Final Run: 1982 Corvette

Runbr The 1982 Corvette signified the end of the C3 Text and by Colin Datebr Whats so important about a 1982 Corvette you ask? Plenty! Even though the early 1980s will never be regarded as the quintessential years, there were some historical milestones that turned up here and there. Such is the case with our feature car: The 1982 Corvette Collector Edition. a href"http:blog.ecklerscorvette.comwp-contentcorvetteuploads201502main-front.jpg"img class"alignnone size-full wp-image-1820" src"http:blog.ecklerscorvette.comwp-contentcorvetteuploads201502main-front.jpg" alt"main-front" "625" height"415" abr This car comes to us from Rogers Corvette in Maitland, FL. While Roger has several Corvettes in his collection that are tucked away and are emnotem for sale, this example isnt one of them. 1982 to be a benchmark year for Corvette, as it was the last of the C3 breed. It was the end of a generation that dated its basic body structure back to 1968 and its chassis back to 1963. Truth be known, the Corvette faithful was more than ready for the next gen version. Sure, you can call the 82 long in the tooth, and maybe it was back in the day, but theres no denying that its now of Corvette history and that alone makes this car important. a href"http:blog.ecklerscorvette.comwp-contentcorvetteuploads201502main-rear.jpg"img class"alignnone size-full wp-image-1821" src"http:blog.ecklerscorvette.comwp-contentcorvetteuploads201502main-rear.jpg" alt"main-rear" "625" height"401" abr To commemorate the C3s final year, Chevrolet a special Collector Edition of the 82. In addition to a higher level of standard features that were optional on base model Vettes, this limited version came with a lifting rear hatchback-style glass a first for Corvette and to the Collector Edition only. This car also featured unique wheels that were reminiscent of 1967s bolt-on style optional wheels, a special silverbeige application, silver-beige leather interior, and commemorative emblems. Sound gaudy? Remember, this was the early 1980s it fit in just with the times. The Collector Edition carried a special code (a zero in the 6supthsup digit) in its VIN, but it did not have a separate serial number sequence. The car also sported a whopping 22,537 MSRP at the time, the most expensive regular Corvette ever. Up until then, no Corvettes base tag had ever exceeded twenty grand. envira-gallery id"1823" Motivation was by Chevys venerable small-block 350, now (for 1982) sporting cross-fire injection. Cross-fire injection combined two throttle bodies with Chevys Computer Command Control system to bring about improved economy and through the metering of fuel. The engine was rated at 200 horsepower, up from 1981s 190. Unfortunately, the 4-speed manual tranny was axed in favor of an automatic version for 1982. 1953 and 1954 were the only other model years where this was the case. All 1982 Corvettes were manufactured in the new Corvette assembly located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Corvette at this facility began in 1981, with 8,995 models coming off the line that year. The 1982 model saw a total run of 25,407 units. Out of that, 18,648 were coupes, and 6,759 were Collector Editions. So there we have it. Not a fire-breathing incarnation of the legendary Corvette breed by any stretch, but a significant of Chevrolet history, to emFacts and figures courtesy of: The Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonickembr