Valuation question...
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Valuation question...
I don't know if this is the correct forum, and if it's not I apologize and welcome a mod moving it to wherever is appropriate:
I recently encountered a car that's for sale that sounds interesting to me. Unfortunately, I've been a foreign car guy so far, and know very little about Corvettes and their values. So I'm looking for some advice to see if this is something I might want to be involved in:
So, the car in question is a 78 coupe (Silver Anniversary Edition). I needs paint and a complete interior restore. Supposedly the mechanicals have all been rebuilt within the last 2000 miles, but that's been a while (the owner also has a fully restored 53... must be tough, huh?). It's an automatic, does have air conditioning, looks straight (at a quick look), and maybe most intriguing (to me) has an L88 engine.
From what I've read, the 78 was not available with an L88 engine, so it can't be the original engine, right? But even so, assuming good mechanical condition and an accurate description, does anyone have any idea what a fair price would be?
Thanks in advance.
I recently encountered a car that's for sale that sounds interesting to me. Unfortunately, I've been a foreign car guy so far, and know very little about Corvettes and their values. So I'm looking for some advice to see if this is something I might want to be involved in:
So, the car in question is a 78 coupe (Silver Anniversary Edition). I needs paint and a complete interior restore. Supposedly the mechanicals have all been rebuilt within the last 2000 miles, but that's been a while (the owner also has a fully restored 53... must be tough, huh?). It's an automatic, does have air conditioning, looks straight (at a quick look), and maybe most intriguing (to me) has an L88 engine.
From what I've read, the 78 was not available with an L88 engine, so it can't be the original engine, right? But even so, assuming good mechanical condition and an accurate description, does anyone have any idea what a fair price would be?
Thanks in advance.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
gotta be an L-82
Decent paint/bodywork is gonna run $6K at bare min and interior can run $2500 easily. IMO, a pristine '78 is worth maybe $11K on a good day so I'd say $5000 max.
Don't bother with the headache, buy one already done
Decent paint/bodywork is gonna run $6K at bare min and interior can run $2500 easily. IMO, a pristine '78 is worth maybe $11K on a good day so I'd say $5000 max.
Don't bother with the headache, buy one already done
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
its so easy to get upside down in these cars(put more money into then its worth)......you really need to do your home work before you jump in....and these cars are always cheaper if some one else did all the work.....and everyone thinks ther corvette is worth more then it is
these cars are always for sale and never buy the first one you see.....never, ever ever.....
these cars are always for sale and never buy the first one you see.....never, ever ever.....
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,976
Likes: 6,203
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
It doesnt have an L88 engine. Look again.
Is it a "Silver Anniversary Edition" as in the 2 tone silver paint, or does it have the same 25th anniversary emblems on it that every other '78 has? You could be talking about a big range of cars.
Is it a "Silver Anniversary Edition" as in the 2 tone silver paint, or does it have the same 25th anniversary emblems on it that every other '78 has? You could be talking about a big range of cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Vettebuyer hit the nail right on the head. Everyone thinks their 78 is a silver anniversary edition just because it has the emblems, but the only silver anniversary cars are silver on top and grey on the bottom. No 78 came with the L-88 engine, that was discontinued in 1969 and is a very rare and valuable 427 big block engine. An L-82 was readily available. If it is in fact a very good running 78 then I'd say it's worth a little more than 5K as stated above, but not a lot, maybe 7K on the very high end. This is based you saying it needs paint and interior. Rust is your major concern here and if the frame or birdcage is rotten, the car is worth much less than 5K.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
So, it does appear to have the two tone paint, so I assume that's the actual Silver Anniversary Edition (assuming it's original paint, which may or may not be the case). As for the motor, I have not opened to hood to look at it and look for casing stamps and the rest, but the emblem on the hood is definitely an L88 emblem. No, that's no proof, and I'm certain that the car did NOT come with an L88, but unless there is a technical reason it's impossible, I assume an L88 could have been put into a 78 body, right? I mean, Porsche never made a 944 with a 2.8L engine, and yet they exist on the road (ok, so that's the same block that's just been modified, but whatever), and I know people have put Chevy small blocks into 944s, so perhaps?
