So, every once in a blue moon, I like to point out the cars that I think would make a great starting point for a restomod project. If ever there was a good base for a restomod project, it is a Corvette from the sucky horsepower years. You know, when the government put a choke hold on the amount of smog each motor could make?

The 1982 Corvette, with a measly 200 horsepower, is one of those cars. Anybody with any knowledge in the automotive world knows that Corvettes with this body style (starting in 1973 and getting worse from there) were slow. Almost pathetic.

But…

There is hope for these tired old Vettes. Why? Because these C3 Corvettes are an awesome starting point for a fire breathing sleeper.

Photo Credit: eBay

Think about it like this:  It’s a Corvette. Need I say more? You don’t need to do much to one of these late 70’s thru early 80’s C3’s to have a fantastic car on your hands. And, you get to say “I own a Corvette.”

This is what I’d do to make it my own, if I owned one: Obviously, I’d start with yanking out that old beat up, barely useable engine. I’d swap in a modern day LSX motor from a Corvette or F-body.

I’d also get rid of that junk transmission, and rotate a T56 into its place. Then I’d row, row, row through the gears while being hooked up to a set of 4:10’s in the rear diff. The steep gears make sure I’m like greased lightning off the starting line, and the six speed tranny helps ensure that I’m not getting 3 mpg on the highway.

I’d prolly go with headers and side pipes for my exhaust – which would be the only giveaway that this car is fast. But, a lot of these C3’s have side pipes, so I wouldn’t be sticking out like a sore thumb. To fit in even further, I’d dress her up in a gun metal gray paint scheme.

Photo Credit: eBay

Being that these cars can be found on a semi-regular basis for under 10k (and depending on the year, even under 5K), this is an awesome starting point. If done right, the budget can be kept reasonably low. And, to top it all off, you could bump your pony count from 200, to over 300 in a matter of days.

Of course, there are considerations to be taken. For example, the chances of the engine and transmission just bolting up to the stock points are zilch. And, you’d also have to have updated software to run your new computer controlled V8. But, this type of stuff comes with the territory, and should be expected.

Photo Credit: eBay

This has me thinking a little bit. I mean, how badly do I need my ’67 pickup? Make sure you’re watching the Barrett Jackson auction this January to see how much the ’82 Vette that spurred this post goes for. Of course, it isn’t the one pictured here. The one I have pictured here has already sold on eBay for $6,800 bucks. The pictures of the one that is for sale at Barrett Jackson were…less than worthy to be on our site.