1981 Chevrolet Corvette: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

190 builds left the factory as a 1981 Corvette, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN. The 2 main configurations sell for $8,999–$89,699 today. Page 4 of 4.

  • 2 main configurations
  • 1,570 vehicles built
  • 79 for sale right now
  • $8,999–$89,699 typical price range

Which Corvette is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Price trend

Median down $500 over the last 8 months.

1981 Corvette price history →

What 00000072-4 means

000 00072 · 4
000
the World Manufacturer Identifier Chevrolet registered — the manufacturer and plant group
00072
together encode the Corvette line — as Chevrolet filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
4
in position 10 — model year 1981
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
46 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Corvette?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.

1981 Chevrolet Corvette prices →