I've always liked C3 fastbacks, from back in the day when I was driving around the streets of North Miami Beach in my 1976 Corvette.

Back then, the chance of affording a new late-model C3 was fiction, but I really wanted to own a "modern" Corvette.

Eventually, I traded my Vette for a 1982 Firebird SE since I was hooked on watching the then-new Knight Rider series on TV, and that seemed to be the right thing to do. Plus it had a back seat so that was very practical. And the fact that I also loved F-Bodies did not make the decision hard.

But you know how those dreams from your youth come back to the forefront a few decades later, so when I spotted this mostly-original 1981 Corvette for sale, I had to go check it out, even though it entailed a 3-hour roundtrip.

A couple of days after the pre-purchase inspection, I drove back down to Pasco County with a buddy of mine and trailer in tow and brought the '81 Vette home with me.

This video will be part of the new series on my channel chronicling the reconditioning and rehabilitation of my new 1981 Corvette, and I hope it will give you a few ideas, hours of entertainment along with information, and maybe even some inspiration to work on yours or, if you are on the fence thinking about buying a C3 Corvette, finally pulling the trigger.

Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻

⚡ Inspecting and Test-Driving a 1981 Corvette
▶    • How to Check a C3 Corvette Before Buy...  

======================================

CORVETTE PRODUCTS (sponsored)

- 76 Vette Assembly Manual: https://amzn.to/2GBuHrd
- 68-82 Corvette Manual: https://amzn.to/3devEEW
- How to Restore Corvette: https://amzn.to/35B6L0R
- 68-82 Vette Resto Guide: https://amzn.to/2QvvIG

======================================

DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on my C3 Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.

The repairs and other work I do are for my own benefit and entertainment, and even though my videos may appear to give technical how-to advice, that's not my intention.

Working on a vehicle is inherently dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a licensed mechanic.


CONTENTS

00:00 Introduction and Project Assessment
04:24 The L81 Engine
06:44 First Wash
08:06 Removing Aftermarket Taillight Louvers
10:56 Cleaning the Rims and Tires
12:53 Removing Headlight Bezels
14:08 How to Use the Headlight Bypass Switch
15:56 The Headlight Bezel Will Not Come Out
17:11 Liquid Nails® for Attaching Emblems?
18:29 Coming Up...