'79 L-82
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson Wi.
'79 L-82
Hi, All. Normally, I'm involved with the C-4 section, but just this weekend, I stumbled[?] across a '79 L-82 coupe. This car has the engine and interior out of it[parts are all there, tho]. This guy started redoing it, but lost interest, and $. The car seems to be complete. The body is in quite good condition- paint looks to be a 10- 20 footer. It's an automatic, w/AC, mirror t-tops, rear spoiler. This car has been sitting in a garage for about 4 years. The bare block, heads, etc. are uncovered[surface rust], and the rest is in boxes. I measured the intake valves, and they appear to be 2.02's. Is this stock? I thought these were supposed to be 1.94's. Anyway, I believe I can acquire this car for $2500. Any thoughts, comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
You better have a lot of free time and deep pockets. I don't care how much he says all the parts are there in boxes, he's missing parts. And they will be the expensive hard to find parts. That's why he gave up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
2.02 is correct. But they are wheezy 76cc smog chambers. Not worth rebuilding as original (IMHO).
Project cars are never cheap. But it's a lot of fun...if you can afford it!
Project cars are never cheap. But it's a lot of fun...if you can afford it!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
If the 79 is the car you want, then it might be worth it. If you are picking this up because the $2500 seems cheap....I would not do it. It will probably take more time and effort than what it may be worth. If it is the shape, color and style you want, then it may be a car that you will end up keeping, and you can overlook the extra expense.
But for $2500 to have a car that is in pieces, and maybe all there, is just the tip of the iceberg. Why was the engine out in the first place. Is it frozen and needs rebuilding? As you look into the interior pieces, you may find they are all there, but need replacing. Door panels can go around $150-$200 each. And all the other little trim keeps adding up.
But that is why I keep coming back to saying that if this is the body style and color you want, then replacing all those pieces seem normal. If you are swayed by thinking it is a cheap price...then I would suggest passing.
kdf
But for $2500 to have a car that is in pieces, and maybe all there, is just the tip of the iceberg. Why was the engine out in the first place. Is it frozen and needs rebuilding? As you look into the interior pieces, you may find they are all there, but need replacing. Door panels can go around $150-$200 each. And all the other little trim keeps adding up.
But that is why I keep coming back to saying that if this is the body style and color you want, then replacing all those pieces seem normal. If you are swayed by thinking it is a cheap price...then I would suggest passing.
kdf
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
doesn't seem like a bargain....too many variables....however chop some serious dough off of that and it starts getting interesting, then when you are all done having spent $15,000 you will say geez i should have purchased a complete one for 10K.... i still don't know though thats alot of work, alot of money, alot of time and you will not be driving that anytime soon...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
If it's almost complete and no major $$$ items are missing it seems to be a good deal for $2500.... if that's the bodystyle you like and if you can do all the work yourself... why not ? It's fun to rebuild these.... if you want to buy it to make profit I'd pass....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by Ak. Mal
You better have a lot of free time and deep pockets. I don't care how much he says all the parts are there in boxes, he's missing parts. And they will be the expensive hard to find parts. That's why he gave up.
i've had a 79 L82 for 15 years. never had a problem getting a part yet. nothing on late C-3's seems very hard to find these days with all the aftermarket suppliers. no more pricey than any other "antique" car parts either. my .02.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Originally Posted by greyghost79
i've had a 79 L82 for 15 years. never had a problem getting a part yet. nothing on late C-3's seems very hard to find these days with all the aftermarket suppliers. no more pricey than any other "antique" car parts either. my .02.
Some parts are very easy to find. Others require searching a little. Some are downright hard to get your hands on.
Seatbelts are a good example. Cheap, new ones do not exist. Finding used ones in both good condition and the color you desire takes a little time and effort to find. But, the price can fluxuate heavily with them.
I just put a new interior in my '80. It is the little pieces that are giving me fits. Just try finding the brackets that go behind the door panels that the escuchon panels for the mirror joysticks attach to. Same for the temp sending unit for my car, a correct one is not manufactured.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Mark,
I tend to be a little lazy so I would say buy the most car you can for the least money. This 1979 took me many years (and $s) to get to where I wanted it. I enjoyed that car very much but would not care to repeat that exercise.
I tend to be a little lazy so I would say buy the most car you can for the least money. This 1979 took me many years (and $s) to get to where I wanted it. I enjoyed that car very much but would not care to repeat that exercise.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Perfect Prostreet car material. If I found a nice body I'd buy it. Don't even restore it. Just make it how you want it. the sky is the limit on cost.
My 79 L-82 is a fun car to drive with a 427 ci Motown small block and a racing 700R4
My 79 L-82 is a fun car to drive with a 427 ci Motown small block and a racing 700R4
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: New Berlin WI
It all depends what you like...
I have a 79 also, beige and doeskin, with the L-82 option and 4 speed. Just added VBP composite rear spring and gas shocks, and started the front replace the coils w/550 lb'ers.
Next project is Tremec TKO600, currently sitting in the garage, and rebuild of block.
It really comes down to what you like. I like the body style and the fact I can work on it. No major electrical problems occasionally found on the C4.
Spousal unit said I can repaint next year, and like other posts, it is good therapy. Try and knock off a little from the asking, and be patient if you buy when making road ready.
Next project is Tremec TKO600, currently sitting in the garage, and rebuild of block.
It really comes down to what you like. I like the body style and the fact I can work on it. No major electrical problems occasionally found on the C4.
Spousal unit said I can repaint next year, and like other posts, it is good therapy. Try and knock off a little from the asking, and be patient if you buy when making road ready.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Greenville South Carolina
1979 restoration
I am currently restoring my early 1979 L82. If its a early year and you want to restore it origanal? You will have a hard time finding the correct rear speaker grilles, power antenna motor and the antenna bezel.
The speaker grilles and antenna bezel where never reproduce for the early 79.
I have $12,000 invested in mind and still not done and I do not even need a paint job.
You can definitely find a origanal 79 for less money complete for what you will end up spending.
The speaker grilles and antenna bezel where never reproduce for the early 79.
I have $12,000 invested in mind and still not done and I do not even need a paint job.
You can definitely find a origanal 79 for less money complete for what you will end up spending.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Springhill Kansas
Originally Posted by Ak. Mal
Some parts are very easy to find. Others require searching a little. Some are downright hard to get your hands on.
Seatbelts are a good example. Cheap, new ones do not exist. Finding used ones in both good condition and the color you desire takes a little time and effort to find. But, the price can fluxuate heavily with them.
I just put a new interior in my '80. It is the little pieces that are giving me fits. Just try finding the brackets that go behind the door panels that the escuchon panels for the mirror joysticks attach to. Same for the temp sending unit for my car, a correct one is not manufactured.
Seatbelts are a good example. Cheap, new ones do not exist. Finding used ones in both good condition and the color you desire takes a little time and effort to find. But, the price can fluxuate heavily with them.
I just put a new interior in my '80. It is the little pieces that are giving me fits. Just try finding the brackets that go behind the door panels that the escuchon panels for the mirror joysticks attach to. Same for the temp sending unit for my car, a correct one is not manufactured.