1980 CORVETTE

The 1980 Corvette was more streamlined and lost close to 250 pounds.

• The hood and doors were lighter with thinner door glass.
• Corvette bodies held new fiberglass bumper structures.
• The lift-off roof panels were made of lightweight, low-density microscopic glass beads.
• The body panels were urethane-coated.
• Weight cuts also hit the power train.
• The differential housing and supports were made of aluminum.
• The 350-cid (5.7-liter) V-8 had a new aluminum intake manifold, while the 305-cid (5.0-liter) V-8 used in cars sold in California had a stainless exhaust manifold.
• The Corvette hoods had a new low profile.
• The front bumper had an integrated lower air dam and the bumper cover now extended to the wheel openings.
• New two-piece front cornering lamps worked whenever the lights were switched on.
• A deep-recessed split grille held integral parking lamps.
• Front fender air vents contained functional black louvers.
• New front and rear spoilers were molded in and integrated with the bumper caps and were no longer of a bolt-on type.
• New emblems included an engine identifier for the optional L82 V-8.
• The dashboard carried a new 85-mph speedometer.
• Only two storage bins stood behind the seat, where three used to be.
• Turbo Hydra-Matic transmissions added a lock-up torque converter that engaged at about 30 mph, while the four-speed manual transmission got new gear ratios.
• In California, Corvette buyers could get only the 305-cid V-8 with automatic transmission this year.
• The base V-8 lost five horsepower, while the optional version gained five.
• New standard equipment this year included formerly-optional power windows, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, and Four Season air conditioning.
• Rally wheels held P225/70R-15/B blackwall SBR tires with trim rings and center caps.
• Body colors were
  • White
  • Silver
  • Black
  • Dark Blue
  • Dark Brown
  • Yellow
  • Dark Green
  • Frost Beige
  • Dark Claret
  • Red
• Interiors came in Black; Claret; Dark Blue; Doeskin; Oyster; and Red.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• Serial numbers ranged from 1Z87*AS400001 to 1Z87*AS440614

• Engine serial number began 0001001
• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
• Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
  • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
  • The one or two numbers shows the month
  • The last digit shows the year
• Engine suffixes:

• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 80-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette coupe
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The ten 1980 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 10 = White
  • 13 = Silver
  • 19 = Black
  • 28 = Dark Blue
  • 47 = Dark Brown
  • 52 = Yellow
  • 58 = Dark Green
  • 59 = Frost Beige
  • 76 = Dark Claret
  • 83 = Red
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
1Y	Z87	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$13,140	3206	40,614

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission
  • four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.88:1
    • 2nd = 1.91:1
    • 3rd = 1.33:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.78:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.07:1
• Optional Manual Transmission
  • close ratio four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.43:1
    • 2nd = 1.61:1
    • 3rd = 1.23:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.35:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
• Automatic Transmission
  • Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.52:1
    • 2nd = 1.52:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 1.93:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.55:1

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES