80 Red Corvette

[ChrisPflug]

I know red Corvettes are cliche-red on red even worse- building this one as a low option version of what many consider to be the low point of the Vette- a 1980 model with California emissions. In 1980 General Motors was no longer able to certify the L48 or L82 350 for California standards and rather than make modifications only offered the regular passenger car 305 (with stainless manifolds) with a lockup Turbo 350 automatic.

Working on adding some engine details- mostly emission stuff like an AIR system, EGR, dipsticks, heater hoses and A/C lines but plan on keeping it fairly simple.

Kit is the "Spoiler Vette" MPC 1/25 annual with the wheels and tires from an AMT '72

[ismaelg]

Nothing wrong with red Corvettes!

Nice project. I will follow with interest.

Thanks,

[RodneyBad]

Vettes always look good in Red.

Unless it's Yellow.

Putting Emission stuff on?

Dang, most people take it off.

Paint and Motor is looking good.

[20PSI]

That vette looks good in red. Good start

[Alyn]

I remember back in the 70's thinking the days of performance were gone for good. It's amazing how things turned around.

Cool idea to build the smog motor. Kind of an "out-of-the-box-thinking" path to take. The tubes on the exhaust manifolds look really nice. Excellent paint to.

[george 53]

" 80 red Corvette"? want that a Prince song? Or waz it Queen?Tha Dukes? Anywho yers is lookin good, but I likeses Vettes, Red or otherwise. Yers is lookin like it'll be a sharp 'un. as long as ya jus cruz, tellem it'sa 350! They'll never knows tha diffrence!!!

[Monty]

I'll definitely be following this build. I've got a 1:1 red/red '80. Mine came with the L48 350. I've been wanting to replicate it, but I can't figure out a good way to do the mirrored t-tops.

BTW, the cure for that anemic 305 (and myL48) is available at your local GM dealer. Crate motors for everything from a stock replacement (Targetmaster) to roller-cammed big blocks.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[ismaelg]

Monty,

Don't know if it helps but I wrote an alternative to the glass T-tops in MCM # 135 (October 2008)....

Thanks,

[LOBBS]

There's nothing wrong with the late 70's-early 80's Vettes. The wife says I can finally look for something to play with once the trucks paid off and with four kids those might be the only Vettes in my price range.

Yours is looking good, keep us posted.