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C&D Archives: 1981 GT sports cars

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 8:34 pm
by kevm14
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... rison-test

Corvette placed last. It put up fairly competitive numbers (which itself is a sad commentary of the times, since its L81 had all of 190 hp). On the other hand, none of these cars are really any good.

For reference, a 1981 Corvette is roughly analogous to an LT1 B-body in terms of acceleration. Which makes me wonder. If people thought LT1 B-bodes were fast in the 90s, wasn't that REALLY fast for 1981? I don't think people of the time considered the Corvette to have lame performance, relatively speaking.

The 308 GTS had 15 more hp and only 20 lbs heavier than the Corvette, yet it was slower in every conceivable way except top speed. Wonders of torque?

Other reasons to read the article: find out how slow the De Lorean actually was. It was slow. Also, if I read correctly, it sounds like they wrecked the 911. Because terrible lift throttle oversteer.

Re: C&D Archives: 1981 GT sports cars

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 8:10 am
by Bob
I once had a 911 of that vintage wreck in front of me on the dragon when I was in the Elise. I don't think it was a lift throttle oversteer situation though. It was more like he just plowed into the ditch.

Re: C&D Archives: 1981 GT sports cars

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 8:32 am
by Bob
I can't believe the Corvette's torque peak was at 1600 RPM. Also, the mention of the long-awaited 83 Corvette is funny.