78 25th anniversary value

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Mar 4, 2008 | 06:52 PM

14 Red Z51 Vette

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78 25th anniversary value

There is a 78 25th annv automatic Vette for sale locally that is a 3 or 4 owner car, average shape, 57k miles that are documented back to 1984 with inspection stickers that shows 34k miles in 1984. It has a long 2 ft long horizontal crack on the left front fender. The seller says the paint original, but I am not sure. The car starts and sounds good, but it was raining so I couldn't drive it. I have the s/n, but I am not sure if that even does me any good. What is this car worth??

Mar 4, 2008 | 09:34 PM

65GGvert

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From: Kannapolis NC

Not enough info.
Silver anniversary edition or just 25th anniversary year. (silver/charcoal)
L82 or L48?
Interior condition?
Frame conditon?
Tach and speedo work?
Air work?
Sounds like it needs at least body work and paint.
Pictures would help, but an inspection would be necessary to place a value. Probably somewhere between $4k and $8k depending. Just a wild guess. If the vin # has 4 in the 5th position it's an L82 and if it has an L in the 5th position it's an L48 (if original)

Mar 4, 2008 | 09:59 PM

14 Red Z51 Vette

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 65GGvert

It is a two tone silver/charcoal silver annv. Interior is good, some wear on driver's seat, frame unknown at this point, not sure of tach and speedo, a/c does not work, has L82 on hood and s/n starts with 1Z874, so it must be an L82. Seller says his bottom dollar is $10K, so I think I will pass based on your info. Thanks.

Last edited by 14 Red Z51 Vette; Mar 4, 2008 at 10:00 PM. Reason: color

Mar 5, 2008 | 12:17 AM

ve77er

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From: holland pa

I'D PASS TOO GIVEN THE LARGE CRACK ON THE FENDER [PROBABLY TOOK A SIGNIFICANT HIT AT SOME POINT]. SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING, LATELY WE SEE BZ2 PAINT CODED 1978'S APPROACHING PACE CAR PRICES. THIS IS ABSURD AS THE BZ2 PAINT OPTION WAS THE MOST ORDERED PAINT TRIM IN 1978 PRODUCTION AT OVER 15,000 UNITS. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE DEALERS TRYING TO SELL THESE "RARE" CARS AT PACE CAR PRICES (OVER 20K) WHEN THE PACE CAR WAS ONLY PRODUCED FOR THREE MONTHS MARCH-MAY OF 1978, CARRY THEIR OWN SPECIAL VIN AND ONLY 6502 MODELS WERE MADE! AND, A 4 SPEED PACE CAR IS STILL PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DESIREABLE RUBBER BUMPERED SHARKS TO AQUIRE. THIS IS OF COURSE ONE MAN'S OPINION.
........................................ .......CHRIS

Mar 5, 2008 | 07:34 AM

65GGvert

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From: Kannapolis NC

Don't pass based on my opinion, I haven't even seen the car. But remember, the body work and a repaint alone could run several thousand dollars. If the frame and bird cage are good and the air is there but needing work, it might be worth buying. The L82 helps. Again, I haven't seen the car and I am only speculating. Documentation and low miles really help the car too. One advantage is that even if you sell it at a loss later, you enjoyed the car for a period of time and you can't lose a huge amount. If you want it, make a lower offer and leave your number.

Mar 5, 2008 | 08:41 AM

BTAL

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From: Hartselle AL

St. Jude Donor '09

$10k is too much based on the description. Bought our 78 SA, L-82 4speed with 42k documented miles for $12 in Jan. Difference being PO had already invested in new clear coated paint, new leather seats and other interior bits. All I need to invest in was updating 30 year old brakes, steering valve and rear bushings - no major expenses. Repainting an SA is more expensive than a single colored car.

If you like the car (and who doesn't love SA's

), squeeze him harder on the price due to the body work and other "unknowns".

Mar 5, 2008 | 08:49 AM

14 Red Z51 Vette

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The seller mentions that he has had the car for 5 years and the previous owner had it for 20 years. I asked him if he still had contact with the previous owner and he paused and said no which raised a red flag to me since they were buddies for so long. He also said he remembered that the car had a rear spoiler on it when the previous owner had it. He could not explain what happened to the spoiler. It made me think it had been hit and the spoiler was removed when it was fixed.

Last edited by 14 Red Z51 Vette; Mar 5, 2008 at 08:50 AM. Reason: spl