How to Check a C3 Corvette Before Buying It

Pre-purchase inspection?
You're probably thinking, "He didn't buy another C3 Corvette, did he?"
But let me explain why I did.
Ok, I don't really have a good explanation, but regardless, I think the car's overall good original condition and the fact that it is a 1981 Vette with a 4-speed transmission, totally justifies the purchase.
Yes, it's going to need a few bucks worth of parts and repairs, but that's par for the course with any over-forty vehicle.
The car runs well, but it can run better, so I will rebuild the carburetor to improve drivability.
It also needs a tune-up. New tires. All fluids replaced, and a few important items such as fixing the windows and the air conditioner will all be taken care of.
I am not sure at this point if I will pull the engine to give it a once-over, so we'll have to see what kind of progress I make and how far I decide to go down the rabbit hole.
The car has a new Quadrajet, new carpet, and best of all, a pair of brand-new glass T-tops (those alone are worth $1.5K).
The body is straight, there are no fluid leaks of any kind, and the birdcage and chassis are rust-free. I will also try to bring the paint back to life.
Anyway, it will (hopefully) provide many hours of entertainment for you and (unfortunately), lots of work for me. But I think i am up to the task.
So stay tuned for the start of the 1981 Corvette Project and I hope you will enjoy each and every episode.
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on cars and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
The repairs and other work I do are for my own benefit and entertainment, and even though my videos may appear to give technical how-to advice, that's not my intention.
Working on a vehicle is inherently dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a licensed mechanic.
#c3corvette #prepurchasecarinspection

[@BK-pj6nx]

Bought an 81 in 81 right off the showroom floor, was a dream of mine growing up. White with a red interior, T-tops and factory rally wheels. Absolutely stunning! And absolutely the biggest POS I’ve ever owned. For about 6 weeks I was taking it back to the dealer about once a week for something, until one day I started it up and the was an exhaust leak under the hood. Drove it to the dealer again and when the service rep asked me to release the hood from inside the car to see the problem, the entire hood release handle along with the entire cable(maybe 6 feet) pulled right out. The dealer thought it was best if I return it for a full refund, I did. Can’t really blame GM because all the cars from about 74-late 80’s were pretty poorly made. I should know, I’ve had many.

[@thearchane4885]

I have an 80 with white and dark blue interior similar to yours, the interior is leather though instead of cloth. They're worth the work and awesome vintage cars. Good luck with the build, I'm currently getting mine restored

[@76vette]

Awesome. This one I would call a “survivor.” Everything is there and mostly original. Happy that the seats are in good condition and those are so comfortable compared with the ones in my ‘76. I hope you car’s restoration is done soon. The anticipation must be tough. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@brianjschumer]

I have a 79..White with blue interior, was originally light blue, but great paint from previous owner

[@76vette]

@@brianjschumer 😊👍🏻

[@danorourke5184]

Awesome can’t wait to watch the transformation! I consider cars in this condition a fun car to piddle with, a car you can go out every evening and do a couple hrs worth of work after dinner and get something accomplished, nothing like a full restoration where you can put in hour after hour and hardly notice anything has been done! If that paint is original and being lacquer it should buff up nice and lacquer is easy to do spot painting, I would bet you can make it look good without a total repaint especially being a non metallic and white! Again looking forward to the upcoming videos! Thanks for sharing!

[@76vette]

Thanks, Dan. I agree with getting a few items taken care of at a time. Today, I gave it a much-needed bath to get the exterior detailing started. It was time well spent. I am calling this one a “survivor” because it’s mostly all there and original, just used for forty-plus years. Used-not abused-being key. And I will definitely try to save the paint. White is very forgiving and I think when it’s done it will look great. A complete interior detailing is also happening soon and I will have video. So stay tuned! Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@anthonycammaroto7013]

Congrats on your new to you 81 .. looks like she is all there ..being a purist I love to see cars that are pretty much all original .. i am sure you will bring her back to 1981 again looking forward to watching your projects 👍

[@76vette]

In order to really bring it back to 1981 glory, I’m going to need Foreigner and Greg Kihn Band cassette tapes. Lol 😆

[@alzg8779]

The perfect car for you Luis...Congratulations and have fun fixing it up!

[@76vette]

Thank you! Not sure if I will keep it so it may go up for sale once I make up my mind. Regardless of the final decision, I hope it will be an entertaining and maybe educational experience for everyone. Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻

[@LIVEGOOD-PAUL]

If it ends up HALF as nice as the other one you've got one heck of a stable. Cheers!

