I have a chance to get a 1979 L82 coupe, leather, auto, 36,000 miles for around $12,000. It needs some TLC and I have not looked at the details of the car yet. i.e. serial numbers, bushings, brakes, etc. That sounds like too much to ask to me. I have seen a range of $4000 to $16,000 for '79's. What are your humble opinions??

 

for 36,000 miles, how much tlc should it need?
and for that price, imo, it shouldn't need much tlc to begin with.

 

If TLC is small things it could be worth it. The overall condition of the car needs to be excellent for that price. Do a search here to find out general problem areas to watch out for on C3's in general. If you can put some pictures up here, we can make a much better evaluation for you.

 

I'd be suspect of the miles.

 

EXACTLY...
A car with such low miles should not need TLC, unless it was left out in the backyard without being driven.

 

12,000 is at the very high end of values unless it is a 4 speed car, all original and the miles are 36K and not 136K. If it is a 4 sp all original L82 with 36,000 miles and needs very little, try to pay closer to 10.5K. You have people on this forum buying '79s in very good condition, complete mechanically and ready to roll down the road for 6K-8K.

 

As a reference, I bought a 1977 L82 4-speed Coupe from my nephew. This car was in the family since 1984 and I had a lot of memories in the car. This car was my Brother-In-Laws toy. My BIL passed away 4 years ago. He let me drive it and work on it when I came home on leave from the military over the years. It sat more than it was ever driven in St. Louis.

I only work on my vettes part time and when motivated. I have had to do the following though just to be able to drive it.

1. Drop the tank and replace the fuel lines on the tank and pump. Fuel was leaking onto the mufflers when I got it.
2. Replaced the Carburetor.
3. New exhaust system since the muffler broke off in my hands when pulling on them to get the tank out.
4. Replaced the steering actuator and lines. Leaking...
5. New Sway bar
6. New Shocks. I could collapse the old shocks in my hands.
7. New Front end kit.

Anything made of rubber is toast on the suspension, fuel lines, and hoses.

For 12k, I would expect a 1979 to have new suspension, new fuel lines, no bubba action and at least a 10ft paint job. Usually as well at this price, the motor has been rebuilt, but that can be scary as well if you do not know who built it. The price in my head goes down from there if the car has not had anything done to it.....

There are lot's of opinions on this. In my mind, I would never have a Plastic bumper car that when complete would cost me a total of 15-16k total investment. If you have more money than that in your car total, then it is a passion issue and you plan on keeping the car as your toy till you die. I mean nothing against Plastic Bumper Corvettes. I Love them, they drive nice and are sweet rides. They just have not gone up in value as much as a Metal bumper vette as an example.

So a 12k car would give you a 4 grand budget to make the car right by your standards if you use my 16k formula.

When you look at this car, look at the bushings on the A-Frames, look at the fuel lines coming off the rails to the pump, etc...... Try to buy a restorers book to compare what the car looked like from the factory to see what has been tampered with...

Good Luck

Rd

 

If someone is out there buying '79s for $16k, send them my way. I have all sorts of things to sell them.

 

So I'm assuming that corvette magazines guide is total crap?

 

Ask for service records to determine mileage...may help....at 36,000 miles it has sat for very long periods of time...

 

$12K sounds high for a '79. If you're serious about the car, dicker down.

 

According to that a "Good" condition 79 L82 would sell for $19,000. I would say that is total crap.

 

Not to the fool who would pay that much.....

 

[QUOTE=SULLY_PA;1561397553]So I'm assuming that corvette magazines guide is total crap?


YES, IMHO.

 

Looks pretty close thru '73, but about 2x high from then on...

Steve

PS: Yes, chrome bumpers are worth that much more

 

Yes.

People just love to post that magazine's values, and so much of it is so far from reality I wouldn't even read it.

PS. if you or someone thinks it's not crap.... please send me some people who will pay $16-24k for a '79. Ill retire by next baseball season.

PPS: and not just too high... look at the '68-'69 prices... if you find a '68-'69 roadster that "needs TLC" for $11,500, I'll take 10, please.

 

I bought my 79 L-82 for 12,000, it has a little under 13,000 miles on it, and you can tell, the engine bay is still really clean, and it rides great

 

personally i think its high considering i got my car, almost the same exact thing as you listed, L-82, auto, around 30xxx miles for 4750, all the car needed was all new interior, rebuilt engine, new set of heads and bushings

 

Finally got to see that '79. It needs major TLC. Looks like it was parked under a tree for the last 5 years. Interior was a 6 out of 10. The body was a 3 out of 10. Pretty rough and did not look like the last owner took care of it at all. Couldn't even get the hood open. Right side clip not working. Offered them $4,000. Have not heard anything back yet.
Thanks for all your feedback.