Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 19641965 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
Corvette Specs, Options: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 19651966 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
To learn more about the 1981 Corvette, click here.
1981 Corvette Specs
Body Specs |
|
| Wheelbase | 98.0 inches |
| Overhang (Front) | 42.4 inches |
| Overhang (Rear) | 44.9 inches |
| Front Track | 58.7 inches |
| Rear Track | 59.5 inches |
| Length | 185.3 inches |
|
Ground Clearance
Differential to Ground |
12.9 inches |
|
Ground Clearance
Front Bumper to Ground |
9.4 inches |
|
Ground Clearance
Rear Bumper to Ground |
11.4 inches |
|
Ground Clearance
Rear Axle to Ground |
12.9 inches |
| Minimum Ground Clearance |
4.1 inches
(Measured at Catalytic Converter) |
Overall Height | 48.1 inches |
| Rocker Panel to Ground (Front) | 8.0 inches |
| Rocker Panel to Ground (Rear) | 7.7 inches |
| Luggage Capacity | 8.4 Cubic Feet |
| Cowl Height | 35.4 inches |
| Windshield Slope Angle | 57.0° |
| Effective Head Room | 36.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room | 47.5 inches |
| Hip Room | 49.9 inches |
| Tire Size | P225/70R15 |
| Recommended Tire Inflation | 35 PSI Front; 35 PSI Rear |
| Wheels, Regular Production | Size: 15 x 8 |
| Synchronization | All Forward Gears |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic (Automatic) Transmission |
1st Gear 2.52:1
2nd Gear 1.52:1 3rd Gear 1.00:1 Reverse Gear 1.93:1 |
| Four Speed Transmission |
1st Gear 2.88:1
2nd Gear 1.91:1 3rd Gear 1.33:1 4th Gear 1.00:1 Reverse Gear 2.78:1 |
| Transmission Lubricant Type |
GL-5 Gear Lubricant
80W or 80W-90 |
| Lubricant Capacity | Four Speed Manual: 3.4 Quarts |
| Differential Lubricant Type |
GL-5
SAE 80W-90 |
| Axle Ratio |
Automatic, Four Speed Manual
2.72:1, 2.87:1 |
| Transmission Synchromesh | All Four Gears |
| Standard Fuel Tank Capacity | 24 Gallons (Approximately) |
| Steering Ratio | 16.1:1 |
| Steering Wheel Diameter | 14.5 inches |
| Wheel Turns | 2.58 |
| Turning Diameters |
40.4 feet (Curb to Curb)
41.3 feet (Wall to Wall) |
|
|
| 49 State |
15 mpg (Automatic)
14 mpg (Manual) |
| California |
15 mpg (Automatic)
14 mpg (Manual) |
|
|
| Model 1YY87 Sport Coupe |
(Curb)
(Shipping) |
|
Curb Weight: The calculated weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, only as designed with the additional load of oils, lubes coolants and fuel all filled to capacity.
Shipping Weight: Same as base curb weight except 3 gallons of gasoline. |
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Standard Engine
With Turbo Hydra Matic Transmission |
+38.2 lb.
(+22.4 lb. Front; +15.8 lb. Rear) |
|
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
(RPO U58) |
+10 lb.
(+6 lb. Front; +4 lb. Rear) |
|
Radio, AM/FM Stereo With CB,
8 Track Tape Player (RPO UM5) |
+1.2 lb.
(+.8 lb. Front; +.4 lb. Rear) |
|
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With Cassette Tape Player (RPO UM6) |
+1.2 lb.
(+.8 lb. Front; +.4 lb. Rear) |
|
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With 8 Track Tape Player (RPO UM4) |
+2.8 lb.
(+1.4 lb. Front; +1.4 lb. Rear) |
|
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With CB, Cassette Tape Player (RPO UN5) |
+1.2 lb.
(+.8 lb. Front; +.4 lb. Rear) |
|
Gymkhana Suspension
(RPO FE7) |
+37.0 lb.
(+5.2 lb. Front; +31.8 lb. Rear) |
|
Power Antenna
All Radios Except Citizen's Band (RPO U75) |
+3.6 lb.
(-0.8 lb. Front; +4.4 lb. Rear) |
|
Aluminum Wheels
(RPO N90) |
-47.1 lb.
(-23.8 lb. Front; -23.3 lb. Rear) |
|
Glass Roof Panels
(RPO CC1) |
+14.6 lb.
(+4.4 lb. Front; +10.2 lb. Rear) |
|
Carrier-Roof Panel
(RPO K30) |
+7.0 lb.
(-1.8 lb. Front; +8.8 lb. Rear) |
|
|
| Type: | V8 |
| Valve Location: | In Head |
| Bore / Stroke: | 4.00" / 3.48" |
| Displacement: |
350 Cubic Inches
(5.7 Liters) |
| Compression Ratio: | 8.2:1 |
| Cylinder Head Material: | High Chrome Cast Alloy Iron |
| Cylinder Block Material: | Cast Alloy Iron |
| Oil Pump Type: | Gear |
| Crankcase Oil Capacity | 4.0 Quarts, Less Filter |
| Recommended Oil Grade |
Above 20°F: SAE 20W-20, SAE 10W-30, 10W-40
20W-40, 20W-50 0°F to 60°F: SAE 10W, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 Below 20°F: SAE 5W-20, 5W-30 |
| Fuel Filter |
Mesh Strainer in Gasoline Tank and
Paper Filter Element in Carburetor Inlet. |
| Fuel Pump | Mechanical |
| Fuel Pressure | 7.5 - 9.0 PSI |
| Cooling System Capacity | 21.6 Quarts |
| Radiator Cap Relief Pressure | 15 PSI |
| Battery | 12 volt - 115 Minute Reserve Capacity |
|
Brakes |
|
| Type | Caliper Disc, Four Wheel Hydraulic |
| Gross Lining Area | 86.30 Square Inches |
| Swept Area | 498.30 Square Inches |
| Disc | Vented |
|
Horsepower |
|
| Standard Engine (350 cubic inch) |
190 hp @ 4,200 RPM;
Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM |
|
Ignition System |
|
| Ignition Timing Centrifugal Advance | Does Not Apply |
| Ignition Timing Vacuum Advance | Does Not Apply |
| Initial Timing |
Distributor | 1103443 | Base Engine
6° BTC Manual / Automatic |
| Spark Plug | R45TS |
| Spark Plug Thread | 14 mm. |
| Spark Plug Gap | .045 inch |
| Firing Order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Idle |
Standard Engine, Manual Transmission:
700 RPM (In Neutral) Standard Engine, Automatic Transmission: 500 RPM (In Drive) |
1981 Corvette Options
| 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 |
|
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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