Help a nob evaluate a '79 Corvette
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Help a *** evaluate a '79 Corvette
I'm considering a trade that includes this 79 Corvette. It has 120k miles and 50k on the rebuilt original motor. The paint is original and in "5 ft." condition. It's a 49 state car, 4 spd, a/c, t-tops, new tires. Described as in very good overall condition.
I have no experience with Corvettes so I'm hoping some of the enthusiasts here might be able to give me a general idea about what this car has going for it, what it has against it, how much is it worth and what I should look for when inspecting it.
Thanks for the help
I have no experience with Corvettes so I'm hoping some of the enthusiasts here might be able to give me a general idea about what this car has going for it, what it has against it, how much is it worth and what I should look for when inspecting it.
Thanks for the help
Last edited by Hotch_C; Sep 13, 2009 at 11:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Looks pretty goog from what I can see. The biggest Show Stoppers on these cars is serial numbers matcing documentation and rust in some critical areas.
Pull the kick panels and look at the no 2 body mounts. All them will have a little rust there, but if it is clearly corrodes, has large rust flakes on top of the bolt that indicates the windshield frame is rusting, showstopper.
Annother place to look is on the frame, in front of the rear wheels, the area called the Kick Up. Look at the frame for weldes in odd places, FAT welds pn joints etc.
As far as value, its a 79 with nothing special about it, maybe $7k on a very good day, certainly $4 or $5k, thats provided no rust. Where is the car from?
Pull the kick panels and look at the no 2 body mounts. All them will have a little rust there, but if it is clearly corrodes, has large rust flakes on top of the bolt that indicates the windshield frame is rusting, showstopper.
Annother place to look is on the frame, in front of the rear wheels, the area called the Kick Up. Look at the frame for weldes in odd places, FAT welds pn joints etc.
As far as value, its a 79 with nothing special about it, maybe $7k on a very good day, certainly $4 or $5k, thats provided no rust. Where is the car from?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
You are missing some key pictures. For instance, the frame kick ups (just in front of the rear wheels, the frame rails and pictures of the body mounts (there are 3 on each side).
Also, the birdcage which makes up the window frame and the driver's compartment.
Most Corvette body work "looks" fine, it's what is underneath that will determine its true value.
What I can tell you from the pics I see:
It is an L48 engine with incorrect valve covers
The door panels have been replaced at some point with incorrectly colored units (I wonder why since they are not difficult to source or even especially expensive).
The sidepipes are aftermarket and don't look like they ate hung right, but that could just be the photos.
Take some pics from underneath and look for any rust as it is expensive and difficult to fix.
Good luck.
Also, the birdcage which makes up the window frame and the driver's compartment.
Most Corvette body work "looks" fine, it's what is underneath that will determine its true value.
What I can tell you from the pics I see:
It is an L48 engine with incorrect valve covers
The door panels have been replaced at some point with incorrectly colored units (I wonder why since they are not difficult to source or even especially expensive).
The sidepipes are aftermarket and don't look like they ate hung right, but that could just be the photos.
Take some pics from underneath and look for any rust as it is expensive and difficult to fix.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies. It's originally from AZ and resides in CA so I doubt there will be any rust issues but I'll make sure to look at those areas you pointed out. As far as documentation, what numbers am I looking for? Where do they stamp these motors? I'll be seeing the car later in the week.
At $4k-$5k, we may have to negotiate a little further, I was led to believe it was worth more then that.
Here's a higher res pic of the car. It looks to me like the exaust is hung ok.
At $4k-$5k, we may have to negotiate a little further, I was led to believe it was worth more then that.
Here's a higher res pic of the car. It looks to me like the exaust is hung ok.
Last edited by Hotch_C; Sep 13, 2009 at 12:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,213
Likes: 4,301
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi HC,
The car has a bit of a resto-mod look to the exterior. Some people really like that and others prefer a stock look.
At 120k I'd wonder what has been rebuilt or what may soon need to be rebuilt/ replaced.
What kind of Corvette ( Value, Appearace, Performance) are you looking for? What is the trade it is part of? Would you want the car a otherwise?
Regards,
Alan
The car has a bit of a resto-mod look to the exterior. Some people really like that and others prefer a stock look.
At 120k I'd wonder what has been rebuilt or what may soon need to be rebuilt/ replaced.
What kind of Corvette ( Value, Appearace, Performance) are you looking for? What is the trade it is part of? Would you want the car a otherwise?
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Hi Alan. The Corvette part of a trade + cash deal for my chopper. I'm ultimately trying to get my hands on a 1970 Chevelle SS. The Vette will be for sale soon after I get it, so I need a good idea of what I can easily sell it for. If I could flip it for 6k or so, then I'm ready to make the deal (if the car checks out). Personally I like the look of this car and think I'll enjoy having it for a little while. But like I said, I know zilch about Corvettes.
As far as why the rebuild? I don't know. I'm told it's a two owner car and comes with all the maintenance records and receipts.
As far as why the rebuild? I don't know. I'm told it's a two owner car and comes with all the maintenance records and receipts.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Section 24007 (b)(2) of the Vehicle Code states it is the responsibility of the seller to provide a valid smog certificate at the time of delivery of the vehicle.
The 79 L-48 car may or may not have had a air pump i do not know, but i imagine that by 79 it was fairly uncommon to not have it.
With sidepipes the car is clearly not smog legal in CA. it may be registerable if it resides in one of the few counties in CA where testing doesnt occur.
So this creates several issues for you. if you live in CA. and in a county that requires smog testing, you will not be able to register the car with the sidepipes since the car will not even pass visual inspection with them (assuming they are real and not just eye candy)
If you live in a county without the smog testing requirements you can sell the car to residents of the same county, but not to anyone who lives in a testing county, since the law requires the seller to provide a change of ownership test.
You need to determine if the car has all its emissions equipment, if not it can get costly to add it back onto the car.
The 79 L-48 car may or may not have had a air pump i do not know, but i imagine that by 79 it was fairly uncommon to not have it.
With sidepipes the car is clearly not smog legal in CA. it may be registerable if it resides in one of the few counties in CA where testing doesnt occur.
So this creates several issues for you. if you live in CA. and in a county that requires smog testing, you will not be able to register the car with the sidepipes since the car will not even pass visual inspection with them (assuming they are real and not just eye candy)
If you live in a county without the smog testing requirements you can sell the car to residents of the same county, but not to anyone who lives in a testing county, since the law requires the seller to provide a change of ownership test.
You need to determine if the car has all its emissions equipment, if not it can get costly to add it back onto the car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
That is a very nice and clean example of a 1979 and in my opinion worth much more than $5,000. I do not know the emissions specifics of where you live but I would imagine the sidepipes will have to go and a proper 2-1-2 exhaust with cat con put on. But again, pretty car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
That is a very nice and clean example of a 1979 and in my opinion worth much more than $5,000. I do not know the emissions specifics of where you live but I would imagine the sidepipes will have to go and a proper 2-1-2 exhaust with cat con put on. But again, pretty car.
In the price range of 5K and below what you basically get is cars that are much rougher than this car appears to be in the photos. Have you driven it? How does it feel?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I haven't seen the car in person yet, I'll see it later in the week when we make the deal. I'm trying to get a general feel for the value of this thing and what issues I should take into consideration. From talking with the owner, it sounds like a well maintained car. The side pipes are concerning me now, from the pictures they look like functional pipes. I guess we'll see what happens when he gets the smog cert.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 35
From: LaUgH, mOrE!
I've spent the last half year researching/looking for a C-3. Finally found one 2 months ago... a pristine '79.
From my experience, here's a few things I learned:
1. Don't buy sight unseen. Definitely check over every detail of the car IN PERSON. I looked at a few cars that sounded great and looked great in pictures. But there were some definite disappointments when thoroughly checking them over.
2. This is a buyer's market. Not a seller's market. If you wish to turn the car, it probably won't be fast. Especially a '79. Also, this is getting to the end of the driving season in many parts of the country. So consider that.
3. These cars are 30+ years old. Unless you pay top dollar for a pristine car (I should say "EVEN though you pay top dollar"), you'll have to fix something here or there. Factor this in.
Good luck with it all.
From my experience, here's a few things I learned:
1. Don't buy sight unseen. Definitely check over every detail of the car IN PERSON. I looked at a few cars that sounded great and looked great in pictures. But there were some definite disappointments when thoroughly checking them over.
2. This is a buyer's market. Not a seller's market. If you wish to turn the car, it probably won't be fast. Especially a '79. Also, this is getting to the end of the driving season in many parts of the country. So consider that.
3. These cars are 30+ years old. Unless you pay top dollar for a pristine car (I should say "EVEN though you pay top dollar"), you'll have to fix something here or there. Factor this in.
Good luck with it all.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Well, the deal went through and I'm the new owner of this car.
Here's the answer to a few outstanding questions:
1. It's a Federal car and didn't come with a smog pump, only the cat. Passed smog last week no problem.
2. There are two sets of exhaust. The side pipes with glasspacks and the stock exhaust with the cat for smog tests. It takes less then an hour to make the swap.
3. The side pipes are a dealer installed option.
4. No rust, a very clean undercarriage.
5. The car is in overall very good condition. The paint has the some cracking and checking like you'd expect to see on old original paint over fiberglass, but still looks nice from a few feet. The interior is very nice and everything works. The AC blows cold.
I was gonna sell the car immediately but the wife has taken a liking to it. I still may be able to horse trade it for the Chevelle I'm looking for, but if we keep it, I'm going to have some fun with it. I think a pumped 383 will give it the muscle it needs to back up the bad boy look it has.
Here's the answer to a few outstanding questions:
1. It's a Federal car and didn't come with a smog pump, only the cat. Passed smog last week no problem.
2. There are two sets of exhaust. The side pipes with glasspacks and the stock exhaust with the cat for smog tests. It takes less then an hour to make the swap.
3. The side pipes are a dealer installed option.
4. No rust, a very clean undercarriage.
5. The car is in overall very good condition. The paint has the some cracking and checking like you'd expect to see on old original paint over fiberglass, but still looks nice from a few feet. The interior is very nice and everything works. The AC blows cold.
I was gonna sell the car immediately but the wife has taken a liking to it. I still may be able to horse trade it for the Chevelle I'm looking for, but if we keep it, I'm going to have some fun with it. I think a pumped 383 will give it the muscle it needs to back up the bad boy look it has.
Last edited by Hotch_C; Sep 21, 2009 at 12:53 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
3. Really?
4. Really?
Also that does not look like 120,000 mile (black) paint.
Is the cracking on the rubber bumper sections? if it is, its from a "quickie" paint job, without the proper flex additives.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2. See Above post (EasyMike). I was told the dealer put 'em on. Whatever.
3. Yeah REALLY... Why would I lie about something like that?
I don't care what you think 120,000 mile paint should look like. I'm a painter, it's original and showing checking with nil oxidation. If I keep the car I'll paint it. If I sell it, it goes "as is". There's no value in me giving it a paint job worth more then the car.
I really appreciate the input when I was trying to get a value for this thing, but why the cross examination and innuendo? I could understand if you were trying to authenticate a valuable collector, but this is nothing more then a used car for cryin out loud. I'll concede the pipes are NOT a dealer option but I was told they were put on by the dealer. Other then that, I'm kinda taking offense to the implication that I'm lying. I was just trying to tie up some loose ends in this thread out of curtisy to those who helped me estimate the value but had questions that hadn't been answered.
Last edited by Hotch_C; Sep 21, 2009 at 04:36 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
1. Yeah REALLY. The sticker under the hood on the driver side states the emissions equipment.
2. See Above post (EasyMike). I was told the dealer put 'em on. Whatever.
3. Yeah REALLY... Why would I lie about something like that?
I don't care what you think 120,000 mile paint should look like. I'm a painter, it's original and showing checking with nil oxidation. If I keep the car I'll paint it. If I sell it, it goes "as is". There's no value in me giving it a paint job worth more then the car.
I really appreciate the input when I was trying to get a value for this thing, but why the cross examination and innuendo? I could understand if you were trying to authenticate a valuable collector, but this is nothing more then a used car for cryin out loud. I'll concede the pipes are NOT a dealer option but I was told they were put on by the dealer. Other then that, I'm kinda taking offense to the implication that I'm lying. I was just trying to tie up some loose ends in this thread out of curtisy to those who helped me estimate the value but had questions that hadn't been answered.
2. See Above post (EasyMike). I was told the dealer put 'em on. Whatever.
3. Yeah REALLY... Why would I lie about something like that?
I don't care what you think 120,000 mile paint should look like. I'm a painter, it's original and showing checking with nil oxidation. If I keep the car I'll paint it. If I sell it, it goes "as is". There's no value in me giving it a paint job worth more then the car.
I really appreciate the input when I was trying to get a value for this thing, but why the cross examination and innuendo? I could understand if you were trying to authenticate a valuable collector, but this is nothing more then a used car for cryin out loud. I'll concede the pipes are NOT a dealer option but I was told they were put on by the dealer. Other then that, I'm kinda taking offense to the implication that I'm lying. I was just trying to tie up some loose ends in this thread out of curtisy to those who helped me estimate the value but had questions that hadn't been answered.
If it will help, I will shed a tear for you.......NOT!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
I would like to add that your car looks very nice and should pull more towards the $8000-$9000 range, contrary to what some on this forum would say.
Just got to find the right buyer.
To sell it the fast way put it up for $4-5000 if you like.
Just got to find the right buyer.
To sell it the fast way put it up for $4-5000 if you like.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Bottom line, it's a nice car that I was going to sell, but now I'm considering keeping for awhile (although I barely fit in it). I'm in it cheap enough that I can dump a few grand and some labor into it without feeling like I'm flushing money down the drain. It was part of a trade plus cash deal, so it's hard put an exact amount on it. I'd have been robbed if the car was valued at $2k and anything over $4k is gravy.