Thanks for the valuation range on the 78s, though. And I expect I'll leave the car alone, in all reality. But it's fun to dream
Thanks for the valuation range on the 78s, though. And I expect I'll leave the car alone, in all reality. But it's fun to dream
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
So, it does appear to have the two tone paint, so I assume that's the actual Silver Anniversary Edition (assuming it's original paint, which may or may not be the case). As for the motor, I have not opened to hood to look at it and look for casing stamps and the rest, but the emblem on the hood is definitely an L88 emblem. No, that's no proof, and I'm certain that the car did NOT come with an L88, but unless there is a technical reason it's impossible, I assume an L88 could have been put into a 78 body, right? I mean, Porsche never made a 944 with a 2.8L engine, and yet they exist on the road (ok, so that's the same block that's just been modified, but whatever), and I know people have put Chevy small blocks into 944s, so perhaps?
Thanks for the valuation range on the 78s, though. And I expect I'll leave the car alone, in all reality. But it's fun to dream
Thanks for the valuation range on the 78s, though. And I expect I'll leave the car alone, in all reality. But it's fun to dream
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
I choose to always ignore the guys that say to buy one already done. I bought mine with the intention of doing all of the work and am completely able to do so. But I bought a car that is a good driver so I can drive it unless I do some work where it will be torn apart. That being said if you are not able to do all of the work, then buy one already completed. If it does have an L88 engine, sounds like fun, and yes it could have been put in there, I have seen things like that before.
Not many folks have the time, inclination, or skill to spend the countless hours of bodywork prep required to make paint look good on a fiberglass body - same for the capability to properly shoot it without making it look like it was done in Bubba's garage.
Call a few shops in your area and price paint on a Corvette - then add ~$2000 for interior to the price of paint + the purchase price.
If your total is >$11K you are in the hole money wise plus you must figure time lost on using the car due to it being down for paint.
Thats why I said buy one already done
BTW, L-88's were fire breating, high compression 427's - its a rare bird and you will know it immediately by its idle. Adding an L-88 hood on the other hand is a common mod on a C3 to gain extra clearance.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Are you sure it didn't say L-82? That would be a correct engine for '78. The trim tag will tell you what the original paint color was. It is on the pillar in front of the drivers door. It will also tell you interior color and the day it started down the assembly line.
This is what it looks like.
I have been looking for a shop to paint my car and have had estimates from $8,000 - $15,000
This is what it looks like.
I have been looking for a shop to paint my car and have had estimates from $8,000 - $15,000
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
Not many folks have the time, inclination, or skill to spend the countless hours of bodywork prep required to make paint look good on a fiberglass body - same for the capability to properly shoot it without making it look like it was done in Bubba's garage.
Call a few shops in your area and price paint on a Corvette - then add ~$2000 for interior to the price of paint + the purchase price.
If your total is >$11K you are in the hole money wise plus you must figure time lost on using the car due to it being down for paint.
Thats why I said buy one already done
BTW, L-88's were fire breating, high compression 427's - its a rare bird and you will know it immediately by its idle. Adding an L-88 hood on the other hand is a common mod on a C3 to gain extra clearance.
Call a few shops in your area and price paint on a Corvette - then add ~$2000 for interior to the price of paint + the purchase price.
If your total is >$11K you are in the hole money wise plus you must figure time lost on using the car due to it being down for paint.
Thats why I said buy one already done
BTW, L-88's were fire breating, high compression 427's - its a rare bird and you will know it immediately by its idle. Adding an L-88 hood on the other hand is a common mod on a C3 to gain extra clearance.
