1982 Corvette is a Shiny, Four Eyed Survivor

Final year C3 Corvette had been loved by 1 owner for over three decades, and it clearly shows. Now it’s ready for a new home!

The C3 Corvette arrived in 1968 with some pretty bold styling. Originally designed as a rear engine model, the production version toned things down a bit. But it was still a worthy successor to the C2. There’s a reason it stuck around for so long. Good looks age well. And that’s probably why someone stuck with this C3 for so long.

A fine example of a C3 recently showed up on Cars & Bids, an automotive auction website. The 1982 Corvette has lived a pretty charmed life and still looks just as good as it did when it was new. That’s probably because it’s been very well cared for over its long lifespan.

Curvy Corvette

Every Corvette has had its fair share of curves, except for the C4, which was quite angular. But the C3 model really took things up a notch. The driver and passenger side body panels that flanked the hood curved graciously upward before folding back into the body. After the doors, more curves gave the Corvette some burly “shoulders” before tapering off into the rear lip spoiler. It’s an elegant design that really separates itself from the C2 and C4 models. Even more impressive is how much of the concept’s design survived into production. The Mako Shark II, which was used to preview the C3, isn’t radically different than what buyers could opt for at the dealership.

As for this particular Corvette, it’s still looking good after more than three decades on the road. As a 1982 model, it is a bit more special than its C3 cohorts, as it comes equipped with Chevy’s cross-fire fuel injection system and the new 4-speed automatic that was introduced that year. The original owner, who had the vehicle until 2018, opted for some decent options too. The Corvette comes with power windows, cruise control, and air conditioning.

Nicely Kept

How many older Corvettes look as good as this C3? Probably not too many. As previously mentioned, it was a 1 owner vehicle until 2018. That’s a remarkable feat. Fortunately, the two subsequent owners have honored the original owner by keeping it in great shape. The previous owner had the car repainted, which is probably why it looks so stunning. Additionally, the current owner replaced the fuel pump, door locks, and serviced the air conditioning. Based on the cleanliness of the interior, it probably doesn’t need much of anything else. Although the steering wheel looks a bit worn. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the interior are the seats, which were reconditioned with cloth instead of the original leather.

An Absolute Gem

Although the paint, seats, and T-tops were refurbished, there is a chip on the front bumper. But that’s a tiny flaw for an otherwise stellar C3. With just under 70k on the odometer, it appears quite ready to give the next owner a ton of enjoyment.

Overall, this is a pretty fantastic Corvette and should make a fine addition to someone’s collection. As of this writing, bidding is at $4,500. That’s bound to increase by the time the auction closes on August 20. Cars & Bids has a robust commenting system that generally hosts the current owner. That’s true in the case of this Corvette. So if you’re interested in the C3 and have questions, you can almost certainly get an answer back before you place a bid. It’s definitely worth a look.

Photos: Cars & Bids

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