard, flat plastic surround and a black leather boot.  Gazing upward, we see the tinted T-tops and oyster colored plastic surround which is in fine condition.  Keeping things weatherproofed is all new weatherstripping as per our consignor  

Drivetrain
A 350ci V8 L48 is under the fiberglass hood and is in clean, stock, driver condition.  It has a 4-barrel carburetor and is rated at 190 horsepower.  A non-original T10 4-speed manual transmission is underfoot and sends the power to a 3.07 rear with positraction.  Power disc brakes occupy front and back.  

Undercarriage
Generally clean and dry underneath.  We note a drop of oil on the pan but does not appear to be actively leaking.  The dual exhaust meets at a single catalytic converter and then a newer cat back system shines bright and enters a pair of stock style mufflers before exiting rather discreetly under the bumper cover.  Suspension consists of coil springs in the front and independent rear with frame anchored differential, tubular axle shafts, transverse strut rods and transverse leaf springs. 

Drive-Ability
The trusty 350 cuber started up without a hitch and off we rolled onto the test loop with this lean and low machine, like a stingray on the ocean floor.  It turns without the hint of lean and accelerates well and shifts smoothly.  All operations work as intended with the exception of the A/C which the consignor noted needs a charge. 

The 1979 Corvette set a record with more than 50,000 being produced.  In 1980, the number would be just over 40,000 and for a Corvette, that's a big number, almost twice the amount of yearly C2 production.  This was a popular car and still considered a daily driver for people who wanted something more than the average coupe.  It's a car that will still look good in 50 years.  This is a great example that could use a good detail but is otherwise ready to provide fun drives ahead! 

1Z878AS414510

1-Chevrolet
Z-Corvette
87-Coupe
8-350ci V8 L48 4bbl 190hp
A-1980
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
414510-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

D21-November 21st
TRIM 122-Oyster White Leather
PAINT 19L-Black

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!