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1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Coupe

  • Chassis Number: 1G1AY8769BS422161
The Chevrolet Corvette was introduced to the world in 1953. It was a sports car that, throughout the years, would evolve into a truly refined automobile. The third generation was patterned after Chevrolet's 'Mako Shark II' which had been designed by Larry Shinoda. This third series version would remain in production from 1968 through 1982.

For 1969, GM enlarged their small block again to 350 cubic-inches and in 1970, the 427 big block was enlarged to 454 cubic-inches. Power continued to rise for 1970 and 1971, with the LT-1 small block offering a massive 370 horsepower. The 1971 454 big block produced 425 horsepower. As the 1970s progressed, safety concerns, government regulations, and an impending oil embargo had the horsepower and engine sizes moving in the opposite direction. By 1975, it had reached it bottom for the Corvette; the base ZQ3 engine offered 165 horsepower and the optional L82 unit produced 205 horsepower. The remainder of the series would follow similar suite.

This particular Corvette is powered by a 5.7-liter Chevy V8 with around 190 horsepower. It has a standard four-speed automatic gearbox. Both the engine and transmission are original to the car. It is painted in uncommon factory two-tone paint of beige/dark bonze. Around 5,000 examples wear this color scheme. It is a well-optioned example with AM/FM stereo with cassette deck, and factory air conditioning.

In 2008, this Corvette coupe was offered for sale at the Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. It had an estimated value of $14,000 - $18,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, bidding had failed to satisfy the reserve. The lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2008

2008 Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $14,000-USD $18,000 
Lot was not sold

1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Chevrolet Corvette C3

(Data based on Model Year 1981 sales)
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8761bs418041
Sold for USD$17,600
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Chassis#: 1G1AY8761B5108390
Sold for USD$19,800
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8769b5102255
Sold for USD$12,100
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8761b5100953
Sold for USD$16,500
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8760bs421691
Sold for USD$9,900
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8763b5101120
Sold for USD$55,000
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8762bs417383
Sold for USD$18,700
  2023 Mecum : Chattanooga
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8769b5101560
Sold for USD$22,000
  2023 Mecum : Dallas
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8769b5101638
Sold for USD$19,800
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Chassis#: 1g1ay8760b5101589
Sold for USD$30,800
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette
Chassis#: 1g1ay8768bs424726
Sold for USD$11,550
  2023 Mecum : Indy
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette
Sold for USD$10,750
  2023 Spring Carlisle
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette
Sold for USD$21,000
  2023 Spring Carlisle
 
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 350/190
Chassis#: 1G1AY8761B5107028
Sold for USD$22,000
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Sold for USD$17,600
  2023 Mecum : Glendale
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Sold for USD$18,700
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Sold for USD$27,500
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Sold for USD$38,500
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Sold for USD$20,900
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Sold for USD$29,700
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 

Chevrolet Corvette C3s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe1g1ay8766b51060362024 Mecum : Kissimmee$12,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe1g1ay8761b51070282024 Mecum : Kissimmee$25,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe1g1ay8768bs4121242023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023$12,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe1g1ay8769b51016382023 Mecum : Indy$20,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe1G1AY876XBS4293932022 Mecum : Monterey   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2022 Mecum : Orlando$16,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2022 Mecum : Orlando   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2022 Mecum : Orlando$18,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2022 Mecum Indy$28,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2022 Mecum Indy$22,000  
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 350/1901G1AY8765BS4244872022 BarrettJackson : Scottsdale, Arizona   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2021 Mecum : Dallas$15,500  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2019 Mecum : Kansas City$10,000  
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE 2019 McCormick's # 67$3,900  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2019 Mecum : Las Vegas   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette 2018 Carlisle Auction : Fall Carlisle   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette 2018 Carlisle Auction : Fall Carlisle   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2018 Mecum : Indianapolis$11,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette1G1AY8764BS4257132018 RM Sothebys : Auburn Spring $14,000$18,000
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE1G1AY8768BS4100512017 Premier Auction Group$15,000  
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE1G1AY8761B51084852017 Premier Auction Group$11,000  
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE1G1AY8766BS4039722017 Premier Auction Group$10,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2017 Mecum : Kansas City$10,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2017 Mecum : Kansas City$9,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette 2017 Carlisle Auctions : Lakeland Fall   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette L81 T-Bar Coupe 2017 Collector Car Toronto Fall Classic$24,000  
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 2017 Mecum : Denver   
1981 Chevrolet Corvette 2017 Silver Auction Coeur d'Alene   

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1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Vehicle Profiles