Help with 79 purchase
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Prattville Al.
Help with 79 purchase
I am currently thinking of purchasing a 79 black on black four speed and I need input because I do not know much about the late 70 models. I owned an 80 model and was curious when comparing the two (79 & 80) what the overall consensus from you guys are on them? Because I loved my 80 and was wondering if i should hold out for another or get this really nice 79?
The info on the 79 im looking at: Been stored since 1992 in garage, 62k original miles. Good straight body,Original paint (in good condition not great) original radio and antenna still work, eletric windows still work, original interior no tears, carpet and dash in perfect condition. The following is not original and have been replaced 4 new tires and wheels, brakes, wheel cylinder, battery, alternator, a/c, jugs and lines for headlights, small cam, windshield wipers, HOLLEY Carb, heads have been reworked.
Seller is wanting $8500
The info on the 79 im looking at: Been stored since 1992 in garage, 62k original miles. Good straight body,Original paint (in good condition not great) original radio and antenna still work, eletric windows still work, original interior no tears, carpet and dash in perfect condition. The following is not original and have been replaced 4 new tires and wheels, brakes, wheel cylinder, battery, alternator, a/c, jugs and lines for headlights, small cam, windshield wipers, HOLLEY Carb, heads have been reworked.
Seller is wanting $8500
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 2
From: Anaheim CA
if an 80 is what you really want then find an 80. Only you can decide
which would make you happier. What you don't want to do is make a purchase with your hard earned $ and feel like you compromised too much. From your description the 79 sounds nice & priced right but just as important, it has to be the Corvette that you want.
Good luck
which would make you happier. What you don't want to do is make a purchase with your hard earned $ and feel like you compromised too much. From your description the 79 sounds nice & priced right but just as important, it has to be the Corvette that you want.
Good luck
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
After just going through the process myself, I can tell you my opinion for what its worth. As far as I can STILL tell, the 78-82 are for the most part very similar. The 78 and 79 are hard to tell apart to most eyes. By 82, if you look hard, they seem to get a bit lower and shorter (although I think its just a trick on the eyes) and seem like the front wheel fenders are more aggressive / taller. I could be wrong. Just seems so to me. But for the most part they are the same car. One thing I do wish I would have known before my purchase, is the difference between the L48 and L82 motors. Both are 350, but the L82 packs a bigger punch with (from what I understand) dual snorkels vice single, bigger cams, and a 4 bolt main vice a 2 bolt main. The L48 is a decent motor and you can beef it up like anything else, but it will never be a 4 bolt main. It would have been nice to get that motor since the prices out there are about the same, but I had no clue at the time that there was a difference. Other then that, I can tell you that the price is about in the ballpark of 78-80 in decent shape from what I just witnessed myself.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Prattville Al.
Thanks for the input guys 
I drove it this afternoon and man Im in love lol It drives just like my 80 did but its an L82 and it has a small cam so it definitely packed a bigger punch 
I'd liked to have got it today but I have a 2004 Saab 9-3 that I need to get rid of first 
So please find someone that will buy it from me guys so I can buy this beauty!
I drove it this afternoon and man Im in love lol It drives just like my 80 did but its an L82 and it has a small cam so it definitely packed a bigger punch I'd liked to have got it today but I have a 2004 Saab 9-3 that I need to get rid of first So please find someone that will buy it from me guys so I can buy this beauty!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thanks for the input guys I drove it this afternoon and man Im in love lol It drives just like my 80 did but its an L82 and it has a small cam so it definitely packed a bigger punch I'd liked to have got it today but I have a 2004 Saab 9-3 that I need to get rid of first So please find someone that will buy it from me guys so I can buy this beauty!
I drove it this afternoon and man Im in love lol It drives just like my 80 did but its an L82 and it has a small cam so it definitely packed a bigger punch I'd liked to have got it today but I have a 2004 Saab 9-3 that I need to get rid of first So please find someone that will buy it from me guys so I can buy this beauty!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Other than that I agree they are essentially the same car. Does the 80 have the batwing rear end or was that later?
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,690
Likes: 833
From: WI
An 81 or 82 with a fiberglass rear leafspring will ride smoother and probably have more power options. Also, the computer controlled carb or Fuel Injection generally makes curising more trouble-free (when it's working right) over a carb. Of course, you can always add a fiberglass rear spring if you wanted, many guys do.
My pick if I had one would be to get an 82 Collector's Edition, or a 79 and make a Pace Car replica out of it. It's a buyers market so don't be afraid to take your time, especially now that it's late summer going into fall.
Mark G
My pick if I had one would be to get an 82 Collector's Edition, or a 79 and make a Pace Car replica out of it. It's a buyers market so don't be afraid to take your time, especially now that it's late summer going into fall.
Mark G
