Every now and then, you come across the sale of a vehicle that sounds and looks too good to be true. Well, this 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 is a very good example, as it’s claimed to have an all-original motor, transmission, and interior. It has also never left the sunny state of California, had just a couple of owners for more than four decades, and been registered as non-operational with the DMV (PNO—planned non-operation) since March 1984.
It has been sitting inside a garage like a sports car queen ever since until just a couple of months ago when it was taken out for a visit at the service and some refreshments (oil change, brake fluid, and calipers). That’s all according to the description from eBay user rustomods408, who is now trying to find this Burgundy on Burgundy ‘Vette a third and equally loving owner.
Interestingly, although we’re dealing with a regular auction, this C3 also has the “buy it now” option enabled, which means the stylish Corvette will head towards a new home for just $14,500. It’s anyone’s right to make an assessment if this price is the right one, but we need to really take into account certain details.
For example, the two owners have never taken this car out of Cali as it was purchased new in Gilroy, California, and has remained there ever since. That brings the certainty that it probably saw a lot of mild and mannered days, but also the setback of sporting the smallest 305ci (5.0-liter) V8 option in place of something feistier.
The flip side is that we’re dealing with an “all-original motor and transmission,” and the same is said about the cool and matching burgundy interior. The T-Tops is yet another highlight, just like the newly added 18-inch aluminum rally-style wheels fitted with chunky 275/40 rubber.
Apparently, it also comes with all-original mileage. It seems the first owner put some 18,000 miles (29,000 km) on the odometer before passing the torch to the second one that stopped at 45,818 miles (73,737 km) and then placed the car in garage storage. That was way back in March of 1984.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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