Why can't people represent their cars honestly? I just got back from looking at a 1978 silver anniversary edition L82 4 speed car that was advertised as having 33,000 miles. Do these people think we're all stupid? The car had the correct trim code, 13U/07M with a code 762 mahogany leather interior, not the most attractive combination I've ever seen. The interior had just been dyed as there was over spray on the seat hardware and it was already wearing thin on the bottom cushions. Also, the pedals were worn smooth. The paint was covered with sanding marks, the rear bumper was lined up fine on the drivers side but was in about 1/8" in the back and the t-tops had a larger gap in the front than in the back and the driverside top did not even sit flat on the car. When I drove the car it felt like a circle track car as it always wanted to turn left. This gem can be all yours for $17,900, but he was willing to take my 81 and $3,000 more, pending a closer look at my 81.

Buyers beware, he's taking the car to Branson, MO for an upcoming auction. If you see it look it over closely, can't be many there with this color combination. I would hate to see anyone get burned on this one.

I need some opinion on this. The owner has requested we get together again to discuss this car. He has told me he may have been a little "aggressive" on his pricing and some of the information he had from the PO may not have been correct. My concern is that the frame is bent based on some of the lines not matching up i.e. the t-tops and rear bumper, also the way it pulls to the left. Also, he is now stating that he has been told by the PO that the odometer had been non-functional for a period of time so I can't really rely on what he says on anything at this point.

I would really like a 78 silver anniversary 4 speed L82 and this car looks great from 2 feet, but as noted in my first post, has some issues. I could use some thoughts on the following;

How can I check the frame, should I take it to a frame shop or is there another way that I can do it?

Assuming there is a frame issue, should I walk or even run away from this one or can these be straightened?

What kind of money would a car with these flaws be worth if anything? It runs and shifts very well, other than wanting to cross the center line constatntly. Brakes are good, paint, although has visible sanding marks, has to be seen up very close to see the flaws. Interior is complete and everything is functional, I jusy don't like the fact that the entire interior has recently been dyed and would most likely need to remedy that.

Thanks in advance for your input. If he let's me take pictures this time I will post. I kind of annoyed him last time and he said no to pictures.

 

Life is too short to deal with con-men. Go find another car with a more honest seller so you don't have an oh**** moment once you get the car back to your house.

What kind of ahole says you can't take pics?

 

First off, you have good taste in vettes (my 78 SA is an L-82 with the close ratio 4 speed and black interior)

Secondly, the seller is off his rocker. For that kind of money, everything should be in exemplary shape in my opinion. Not only should the frame be straight, but it should have very little indication of rust and I would expect that the entire suspension has been replaced with either new rubber or poly. The fact that the car pulls means that you either have a brake issue or the suspension rubber is shot and the alignment is suffering.

The interior re-dye is probably OK, but if it was done badly, you're looking at just as much work, maybe more to do it over again correctly.

I bought mine four years ago for $11,500 with 42K original miles (I was able to verify but only after the fact by calling the shop who worked on the car for 20yrs when I was going through receipts given to me). The car was freshly painted in 2000 so the paint was in very good shape. By the way, painting my SA back then cost $5K, so if you suspect a re-paint is in your future, definitely factor that in.

Honestly, I would find another SA, the SA combo was very popular that year (over 16K produced), so your only issue is finding one with an L-82 and a 4-speed. If you're going to seriously change the motor, an L-82 might not be that important. Definitely find a 4-speed though, vettes don't deserve automatics in my opinion.

If you look back again at this one, I would demand the following before I committed:

Car alignment is checked at a shop to determine if it is out and correctable. If it is, have the CO have it fixed prior sale.

Check the number of shims on the upper control arms. Ideally, I have read that you want to see an even number of shims which would indicate that the frame is even in the front (not a definite affirmation of frame straightness, but a quick check). Also, the vette frame tends to bow in after years of sprited use. When this happens, fewer shims are used on the uppers to compensate for the amount the frame has bowed. If you don't see any shims, or even see offset control arm mounts, I would be cautious as it could mean the frame has bent.

