!975 Stingray
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
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!975 Stingray
Hello all. I am new to the group. I have a couple of question for the group and really need your help and expertise. I ran accross a 1975 stingray L82 for sale. Owner claims cars has only 40,000 miles and showed me the titile which staes that. I know the title isnt proof. Inside of car is perfect, except clock and tach does not work. Car is also a factory 4 speed car. Has orginal wheels, but car needs painted. Motor runs strong and trans shifts great. Under the hood though was pretty dirty and the valve covers were M/T. I`m not for sure if Mickey thompson made valve covers for the vets, but off to the side of the valve cover, it has chevrolet inside of a circle. Is that orginal? And last, the car is black. I was not aware that black was an option in that year. He is asking $8500 firm. Deal or no Deal???? Thank you so much for your help 
Jerry
Jerry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
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From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Here's the 75' Paint codes. The M/T valve covers are after market. Check for rust in the usual places (birdcage and frame rear kickup) if it looks good, $8500 sounds good to me with only 40K miles. What is the Paint code on the Trim Tag?
Last edited by Duke94; Aug 25, 2008 at 06:01 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
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Good Question
I didnt write any of that down. It was getting late and I was talking to a buddy of mine at work, and he said they didnt make any black vettes that year. The color doesnt bother me, because it needs repainted anyway. I tried calling the guy and didnt get an answer and now Im off to take my daughter to softball practice. Will definetly swing by there tommorrow. Just didnt know what the value on this car in this condtion is woth with a 4 speed.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
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From: Circleville Ohio
75 l-48
Man I got 10.5 in my non 4 speed no 205 HP mine is clean on the inside and out . I think you better look at the frame and the bird cage and take it for A ride get all the fliuds up to temp and if it runs stops and turns good QUICK buy it before he changes his mind.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...the car may have a trim tag that shows "SPEC" or "SPC" for the paint code. This means it could have been painted Black by the selling dealer or the person bought it in "primer" and had it painted himself.
...a "true" '75 L-82 Corvette is one of 2372 made in 1975 out of 38,465 cars. The lowest production motor amount of all 1973 to 1980 L-82 optioned Corvettes. The fifth digit in the VIN# has to be a "T" to verify this. Of all my "1975 L-82 studies", I've found about half of them to be a 4spd, the other half of course an automatic. I have a survey of about 68 1975 L-82 Corvettes and don't hardly do it anymore. Saw a couple real ones at Carlisle this past weekend.
...a "true" '75 L-82 Corvette is one of 2372 made in 1975 out of 38,465 cars. The lowest production motor amount of all 1973 to 1980 L-82 optioned Corvettes. The fifth digit in the VIN# has to be a "T" to verify this. Of all my "1975 L-82 studies", I've found about half of them to be a 4spd, the other half of course an automatic. I have a survey of about 68 1975 L-82 Corvettes and don't hardly do it anymore. Saw a couple real ones at Carlisle this past weekend.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
My son purchased a 75 4 speed about six months ago. It too is painted black. I have done a little investigating and found same as you that GM did not offer black as a color for that year. However, I have inspected the car closely i.e., jams, under weatherstripping, inside the hood etc., and all the usual places one would expect to find some signs of it being repainted from a different color. I cannot find any evidence that the car was not black originally. It must be as was noted in one of the other posts in that it was ordered primed and then the dealer or original owner had it painted black. My son's car does not have the oringal engine though. His car is in pretty decent shape. The interior is excellent, the paint is fair however the engine compartment is dirty and needs some work. Functionally the car runs and handles great. He paid $8,000. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
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Trim Code
Just got off the phone with the owner. Trim code is 732 and paint code is 13L, which is not black. The vin number is 1237J5S419931.
You guys have been a big help. Still dont know what to do!!!!!!!!
You guys have been a big help. Still dont know what to do!!!!!!!!
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Madisonville Kentucky
That is the same paint code as my son's 75. Paint code 13 is silver metallic, but I wonder what the "L" signifies?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...it stands for "lower". This was during a period when GM was starting to two tone cars and when the car was a "single color", it went by the "lower" code, in this case 13L. My Orange '74 is "80L" and the original tank sticker shows UPPER 80, LOWER 80. My Silver '75 is also "13L".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
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From: Ann Arbor Michigan
If you are looking for an "investment" buy a chrome bumper car. If you are looking for a fun car to drive and tinker with, buy this one. Unless you don't like black, $8500 seems like a good price for the car.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
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From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Mine is a 4 speed, and that's pretty much the only thing that makes the 76' at all desirable to collectors at the car shows I go to. Apparently it's rare.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
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Wow
I just want to give you guys a BIG thank you for all your info and your knowledge. I ALMOST bought a car that was advertised as a L82, with only 40,000 miles on it. Obvious with the 5th number of the vin being a "J" instead of a "T". its not a l82. This car even had the l82 : 350 emblem right behind the shifter. Looked as orginal as ever. Decided not to buy because if the seller is trying to pass it off as an L82, what else is he lying about?! Im sure the "right" one will come by eventually, and now im just a little bit wiser on some of the things to look ouit for. Again, thank you all for your input.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...............................ummmmmmmm mmm, no. There was no "Z" or "454" option in '75. 1974 yes, 1975 negative ghostrider.
...and in doing my "1975 L-82 Corvette Survey" from about 1998 to the present, I probably encountered more 1975 L-48 cars with L-82 hood & console emblems than true L-82 cars.