Of course farming anything out is expensive. And really the L88 is not all that fire breathing. The 435 number is inflated as they changed the way they are rated later, it is way less in todays numbers. But it is a very highly sought after collectable motor. I am not disagreeing with anything you have said, however doing things for ones self is not a big deal and way more saisfying, a person just needs to be motivated to do so. And willing to learn.SAAOAG I have no desire to drive anything that was done by someone else, it makes it someone elses car, that I own. Even if I paid for it. But everyone is different.
Last edited by 81pilot; Dec 27, 2009 at 01:49 PM. Reason: spelling
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
I found that if properly motivated anything is possible. A few years ago, I wanted a custom paint job on my bike, but couldn't afford it, So I bought the tools, a ton of books and videos and 5 bikes and several cars later and many paint jobs for myself and others I am quite good if I say so myself, even my first one was an awesome marblized paint job. I am only saying this because it CAN be done and really it is not that difficult, you just have to learn, and interiors are easy, plug and play.
Of course farming anything out is expensive. And really the L88 is not all that fire breathing. The 435 number is inflated as they changed the way they are rated later, it is way less in todays numbers. But it is a very highly sought after collectable motor. I am not disagreeing with anything you have said, however doing things for ones self is not a big deal and way more saisfying, a person just needs to be motivated to do so. And willing to learn.SAAOAG I have no desire to drive anything that was done by someone else, it makes it someone elses car, that I own. Even if I paid for it. But everyone is different.
Of course farming anything out is expensive. And really the L88 is not all that fire breathing. The 435 number is inflated as they changed the way they are rated later, it is way less in todays numbers. But it is a very highly sought after collectable motor. I am not disagreeing with anything you have said, however doing things for ones self is not a big deal and way more saisfying, a person just needs to be motivated to do so. And willing to learn.SAAOAG I have no desire to drive anything that was done by someone else, it makes it someone elses car, that I own. Even if I paid for it. But everyone is different.
I aint rich and I don't like farming out work that I can do. Thats why this is sittin in my garage
and this is sittin at a professional paint shop
I have seen very few home paint jobs that look remotely professional and the last thing I would do after spending boatloads of time and money restoring my '69 is finish it with a mediocre paint job in my own garage - but thats just me.
BTW, the L-88 was @ 12-1 CR and with .560/.580 264/269 @.050 cam timing and pretty nasty in its day. I understand by only adding headers they were actually capable of around 550hp
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
I aint rich and I don't like farming out work that I can do. Thats why this is sittin in my garage
and this is sittin at a professional paint shop
I have seen very few home paint jobs that look remotely professional and the last thing I would do after spending boatloads of time and money restoring my '69 is finish it with a mediocre paint job in my own garage - but thats just me.
BTW, the L-88 was @ 12-1 CR and with .560/.580 264/269 @.050 cam timing and pretty nasty in its day. I understand by only adding headers they were actually capable of around 550hp
and this is sittin at a professional paint shop
I have seen very few home paint jobs that look remotely professional and the last thing I would do after spending boatloads of time and money restoring my '69 is finish it with a mediocre paint job in my own garage - but thats just me.
BTW, the L-88 was @ 12-1 CR and with .560/.580 264/269 @.050 cam timing and pretty nasty in its day. I understand by only adding headers they were actually capable of around 550hp
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The price of this little book could save you a whole heckuva lot of money.
All '78s are 25th Anniversary cars and have 25th Anniversary nose and fuel door emblems.
Only cars with the optional B2Z two toned silver paint package are Silver Anniversay cars.
The L-82 smallblock engine was optional for 1978 and might be in the car you're looking at. The L-88 big block engine was not available in 1978 and was possibly out of production by that time.
All '78s are 25th Anniversary cars and have 25th Anniversary nose and fuel door emblems.
Only cars with the optional B2Z two toned silver paint package are Silver Anniversay cars.
The L-82 smallblock engine was optional for 1978 and might be in the car you're looking at. The L-88 big block engine was not available in 1978 and was possibly out of production by that time.