1981 Chevrolet Corvette

Our History

1981 Corvette History
Total Production = 40,606 Coupes

The 1981 Corvette was the first Corvette to be built simultaneously in two locations. The first Corvette rolled off the assembly line at the new Bowling Green, KY plant on June 1, 1981 and the last Corvette to be built at the St. Louis, MO plant rolled off the line August 1, 1981. The 1981 Corvette was also the last model to have a manual transmission available until late in the 1984 production year. Until it's last car, the St. Louis plant continued to use lacquer paints, while the new Bowling Green plant used a new paint process which used enamel base coats followed by clear top coats

The 1981 Corvette was visually identical to the previous model, with the exception of the new blackout treatment to the emblems. The new Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky opened its doors in June 1981. The old St. Louis plant built its last Corvette on August 1st. Therefore, for about two months, Corvettes were built at both facilities, and each are easy to distiguish, all solid color cars were built at St. Louis, and all two tones at Bowling Green. This was the first year for computer controlled engines.

Total Production = 40,606 CoupesThe 1981 Corvette was visually identical to the previous model, with the exception of the new blackout treatment to the emblems. The new Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky opened its doors in June 1981. The old St. Louis plant built its last Corvette on August 1st. Therefore, for about two months, Corvettes were built at both facilities, and each are easy to distiguish, all solid color cars were built at St. Louis, and all two tones at Bowling Green. This was the first year for computer controlled engines.

Specifications