1981 CORVETTE

• Probably the most significant change this year was hidden from view.
• Corvettes with Turbo HydraMatic had a new fiberglass-reinforced monoleaf rear spring that weighed just eight pounds (33 pounds less than the multi-leaf steel spring it replaced).
• The new spring eliminated interleaf friction.
• Manual-shift models kept the old spring, as did those with optional Gymkhana suspension.
• Side door glass was made even thinner again, in a further attempt to cut overall car weight.
• A new L81 version of the 350-cid V-8 arrived this year.
• It was rated for 190 hp, with lightweight magnesium rocker arm covers.
• New stainless-steel free-flowing exhaust manifolds weighed 14 pounds less than the previous cast iron manifolds.
• A new thermostatically-controlled auxiliary electric fan boosted cooling and allowed use of a smaller main fan.
• The engine air cleaner had a new chromed cover.
• A new Computer Command Control system controlled fuel metering, as well as the torque converter lock-up clutch that operated in second and third gears.
• Manual transmission was available in all 50 states.
• It was the first time in several years that buyers of Corvettes sold in California could order a stick shift.
• A quartz crystal clock was now standard.
• The Corvette's standard anti-theft alarm added a starter-interrupt device.
• Joining the option list was a six-way power seat.
• Electronic-tuning radios could have built-in cassette or 8-track tape players or a CB transceiver.
• The Corvette's ample standard equipment list included
  • either four-speed manual or automatic transmission (same price)
  • four-wheel power disc brakes
  • limited-slip differential
  • power steering
  • tinted glass
  • twin remote-control sport mirrors
  • concealed two-speed wipers
  • halogen high-beam retractable headlamps
  • air conditioning
  • power windows
  • a tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • a tachometer
  • an AM/FM radio
  • a trip odometer
  • courtesy lights
  • a luggage compartment security shade
• Corvette buyers had a choice of cloth-and-vinyl or leather-and-vinyl upholstery.
• Corvettes rode on P225/70R-15 steel-belted radial blackwall tires on 15 x 8 inch wheels.
• The optional Gymkhana suspension (price $54) was also included with the trailer towing package.
• Body colors this year were
  • Mahogany Metallic
  • White
  • Silver Metallic
  • Black
  • Bright Blue Metallic
  • Dark Blue Metallic
  • Yellow
  • Beige
  • Red
  • Maroon Metallic
  • Charcoal Metallic
• Four two-tone combinations were available:
  • Silver and Dark Blue
  • Silver and Charcoal
  • Beige and Dark Bronze
  • Autumn Red and Dark Claret
• All two-tone cars were painted at the new plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
• Interiors came in Silver Gray; Charcoal; Dark Blue; Camel; Dark Red; and Medium 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.
• The St. Louis Assembly Plant Serial numbers ranged from 1G1AY87*4BS400001 to 1G1AY87*4BS431611
• The Bowling Green Assembly Plant Serial numbers ranged from 1G1AY87*4B5100001 to 1G1AY87*4B5108995

• 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 1981 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 06 = Mahogany Metallic
  • 10 = White
  • 13 = Silver Metallic
  • 19 = Black
  • 24 = Bright Blue Metallic
  • 28 = Dark Blue Metallic
  • 52 = Yellow
  • 59 = Beige
  • 75 = Red
  • 79 = Maroon Metallic
  • 84 = Charcoal Metallic
  • 33/38 = Silver and Dark Blue
  • 33/39 = Silver and Charcoal
  • 50/74 = Beige and Dark Bronze
  • 80/98 = Autumn Red and Dark Claret.
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
1Y	Z87	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$15,248	3179	40,606

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: 2.72:1
• 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: 2.87:1

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES