C3 BASE COUPE CUSTOM CORVETTE SUPER CLEAN LOW MILES CROSS FIRE INJECTED T-TOPS

In 1981, here was only one power plant available, 350cuin (5.7L) engine that, ike the L-48 base engine the previous year, roduced 190hp (142kW), ut was now designated the L81. The motor was certified in all states and available with manual or automatic transmissions. Chrome air cleaner lids and cast magnesium valve covers dressed up all engines. The stainless steel exhaust manifolds and computer control system introduced on the 305cuin (5.0L) California engines the previous year were now standard, s was an auxiliary electric engine cooling fan. This, he last C3 available with a manual transmission, o equipped, ad a published 0-60mph in 8.1seconds. This model year was the first to use a fiberglass rear leaf spring, now a Corvette trademark. The spring saved thirty-six pounds, ut was limited to base suspensions with automatic transmission. When equipped with Delco's new optional ETR (Electronically Tuned Receiver) radio with digital clock, he quartz analog instrument panel clock was replaced with an oil temperature gauge. The cast aluminum wheels, ptional since ’76, ere now ordered on 90 percent of the cars at a cost of $428.New options included a power adjustable driver’s seat and power remote outside mirrors. In mid-1981 production shifted from St. Louis, issouri to Bowling Green, entucky, nd several two-tone paint options were offered.

1982 saw the debut of the “Cross-Fire Injection” fuel delivery system. This TBI (Throttle Body Fuel Injection) was not the type of fuel injection installed previously in some C1 and C2 Corvettes. It utilized two throttle bodies combined with Chevrolet’s computer control system.The engine produced 200hp (149kW) and was mated to a new four-speed automatic transmission with torque converters bypass in the top three gears. Compared to the previous Turbo hydromatic 3-speed, he new 700-R4 transmission had a lower first and second gear for improved low-end acceleration, nd a fourth gear overdrive that would reduce engine RPM by 30 percent at highway cruising speeds, resulting in better fuel economy. On the downside, he new transmission was not considered a strong unit and proved problematic.The final model C3 Corvette's published performance numbers were 0-60 in 7.9seconds-the quarter-mile in 16.1 @ 85mph (137km/h). This was the last year for 8-track tape availability and new “cross-fire injection” emblems appeared on front fenders. Nose and fuel door crossed-flags emblems changed to a more squared design. In 1983 Chevrolet knew this would be the last year of an entire generation of Corvettes and so commemorated the occasion by offering a Collector Edition with separate serial number sequencing, ilver-beige paint, unique wheels patterned after the 1967 model's bolt-on alloys, nd an operable rear hatch window.