1978 Corvette
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,940
Likes: 35
From: El Cajon California
1978 Corvette
I am thinking of picking up a 1978 Corvette L-82 Automatic. My dad has had it for a number of years but he has trouble getting in and out of it. It has been sitting for about 2 years, he wants to sell it however I think he will sell it to me rather cheap!
The Good - Body is nice, runs generally well. It is silver and black two tone with wire wheels.
The Bad - Interior is shot, electrical issue, if it sits too long battery drains, it has choke/carb issues. A/C is dead.
I am not sure if I want to jump into this project I can't drop alot of money into it. I have 2 questions..
1. How hard is it to change the interior, all except the dash.
2. In Cali do i have to smog 1978 cars?
The Good - Body is nice, runs generally well. It is silver and black two tone with wire wheels.
The Bad - Interior is shot, electrical issue, if it sits too long battery drains, it has choke/carb issues. A/C is dead.
I am not sure if I want to jump into this project I can't drop alot of money into it. I have 2 questions..
1. How hard is it to change the interior, all except the dash.
2. In Cali do i have to smog 1978 cars?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Liberty Missouri
Having recently aquired a 78 Pace Car myself, I can tell you that if you don't have some disposable income to put in to it, you might want to pass. These things eat money like candy, but to me it's well worth it! Good luck either way!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Yeah, I noticed too, you said it was 2 tone sliver and black, but didn't mention it was a pace car. Pace Cars are the only ones that came Silver and Black. You might want to do some research and find out if it is a real pace car or not, that might help you in the decision making process.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by 98MustGT
...How hard is it to change the interior, all except the dash....
Order the '78 assembly instruction manual and take a look at how the car was assembled at St. Louis. AIMs are worth their price.
Interior restoration is not rocket science.
The VIN will tell you whether it's a Pace Car. 8th character will be a "9" and the consectuvie unit number will be 6502 or less.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 11, 2006 at 02:18 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Originally Posted by 98MustGT
I am thinking of picking up a 1978 Corvette L-82 Automatic. My dad has had it for a number of years but he has trouble getting in and out of it. It has been sitting for about 2 years, he wants to sell it however I think he will sell it to me rather cheap!
The Good - Body is nice, runs generally well. It is silver and black two tone with wire wheels.
The Bad - Interior is shot, electrical issue, if it sits too long battery drains, it has choke/carb issues. A/C is dead.
I am not sure if I want to jump into this project I can't drop alot of money into it. I have 2 questions..
1. How hard is it to change the interior, all except the dash.
2. In Cali do i have to smog 1978 cars?
The Good - Body is nice, runs generally well. It is silver and black two tone with wire wheels.
The Bad - Interior is shot, electrical issue, if it sits too long battery drains, it has choke/carb issues. A/C is dead.
I am not sure if I want to jump into this project I can't drop alot of money into it. I have 2 questions..
1. How hard is it to change the interior, all except the dash.
2. In Cali do i have to smog 1978 cars?
Door panels arent cheap but go a long mile to making the interior really nice.
2. Yes
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by 98MustGT
It looks like this one except it came with wire wheels and glass roof...
The Trim Tag on the driver's door hinge post of your car will tell you the original exterior color, interior color, and the date the car was assembled. Jot the codes down and post them here. Post the VIN.
