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Value Help: 78 L82 4-spd

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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 01:04 PM
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Default Value Help: 78 L82 4-spd

Hi,

I know you guys get these questions all the time, but I'm struggling to find an old topic through the search function that answers it.

As per my 'WTB' postings, I'm looking at mid-late 70's L82 cars with the 4 speed.

Theres 4 x 1978 L82 4-spds around the country that i can find at the moment, ranging from $8K to $15K, and all in the 2-tone silver/ dark Silver Anniversary colours.

All 'look' (descriptions and pics.... I know I know go see the cars...) fairly similar in condition, matching numbers. One has documented 81,000 miles.

For a good condition driver.... not perfect... but a pretty good example... what is really the going rate on these cars? Is there any desirability at all around the Silver Anniversary silver/ grey paint scheme? Personally I like it... suits the car's shape and time period.

Any help... or a link to a previous thread.... would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 06:01 PM
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I paid 12k for my 60,000 mile 79 L82 4 speed last November, but it was in extremely good condition. I would think a 78 car would have a similar value to a 79. I did see a number of 78/79 L82 4 speed cars that appeared to be in relatively good condition (and so the owners claimed) for 6500-8000 but they were all a long ways away and it would have cost me 2K to go look and another 2k to ship home. My husband thought it wasn't worth the risk to go look at the cheaper cars as its pretty common for cars to be in no where near as good shape as claimed and he felt there was likely a reason those asking prices were so much lower.

Last edited by Priya; Mar 20, 2010 at 06:06 PM.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 06:07 PM
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This one has approx 30K miles and sold for $18K a year or so ago if that helps.... (check out that cinnabar interior with the silver anniverasy paint)





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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 06:47 PM
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When I was looking last year I saw a couple of 4 speed 78's with 25,000 and 29,000 miles for sale for 15,000 each. The higher mileage car sold in a couple of days and I never kept track of the lower mileage car as he turned down my 14k offer. I think both cars were L48's though.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 08:10 PM
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I think that is just 78 red, unless a complete Cinnabar interior was installed. Cinnabar was only an 81 interior color, my Cinnabar interior is a little different hue. I wonder why GM made so many colors so close to each other and didn't stick to the basics, it would make parts cheaper for sure. Some combos look better than others for sure.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 81pilot
I think that is just 78 red, unless a complete Cinnabar interior was installed. Cinnabar was only an 81 interior color, my Cinnabar interior is a little different hue. I wonder why GM made so many colors so close to each other and didn't stick to the basics, it would make parts cheaper for sure. Some combos look better than others for sure.
I definitely wasn't red, but I could be wrong about the Cinnabar. I was going by what the previous owner said. I think it's Mahogany, but I could be wrong about that too.
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 11:32 PM
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The 1979 is the last year to get a L-82 4spd and production # of this combo was less than 78 plus a 79 has the pace car style seats which are very nice. I'd go for a 79. just try to find a great condition car or you can end up spending more to bring the ruff car up to par.
8k to 15k Depends on color combo & condition
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by bstbrgr
The 1979 is the last year to get a L-82 4spd and production # of this combo was less than 78 plus a 79 has the pace car style seats which are very nice. I'd go for a 79. just try to find a great condition car or you can end up spending more to bring the ruff car up to par.
8k to 15k Depends on color combo & condition
Wasn't there a 4 speed in 80? I know there were L 82's, and 81 was the last year for the 4 speed. So in 80 I was thinking there were L 82- 4 speed cars. Am I wrong?
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Old Mar 20, 2010 | 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 81pilot
Wasn't there a 4 speed in 80? I know there were L 82's, and 81 was the last year for the 4 speed. So in 80 I was thinking there were L 82- 4 speed cars. Am I wrong?
There was a 4 speed in 1980 and an L82 but from what I gather from this link, it appears the 4 speed was only available with the L48:


http://100megsfree4.com/corvette/1980/vet80.htm
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Old Mar 21, 2010 | 11:46 AM
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The price you pay should be dependent upon the condition of the frame/birdcage, the condition of the paint & interior, and the proper function of engine/drivetrain and all the features. Don't focus so much on the appearance [except for paint condition]; focus on the 'fundamentals' of the car.
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