[@76vette]

Thank you, Paul. Very kind. And thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@ronaldwarren5220]

I purchased a triple black 81 that had been converted to a convertible. The job was nicely done and it drew lots of comments. It was a dog performance wise though. The engine went south and I rebuilt it into a 355 and used aftermarket parts. She was a lot snappier after that. I sold it at Bloomington Gold Mecum the last year they actually had the show in Bloomington itself.

[@oldatarigamer]

Looking forward to updates!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@musclecarmitch908]

Beautiful car! Great color combination! And a 4 speed! 👍

[@76vette]

Thanks, Mitch! The more I look at it, the more I like it. Lol 😆. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@kblopp]

I've sold an 81 Corvette and an 81 Z28 in the past and everyone that showed up for the Vette insisted on it being original and perfect in every way and didn't want to pay shit for it, the Z28 however was altered and cobbled like you wouldn't believe and everybody was begging me to sell it to them.

[@76vette]

I believe it. People pay top buck for 2nd gen F-Bodies. They are nice though. My first Firebird was a 1971 Formula 400 and it was a blast to drive! Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻

[@Motorcycology]

Good Luck with your new C3 and with your work experience and dedication to perfection, I can see this car progressing to be in amazing condition as you go down the restoration path. The 1981s are very nice. I'm looking at getting a second C3 as well...as early as mid Jun 23. Same boat as you. Keep it up. J

[@76vette]

Thank you! And glad to hear you will be adding a second C3 to your stable. They are great cars and fairly easy to work on. Looking forward to a video on your channel about it. Be well! 😊👍🏻

[@Motorcycology]

@@76vette Thanks and heading out to see it now......for the second time lol.

[@76vette]

@@Motorcycology Exciting stuff. If you do get it, send me a link to the video and I’ll post it to the Community tab. 😊👍🏻

[@seanbrimhall4163]

Bravo! Nice to see another 4-speed, duck-tailed, shovel nose, bubble back, disco shark get some love and attention! Can’t wait to see what you do with it! Your videos on your 76 have been very helpful to me with my ‘80 4-speed. Good luck with your new projects!

[@76vette]

Thank you, Sean! I was lucky to find a good, solid 1981 4-speed Vette as a new project, so it should be fun. Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻

[@elimogenson3316]

Thanks for posting this video. Lots of good info to help me as I shop.

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@ajmaresca2165]

I'm late to the unveiling of your new C3 Corvette. But I didn't want to miss an opportunity to wish you good luck. Enjoy it!

[@76vette]

Thank you, AJ. I appreciate it 🙏🏼😊👍🏻

[@heathdietz115]

My grandfather just gave me his 81 with 6800 miles been sitting in a garage under a cover sence 91. Amazing how much is needing repair.

[@76vette]

But with such low miles it’s a worthwhile project. Congratulations! 😊👍🏻

[@jeuscardenas8686]

You have to buy it. I own a white 81 it’s so fun and affordable to fix

[@76vette]

It’s in my garage already! Bought it yesterday and I really like it. Maybe not as much as my ‘76, but pretty darn close. 😊👍🏻

[@jeuscardenas8686]

Can’t wait to see post videos on this car. I have a few things that need fixing and maybe I can learn by watching your videos

[@76vette]

@@jeuscardenas8686 I have a video coming out tomorrow. Basic stuff like an overview of the project and the first wash. More videos are on the way 😊👍🏻

[@TheTaxreliever]

Congrats Luis! That is awesome....I am so looking forward to your videos of fixing this one up! A REALLY REALLY solid base for sure.....and I agree with some of the others on the paint....don't do a new paint job; white is a very easy color to resurrect. I'm jealous.....if you get this thing all sorted out and need a buyer, let me know! :)

[@76vette]

Hi Ken, and thanks! I hope you and yours are doing well. I’m going to polish the paint to the best of my ability and keep it like that. Maybe do a few small touch ups but that’s about it. It’s a “survivor,” after all. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to part with it. Talk with you one of these days. 😊👍🏻

[@GetsumJ]

7:07 - One of the most common missed places to check on C3 Corvettes with steel floor pans (post 76). Also, I always check inside the two holes designed for the side pipes for rust. Interesting that this was one of the last St. Louis cars before they all went to Kentucky.

[@jamtardio]

The two tone paint jobs are a sign its from Kentucky's new paint shop I've read ✌🌝

[@GetsumJ]

@@jamtardio - Not sure if that would be 100% correct. The B2Z paint RPO was offered in 1978, three years before Kentucky opened.

[@thud9797]

​@@GetsumJ St Louis could two-tone if they needed to, they painted 80 two-tone test cars in 80 to test for 81 production but in 81, St Louis built only solid color cars.

