1982 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Check the price, then have a good, long look at this 1982 Corvette. You just won't find a cleaner C3 'Vette anywhere for less than $20,000. If you're looking to join the Corvette hobby, this is a great way to get started for a very modest investment, and I'm guessing that this one won't last long in the showroom.

Classic white never looks wrong on a Corvette, and while this one shows a few signs of age, overall it presents quite well. Fit and finish are about what you got in 1982, which was the end of the line for the dramatic Stingray. There are very few signs of age, no stress cracks, and even the bright white paint, which is a few years old, looks great. The headlight doors fit flush, the doors open and close with that distinctive Corvette "thunk" and there's no denying the universal appeal of a car like this. Up close you might note that even the chin spoiler hasn't been beaten to death on steep driveway aprons, and all the emblems are intact, including the subtle pinstripes on the "Coke bottle" fenders and "corvette" lettering (lower case, of course, this was 1982 after all) on the tail. Detailing is crisp and it wouldn't take much to push this one to the next level, maybe a professional cut and buff to really make it dazzling. But even as-is, it's pretty danged nice.

Code 132 gray leather works well with the bright white bodywork, creating a classic combination that will never go out of fashion. More amazingly, the seating surfaces are very well preserved, with hardly any evidence that this car is now 30 years old. The driver's seat shows some signs of age, but nothing that's out of line for being more than 30 years old, and the leather itself is supple and doesn't show many "comfort marks" let alone genuine wear. Those space-age-looking buckets are every bit as comfortable as they look, and the carpets aren't going to betray their age, either. Corvettes came loaded with accessories, including power windows, seats, and locks, A/C, a tilt wheel, cruise control, and yes, an automatic transmission was the only choice in 1982. However, this one has been retrofitted with a 700R4 4-speed overdrive unit, so it cruises effortlessly and actually pulls down decent highway mileage to boot. The gauges are fully functional, including the tach, and the stereo is a Kenwood AM/FM/cassette head unit feeding the original speakers.

The original L48 Crossfire injection V8 is gone, replaced by a stout 350 cubic inch GM ZZ4 crate engine that was installed about 1000 miles ago. Featuring upgrades like a performance intake manifold and carburetor, electronic ignition system, and a set of shorty headers, it's considerably stronger than the wheezy smog-choked 350 it replaces. It's also quite nicely details, offering a chrome air cleaner and valve covers, a big electric fan, and new components throughout. The chassis is original but it shows no signs of winter weather and all the components intact and functional, including a catalytic converter, so this 'Vette is 50-state friendly. Even the original aluminum wheels remain unblemished with a nice shine to the aluminum, and wear staggered 255/60/15 front and 275/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials.

Go ahead, try to find a nicer Corvette for less money. Or you could just save yourself some time and call us today!