Chevrolet - Corvette C3 - 1981

Starting bid
€ 1

Add to your favourites to get an alert when the auction starts.

Nicolas Olszowski
Expert
Estimate  € 12,000 - € 14,000
Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 136024 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Description from the seller

Body and paint

1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3 in an exceptionally original condition, preserved without full restoration or rebuilding. This is a car for those who value authenticity, because most examples currently available on the market have already been restored to a greater or lesser extent.

The body is straight, with no signs of major post-accident repairs. The car retains its original color and presents very well. Before being put up for sale, it was professionally polished to emphasize the preserved paint condition.

During my ownership, the car was not repainted nor subjected to bodywork and paint repairs. Only a professional paint correction, polishing, and detailing were performed before the car was sold.

The only element requiring attention is the front hood, where the paint lifts in places. Photos of this area can be found in the gallery. Apart from that, the car looks very good and makes an excellent impression both up close and from a distance.

Seals, glass, lighting, and trim are in good condition. The front windshield was replaced in the past due to a crack in the original glass. The car does not require bodywork.

Mechanical condition

The odometer reads about 97,000 miles.

The engine runs perfectly, starting reliably both cold and warm. There are no alarming noises, knocking, or excessive smoke. The engine bay retains a very original appearance.

The automatic transmission shifts smoothly without jerks. The steering, suspension, and brakes function correctly. The car drives confidently, steadily, and in keeping with the character of the Corvette C3.

The vehicle is fully mechanically sound and ready to drive. During my ownership, only necessary servicing and replacement of worn consumables were performed.

Interior condition

The interior has retained its original character and has never undergone a full restoration. Before sale, the interior was professionally cleaned and cared for.

During my ownership the seat upholstery and the complete floor coverings were replaced, so the interior looks very neat and well-kept. Other interior elements retain their original character.

The dashboard is original and has never been restored. It has a few cracks due to the vehicle’s age, which are visible in the photos in the gallery.

All gauges, switches, and electrical equipment work correctly. The only exception is the factory clock, which currently does not operate.

Documentation

According to the documents, the car had only one owner before me. I have the registration papers and extensive photographic documentation showing the current state of the vehicle.

The VIN number, vehicle designations, and equipment are consistent with the factory specifications. The car has also retained the proper factory paint code, in accordance with the manufacturer’s identification plate.

This is a very honest and highly original Corvette C3. The car has never undergone a full restoration or major rebuilding, allowing it to retain features that are increasingly hard to find in today’s examples. It is an excellent option for a collector or American automotive enthusiast seeking an authentic Corvette ready to drive and enjoy.
Equipped with the factory Chevrolet L81 5.7 V8 engine rated at 190 HP (142 kW), matching the VIN 1Z87HAS416689

Body and paint

1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3 in an exceptionally original condition, preserved without full restoration or rebuilding. This is a car for those who value authenticity, because most examples currently available on the market have already been restored to a greater or lesser extent.

The body is straight, with no signs of major post-accident repairs. The car retains its original color and presents very well. Before being put up for sale, it was professionally polished to emphasize the preserved paint condition.

During my ownership, the car was not repainted nor subjected to bodywork and paint repairs. Only a professional paint correction, polishing, and detailing were performed before the car was sold.

The only element requiring attention is the front hood, where the paint lifts in places. Photos of this area can be found in the gallery. Apart from that, the car looks very good and makes an excellent impression both up close and from a distance.

Seals, glass, lighting, and trim are in good condition. The front windshield was replaced in the past due to a crack in the original glass. The car does not require bodywork.

Mechanical condition

The odometer reads about 97,000 miles.

The engine runs perfectly, starting reliably both cold and warm. There are no alarming noises, knocking, or excessive smoke. The engine bay retains a very original appearance.

The automatic transmission shifts smoothly without jerks. The steering, suspension, and brakes function correctly. The car drives confidently, steadily, and in keeping with the character of the Corvette C3.

The vehicle is fully mechanically sound and ready to drive. During my ownership, only necessary servicing and replacement of worn consumables were performed.

Interior condition

The interior has retained its original character and has never undergone a full restoration. Before sale, the interior was professionally cleaned and cared for.

During my ownership the seat upholstery and the complete floor coverings were replaced, so the interior looks very neat and well-kept. Other interior elements retain their original character.

The dashboard is original and has never been restored. It has a few cracks due to the vehicle’s age, which are visible in the photos in the gallery.

All gauges, switches, and electrical equipment work correctly. The only exception is the factory clock, which currently does not operate.

Documentation

According to the documents, the car had only one owner before me. I have the registration papers and extensive photographic documentation showing the current state of the vehicle.

The VIN number, vehicle designations, and equipment are consistent with the factory specifications. The car has also retained the proper factory paint code, in accordance with the manufacturer’s identification plate.

This is a very honest and highly original Corvette C3. The car has never undergone a full restoration or major rebuilding, allowing it to retain features that are increasingly hard to find in today’s examples. It is an excellent option for a collector or American automotive enthusiast seeking an authentic Corvette ready to drive and enjoy.
Equipped with the factory Chevrolet L81 5.7 V8 engine rated at 190 HP (142 kW), matching the VIN 1Z87HAS416689

Details

Brand
Chevrolet
Model type
Corvette C3
Year
1981
Located in
Lithuania
Mileage reading
97930 mi
Registration papers
with American registration
Transmission
Automatic
Fuel
Petrol
Colour
Red
Horse power
142
Cubic capacity
5700
Matching numbers
No
Matching colours
Yes
Service book/history
No
Valid MOT
No
CoC (Certificate of Conformity) present
No
Certificate available
No
Chassis number
1Z87HAS416689
Condition (Paint & body)
Very Good: minor chips or scratches, minor conventional body and paintwork
Condition (Interior)
Very Good: clean, showing minimal wear. May require replacement of minor missing or broken parts
Condition (Frame & underbody)
Very Good: frame/structure is in a well preserved condition, minor signs of usage/wear
Condition (Mechanical)
Very Good: mechanically sound, may require minor service
Condition (Overall)
Very good condition: minimal signs of wear

Vehicle registration

Buyers are responsible for vehicle's registration, not the seller or Catawiki.

Request help with registration from a third-party service provider.
LithuaniaVerified
3
Objects sold
Private

Disclaimer

Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.

Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.

Similar objects

For you in

Classic Cars