[@Bartzy13]

My very first Corvette was a 1981 red on red with 61,232 miles. Mine was a St. Louis built car end of the vin being 15936

[@76vette]

Cool 😎👍🏻

[@patriceboucher5582]

I have a question ... on my 81 too, I have water that collects on the floor when it rains .. I think it goes through the ventilation (maybe a drain with a plug that is blocked? ) according to you??

[@76vette]

I would have a mechanic familiar with Corvettes look it over to determine where it’s leaking from. Good luck 😊👍🏻

[@timewiththedurbins]

Looks like a really nice car. I am looking forward to the videos on it's progress. If you want to swap out that T/T steering column for a very good non T/T, let me know. LOL

[@76vette]

Haha. Let’s schedule that swap for the twelfth of Never at 25:30 👍🏻

[@donhenderson5100]

First, congratulations on the 81. I'm sure you will have fun with it. Does the 81 have slightly thinner roof panels? And does it have the non cast iron exhaust manifolds? Supposed, the weight reduction was still happening. This was good as the HP wasn't huge. But reducing weight is free HP. Anxious to see where you start with this new project.

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻 Based on info the prev. owner gave me, ‘81 Vettes had thinner door glass and the new stainless-steel, free-flowing exhaust manifolds which were 14 lbs less than cast-iron manifolds. 1981 Corvettes also had an electric fan so they could use a smaller main fan. The new Computer Command Control system regulated fuel metering. It also has a six-way power seat, among many other features. My car was built in St. Louis based on the VIN which, interestingly enough, is also stamped on the windshield. So it’s safe to assume my windshield is original. Not sure why my air cleaner has a black lid. I read that all ‘81s were supposed to have chrome air filter covers. My car’s engine code is ZDA (L81, 190 hp, 8.2:1, manual, 4BBL). Paint code is 10 (Lacquer). Base price (1981) was $15,248 and total production was 40,606 cars. Mine was built in 1980. For a 190 hp motor, torque was pretty respectable at 280 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm. The first thing I did was give it a good bath. The car is dirty, inside and out, so cleaning is the first order of business. From there I’ll detail it, do basic maintenance, replace the tires, give it a good tune-up, etc., etc. 😊👍🏻

[@LivanSeijo]

I recently purchased a a 1979 same color and also the same problem on the headlights, paint its damage on the same right side, how can I fix it? Thank you

[@76vette]

You’ll have to glue the metal reinforcement crossbar to the fiberglass. I’m going to use 3M 38315, amzn.to/46XwNfg You will need to use a dual epoxy gun, amzn.to/3QmDH72

[@iolacowgirl]

My '77 has a turbo 350 automatic trans. Would it be a lot of trouble to put a trans with 4 gears? I'd like it to run at lower rpms!

[@76vette]

It is a big job whether you opt for a 4-speed auto or manual. Talk to someone at a good transmission shop to see what they recommend. Good luck! 😊👍🏻

[@anthonycammaroto7013]

HA 😂 I may have to go in my attic and find some for ya .

[@kevinshorter5861]

I had A chance to buy a 1981 downtown1980 Texas. But I was only 19 old and I told my couldn't drive it money money.

[@speedfiend925]

How did it drive? I am considering buying one of these but it is out of State. 😁

[@76vette]

It drove very well and straight. I hope you find a good one. Make sure you inspect it thoroughly and avoid one that shows signs of rust 😊👍🏻

[@CorvetteStingray]

Look at all that trunk space!! Jealous!

[@76vette]

Lol 😆. It is pretty spacious. Too bad it doesn’t have an opening hatch. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@speedfiend925]

What is the bird cage and why should we inspect it? 🤔

[@76vette]

The C3 Corvette birdcage is a metal frame around the car’s cabin. Body panels are glued to it and the structure also houses four of the eight total body mounts. If not cared for properly, it can rust. In those cases a purchase should be avoided as repairing one can be extremely expensive and time-consuming. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppjRZKF5gdGqjK8

[@markrichardson3566]

Only 5k on the 81🎉

[@Nobamaable]

This is a creampuff compared to Vettes Corvette Ben buys. 😂

[@76vette]

Maybe, but he has a sweet ‘73 BB and he’s a far better mechanic than I’ll ever be. So I think it balances out. Lol 😆

[@jamtardio]

The engine does need the twin snorkel cold air into the carburetor its engine bay is completely sealed for air to only travel thru the radiator an open air cleaner works good for stop lights but high speed draws in hot engine bay air making it less powerful. I run a stock K&N round in stock air cleaner set up 1980 L48 auto I think the c3 in your vid is the last yr for a manual shift mine was last year for no computer and a turbo350 trans First yr for all aluminum rear diff but yours has fiberglass strings even better ✌🌝