Ok guys, I am a new member to this forum and am looking to buy my first vette. I will be going to see this car tomorrow night and was hoping that you all would give me some advise. It's a '79 with 90K miles. I was told everything works except the air and the radio works "sometimes". I was also told that it passed emmissions (in WI) last year. He is asking $6000.00. I know you guys are very good at deciphering photos so please.... any and all help is greatly appreciated.

http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/megiscoolwi/

 

Looks like it will need some TLC but it looks worth it to me, as long as the underside and frame check out oK. The engine comapartment, although not original, looks like it would clean up faily easily. Some guys here will tell you more like $3,000 but thats unreasonable. Go for it..LT

 

OK, I've got a 79 also. Paint is pretty sun burnt unless it's bad shadow. What did he do, drop battery acid in the floor board? That area is very prone to rust anyway and the metal is very thin. Floor pans are expensive to replace. Velour seats, Don't even get me started. The most important things are the ones not shown in his pictures. Frame rust & rot. You have to check for these, mainly in front of the rear wheels and inside the kick panels. Serious rust in either area is very expensive to fix, a frame is not that hard to replace, but serious birdcage rot will make this a parts car. Tap the frame with a hammer, it should ring & sound solid. You have to remove the kick panel to look at the body mounts & lower birdcage. If you don't know quite what I am talking about, then pass on this car & do some searching on the forum. There are many worst case photos here. If the owner won't let you remove the kick panels, then walk away, he's hiding the damage & wants to dump his problem on you. Now the price, if there is no serious rust then it's not too bad, $5000 to $5500 would be better. The car needs a whole new interior & paint at a minimum. Expect the suspension to be on the downhill side (it is a 28 yo car & many owners are not Corvette People). The engine looks like an L82, it will be tired. You will spend $10,000 on this car, over time, unless it has recently been gone through & by the looks of the interior, it hasn't. I don't want to sound negative, but I bought my car expecting to spend lots of money & it has exceeded my expectations. Not trying to scare you, but don't go in with stars in your eyes.

 

as exciting as buying your first vette can be, I would go a little slow on this one.Seems to be worn out in most areas, could be real rusty . Would you be better off to wait and find one in better shape for $8,000??? I would offer $4,500 and walk away and see if the seller folowed me. Good Luck and let us know what you did.

 

I paid $4500 for mine. Two pieces of advise. Don't fall in love w/the first vette you see. Test drive it take it to someone who knows vettes. There are a lot of vette's out there 4 sale & you can get one in much better shape for just a little more $$. There are C3 in the 4 sale section that are in much better shape for $8000. That may seem like a lot of cash over the $4500 or $5000 you will pay for the 79 but here's my second piece of advise. Buy one in good shape that the other guy (like me) did all the work on. You can buy that 79 for $4500 and easliy put another $10,000 into it. Look at the really nice vette's on this forum most have over $20K invested in them. Been there done that a few more time then I care to remember. Most guys that restore cars never get 100% of the investment back so these cars are better buys. I say pass on this one & keep looking be willing to travel 50 or 100 miles outside your area to find the perfect vette. G/L and post pic's

 

Do your homework, but she otherwise looks like a well worn '79. Probably worth the $6K asking price, but you can dicker.

Trim tag should have exterior paint on it. Ask whether the car has been repainted.

 

I am in the process of buying a '79, too. It has been my Dad's since 1989, so I have the unique situation of knowing its service history and knowing the care that has gone into the car. Mine has 78,000 miles, good interior, great mechanicals and a 10 foot body. I'm paying $7,500. on the open market, I would get a realistic $10K (i would try $11,500).
This 'Vette as pictured is a great project car for someone who knows what they're doing or has infinite time money and patience to learn everything. If that's not you (I know it's not me), pass on this car and spend 10K for one that is ready to go. That way, you can learn piece by piece how to build a 'Vette as yours falls apart...the way God intended it!

P.S. 1979 being the highest volume model year in 'Vette history is a great place for guys like us to buy in to the hobby, but who can't afford to sit with the high rollers. A good way to get in the door, so to speak. I would also look closely at 1980 and 1981 cars as they are well sorted, slightly newer and for some reason seem to be in better shape generally than most of the 76-79 cars I see on the market. But that's just my .02. Good Luck!

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

Looks like very little rust, but can't see the bottom very well. About the same condition as a 79 my friend just bought for 5000. If it was me I would rather deal a paint job than a rusty car. Beware of cars that look nice on the outside and are rusted out on the bottom.
Worth some where between 4000 and 6000? Good luck

 

Im not saying dont buy it.But you will be turning wrenches with that car.I know cause I got one.As long as you know that going in.

 

Check the frame for rust. If good; go for it dude. It will be fun repairing minor stuff.

 

4.5k is the most I'd pay for that car. Lots of things that need to be repaired.