Stock or improve it?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Seabeck WA
Stock or improve it?
My Dad recently bought a black 78 L82 for $3,000. Needless to say, it’s pretty trashed. The guy we got it from basically just let it sit in his yard unprotected for 3 years. The interior is really nasty, but the engine and body seem really solid.
Anyway, my Dad has a collector’s mindset, so he wants to restore it to stock. My brother and I just want to make it go really fast
What do you guys think? Should we try to restore it or improve it?
I love the look of the body, so that would stay the same, but I think the engine should be upgraded. From what I have heard, engines on C3 Corvettes were held back by inefficient pollution controls and other things that hurt performance.
Anyway, my Dad has a collector’s mindset, so he wants to restore it to stock. My brother and I just want to make it go really fast
What do you guys think? Should we try to restore it or improve it?I love the look of the body, so that would stay the same, but I think the engine should be upgraded. From what I have heard, engines on C3 Corvettes were held back by inefficient pollution controls and other things that hurt performance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Remember the Golden Rule - He who has the gold, rules.
Who is paying for stuff, you or your dad? If it's his money, he can do what he wants. Everyone can go really fast on someone elses money. Do you have any idea how much it will cost to go "really fast"?
Who is paying for stuff, you or your dad? If it's his money, he can do what he wants. Everyone can go really fast on someone elses money. Do you have any idea how much it will cost to go "really fast"?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Seabeck WA
That’s the truth, but I'm more then willing to provide the gold, once I get out of College that is... Single young guy with nothing better to spend my money on anyway.
It's just that I think there are lots of better preserved 78’s out there, and one like ours that has taken so much abuse will never be as nice as a well preserved stock 78. It seems like a whole lot of work to do what amounts to downgrading the car.
It's just that I think there are lots of better preserved 78’s out there, and one like ours that has taken so much abuse will never be as nice as a well preserved stock 78. It seems like a whole lot of work to do what amounts to downgrading the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
Its a ruddy 78, hahaha just modify the poop out of it... I doubt youll have to worry about selling it at Barret Jackson any time soon, so you might as well have fun with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Rochester Kent
Originally Posted by 81 Vette
Its a ruddy 78, hahaha just modify the poop out of it... I doubt youll have to worry about selling it at Barret Jackson any time soon, so you might as well have fun with it.
It also depends on what you mean by 'Really fast'
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
IF it has sat out in the rains in a state like Wa. there, I suspect the birdcage is rusted out, check that frame too while you at it, look for rust in the kickpanels, and windshiled area around the glass very carefully.....does the interior smell full of mold and mildew?? if so, it's leaking.....
make a hotrod out of it....
assuming there is anyting left....
bleieve me when I say, the interiors are a disaster in those cars....the plastic consoles/controlls fall apart rather badly, wait untill you get into it....
GENE
make a hotrod out of it....
assuming there is anyting left....
bleieve me when I say, the interiors are a disaster in those cars....the plastic consoles/controlls fall apart rather badly, wait untill you get into it....
GENE