Difference between 78 & 79
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Cary NC
Changes for 1979 were minimal. Engineering and development resources were largely directed towards a new generation Corvette for ~1983. The front and rear spoilers that were also part of the 1978 pace car replicas were an available option (RPO D80; $265.00) for 1979. More than a styling gimmick, they reduced aerodynamic drag by 15% and increased fuel economy by ½ mpg.
New high back seats that were part of the 1978 Indy 500 pace car replicas were standard for 1979. Side support and overall comfort was improved and the new design made for easier access to the rear storage area.
Source: http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1979.php
And little things like emblems, 10 more HP, etc.
New high back seats that were part of the 1978 Indy 500 pace car replicas were standard for 1979. Side support and overall comfort was improved and the new design made for easier access to the rear storage area.
Source: http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1979.php
And little things like emblems, 10 more HP, etc.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn (Estonia)
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Is there a difference in the metal trim surrounding the windshield and rear window from '78 to '79? My '79 has flat black paint on the trim and I have seen several '78 cars without that black coating. I've also seen the same scenario on the rocker trim panels.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: portland or
yeah its fun to drive up and have someone say hey! i used to own a 78 too! :P hehe. outside, there isnt much difference. inside, i c ant vouch for the seats, mine are out. the driver seat was cracked at the bending part so i didntw ant to risk driving with it like that, took it out and put in some other seats. and NOW, i've got fiero seats as well as the sportier seats... thinking which ones i should put in. sporty seats or fiero seats... probably go with the fieros
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 3
From: Millersville, MD
The rear window trim and rockers should be black.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Essex
'78 to '79 ohh and '80
Only from hearsay....
'79 was the best selling year of any C3 @ 53,807 units
no 3.08:1 diff option for '79, so most factory 79's run a real 'low' rear end as in low speed = high engine rpm, great for performance but ugly mpg:o
cloth '79's have houndstooth check seat trim
late '79's have 85mph speedo's I think?
'78 L48 185 bhp '79 L48 195 bhp
'78 L82 220 bhp '79 L82 225 bhp
...naturally the '79 is the better car...I own a L82..................................... ............................as from 18:15 today
....I think it would fair to say, that to many seasoned C3 owners the '79 is a very, very good model year as a daily driver etc, ohh, and it's the last year of steel cased rear ends and heavyweight chassis.
....I wanted another shovelnose 1980 I should add, but my wife prefers the earlier '79 front ends, and what the wife says must be right
. To be fair it's about give and take...I give and she takes
....she drove that shovelnose more than me!
'79 was the best selling year of any C3 @ 53,807 units
no 3.08:1 diff option for '79, so most factory 79's run a real 'low' rear end as in low speed = high engine rpm, great for performance but ugly mpg:o
cloth '79's have houndstooth check seat trim
late '79's have 85mph speedo's I think?
'78 L48 185 bhp '79 L48 195 bhp
'78 L82 220 bhp '79 L82 225 bhp
...naturally the '79 is the better car...I own a L82..................................... ............................as from 18:15 today
....I think it would fair to say, that to many seasoned C3 owners the '79 is a very, very good model year as a daily driver etc, ohh, and it's the last year of steel cased rear ends and heavyweight chassis.
....I wanted another shovelnose 1980 I should add, but my wife prefers the earlier '79 front ends, and what the wife says must be right
. To be fair it's about give and take...I give and she takes....she drove that shovelnose more than me!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Topeka Kansas
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14,’18
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
Both my '79s had 3 rear compartments. Neither had the 85mph speedo. And although I've read articles that the rear stainless around the glass were supposed to be black on the '79s - neither of mine were!
I thought mine didn't follow most because it was a Canadian car. We never went for the 55mph limit on the highways back then.
I thought mine didn't follow most because it was a Canadian car. We never went for the 55mph limit on the highways back then.
