1980 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe



The C3 Corvette, built between 1968 and 1982, was the third generation of Chevrolet's venerable Corvette sports car. Occasionally seen as polarizing, the C3 garnered both praise and criticism for its radical design, purpose and driving dynamics. Expectations were huge when the model launched. Zora Arkus-Duntov and Billy Mitchell, the second generation C2 Corvette designers, had just built the hugely successful, powerful, and respected Sting Ray Corvette. Even today, the Sting Ray is widely regarded as one of the best Corvette models ever made.



Classic Auto Mall is proud to present this 1980 Corvette. Turning the spotlight on we are met with a beautifully designed and bathed in charcoal blue body, retina searing red leather interior, and some deep dish rally wheels. Some new parts and new paint make this one of the most striking late C3 'Vettes to ever grace our Hallowed Halls.



Exterior

From the swooping front long racing style hood, to the simple 4 round lighted rear with just a touch of spoiler, this car presents in a respray of a blue tinted charcoal metallic finish. Showing some chips, scratches, light spider cracking and inclusions in the paint, it is not perfect, but still beautifully designed. These flaws can only be noticed upon careful inspection and disappear when more than 5 feet away from the body. Hidden headlights up front give it an aerodynamic feel and the black and stainless rocker trim compliments this body style nicely, and for some sun, you can pop off the body-colored panels of the roof. A long and curved greenhouse rear glass covers a large storage area in the rear. Earlier style deep dish rally wheels adorn the corners and are wrapped in Cooper Cobra raised white letter rubber.



Interior

In wonderful 1980's style the overstuffed padded bolster seats with deep inserts and high backs provide the seating for this ride. Nearly no age-based wear and folds are present in the red leather of these seats. These are floating in a sea of like new red carpeting which is protected by carpeted mats. A red dash can be seen upfront, and while the raked angle remains for the dash, gauges are now behind a flat piece of clear plastic with some midpoint warning lights stacked next to these gauges. In the center the cluster of 5 gauges remains and just below is an aftermarket stereo neatly inserted courtesy of Alpine with AM/FM/CD capabilities. Temp wheels of the past are now sliders and on the center of the console is a black ball topped chrome shifter and power window controls with some wear to the black insert. The side door panels, like the seats, appear as new with a sensual mix of padded red leather and lush red carpet. The rear carpeted storage area under the greenhouse glass shows as new with the addition of aftermarket speakers.



Drivetrain

With all this charcoal and red we don't want to forget the red line that is on the tachometer and to get there under the hood is a 350ci V8 circa 1969 through 1979 according to the casting number. A RV camshaft has been installed in this engine and a new 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor is atop an Edelbrock intake manifold and shiny valve covers and an air cleaner cover can be seen. Some patina and surface rust is noted within this engine bay but overall things are looking fab. There is a non original TH350 3-speed manual transmission bolted to the back of the engine with a 3.07 rear axle in the back. A new radiator has been installed at the front of this well-kept engine bay.



Undercarriage

Very nicely preserved with some patina on the black paint of the undercoating, and surface rust on the steel parts, but all else is unremarkable and structurally sound. For the front suspension we note an independent SLA type which features coil springs, mounted shock absorbers, and spherical joint steering knock pivots. In back is an independent SLA forged aluminum upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, transverse mono leaf springs, a steel stabilizer bar, and spindle offset. Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners as is power steering and the factory single exhaust with dual mufflers and tailpipes are noted.



Drive-Ability

She fired right up and our date with the test track began. Here it behaved very well with nearly unending acceleration, great handling thanks to all the above geometry, and bias free panic stopping. The leather overstuffed styled seats were nice and comfy. Numerous frowns crept up during our drive, those being the headlights turned on and the passengers light was slow to rotate up and the driver's never came up, the speedometer and odometer are inoperable, the AC blew warm, we heard a distinct vacuum leak from under the dash that went away upon pressing the brake pedal, (a sign of a bad power brake booster), the turn signal stalk is only half its length with the remaining portion made from electrical tape and the

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