Rare 1981 Chevrolet Corvette w/4-Speed manual & low miles after refurbishment

Price: - Item location: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Description:

1981 Chevrolet Corvette

***Beautiful "Car Show" Ready Corvette*** Latest Kelley Blue Book values this Corvette at $23,400...insured for $25K
Odometer says (at time of ad) 97,393 miles, but engine & entire drive train was rebuilt at approx. 90K miles around 2007 by 2nd owner (I am 3rd owner). ONLY approx. 7,500 miles on the engine-drive train.
In *2007 2nd Owner had engine rebuilt using 355/350 formula (355 cu. in. / 350 HP) by local service shop in San Antonio (Cambridge Auto...still in business). It was bored .30 over, new pistons, heads w/larger valves-higher compression, roller rockers/lifters, new harmonic balancer, Edelbrock Performer intake, Hedman headers, 10-10 grind on the crankshaft main and rod journals, etc.Then as usual, project creep showed up and (since the engine was already out) the clutch was addressed, transmission rebuilt, rear diff service, half-shaft U-joints replaced, new rotors, 1 new caliper, new booster, smog pump removed and so on...$10,000+ later, finally finished.I didn't go in person to see receipts (but did call Cambridge Auto to verify work was done as 2nd owner claimed). No rust. Bird cage is solid. Not driven in rain past 14 years.
FYI, the ad description goes in order of importance;
Although there was 40,606 Corvettes built in 1981, this one is fairly rare.
  • This Corvette was built on the 1st day of production at the new Bowling Green plant.
  • The 1st day they built 30 units, this was #30...last car on 1st day of production! (see serial number last 2 digits).
  • Only 14% of the year's production had a manual transmission (Borg-Warner Super T-10). 1982 Corvettes didn't even offer a manual. This adds $2,000 to KBB resale value.
  • First year for Corvette 2-tone paint (and enamel w/clear coat). This particular paint combo is believed to be 1 of approx. 1,200

This Corvette is registered with the National Corvette Library & Archive as well as the National Corvette Museum
FYI, you get both air cleaner assemblies shown in the pictures...the cold air/factory appearing one is what is on it now.
25 Minute video on YouTube showing the car:https://youtu.be/yDvUCtlJvRc
DropBox link showing the refurbishment list:https://www.dropbox.com/s/yxluq6ismpwb7qs/Corvette%20Refurbish%20List_11-21-2018.pdf?dl=0
DropBox link to HiRez ad photos:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6grnm6mt28cya2h/AACSaO2cPXt19iZcw3INdA4Fa?dl=0
My car site: (you may have to add 3 w's and a dot to the beginning and finish the end with dot com...ebay doesn't like links in the ad) oligulyas dot com
Factory Options:A/C - Tinted glass - Power 4 disc brakes - Power Steering - Anti-theft alarm Mirrored removable T-Tops - Power windows - Power locks - Powered side mirrorsRear defogger - Aluminum wheels - Power antenna - Tilt & telescopic steering wheelLeather seats (original was cloth) ...and more (only listing important/working options)
What I have done: (only listing "some" of the over 145 items below...I have pictures and receipts for everything)A/C; system flushed, new compressor, new [larger] C4 blower fan, new drier, new orifice tube, etc. (still the colder R-12!). System blows colder than factory now!
Over $1,400 spent on new FiTech fuel injection system using their Go EFI 600HP model...no more typical carburetor issues anymore/better response/better fuel mileage.
All new carpeting w/heat shield - New power steering valve - New [$300+] valve coversDEI Titanium header wrap - Exhaust upgraded from 2.25" to 2.5" w/H-pipe - CAT deleteDynomax trubo mufflers (you can also have [almost new] Magnaflow mufflers -LED conversion on almost all interior and exterior lights - Mono composite leaf spring by VPB (saves 38 lbs./cost over $400) - Complete engine detailing to the maxAgain...I have receipts/pictures for all my work.
Other notable items:New Pioneer CD receiver w/Bluetooth, Sirius, etc. Speaker box w/10" Pioneer sub and (2) Alpine 6x9 3-way speakers. New Boss 600-watt mono subwoofer amplifier (located under driver's seat).
Best guess on car repaint (by 1st owner) was 2001...garage kept the last 17 years, so paint looks really nice (as you can tell by the pictures).
I have spent over $10,500 in parts to refurbish this car (plus purchase price)...The $10,500 doesn't include tax, shipping or labor...just actual parts!
I will also include (2) repair manuals (one is original/one is reprint), the 650 Holley dual feed carb I removed, both air cleaner assemblies pictured (I might even have a 3rd/different air cleaner), laminated window sticker copy, laminated build sheet copy, over 2" binder of receipts, any old parts I removed (and you want) and hundreds of photos taken of car during various stages of refurbishment. I even have a reproduction owner's manual !
I have sold (2) cars on eBay the last 4 years ($27,000 1970 Plymouth Barracuda & $18,000 1989 Porsche 928)...please note there was no negative feedback. I know how it feels to buy a car on eBay, so please don't hesitate to ask questions, make comments or voice concerns.
We can "FaceTime" if needed and I can hold camera up to anything you want to see/hear on the car. You are welcome to inspect the car in person or have a 3rd party inspect the car.
Known issues on car:Passenger side vanity mirror on sun visor doesn't light up...probably needs whole new unit...I think it's $100-$200Windshield has very faint scratches from previous owner running bad wiper...needs buffingObviously, the paint has a few normal tiny nicks here and there...none show up in pictures well.
If you are a purist, you will notice the hood stripe is darker than original. The original "gold" stripe fades in the South Texas sun in a few months and looks like faded wood vinyl. So I changed it to darker option...easy to change if you ever want to (1-1.5 hour work)
When the 1st owner moved to Texas in 2002 and failed 1st emission test, then went back a few days later to retest, the tester inverted 1 digit wrong on paperwork, so CarFax flags it to this day 16 years later. If you study the CarFax (or similar report) you'll see the mileage thru the years was consistent...and you'll see where the tiny mistake was made (112 mile difference). It wasn't an issue to me before I bought the car because I was able to talk to the 2nd owner, plus the car was in great condition and I was able to talk to his mechanic regarding the history. I may be able to give you 2nd owner's contact info...with his permission of course.
Why am I selling?:Well with each car I refurbish, I always say (and swear to myself) it's my last, but I get bored after a while and need a new project to keep me out of trouble. I found another project and have room for only one car in my garage. FYI, I love this Corvette so much, my 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket (1 of 1,210 built) sits outside since I bought it...the Corvette has been all comfy in my garage the whole time.
If you made it this far down, thanks for all your time reading this novel...I mean ad. It also probably means you are a car nut like me and are serious about this car.
The car is for sale locally, I reserve the right to end this ad if a local sale goes thru. If reserve is met, I won't end ad of course.