“Corvette is a rolling showcase of new technology …”
For 1981, Chevrolet’s Corvette gained a new standard powertrain—the L81 190 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor combined with a four-speed manual transmission (a three-speed automatic was a no-cost option). The new engine featured Computer Command Control, which automatically adjusted the ignition timing and the fuel/air mixture. Chevrolet engineers also replaced the steel rear leaf spring with a fiberglass one in cars with the automatic.
With the four-speed manual, 0-60 came in about 8 seconds—quick for a 1981 model year car. Fuel economy was 14 city/20 highway by the day’s standards with either transmission. With a 23.7-gallon gas tank, one of the 40,606 proud new owners of a 1981 Corvette could expect a range of 295 to 325 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
For the $16,258.52 base price at the beginning of the model year (about $62,100 in 2025 dollars), Corvette buyers got removable roof panels, a Delco Freedom II battery, four-wheel power disc brakes, power steering, dual sport mirrors, and P225/70R15 tires (a size still readily available) on 15 x 8 inch rally wheels. Inside, air conditioning, power windows, a tilt-telescopic steering column, an AM/FM radio with dual front speakers, a quartz clock, and a choice of either cloth/vinyl or leather/vinyl bucket seats were all standard.
Options & Production Numbers
Exterior and mechanical options included two-tone paint ($399), aluminum wheels ($428), and a power antenna ($55). Inside, buyers could add power door locks ($145), cruise control ($155), and a rear window defogger ($119). 1981 was the first year that the AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette player ($423) was more popular than the AM/FM stereo radio with an 8-track player ($386). New options included a power driver’s seat ($183) and electric twin remote sport mirrors ($117).
1981 was the first year Corvettes were produced in two factories at one time. The new Bowling Green, Kentucky plant produced its first Corvette on June 1, 1981, while the St. Louis plant was making its last Corvettes—the final St. Louis Corvette was built on August 1, 1981. All St. Louis Corvettes were painted with lacquer paints, while the new Bowling Green plant had a brand new paint facility and used enamels with clear top coats.
One of the two 1981 Corvette brochures has what I think is one of the best visual expressions of the “shark” Corvette as its fold-out cover. A silhouetted 1981 is in the foreground, with the image of the curving path it has just traversed carved with a time-lapse of its taillights.
The View From 2025
There is strong club support for the 1981 Corvette, as there is for all Corvettes. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, a loaded 1981 Corvette in #1/Concours condition is $35,500, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $15,500. 1981 Corvettes often appear in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I updated this blog entry in October 2025, there was a Red Corvette with Silver leather bucket seats and 46,000 miles available on Hemming’s, asking $29,000.
Make mine Autumn Red/Dark Claret, please—two-tones seem appropriate for 1981.
Other Corvettes I have written about in this blog include the 1980 coupe, the 1982 coupe, the 1984 hatchback coupe, the 1986 convertible, and the 1988 35th Anniversary Edition hatchback coupe. I also wrote about traveling long distances in an eighties Corvette.
Last updated October 2025.
Eighties Cars 