1981 CORVETTE

  • Probably the most significant change this year was hidden from view.
  • Corvettes with Turbo HydraMatic had a new fiberglass-reinforced monoleaf rear spring that weighed just eight pounds (33 pounds less than the multi-leaf steel spring it replaced).
  • The new spring eliminated interleaf friction.
  • Manual-shift models kept the old spring, as did those with optional Gymkhana suspension.
  • Side door glass was made even thinner again, in a further attempt to cut overall car weight.
  • A new L81 version of the 350-cid V-8 arrived this year.
  • It was rated for 190 hp, with lightweight magnesium rocker arm covers.
  • New stainless-steel free-flowing exhaust manifolds weighed 14 pounds less than the previous cast iron manifolds.
  • A new thermostatically-controlled auxiliary electric fan boosted cooling and allowed use of a smaller main fan.
  • The engine air cleaner had a new chromed cover.
  • A new Computer Command Control system controlled fuel metering, as well as the torque converter lock-up clutch that operated in second and third gears.
  • Manual transmission was available in all 50 states.
  • It was the first time in several years that buyers of Corvettes sold in California could order a stick shift.
  • A quartz crystal clock was now standard.
  • The Corvette's standard anti-theft alarm added a starter-interrupt device.
  • Joining the option list was a six-way power seat.
  • Electronic-tuning radios could have built-in cassette or 8-track tape players or a CB transceiver.
  • The Corvette's ample standard equipment list included
    • either four-speed manual or automatic transmission (same price)
    • four-wheel power disc brakes
    • limited-slip differential
    • power steering
    • tinted glass
    • twin remote-control sport mirrors
    • concealed two-speed wipers
    • halogen high-beam retractable headlamps
    • air conditioning
    • power windows
    • a tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • a tachometer
    • an AM/FM radio
    • a trip odometer
    • courtesy lights
    • a luggage compartment security shade
  • Corvette buyers had a choice of cloth-and-vinyl or leather-and-vinyl upholstery.
  • Corvettes rode on P225/70R-15 steel-belted radial blackwall tires on 15 x 8 inch wheels.
  • The optional Gymkhana suspension (price $54) was also included with the trailer towing package.
  • Body colors this year were
    • Mahogany Metallic
    • White
    • Silver Metallic
    • Black
    • Bright Blue Metallic
    • Dark Blue Metallic
    • Yellow
    • Beige
    • Red
    • Maroon Metallic
    • Charcoal Metallic
  • Four two-tone combinations were available:
    • Silver and Dark Blue
    • Silver and Charcoal
    • Beige and Dark Bronze
    • Autumn Red and Dark Claret
  • All two-tone cars were painted at the new plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
  • Interiors came in Silver Gray; Charcoal; Dark Blue; Camel; Dark Red; and Medium 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.
  • The St. Louis Assembly Plant Serial numbers ranged from 1G1AY87*4BS400001 to 1G1AY87*4BS431611
  • The Bowling Green Assembly Plant Serial numbers ranged from 1G1AY87*4B5100001 to 1G1AY87*4B5108995
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11US built
    2GGeneral Motors product
    31Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
    4AType of non-passive passenger restraint system
    5YCorvette car line series
    6 & 787Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe
    8*Engine type where * is replaced by the following
    • 6 = L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp
    9?A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
    10BThe model year where B = 1981
    11S or 5S=St. Louis, MO and 5=Bowling Green, KY
    12-17100001 and upproduction 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
    ZDAL81 350-cid190-hp V-88.2:1manualfour-barrel carburetor 
    ZDBL81 350-cid190-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorCalifornia
    ZDCL81 350-cid190-hp V-88.2:1manualfour-barrel carburetorCalifornia
    ZDDL81 350-cid190-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-barrel carburetor 
  • The 1981 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • 06 = Mahogany Metallic
    • 10 = White
    • 13 = Silver Metallic
    • 19 = Black
    • 24 = Bright Blue Metallic
    • 28 = Dark Blue Metallic
    • 52 = Yellow
    • 59 = Beige
    • 75 = Red
    • 79 = Maroon Metallic
    • 84 = Charcoal Metallic
    • 33/38 = Silver and Dark Blue
    • 33/39 = Silver and Charcoal
    • 50/74 = Beige and Dark Bronze
    • 80/98 = Autumn Red and Dark Claret.
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorCloth & Leather UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Charcoal19C192
    Dark Blue29C292
    Camel64C642
    Dark Red67C672
    Silver Gray 152
    Medium Red 752

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
1YZ87
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger		$15,248317940,606

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO L81)
TypeV-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio8.2:1
Brake horsepower190 @ 4200
Torque280 lb-ft @ 1600
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Fuel supplyRochester 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: 2.72:1
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: 2.87:1

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 AU3Power door locks$145
RPO A42Power driver seat$183
RPO CC1Removable glass roof panels$414
RPO C49Rear window defogger$119
RPO DG7Electric sport mirrors$117
RPO D84Two-tone paint$399
RPO FE7Gymkhana suspension$57
RPO F51Heavy-duty shock absorbers$37
RPO G92Performance axle ratio$20
RPO K35Cruise control$155
RPO MM4Four-speed manual transmissionno cost option
RPO N90Four aluminum wheels$428
RPO QGRP255/70R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires$72
RPO QXHP255/60R-15 Raised white-letter steel-belted radial tires$491.92
RPO UL5Radio delete$118 credit
RPO UM4AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with 8-track tape system$386
RPO UMSAM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with 8-track tape and CB system$712
RPO UM6AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with cassette$423
RPO UN5AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with cassette and CB system$750
RPO U58AM-FM stereo radio$95
RPO U75Power antenna$55
RPO V54Roof panel carrier$135
RPO YFSCalifornia emissions certification$46
RPO ZN1Trailering package$110

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Introduced: September 25,1980. Model-year production: 40,606 (but Chevrolet first reported a total of 40,593 units).
  • Calendar-year production: 27,990.
  • Model-year sales by U.S. dealers: 33,414.
  • Of the total output this model year, 8,995 Corvettes came out of the new plant at Bowling Green, Kentucky, which began production in June 1981.
  • Despite some weak years in the industry, Corvette sales remained strong through this period.

1981 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1981 Corvette

1981 Corvette

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1981 Corvette

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1981 Corvette

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1981 Corvette

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