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.

I.D. 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
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2ZCorvette
    87coupe
    5*Engine type where * is replaced by the following
    • 8 = L48 350-cid V8, 190-hp
    • H = California L48 350-cid V8, 180-hp
    • 6 = L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp, 4-barrel
    6A1980
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13400001 to 440614production 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:
    CodeEngineHorsepowerCompressionTransmissionFuel SupplyEmission Control System
    ZCALG4 350-cid180-hp V-88.5:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorCalifornia
    ZAML48 350-cid190-hp V-88.2:1manualfour-barrel carburetor 
    ZAKL48 350-cid190-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-barrel carburetor 
    ZBCL82 350-cid230-hp V-89.0:1automaticfour-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
    ColorCloth & Leather UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Oyster12C122
    Dark Blue29C292
    Doeskin59C592
    Claret79C792
    Red 722
    Black 192

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
1YZ87
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger		$13,140320640,614

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO L48)Standard California Engine (RPO LG4)Optional Engine (RPO L82)
TypeV-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid (5.7 liters)350 cid (5.7 liters)350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"4.00 x 3.48"4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio8.2:18.5:19.0:1
Brake horsepower190 @ 4200180 @ 4200230 @ 5200
Torque280 lb-ft @ 2400255 lb-ft @ 2000275 lb-ft @ 3600
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Fuel supplyRochester QuadrajetRochester QuadrajetRochester 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

FeatureCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length185.2 inches (4.704 m)
Overall width69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height48 inches (1.219 m)
Ground Clearance4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread59.5 inches (1.511 m)
Wheel size15 x 8 inches
TiresP225/70R-15 SBR (steel-belted radial)
Positractionstandard
Steeringrecirculating ball
Front suspensionIndependent, unequal-length control arms with ball joints, coil springs, and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, trailing link, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers
IgnitionHEI electronic
Body constructionSeparate fiberglass body and box-type ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank24 US Gal (20 Imp Gal) (91 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO A31Electric power windows$141
RPO CC1Removable glass roof panels$365
RPO C49Rear window defogger$102
RPO C60Air conditioning$635
RPO D35Sport mirrors$45
RPO FE7Gymkhana suspension$49
RPO F51Heavy-duty shock absorbers$33
RPO G95Highway ratio rear axle$19
RPO K30Cruise Control$113
RPO L82350-cid 225-hp V-8$565
RPO MM4Four-speed manual transmissionno-cost option
RPO M21Four-speed manual close-ratio transmissionno-cost option
RPO MX1Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissionno-cost option
RPO N37Tilt-telescopic steering column$190
RPO OGRP255/70R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires$54
RPO OBSP255160R-15 White Aramid BR tires$226.20
RPO U58AM-FM stereo radio$90
RPO UM2AM-FM stereo radio with 8-track tape system$228
RPO UN3AM-FM stereo radio with cassette$234
RPO UP6AM-FM stereo radio with CB system and power antenna$439
RPO U75Power antenna$52
RPO U81Dual rear speakers$52
RPO UA1Heavy-duty bat­tery$21
RPO ZN1Trailering package$98
RPO ZQ2Power windows and door locks$272
RPO ZX2Convenience 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 PHOTOS


1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

1980 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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