1980 Corvette

The 1980 Corvette was more streamlined and lost close to 250 pounds.

The hood and doors were lighter with thinner door glass.
Corvette bodies held new fiberglass bumper structures.
The lift-off roof panels were made of lightweight, low-density microscopic glass beads.
The body panels were urethane-coated.
Weight cuts also hit the power train.
The differential housing and supports were made of aluminum.
The 350-cid (5.7-liter) V-8 had a new aluminum intake manifold, while the 305-cid (5.0-liter) V-8 used in cars sold in California had a stainless exhaust manifold.
The Corvette hoods had a new low profile.
The front bumper had an integrated lower air dam and the bumper cover now extended to the wheel openings.
New two-piece front cornering lamps worked whenever the lights were switched on.
A deep-recessed split grille held integral parking lamps.
Front fender air vents contained functional black louvers.
New front and rear spoilers were molded in and integrated with the bumper caps and were no longer of a bolt-on type.
New emblems included an engine identifier for the optional L82 V-8.
The dashboard carried a new 85-mph speedometer.
Only two storage bins stood behind the seat, where three used to be.
Turbo Hydra-Matic transmissions added a lock-up torque converter that engaged at about 30 mph, while the four-speed manual transmission got new gear ratios.
In California, Corvette buyers could get only the 305-cid V-8 with automatic transmission this year.
The base V-8 lost five horsepower, while the optional version gained five.
New standard equipment this year included formerly-optional power windows, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, and Four Season air conditioning.
Rally wheels held P225/70R-15/B blackwall SBR tires with trim rings and center caps.
Body colors were
- White
- Silver
- Black
- Dark Blue
- Dark Brown
- Yellow
- Dark Green
- Frost Beige
- Dark Claret
- Red
Interiors came in Black; Claret; Dark Blue; Doeskin; Oyster; and Red.

VIN Numbers

The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Serial numbers ranged from 1Z87*AS400001 to 1Z87*AS440614

Position	Character	Description
1	1	Chevrolet Division
2	Z	Corvette
87	coupe
5	*	Engine type where * is replaced by the following 8 = L48 350-cid V8, 190-hp H = California L48 305-cid V8, 180-hp 6 = L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp, 4-barrel
6	A	1980
7	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13	400001 to 440614	production sequence

Engine serial number began 0001001
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
- The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
- The one or two numbers shows the month
- The last digit shows the year
Engine suffixes:

Code	Engine	Horsepower	Compression	Transmission	Fuel Supply	Emission Control System
ZCA	LG4 305-cid	180-hp V-8	8.5:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor	California
ZAM	L48 350-cid	190-hp V-8	8.2:1	manual	four-barrel carburetor
ZAK	L48 350-cid	190-hp V-8	8.2:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor
ZBC	L82 350-cid	230-hp V-8	9.0:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor

The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
The Fisher Body Style Number 80-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette coupe
The body number is the production serial number of the body.
The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
The ten 1980 Corvette exterior colors were:
- 10 = White
- 13 = Silver
- 19 = Black
- 28 = Dark Blue
- 47 = Dark Brown
- 52 = Yellow
- 58 = Dark Green
- 59 = Frost Beige
- 76 = Dark Claret
- 83 = Red
Upholstery Codes

Color	Cloth & Leather Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
Oyster	12C	122
Dark Blue	29C	292
Doeskin	59C	592
Claret	79C	792
Red		722
Black		192

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
1Y	Z87	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$13,140	3206	40,614

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO L48)	Standard California Engine (RPO LG4)	Optional Engine (RPO L82)
Type	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	350 cid (5.7 liters)	305 cid (5.0 liters)	350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke	4.00 x 3.48"	3.74 x 3.48"	4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio	8.2:1	8.5:1	9.0:1
Brake horsepower	190 @ 4200	180 @ 4200	230 @ 5200
Torque	280 lb-ft @ 2400	255 lb-ft @ 2000	275 lb-ft @ 3600
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic
Fuel supply	Rochester Quadrajet	Rochester Quadrajet	Rochester Quadrajet

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission
- four-speed fully-synchronized
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
  - 1st = 2.88:1
  - 2nd = 1.91:1
  - 3rd = 1.33:1
  - 4th = 1.00:1
  - Rev = 2.78:1
- Final drive ratio: 3.07:1
Optional Manual Transmission
- close ratio four-speed fully-synchronized
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
  - 1st = 2.43:1
  - 2nd = 1.61:1
  - 3rd = 1.23:1
  - 4th = 1.00:1
  - Rev = 2.35:1
- Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
Automatic Transmission
- Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
  - 1st = 2.52:1
  - 2nd = 1.52:1
  - 3rd = 1.00:1
  - Rev = 1.93:1
- Final drive ratio: 3.55:1

CHASSIS

Feature	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	185.2 inches (4.704 m)
Overall width	69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height	48 inches (1.219 m)
Ground Clearance	4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread	58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread	59.5 inches (1.511 m)
Wheel size	15 x 8 inches
Tires	P225/70R-15 SBR (steel-belted radial)
Positraction	standard
Steering	recirculating ball
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length control arms with ball joints, coil springs, and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Independent, trailing link, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers
Ignition	HEI electronic
Body construction	Separate fiberglass body and box-type ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank	24 US Gal (20 Imp Gal) (91 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO A31	Electric power windows	$141
RPO CC1	Removable glass roof panels	$365
RPO C49	Rear window defogger	$102
RPO C60	Air conditioning	$635
RPO D35	Sport mirrors	$45
RPO FE7	Gymkhana suspension	$49
RPO F51	Heavy-duty shock absorbers	$33
RPO G95	Highway ratio rear axle	$19
RPO K30	Cruise Control	$113
RPO L82	350-cid 225-hp V-8	$565
RPO MM4	Four-speed manual transmission	no-cost option
RPO M21	Four-speed manual close-ratio transmission	no-cost option
RPO MX1	Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission	no-cost option
RPO N37	Tilt-telescopic steering column	$190
RPO OGR	P255/70R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires	$54
RPO OBS	P255160R-15 White Aramid BR tires	$226.20
RPO U58	AM-FM stereo radio	$90
RPO UM2	AM-FM stereo radio with 8-track tape system	$228
RPO UN3	AM-FM stereo radio with cassette	$234
RPO UP6	AM-FM stereo radio with CB system and power antenna	$439
RPO U75	Power antenna	$52
RPO U81	Dual rear speakers	$52
RPO UA1	Heavy-duty battery	$21
RPO ZN1	Trailering package	$98
RPO ZQ2	Power windows and door locks	$272
RPO ZX2	Convenience group	$84

HISTORICAL NOTES

Introduced: September 25, 1978.
Model-year production: 53,807 (Chevrolet initially reported a total of 49,901 units).
Calendar-year production: 48,568.
Calendar-year sales by U.S. dealers: 38,631.
Model-year sales by U.S. dealers: 39,816.
For what it's worth, 7,949 Corvettes were painted this year in Classic White, while 6,960 carried Silver paint.
Only 4,385 Corvettes had the MM4 four-speed manual gearbox, while 4,062 ran with the close-ratio M21 version.

1980 CORVETTE

VIN Numbers

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS