A 75 or a 78 Vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,099
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From: PITTSBURGH PA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
A 75 or a 78 Vette
I have the oportunity to pick one of these vettes i will try describe sthem as best as i can
The 75 is a 3rd owner 65,000 mile car 4 speed original paint tan interior i think non ac car
the 78 is 110,000 mile car it was a white silver anniversary car but semi recently painted red with black interior auto car
which one and why? is one a better bet than the other one???
The 75 is a 3rd owner 65,000 mile car 4 speed original paint tan interior i think non ac car
the 78 is 110,000 mile car it was a white silver anniversary car but semi recently painted red with black interior auto car
which one and why? is one a better bet than the other one???
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Dover NH
I've had a 79 auto and I currently have a 75 4 speed. I'd choose the 4 speed over the auto anyday simply because they are fun to drive.
My .02 on the plusses of each;
78 - more horsepower, better seats.
75 - 4 speed, low mileage, owner lineage, original parts and paint (blank page for you to do what ever...)
My .02 on the plusses of each;
78 - more horsepower, better seats.
75 - 4 speed, low mileage, owner lineage, original parts and paint (blank page for you to do what ever...)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
The 75 is a "tunnel window" car, the 78 has a bubble rear window. The 78 seats are likely more supportive than the earlier chairs. Your description of either car is nowhere near complete enough to allow for more than broad generalisations like these. If you want meaningful input for an informed purchase decision, please provide details like price, photographs, options, and whatever other information you can think of so the members here can visualise what we're trying to evaluate for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,800
Likes: 1,943
From: LONG ISLAND
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I have the oportunity to pick one of these vettes i will try describe sthem as best as i can
The 75 is a 3rd owner 65,000 mile car 4 speed original paint tan interior i think non ac car
the 78 is 110,000 mile car it was a white silver anniversary car but semi recently painted red with black interior auto car
which one and why? is one a better bet than the other one???
The 75 is a 3rd owner 65,000 mile car 4 speed original paint tan interior i think non ac car
the 78 is 110,000 mile car it was a white silver anniversary car but semi recently painted red with black interior auto car
which one and why? is one a better bet than the other one???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
I prefer the 75 due to the rear window and it has lot less miles on it. With more info provided, cost and physical condition etc, bottom line really falls back to which style you like best. Best of luck in your decission.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
Just don't wait too long looking. I always thought everyone had their vette priced too high and passed on every one I looked at. Its now about 30 Years later and I finally got My first vette. i would get the one that appeals to You the most. Its still a buyers market and Your in the drivers seat.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: PASADENA MARYLAND
I like the look of the 75 rear window and if it has a rack you can attach t-tops to give you more room behind the seats when tops are off. Both cars have the same classic body style and will turn heads for sure.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Porter TX
Having both, I am torn to make a decision. My 75 is an L48 Auto but looks nicer and sounds mean with the exhaust. the 78 is a L82 4-speed which is more fun to drive but the paint is crap. As far as the profile, they both look dead sexy so there is no preference there. The seats are almost identical (only the pace car got the cool seats). I don't think you can necessarily go wrong with either one.
Look for the usual rust and condition of each before making a decision.
Good luck!
Look for the usual rust and condition of each before making a decision.
Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Covington VA
I own a '75 and a '79, which is similar to the '78 but has the new style seats. The Pace Car is the only '78 with the high back buckets. I like them both, but they are very different cars, and yet in many ways the same.
Both have a great look to them, so that comes down to whether you prefer the tunnel window, vs the fast back.
In stock tune the '78 has a performance edge, assuming we are comparing apples to apples here. If the '75 is and L82 and the '78 is an L48 that is negated. Again this assumes the engines are stock, and a lot of these cars, like my '75, have had engine mods.
The 4-Speed would be more desirable to most, except the fact that I am personally 6'5" and have a time with the clutch in the tiny footwells of these cars, that is why both of my cars are autos.
The '75 interior is more old school, the '78 is more modern, and actually has a glove box.
Really need more info to help you more, but hope this helps.
Of course you could buy them both
Both have a great look to them, so that comes down to whether you prefer the tunnel window, vs the fast back.
In stock tune the '78 has a performance edge, assuming we are comparing apples to apples here. If the '75 is and L82 and the '78 is an L48 that is negated. Again this assumes the engines are stock, and a lot of these cars, like my '75, have had engine mods.
The 4-Speed would be more desirable to most, except the fact that I am personally 6'5" and have a time with the clutch in the tiny footwells of these cars, that is why both of my cars are autos.
The '75 interior is more old school, the '78 is more modern, and actually has a glove box.
Really need more info to help you more, but hope this helps.
Of course you could buy them both
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Had the same situation, a '75 or a '79 in the same price range.
I went with the '75 based on color and condition.
My advise. Get the one you like the best and the one that won't cost as much to fix/restore.
The better condition will save you in the long run.
I went with the '75 based on color and condition.
My advise. Get the one you like the best and the one that won't cost as much to fix/restore.
The better condition will save you in the long run.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
avatar.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 3
From: Gretna La
Purely my opinion, so take it for what it's worth and buy the car that makes you happy.
If you presented me with the option to buy a 75 4spd car or a 78 Auto and if both cars were in equal condition with equal mileage (which I know is not the case)...
I'd buy the 75 for the following reasons:
1) Body Style, I prefer the rear window of the 68 - 77 over the 78 - 82
2) I enjoy driving a manual more than an auto
3) In some states the 75 is smog exempt and the 78 is not
As someone else posted in this thread... buy the car that calls out to you. If neither calls out to you... keep looking.
Good Luck & Let us know what you decide.
If you presented me with the option to buy a 75 4spd car or a 78 Auto and if both cars were in equal condition with equal mileage (which I know is not the case)...
I'd buy the 75 for the following reasons:
1) Body Style, I prefer the rear window of the 68 - 77 over the 78 - 82
2) I enjoy driving a manual more than an auto
3) In some states the 75 is smog exempt and the 78 is not
As someone else posted in this thread... buy the car that calls out to you. If neither calls out to you... keep looking.
Good Luck & Let us know what you decide.