Car Model History

Third generation · C3 "Stingray" · 1968–1982

1981Chevrolet Corvette

The Coke-bottle 'shark' body — the longest-running Corvette generation. Big-block muscle early, then detuned through the 1970s emissions era; the original ZR1 option appeared 1970–1972.

Third generation · C3 "Stingray"

1981 Chevrolet Corvette, C3 third generation — red coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: AlfvanBeem / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1981 Chevrolet Corvette model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1981 Corvette

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

2factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

2versions shown
Coupe with removable roof panels

Corvette Coupe with removable roof panels — 3-speed automatic

Body
Coupe with removable roof panels
Engine
350 cu in small-block V8
Gearbox
3-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Coupe with removable roof panels

Corvette Coupe with removable roof panels — 4-speed manual

Body
Coupe with removable roof panels
Engine
350 cu in small-block V8
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1981 model year

Overview

The 1981 Chevrolet Corvette was the C3 Stingray model-year specification for the U.S. market. Its documented factory range comprised 350 cu in small-block V8 with 3-speed automatic or 4-speed manual.

Specifications

Engines
  • 350 cu in small-block V8
Transmissions
3-speed automatic, 4-speed manual
Body styles
Coupe with removable roof panels

Year over year

What changed

  • The coupe-only C3 continued with year-specific emissions, trim and equipment revisions.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • This page records the U.S. 1981 factory powertrain and body-style range rather than borrowing a nearby model year's specification.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • For a 1981 Corvette, verify the VIN, installed powertrain and service history against the exact-year GM document; age, modifications and deferred maintenance are more useful evidence than generation-wide reputation.
  • Check the NHTSA VIN lookup for unrepaired safety recalls before purchase or road use.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1981 Corvette on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1981 Chevrolet Corvette. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
2
Factory intervals
1
Fitment-scoped
2
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil — change

    Sourced interval available

    This is the normal-service interval. Diesel and turbocharged-engine exceptions named by the bulletin do not apply to the Corvette's naturally aspirated L81 gasoline V8.

    Applies to: 1981 · L81 5.7L gasoline V8 · United States · The GM bulletin explicitly applies this normal-service recommendation to most 1980–1981 GM cars and light-duty trucks; the Corvette's separate gasoline-passenger-car maintenance pamphlet is still required for the remaining items.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km / 12 months · Normal service; whichever occurs first.

    Source: General Motors — 1980–1981 model-year engine-oil interval bulletin · Recommended oil-change interval for normal service for most 1980 and 1981 GM vehicles · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Manufacturer-catalog fitment only; no service interval is inferred.

    Baldwin B27 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not alter Chevrolet's service interval.

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · Baldwin's exact 1981 Corvette 5.7-liter application row assigns B27; confirm the installed engine and filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · Chevrolet 1981 Corvette V8-350 (5.7L) application row — Lube — B27 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. General Motors Heritage Archive — 1981 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Information Kit
  2. NHTSA — VIN recall lookup

Other Third generation years

Explore the C3 "Stingray" generation →All Third generation · C3 "Stingray" years →

Browse by tag

← All Chevrolet Corvette years