1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector’s Edition

1970s and early 1980s It was a tough time for automakers selling sports cars in the United States. Whether you were Porsche, Ferrari, or Chevrolet, emissions regulations combined with ever-increasing safety standards had a serious negative impact on the era’s high-performance cars. Influence. At that time, the Ferrari 308 GTBi’s 0-60 acceleration time was only 7.9 seconds, and even the Porsche 928 needed 7 seconds. In the United States, sports cars have all but disappeared, save for one survivor: the Corvette.

You have to give GM credit for continuing to build and develop the Corvette during the energy crisis, the climate crisis, and the overall decline of the entire sports car world at the time. It could have simply canceled the car and moved on, but it chose to keep the C3 as the Corvette record-holder for another 15 years, until 1982. The 1982 model gives the aging but still desirable C3 Corvette its final bow for collectors.

This 22,000-mile 1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector’s Edition is on display on AutoHunter, an online auction platform powered by ClassicCars.com.

According to the seller, this 1982 Vette is powered by an L83 5.7-liter V8 engine that matches its original numbers, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Silver Beige Metallic and Black Leather Interior, this C3 Corvette now comes with a window sticker, owner’s manual, original purchase documents, clean CARFAX report and a clear title.

The exterior of this Collector’s Edition 1982 Corvette is finished in original Silver Beige Metallic paint (Code 59) with accent pinstriping and a gradient rocker treatment. I have to say, the cars themselves look really cool, but photos never seem to do justice to what they really look like. The paint looks like a color Porsche would offer, and the quality of the paint coming from the Corvette’s brand new factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is better than the C3’s previous paint. The car features signature pop-up headlights, a removable bronze glass T-top, and (as a Collector’s Edition) a practical hinged glass rear hatch. Collector’s Edition 15-inch turbine aluminum wheels shod with new 255/60 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires.

The interior appears to feature all original panels, except for the six-way power seats, which have been restored in black leather. To me, the crazy three-tone Collector’s Edition leather seats are part of the fun of this car. If I bought this Corvette, I would call one of the many excellent classic Corvette parts suppliers and get a set of original color seat covers for about $850.

Under the hood, everything appears to be in good shape and in pristine condition. The numbers-matching Cross-Fire fuel-injected L83 5.7-liter V8 looks completely stock, and I don’t see anything that would make me think someone modified the car. The underside shows some surface rust as this is an original (unrestored) car, but I will clean these off and then drive and enjoy this low mileage machine.

If you’re looking to buy yourself a last-minute Christmas gift, you might want to save a few bucks and bid on a driver’s-level version of this last-ever C3 Corvettes. The auction for this 22K mile 1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector’s Edition will end on the day after Christmas, Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM (MST).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery