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1981 Chevrolet Corvette
2dr Coupe
8-cyl. 350cid/190hp 4bbl
#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good
$22,300 CAD*
+10.4%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Jan 2025
Pricing adjustments
-8% for auto trans.
+$500 for glass T-tops.
+$500 for gymkhana suspension.
Adjustments are in USD
-8% for auto trans.
+$500 for glass T-tops.
+$500 for gymkhana suspension.
Adjustments are in USD
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1968-1982 Chevrolet Corvette stats
Number produced **
40,606
Highest sale
$4,191,586 CAD
Lowest sale
$453 CAD
Most recent sale
$30,215 CAD
Sales
10000
Photos
44 photosImages may not reflect selected vehicle.
Past sales
$30,214 CAD
1975 Chevrolet Corvette Base
43000 M
Standard
North America
Mar 14, 2025Bring a Trailer
View details
$37,776 CAD
1975 Chevrolet Corvette Base
45000 M
Automatic
North America
Mar 12, 2025Bring a Trailer
View details
$65,155 CAD
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Base
63000 M
Standard
North America
Mar 10, 2025Bring a Trailer
View details
$58,337 CAD
1972 Chevrolet Corvette Base
64000 M
Standard
North America
Mar 10, 2025Bring a Trailer
View details
$44,891 CAD
1982 Chevrolet Corvette Base
7000 M
Automatic
North America
Mar 7, 2025Bring a Trailer
View details
$30,424 CAD
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Base
92000 M
Automatic
North America
Mar 6, 2025Bring a Trailer
View details
Insurance
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Model overview
Model description
The 1981 Chevrolet Corvette celebrated the move from St. Louis, Missouri to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where the cars have been made ever since. Production totaled 40,606 coupes and base price rose again, to $16,258. The last Corvette was built in St. Louis in August 1.
All cars were fitted with the base 190 bhp 350 cubic-inch engine and only 5,757 had 4-speed gearboxes. These would be the last 4-speed gearboxes available until late 1984. The tubular stainless steel manifolds introduced in California in 1980 were also carried over to all motors. A fiberglass-reinforced mono-leaf rear spring was fitted to automatic cars. It weigh eight pounds against 44 pounds for the steel springs.
Most cars were now luxury cruisers, as 36,222 had power door locks ($145), 29,200 had power driver’s seats (a new feature for $183), 29,095 had removable glass roof panels ($414), 36,893 had rear window defogger ($119), 32,522 had cruise control ($155), 36,485 had aluminum wheels ($428), 32,903 had power antenna ($55) and 22,892 had the AM-FM radio with cassette ($423).
Performance options were almost extinct, but 7,803 buyers paid $57 for the gymkhana suspension, 1,128 paid $37 for heavy duty shocks and 5,575 took a 4-speed gearbox for no extra money. Meanwhile, 315 buyers went for radio delete and 916 bought the trailer package.
With the change in location, colors were all over the map and there were also two-tones available. Most cars were built in St. Louis. These included White (6,387), followed by Black (4,712), Red (4,310), Beige (3,842) and Charcoal Metallic (3,485), Silver Metallic (2,590), Dark Blue Metallic (2,522), Maroon Metallic (1,618), Yellow (1,031) and Bright Blue Metallic (1). Bowling Green paint jobs included Silver Metallic (93,369), Autumn Red (1,505), Charcoal Metallic (613), Dark Blue Metallic (496), Dark Bronze (432) and Dark Claret Metallic (341).
To confuse things, St Louis used mostly lacquer paints, while Bowling Green used enamel with clear top coats. Two-tone colors included Silver/Dark Blue, Silver/Charcoal, Beige/Dark Bronze, and Autumn Red/Dark Claret. The numbers of each built are not recorded.
Vehicle specifications
- Wheel Base Shortest - Inches98.0
- Wheel Base Longest - Inches98.0
- Shipping Weight3179
- Drive TypeRWD
- Manufacturer NameGeneral Motors
- Front Tire Size15R225
- Manufacturer MSRP15248
- Market SegmentationLuxury Sport
- Manufacturer CodeC137
- Front Tire Size Code32
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Common Questions
The value of a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $15,500 USD for a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette in good condition with average spec.
The highest selling price of a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette at auction over the last three years was $340,263 CAD. The highest prices are usually reserved for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples with desirable features or modifications and excellent history.
The lowest selling price of a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette at auction over the last three years was $10,483 CAD. The lowest prices are usually paid for examples that have extensive maintenance needs, differ greatly from their original configuration, or have accident histories or title problems.
In the last three years there have been 103 1981 Chevrolet Corvettes sold at public auction.
The most recent auction sale of a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette was $25,238 CAD on March 04, 2025 by All Collector Cars.
Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.
Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.
Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.
The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.