newbie with question
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
newbie with question
Hello everyone I am new to your forum and have a question I hope you can all answer.
My wife is getting near the empty nest syndrome and has decided to buy an aquaintanances 1978 Corvette that is all black. Nice clean car, and I know nothing about them other than i have spanked quite a few of them in my little 4banger.
The seller who is a friend of mine has had this car for 25 years covered in the garage told my wife it is a silver anniversary edition, I have not seen the car in years and from what i have been able to gleen from the web is that the silver anniversary edition cars all had some sort of silver paint scheme.
could you have ordered one in black only?
Thanks for any info.
My wife is getting near the empty nest syndrome and has decided to buy an aquaintanances 1978 Corvette that is all black. Nice clean car, and I know nothing about them other than i have spanked quite a few of them in my little 4banger.
The seller who is a friend of mine has had this car for 25 years covered in the garage told my wife it is a silver anniversary edition, I have not seen the car in years and from what i have been able to gleen from the web is that the silver anniversary edition cars all had some sort of silver paint scheme.
could you have ordered one in black only?
Thanks for any info.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
If it is originally black then it is not a silver ann edition. All 78's have 25th anniversary badging on nose and gas lid. That was just celebrating 25 years. The ACTUAL anniversary model has silver paint and it's own interior. There was also a pace car in 78 and if you look at pictures of it you'll see the 25th ann. badging I am talking about.
That does mean that it will have a lower value than an anniversary model.
P.S. If you are not familiar with vettes then do some searching on here as to what you need to for and where to make sure that you aren't making a mistake. There is tons of info on the subject.
That does mean that it will have a lower value than an anniversary model.
P.S. If you are not familiar with vettes then do some searching on here as to what you need to for and where to make sure that you aren't making a mistake. There is tons of info on the subject.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
There was also a pace car in 78
That does mean that it will have a lower value than an anniversary model.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,997
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
1. get some assistance
2. Do not depend on believing what you are told
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
As an obvious, self-described "newbie" I don't think you can make this call yourself. This car needs to have the matching-numbers engine for maximium value, and this along with other points of inspection need to be done by someone familiar with the cars.
1. get some assistance
2. Do not depend on believing what you are told
1. get some assistance
2. Do not depend on believing what you are told
Based on what I am seeing on the forum so far they have been a tough sell at this price.
Is there some rare or particular options for that year that i would want to look for.?
Thanks,
Don
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
and GBvette62 is correct about the interior. I wrongly stated it was the ann. model.
A '78 isn't highly collectible but I like mine and I'm partial to the black ones. Price can vary depending on locations. If it was in good condition then $10,000 could be a decent price. If it's been sitting for 25 years, it could have several issues that need to be addressed before being dependable. Need to factor in the cost of getting it road worthy. I'd find someone experienced in your area to help you check it out for things such as rust in the birdcage area and a mechanic to look it over and tell you what it needs to get back on the road. It could help you negotiate the price a little more in your favor.
Take as many pictures of it as you can anywhere that you can get the camera and some people on here can give you some good advise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Sebago Lake Maine
St. Jude Donor '09
a little info on the 78, fyi
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1970/vet78.htm
http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1970/vet78.htm
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 6
From: Lake Charles LA
If it hasn't been driven in 25 years, you can pretty much expect to pay more than the purchase price to get the car back on the road. Might be a very nice looking car, but it may also have issues with sitting up for so long. Like others have already suggested, I would get someone that is familiar with Corvettes to look at the car before you pay that much money for it.
Also, you mentioned that this would be the wife's car. Remember that it is still a 33 year old vehicle. These were not the most "reliable" means of transportation even when they were new. A lot of Vettes of that era are "drive a little, fix a little" kind of cars. Might not be exactly what she envisions.
Also, you mentioned that this would be the wife's car. Remember that it is still a 33 year old vehicle. These were not the most "reliable" means of transportation even when they were new. A lot of Vettes of that era are "drive a little, fix a little" kind of cars. Might not be exactly what she envisions.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 8
From: Blythewood S.C.
St. Jude Donor '14
SA paint
Hey CobaltSS. Look at the paint codes on the driver's side door jam. According to the Corvette Black Book, the paint code for the SA should be 13/07 and the code for regular exterior black paint is 19. If you like it and it drives ok, buy it, and have fun.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
If it hasn't been driven in 25 years, you can pretty much expect to pay more than the purchase price to get the car back on the road. Might be a very nice looking car, but it may also have issues with sitting up for so long. Like others have already suggested, I would get someone that is familiar with Corvettes to look at the car before you pay that much money for it.
Also, you mentioned that this would be the wife's car. Remember that it is still a 33 year old vehicle. These were not the most "reliable" means of transportation even when they were new. A lot of Vettes of that era are "drive a little, fix a little" kind of cars. Might not be exactly what she envisions.
Also, you mentioned that this would be the wife's car. Remember that it is still a 33 year old vehicle. These were not the most "reliable" means of transportation even when they were new. A lot of Vettes of that era are "drive a little, fix a little" kind of cars. Might not be exactly what she envisions.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 104
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
technically it is a 25th anniversary car since it is a 78, but it i sn't one of the 2 (as mentioned) special anniversary models (the silver anniv and the pace car)there was nothing really rare about any of the models except the limited production of the pace car (6502) even rarer with the L88/4speed combination. in stock configuration, the L48 engine is rated at 185 hp and is pretty much a dog performance wise as the car isn't a feather weight. in my area, really nice original 78 corvettes are selling well under 10,000 more in the 7500-8000 range. obviously if it is a really low mileage one owner with all types of documentation and maintenance records, etc, it would be worth closer to the 10k number
Last edited by srs244; Jan 21, 2011 at 03:38 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
Buy it . look at the frame make sure its not all rusty(beyond re-pair) .It will need:a new radiator brake caliper kits and all the fluids changed but thats a pretty good price.IM on my second Corvette I might just be lucky but did not even drive either car before paying for them I just Knew they were Chevys and if it was broke I could fix it.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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Thank You all for the information. The car has been stored undercover in his garage for twenty five years, but he still drives it a few times a year so i am sure it is road worthy. My wife spoke to him on Wednesday evening and he is waffling some now. I guess I could understand as i would never sell my 442 unless it was the absolute last option.
What she really wants is a 1961,62 model and of course the red and white one.
What she really wants is a 1961,62 model and of course the red and white one.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Sebago Lake Maine
St. Jude Donor '09
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 5
From: Wichita Falls Tx
I've seen brakes start leaking after sitting only 3 months. Be prepared to replace them. Rarer options for '78 include
stereo with cb UP6
4 speed M21
glass tops CC1
gymkhana FE7
power door locks AU3
stereo with cb UP6
4 speed M21
glass tops CC1
gymkhana FE7
power door locks AU3