For the Corvette, 1981 was a year of transition. Changes were made not only to the car itself but where it was assembled as well. Since 1954 the Corvette had been built only at Chevrolet's St. Louis assembly plant. The Corvette line there was small
and cramped and not capable of
handling the 40-50,000 units being cranked out annually since 1976.
With a new generation Corvette
planned for 1983 as well as the high demand for the current model, Chevrolet chose to abandon St. Louis for a new assembly plant that would be dedicated solely to the Corvette.
1981 the first Corvette to use a computer on all production models.
The 1981 Corvette had two cooling fans to increase engine power.The regular engine-driven radiator fan was made smaller with fewer blades and less pitch so it consumes less power.Also installed was a Auxillary electric cooling fan.
The 1981 Corvette was visually identical to the previous model, with the exception of minor changes to the emblems. The new Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky opened its doors in June 1981. The old St. Louis plant built its last Corvette on August 1st. Therefore, for about two months, Corvettes were built at both facilities.
For 1981 more weight is saved through the use of tubular stainless steel exhaust maniifolds for all 50 states and a new fiberglass reinforced plastic monoleaf rear spring. An 81 Corvette can weigh in at just a shade over 3300 pounds packing 24 gallons of fuel and a hefty equipment load.
A new kind of rear leaf spring (which was an industry first). This new spring was the latest in the use of fiberglass-reinforced plastic for structural applications being pioneered by Corvette. Being a monoleaf, there is no inter-leaf friction as the spring deflects, eliminating a major source of ride harshness. Perhaps most important, the new spring was 33 pounds lighter than the multileaf steel spring, and yet delivers comparable spring weights with exrended life service.(I highly recommend that if you need to replace your rear spring on your older C3 Corvette that you replace it with the fiberglass Mono Leaf Spring.) You will love the improved ride! Click here to view the inovative fiberglass-reinforced 1981 Corvette rear fiberglass Monoleaf spring.
The Automatic transmission has a converter clutch wich locks up in second and third gear operation, thus providing a direct drive and improves fuel economy.Clutch lock-up is controlled by the C3 computer.
In 1981, Corvettes were produced with two different types of paint. Lacquer was applied at the St. Louis plant, and enamel was applied at the new Bowling Green plant.
| Overal Lenghth--185.3" |
| Overall Width--69.0" |
| Overall Height--48.1" |
| Wheel Base--98.0" |
| Tread-Front--58.7" |
| Tread-Rear--59.5" |
| Minimum Running Ground Clearance 3.9" (at catalytic converter) |
| Standard Tire size--P225/70R15 |
| Type--Steel Belted Radial" |
| Inflation Pressure (cold) front--35 PSI rear---35 PSI |
| Revolutions per mile--(45 MPH)--760 |
| Standard Wheel--Short spoke spider, steel rim--15x8 |
| Wheel Offset= -0.50" |
| Optional Tire--Good Year Eagle GT" |
| Size--P255/60R15 |
| Type-- Steel Belted Radial |
| Optional Wheel--Cast Aluminum |
| Rim Size--15x8 |
| Wheel Offset= -0.50" |
Base Price $15,248 Shipping Weight--3153 pounds,curb weight= 3,282 Pounds(This is the calculated weight of a vehicle with standard equipment only, as designed with the additional load of oils,lubes and fuel all filled to capacity.
1981 Options:
MORE 1981 VETTE CODES AND INFORMATION:
| Standard engine for all States in '81 is a 5.7 liter V-8 350 L81 |
| Compression Ratio 8.2:1 |
| Caburetion---4 barrel Rochester |
| Hydraulic Cam |
| Hydraulic Cam |
| Operating Tappet Clerance= Intake--Zero Exhaust--Zero |
| Valve Lift (at zero lash) Intake--.3900, Exhaust--.4100 |
| Valve Timing (based on top of ramp points) Intake opens 38 degrees, BTC Closes 92 degrees BTC, Duration 310 degrees, Exhaust --- Opens 88 degrees BTC ,Closes 52 dgrees ATC ,Duration 320 degrees. |
| Valve Open Overlap--90 degrees. |
| Transmission Ratios: |
| Manual Four-speed |
| First Gear 2.88 |
| Second Gear 1.91 |
| Third gear 1.33 |
| Fourth Gear 1.00 |
| Reverse 2.78 |
| Automatic '350c': |
| Reverse 1.93 |
| Drive 1.00 |
| L3(second) 1.52 |
| L2 (first) 2.52 |
| Rear Axle Ratios |
| Manual 4-speed--2.72:1 (2.88 low) |
| Automatic '350c'--2.87:1(2.72:1 in California) |
| Spark Plugs |
| Make AC |
| Model R43TS |
| Thread (mm)--14 |
| Gap--.045 |
| VIN Numbers: 1G1AY87664BS400002 through 1G1AY87654BS431611 (St. Louis) | ||
| G1AY87664B5100002 through 1G1AY87654B5108995 (Bowling Green) | ||
| The 9th Digit is a check code, and varies. | ZAK: 350ci, 190hp MT | ZBD: 350ci, 190hp MT CE |
| ZAM: 350ci, 190hp AT CE | ZCA: 350ci, 190hp AT | |
| ZBC: 350ci, 230hp AT | ||
CE=California Emissions, EP=Early Production, MT=Manual Trans, |
||
| AT=Automatic Trans, AC=Air Conditioning,AH=Aluminum Heads, | HA=High Altitude | < UU=Uncertain Usage |
| Base Engine: 350ci V8 190hp 1981 was last year Corvettes had a carburetor. |
| CODE | EXTERIOR | QUANTITY |
| 06 | Mahogany Metallic | 1,092 |
| 10 | White | 6,387 |
| 13 | Silver Metallic | 2,590 |
| 19 | Black | 4,712 |
| 24 | Bright Blue Metallic | 1 |
| 28 | Dark Blue Metallic | 2,522 |
| 52 | Yellow | 1,031 |
| 59 | Beige | 3,842 |
| 75 | Red | 4,310 |
| 79 | Maroon Metallic | 1,618 |
| 84 | Charcoal Metallic | 3,485 |
| 33/38 | Silver/Dark Blue | n/a |
| 33/39 | Silver/Charcoal | n/a |
| 50/74 | Beige/Dark Bronze | n/a |
| 80/98 | Autumn Red/Dark Claret | n/a |
1981 Corvette Interior Color Choices
CODE
COLOR
152
Silver Gray Leather
19C
Charcoal Cloth
192
Charcoal Leather
29C
Dark Blue Cloth
292
Dark Blue Leather
64C
Camel Cloth
642
Camel Leather
67C
Dark Red Cloth
672
Dark Red Leather
752
Medium Red Leather
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