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

40 builds left the factory as a 1981 Silverado, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 3 main configurations
  • 1,360 vehicles built
  • 20 for sale right now

Which Silverado 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.

Pick your Silverado

What actually differs

Custom · 4WD LT Work Truck/Fleet/Base · 4WD
Engine 4.3L 6-cyl 6.6L 8-cyl 6.6L 8-cyl
Fuel Gasoline Diesel Diesel
Doors 4-door 4-door 2-door
For sale right now 8 3 1
Vehicles built 590 67 38
Same on every 1981 Silverado
  • Drivetrain Four-wheel drive
  • Body Pickup
  • Typical price today $28,603

Safety, in plain English

What 1GC0KVC8-E means

1GC 0KVC8 · E
1GC
the World Manufacturer Identifier Chevrolet registered — assembled in the United States
0KVC8
together encode the Silverado line — Pickup, 6.6L 8cyl, Four-wheel drive — as Chevrolet filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
E
in position 10 — model year 1981
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
37 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Silverado?

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