Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
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
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#: 1g1ay8760bs424591 Sold for USD$20,900 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#: 1g1ay8765bs417152 Sold for USD$24,750 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#: 1g1ay8769b5101638 Sold for USD$16,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE GREENWOOD DAYTONA TURBO Chassis#: 1G1AY8762BS422499 Sold for USD$247,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#: 1g1ay8765bs408502 Sold for USD$14,300 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
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#: 1g1ay8763b5101120 Sold for USD$55,000 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#: 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#: 1g1ay8760b5101589 Sold for USD$30,800 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | |
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#: 1g1ay8769b5101638 Sold for USD$19,800 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$21,000 2023 Spring Carlisle | |
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Sold for USD$10,750 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 |
Chevrolet Corvette C3s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | 1g1ay8766b5106036 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $12,000 | ||
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | 1g1ay8761b5107028 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $25,000 | ||
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | 1g1ay8768bs412124 | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | $12,000 | ||
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | 1g1ay8769b5101638 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $20,000 | ||
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | ||||
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | 1G1AY876XBS429393 | 2022 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 350/190 | 1G1AY8765BS424487 | 2022 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 Corvette | 1G1AY8764BS425713 | 2018 RM Sothebys : Auburn Spring | $14,000 | $18,000 | |
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE | 1G1AY8768BS410051 | 2017 Premier Auction Group | $15,000 | ||
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE | 1G1AY8761B5108485 | 2017 Premier Auction Group | $11,000 | ||
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE | 1G1AY8766BS403972 | 2017 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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $14,965 range.
2009 Chevrolet HHR SS Chassis#:3gnca73x79s572658 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1984 Chevrolet Blazer Chassis#:1gcek18h2ef105692 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Convertible Chassis#:wdbsk75f85f104179 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2004 Mercury Marauder Chassis#:2mehm75v53x639712 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1931 Ford Model A Custom Pickup Chassis#:a4112646 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1967 Dodge Coronet 440 Sedan Chassis#:wh41f77119406 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Chassis#:4jgda5jb8ea433588 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1988 Ford Bronco XLT Chassis#:1fmeu15hxjla95547 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2007 Saturn Sky Convertible Chassis#:1g8mb35b97y100465 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1988 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway Convertible Chassis#:1g1yy3186j5102255 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1979 Honda Accord CVCC Chassis#:smd1004818 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2008 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE Chassis#:ZAMFE39A680033472 Sold for $14,850 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2005 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT Chassis#:SCBCR63WX5C024434 Sold for $14,850 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1989 FORD MUSTANG LX Chassis#:1FABP41EXKF284944 Sold for $14,850 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2007 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 Chassis#:WDDNG71XX7A083212 Sold for $14,850 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1994 Chevrolet C1500 Pickup Chassis#:2gcec19k4r1144031 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1986 Mercedes-Benz SL560 Convertible Chassis#:wdbba48d3ga044288 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:1g1yy32g0y5103157 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1991 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#:1g1yy2384m5101651 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1997 GMC Yukon Chassis#:3gkek18r9vg526840 Sold for $14,850 2024 Mecum : Houston |
1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Chevrolet Corvette C3 model years