Take a look at the front crossmember, specifically where the lower control arms attach. The brackets used to mount the lowers is only spit welded to the crossmember and will also seperate under harsh conditions. Specifically, check where the mounts attach to the rear side of the crossmember, these also tend to seperate from the frame. Any issues here could throw the alignment out. Not major repairs, but it is an indication of how hard the car has been run.

Check the header bar bonding to the fiberglass right in front of the hood. Mine was seperating when I bought it. Again, not a major repair, but the first time you'll notice it is when the headlights nick the body and take of a piece of paint when they go up. If the headlights raise and lower with adequate clearance to the surrounding fiberglass, it's probabkly OK.

I'm sure there's more, but I'll just relay what I know about and let other experts chime in.

Hope you find one, I really like mine.
-Fred

 

Just remembered, come to Corvettes at Carlysle this year. They are having a 30th reunion for the Silver Anniversary and Pace Cars. I'm sure you will find great examples there. I'll be there too, once I get my motor back in of course....

 

Personally, when I'm interested in purchasing something, i've found, it pay's to go into the situation not believing anything the person say's.
I keep my own counsel, inspect the item,and assume they are mis representing it.I know it's cynical,but that way,when /if i find they were honest,it's refreshing,and if they were not,i'm covered because i used my own judgement and did'nt let their speech sway me.
An old adage ..."Caveat Emptor" Let the buyer beware,holds as true today as it was in centuries past.
My 2 cents...good luck

 

JON!!! STOP!!! YOURE KILLING ME I'M LAUGHING SO HARD!!

Spend a day touring the local used car lots Then you'll hear some stories and claims that'll make your hair curl.

 

Gosh Jon, I'm just down the road in Lawrence, I looked at a similar car but with an automatic in Olathe last year but I don't think it was nearly as nice as the one you are describing. I looked at a lot of cars that weren't what they were represented to be but most of the people who had them didn't realize how bad the paint job was or the car had been hit hard or it was the wrong motor. I ended up buying a 74 convertible a month ago just south of Gardner from a man who was honest about everything he told me. He probably under represented the car.

 

Yea, I bought my 81 in Olathe from someone who was 180 degrees from this guy with the 78. I'm not looking to get rid of the 81 but would like to add a 78 SA L82 4sp car so I'm tempted if I can get some straight answers and an idea of what any repairs may cost so I can buy it right. Probably out of my mind and should keep looking.

 

Jon - you made the right decision the first time when you walked away. The dude is playing with your passion for he car. There are more L-82 4 speeds out there, probably with a more honest seller.

I am amazed at how many of these "issues" are laid on the PO!

I had the same thing happen to me on a L-82 4 speed Pace Car in Charlotte - strongly mispresented. Turned around and flew back home.

"Run Forrest, Run"!

 

I had the owner take the car to a friend of mine's shop that does specialty work on vettes. He aligned it and it drove MUCH better, he also stated he did not see any frame damage. He was also able to work on the T-top and got it to set down right. The owner is now talking in the 10-12K range for the car. Attached are some pictures I got, what do you all see? (camera died before I could get any engine pictures but my mechanic said it was all correct and nothing was missing and all systems worked as they should, plus it looked good to me, but what do I know......) FYI, my mechanic feels it about a 50K miles car in his experience with vettes.











Some surface rust on the frame and suspension, suspect it has sat for a while. No deep rust on frame or birdcage. My mechanic pulled the pillar post trim and kick panels and looked before I could get there.

 

Any thoughts out there........... I have the owner down to $9,500 and still negotiating. Does this sound reasonable yet or am I nuts?

 

Looks good to me and sounds better than when this first started. I love the SA colors. Always have. I owned a '78 red/red, L-46 I think. Anyway, I'm assuming the red interior is the original interior color which even sets it off nicer against the silver/charcoal. Listen to your mechanic and your intuitions. You seem to keep coming back to this Corvette so you must be seeing its potential.
When dying plastic or vinyl always clean the surface first, let dry, shoot it with flexible primer to create a better bond and then use the dye.

 

Run from this guy.

 

Sounds reasonable. Trust your mechanic and let him help you decide if you should pass on the car or if it is in good condition.

 

Four of the six currently listed on e-bay are in your price range. Look around, sounds like a spinster to me!

John