Beautiful Red 1981 Chevrolet Corvette - Rare 4-Speed

Beautiful Red 1981 Chevrolet Corvette 4-speed (matching numbers) C3

For sale is this beautiful 1981 Chevrolet Corvette. If you are looking for a classic Corvette that is ready to drive and fun to drive this car is for you. You will be pleased with how this car drives looks and sounds. This car is garage kept and is currently driven weekly. All features work as intended. The rare 4-speed transmission makes this car incredibly fun to drive. The styling the paint and the excellent engine sound turn more heads than a new C7. Every time I pull into the station for fuel this car draws a crowd.

History - This Corvette was one of the last cars built at the St. Louis Assembly Plant in 1981. This car drove off the assembly line on Thursday March 26 1981 and was shipped to southern California. In the late 1990s due to stricter emission standards the car was sold to an owner in Memphis TN then to an owner in Milan TN and finally to me in Martin TN. I am the fourth owner. The exterior is Red #75. The interior is tan camel #642 leather (see picture 20). The car has 78789 actual miles.

Standard Equipment and Options - 1981 Corvette standard equipment include 4-wheel power disc brakes power steering tinted glass concealed variable speed wipers retractable headlamps air conditioning power windows tilt-telescopic leather wrapped steering wheel trip odometer courtesy lights luggage compartment security shade anti-theft alarm system with starter interrupt and chrome engine air cleaner. Optional equipment included power door locks 6-way power driver’s seat rear window defogger electric sport mirrors Gymkhana suspension heavy duty shock absorbers aluminum wheels P255/60R15 raised white letter tires AM/FM electronic tuning stereo/radio with cassette and California emissions. Sticker price when received at the dealer in 1981 was $17637 (base price of $15598 + $1697 in options + $342 destination charge).

Body – This car has never been wrecked or taken off the frame. This car has been driven regularly and is well cared for. It is garage kept and always covered with a fitted car cover (see picture 18). The flannel car cover is included in the sale. The car is never driven in rain or snow. The T-tops are mechanically sound and work flawlessly. The original T-top storage bags are included. The car has always been in the southern half of the United States so there is no salt/ice corrosion underneath. A clean Carfax vehicle history report is available by email - call me or email me to receive the Carfax (731-225-7322 OR scubajimpritchett@gmail.com). The red paint is beautiful and shines so that you can see yourself in every square inch of the painted surface. It is a show quality paint job. I took pictures from every angle to show the paint job accurately. If you want a picture from another angle please let me know.

Drive train – This car has the original engine and original transmission. The VIN numbers on the window pillar (see picture 21) engine block (see picture 22) and transmission (see picture 23) all match. The engine is an RPO-L81 produced in Flint Michigan on March 18 1981. The engine code is ZDC indicating a California model 4-speed combination. The engine has never been pulled and is in excellent working condition. The original Rochester quadrajet four-barrel carburetor runs/idles well and was professionally rebuilt in 2013. The stock exhaust has been replaced with headers and true dual exhaust with flowmaster mufflers. The oxygen sensor is in place and the check engine light does not come on due to the headers (or for any other reason!) This engine sounds great! The engine fan has been replaced with a high performancefan. I still have the original fan that is included with the purchase.

Transmission is the original 4-speed 1LT-10A California edition manufactured on December 17 1980. The clutch is tight and the transmission shifts smoothly. This 4-speed is so much fun to drive! Manual transmissions were rare in 1981 - only 5757 produced out of 40606 1981 corvettes. 1981 marked the first time in many years that the 4-speed manual transmission was available in California so the California edition manual 4-speeds are even more exclusive. This transmission has been serviced regularly but never pulled off the car.

The rear end/differential is the original posi-traction 2.72 ratio unit as installed at the factory. All universal joints in the drive train have been replaced with new joints that have grease fittings.

The brakes perform flawlessly – great stopping power and no squeal. The entire brake system including the emergency brake has been reworked. The emergency brake will hold the car on the steepest hill. The master cylinder booster front brake lines brake pads emergency brake shoes and all four calipers have been replaced. I still have the original master cylinder and booster - these will be included with the purchase.

The tires are new BF Goodrich P255/60R15s (see pictures 16 and 17) with less than 250 miles on them. These tires add to the performance corneringand handling that make manual C3s so much fun to drive. The original spare tire is in good shape and is included.

Interior – the interior is all original except for the armrest (the original armrest is included in the sale). The car comes with the original floor mats and a new set of floor mats (see picture 19). The far right side of the dashboard has a small flaw (see pictures 12 and 13).

Electronics – All gauges work as intended. All electronics including the anti-theft alarm system rear window defogger and computer command control system in the car work as intended.The radio has been replaced with a modern CD player and speakers. I have the original radio and original speakers – these are included with the sale of the car.

Miscellaneous – The vacuum-operated headlights work flawlessly (see picture 6).

The air conditioner system (compressor dryer hoses etc) has been replaced and works well – it blows cold on even the warmest days.

The power steering system has been replaced and performs as new (pump hoses cylinder valve etc).

Sale includes original owner’s manual shop manual and restoration guide (see picture 24).

The following parts have been replaced and the originals are included in the sale: cassette radio and speakers driver side electric window motor armrest engine fan with clutch master cylinder brake booster gas tank sending unit various engine sensors and floor mats.

In summary – This beautiful car is ready to show and drive regularly without you spending any $ after the sale. If you travel to look at the car in person you will not be disappointed. When you drive the car you will be sold. If you buy the car you will be very pleased. I am happy to provide a live/virtual drive via face time if you have an iPhone. Upon purchase I will meet you with the car within 100 miles of Martin TN. This would include Memphis TN Jackson TN Nashville TN Paducah KY Cape Girardeau MO Jonesboro AR and Cairo IL. I have reliable options if you need recommendations for delivery from Tennessee. Please e-mail or call me with questions (731-225-7322 OR scubajimpritchett@gmail.com). Thank you for looking and bid with confidence!