Weighty gasoline guzzlers were a conk out breed , being victims of the newCorporate Average Fuel Economystandards . This meant the 1980 Corvette would have to be put on a diet in society to live .
First - stage standard made for 1980 slimmed the car by some 250 pound sterling . The differential housing and front - frame crossmember were switched from steel to aluminum , and enceinte purpose was made of plastics throughout the car . The aluminum breathing in manifold paper antecedently used on the L82 engine was extended to the base L48 , which lost five bhp to emissions tuning – back to 190 bhp at 4,400 rpm and 280 lbs / ft torsion at 2,400 rpm . However , the L82 actually win another five horses – up to 230 in all .
California ’s progressively stringent emissions standards force buyers there to settle for a detoxed 180 - bhp 305 small - block , which was available only with the machinelike transmitting .
Corvette’s crossed-flags emblem was again redrawn as a small but effective 1980 cosmetic change, and it was carried over for ‘81. See moreclassic car pictures.
Also in the interestingness of better mileage , the antecedently optional front and rearward spoiler were slightly reshape and made integral with the bodywork , and the grille was raked back slightly . As a resultant , the coefficient of drag ( Cd ) fell from 0.503 to a more respectable 0.443 – still not great but an improvement none the less . Exterior chrome was now kept to a lower limit , which signify removing the crossed - flags emblem from the front cowcatcher .
Other modify to the 1980 Corvette included newly standardized air conditioning and tilt / scope steering rack , relocate mightiness door lock buttons , and a speedometer calibrate to only 85 miles per hour – yet another politics authorization . Finally , the two behind - the - butt memory board compartment were compound , though the battery remained in its separate snug flat aft of the number one wood .
The weight - saving measures came none too soon , for early 1979 had brought another fuel crisis down upon America . This metre , OPEC had less to do with the energy crisis than the derangement of the Shah of Iran . But its effects on Americans were much the same : increasingly tight supplies of ever - more expensive fuel that institutionalize the car grocery and the national economy as a whole into a spin . Once again the Corvette ’s time to come looked dubitable , yet it continued to ride high . Although exemplary - year bulk was down some 20 percentage from 1979 , the 1980 tally of 40,614 units was still quite respectable for a heavy , thirsty , specialty elevator car that had become almost too expensive – now at a generous $ 13,140.24 , sans options – for its mark vendee .
Corvette’s crossed-flags emblem was again redrawn as a small but effective 1980 cosmetic change, and it was carried over for ‘81. See moreclassic car pictures.
Once again the Corvette ’s futurity looked doubtful , yet it continue to ride richly . Although model - year loudness was down some 20 percent from 1979 , the 1980 tally of 40,614 units was still quite healthy for a heavy , hungry , strong point automobile that had become almost too expensive – now at a generous $ 13,140.24 , sans choice – for its mark vendee .
As had been true since the very beginning of the Shark contemporaries , press judgment of the 1980 Corvette was miscellaneous . However , 0 - 60 miles per hour times continued to be a highlight , clocked at between 7.1 and 7.7 seconds for the L82 . Some scribes took exclusion to Chevy ’s slenderizing beat – particularly the " wakeful - duty " rearward axle – and the greater overall emphasis on fuel efficiency . Fit and finis job were still noted , however .
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Corvette’s crossed-flags emblem was again redrawn as a small but effective 1980 cosmetic change, and it was carried over for ‘81. See moreclassic car pictures.
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1980 Corvette Specifications
The 1980 Corvette throw off 150 pound while pull ahead standard looter fully integrate with a reshaped nose and tail . The cockpit and emblems were updated , too . Here are the specifications for the 1980 Corvette :
Mechanical Specifications ( 2 - door coupe )
Suspensionfront : Independent ; upper and lower A - coat of arms , coil springs , tube-shaped hydraulic shock absorbers , antiroll barrear : Independent , sidelong leaf springtime , struts , U - joint halfshafts , chase arm , tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
Wheels / TiresP225/70R-15
Brakesfront : 11.75 - inch discrear : 11.75 - inch disk
Transmission3 - speed Hydra - Matic4 - velocity manual
Door lock buttons were moved in the 1980 Corvette, and the speedometer was now calibrated to only 85 mph due to government regulations.
stock axle ratio3.55:1 ( motorcar ) 3.07:1 ( manual )
Engine Specifications
Vehicle Production and Base Leontyne Price
Options and Production
Color Choices and product
California buyers of the 1980 Corvette had to take a 305 V-8, though with the same 180 bhp as this year’s base “federal” 350. The L82 option gained another five bhp.
California buyers of the 1980 Corvette had to take a 305 V-8, though with the same 180 bhp as this year’s base “federal” 350. The L82 option gained another five bhp.
California buyers of the 1980 Corvette had to take a 305 V-8, though with the same 180 bhp as this year’s base “federal” 350. The L82 option gained another five bhp.
Corvette’s crossed-flags emblem was again redrawn as a small but effective 1980 cosmetic change, and it was carried over for ‘81. See moreclassic car pictures.
Door lock buttons were moved in the 1980 Corvette, and the speedometer was now calibrated to only 85 mph due to government regulations.
California buyers of the 1980 Corvette had to take a 305 V-8, though with the same 180 bhp as this year’s base “federal” 350. The L82 option gained another five bhp.
