Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Corvette Manufacturing
Moves to Bowling Green KY
Above: the last Corvette (manual transmission) manufactured at the St. Louis MO plant and (Below) the first Corvette (automatic transmission) to be manufactured at the Bowling Green KY facility. Hard core Corvette fans might read something in the transmission choices made; feel free to voice your opinion.
If you look at the list of available colors for 1981, you'll see that it is very long; 22 choices, far more than any other Corvette year. You'll even see the same color listed twice - there are several silvers and a couple of beiges for example. The reason is that the two assemble plants used different paint processes; St. Louis MO used acrylic lacquer and the newer Bowling Green KY plant used enamel based paint.
Starting in 1980 and running thru 1982, an attractive black plastic vent occupied the front fender. The 1981 and 1982 vents featured some horizontal plastic for strengthening.
Interesting YouTube video discusses the move from the St. Louis MO plant to Bowling Green KY.
Right: Engine bays had been getting crowded for some time as a myriad of plumbing and assorted paraphernalia was added to meet anti-pollution requirements. For the first time since 1954, there was only one engine available. Automatic and four speed manual transmissions were possible and the price was the same for either. A "computer command control" which in 1980 had been part of California bound Corvettes was installed in all Corvettes. The system controlled ignition timing and air-fuel mixture, a necessity for tailpipe emissions compliance. The 350 cu. in. 190 hp L81 was, along with both the automatic and four speed manual transmissions, legal in all 50 states.
Right: 85 MPH was the maximum reading on the 1981 Corvette speedometer and was a Federal Safety requirement intended to conserve fuel. Note the emphasis on the "55" reading, also a federal requirement. The regulations did not have the desired effect as fuel consumption remained mostly the same. These were the days of the 55 mph speed limit (derisively known as the "double nickels") which was widely ignored and ridiculed. The legal requirement ended in 1981 as the result of the need to eliminate excessive government regulation.
Corvette owners typically do not like to conform and ingenuity came to the rescue in the form of a .610 gear set placed in the speedometer cable. This meant that the kilometer per hour scale could be used to accurately display speed beyond 85 mph.
1981 Corvette For Sale |
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81 Corvette
Price: $9,200 obo (Trades Considered) Exterior: Red Interior: Camel Miles: 91,000 Location: Fenton Michigan 48430 Click Here for more info |
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This is very nice entry level corvette for the first time buyer. Only needs detailing work. Fresh red paint that needs a second cut and buff New camel seats and carpet, refurbished interior panels 350/350 All computer controlled componenets and wiring removed, distributor and carb replaced with parts off a 78 corvette Full true dual exhaust, no cat (more) |
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The transverse rear spring material was upgraded to fiberglass, saving 36 pounds in automatic transmission Corvettes. Weight saving magnesium valve covers were introduced. A driver's side power seat was an option.
1981 Corvette: Official GM Photo.
1981 Corvette Options, Prices
| RPO | Description | Production | Price |
| A42 | Power Driver Seat | 29,200 (71.91%) | $183.00 |
| AU3 | Power Door Locks | 36,322 (89.45%) | $145.00 |
| C49 | Rear Window Defogger | 36,893 (90.86%) | $119.00 |
| CC1 | Removable Glass Roof Panels | 29,095 (71.65%) | $414.00 |
| D84 | Two-Tone Paint | 5,352 (13.18%) | $399.00 |
| DG7 | Electric Sport Mirrors | 13,567 (33.41%) | $117.00 |
| F51 | Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers | 1,128 (2.78%) | $37.00 |
| FE7 | Gymkhana Suspension | 7,803 (19.22%) | $57.00 |
| G92 | Performance Axle Ratio | 2,400 (5.91%) | $20.00 |
| K35 | Cruise Control | 32,522 (80.09%) | $155.00 |
| MM4 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission | 5,757 (14.18%) | n/a |
| N90 | Aluminum Wheels (4) | 36,485 (89.85%) | $428.00 |
| QGR | White Letter SBR Tires, P225 / 70R15 | 21,939 (54.03%) | $72.00 |
| QXH | White Letter SBR Tires, P255 / 60R15 | 18,004 (44.34%) | $491.92 |
| U58 | AM-FM Radio, stereo | 5,145 (12.67%) | $95.00 |
| U75 | Power Antenna | 32,903 (81.03%) | $55.00 |
| UL5 | Radio Delete | 315 (0.78%) | n/a |
| UM4 | AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with 8-track | 8,262 (20.35%) | $386.00 |
| UM5 | AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with 8-track/CB | 792 (1.95%) | $712.00 |
| UM6 | AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with cassette | 22,892 (56.38%) | $423.00 |
| UN5 | AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with cassette/CB | 2,349 (5.78%) | $750.00 |
| V54 | Roof Panel Carrier | 3,303 (8.13%) | $135.00 |
| YF5 | California Emission Certification | 4,951 (12.19%) | $46.00 |
| ZN1 | Trailer Package | 916 (2.26%) | $110.00 |
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Total Production:
40,606
Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 190 hp engine: $16,258.52. |
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Colors
| Code | Exterior | Quantity | Interior | ||
| 06 | Mahogany Metallic | 1,092 (2.69%) | Camel / Dark Red | ||
| 10 | White | 6,387 (15.73%) | Black / Charcoal / Camel / Dark Blue / Dark Red / Medium Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 13 | Silver Metallic | 2,590 (6.38%) | Black / Charcoal / Dark Blue / Medium Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 19 | Black | 4,712 (11.60%) | Black / Charcoal / Camel / Dark Red / Medium Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 24 | Bright Blue Metallic | 1 (0.00%) | Charcoal / Camel / Dark Blue / Silver Grey | ||
| 28 | Dark Blue Metallic | 2,522 (6.21%) | Camel / Dark Blue / Medium Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 33 | Silver Metallic | 3,369 (8.30%) | Charcoal / Dark Blue / Dark Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 33/38 | Silver / Dark Blue | n/a | Dark Blue / Silver Gray | ||
| 33/39 | Silver / Charcoal | n/a | Charcoal / Silver Gray | ||
| 38 | Dark Blue Metallic | 496 (1.22%) | Camel / Dark Blue / Silver Grey | ||
| 39 | Charcoal Metallic | 613 (1.51%) | Charcoal / Dark Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 50 | Beige | 2,239 (5.51%) | Charcoal / Camel / Dark Blue / Dark Red | ||
| 50/74 | Beige / Dark Bronze | n/a | Camel | ||
| 52 | Yellow | 1,031 (2.54%) | Black / Charcoal / Camel | ||
| 59 | Beige | 3,842 (9.46%) | Camel / Dark Blue / Dark | ||
| 74 | Dark Bronze | 432 (1.06%) | Charcoal / Camel | ||
| 75 | Red | 4,310 (10.61%) | Black / Charcoal / Camel / Medium Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 79 | Maroon Metallic | 1,618 (3.98%) | Black / Charcoal / Camel / Medium Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 80 | Autumn Red | 1,505 (3.71%) | Charcoal / Camel / Dark Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 80/98 | Autumn Red / Dark Claret | n/a | Dark Red / Silver Gray | ||
| 84 | Charcoal Metallic | 3,485 (8.58%) | Black / Charcoal / Camel / Medium Red / Silver Grey | ||
| 98 | Dark Claret Metallic | n/a | Camel / Dark Red / Silver | ||
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Notes: The vast color choices was due to the fact that 1981 Corvettes were built at both the St. Louis MO and Bowling Green KY plants. |
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Comments (1)
This site is very interesting for the Corvette people. Very knowledgeable!!! I keep it in my favorites.