is there any way to access corporate records of a company that closed in 1981?

Answer 1

First guess. Microfiche files at the library of a business school. At my large state school they have microfiche files of annual reports going back 40 years.
Second, the SEC should have that info, you may have fill out a from and pay a fee.
Oh, was it a publicly traded company? If not then is no reason to believe there are any public records. Maybe there is some filing with the state on who formed the company, its address, type of business and when it closed.