By 1980, the Corvette was in its thirteenth year of existence and became of the longest-standing cars that reached celebrity status in America. But remember, it took thirteen years to achieve that status.
To many, it was the chassis that was the most special part of the Chevrolet Corvette, more than its svelte and aerodynamic bodywork. Ever since the first model, the Sting Ray in 1963, the Corvette has left an unparalleled legacy behind it.
The Corvette was one of the best-selling cars at the time, and with General Motors at the top of their marketing game, the Corvette was getting them all the business they needed, and that too, in a segment where sports car buyers did not have much of a choice.
For customers, it was either an international model or the Corvette. But nothing else in America matched it for style and performance - and the Corvette was enough to keep the assembly plant in full swing, making it America's only sports car.
However, picking up a used one today might not be the best of ideas, because the Chevrolet Corvette C3's repair bills may just bankrupt you if youre not careful.
Chevrolet Corvette C3 Was Plagued With Electrical Issues
According to automotive forum CarComplaints, owners of later model C3 Corvettes, reported that they needed to run an additional wire to the battery and required to get a more powerful alternator that gave more amps. The car was fine until the hot weather resulted in the car not starting, and even if it did start, it would shut off suddenly. This is when a lot of money had to be spent to get it fixed.
The car's brake calipers had to be replaced along with a few other components, mostly related to safety. The owner also personally thought there were electrical issues as well. Two recalls for the 1980 Corvette included an oil leak, which could've led to a fire, and inappropriately manufactured piston seals for the brakes. This is a model you might want to avoid, because of the problems it brings with it.
Everything You Need To Know Of The Chevrolet Corvette C3 From The 80s
The Corvette C3 came with single exhaust systems that ended with sporty twin exhaust pipes. There was just one engine a handful of engines on offer in the later model. The California 5.0-liter V8, paired with an automatic 4-speed transmission. The optional L82, which pushes out 230hp, was offered solely with an automatic gearbox. This was all basically targeting a new type of buyer in the United States. Before the 1980 Corvette C3, the model was more about street racing and tuning, but the C3 changed that.
The '80s Corvette C3 was considered a great car because it was a direct throwback to the 1960s. Once the driver put it into second gear, it would let out a lovely burble from the exhaust, so typical of an American V8. At that point in time, no car sounded so good.
Inside the cockpit, the chrome four-speed lever looks classy with those synchro detents you see only on old American car transmissions. While foreign cars were great, the Corvette's macho charm screamed American muscle. It was unmistakably born in the U.S.A.
However, the Corvette's engineers did face a big challenge - and that was to make the model fuel efficient. They somehow managed to shave off 238 lbs off the car, because they did not want it to be the heaviest car in their line-up.
Chevrolet Corvette C3 Was Lightweight
Also, getting rid of all the heft was not cheap or easy. The C3 came with energy-absorbing bumpers made of fiberglass; the hood and doors were made lighter, and to cut down weight further, their introduced low-density glass beads into the fiberglass.
So heavy resin was replaced by light glass. Even the door windows and windshield were made slimmer, while the entire frame was made lighter as well. The differential, the cast was now made of aluminum, not iron - and the intake manifold from the L48 engine was now made of aluminum. The 5.0-liter California engine came with exhaust manifolds made of stainless steel, not iron.
Despite having lost weight, received multiple tweaks, and had better airflow, the Corvette C3 still reminded many of the ones from the older generations. Which wasn't a bad thing at the time. Putting your foot down would have the car dart ahead, it was one of the most badass cars you could drive - and even today, it's got the looks to get people's attention.
Sources: Chevrolet, Car Complaints, NHTSA