New 1978 Corvette Owner
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Agawam MA
St. Jude Donor '11
New 1978 Corvette Owner
Hi everyone!!
I know absolutely nothing about cars including Corvettes. My wife has always wanted a Corvette so I just bought one and am going to give it to her as a surprise for our ten year anniversary.
It's a 1978 with T tops, new motor and transmission. The seats, carpet, steering wheel and door panels definitely need to be replaced. I may put a new dash and console in too. I am also getting new tires and rims.
My mechanic will check it top to bottom but I was wondering what are some of the most important places to put money into and fix up?
Our anniversary is not till the end of June so I have some time. Car gets delivered next week.
Thanks
I know absolutely nothing about cars including Corvettes. My wife has always wanted a Corvette so I just bought one and am going to give it to her as a surprise for our ten year anniversary.
It's a 1978 with T tops, new motor and transmission. The seats, carpet, steering wheel and door panels definitely need to be replaced. I may put a new dash and console in too. I am also getting new tires and rims.
My mechanic will check it top to bottom but I was wondering what are some of the most important places to put money into and fix up?
Our anniversary is not till the end of June so I have some time. Car gets delivered next week.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Welcome to the forum, and the owner's club. Definitely tires and safety things your mechanic suggests first. Have the shop look for rust in the frame and windshield post/firewall area as thay are prone to rust there. You may be in for a bit of sticker shock as you price interior parts... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Good choice, I have a 78' also! Replace every rubber hose under the hood if it hasn't already been done in the past couple years. Did you get any service records with the car so you know what's been changed and when? Rad should be checked also.
Gary
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Yes, welcome to the shark tank. 
No matter how experienced or how much you trust one, IMHO if any given mechanic isn't quite familiar with C3's you'll be wise to get 2nd and 3rd opinions before having much of anything beyond very basic maintenance done (including suspension/alignment work). And, be ever wary of shops who overcharge for work just because it's a Corvette. So many of them either don't know what they're doing and/or view 'vette owners as their gravy train that many of us do everything we can ourselves in order to avoid them.
Anyway, here's wishing lots of happy miles.
No matter how experienced or how much you trust one, IMHO if any given mechanic isn't quite familiar with C3's you'll be wise to get 2nd and 3rd opinions before having much of anything beyond very basic maintenance done (including suspension/alignment work). And, be ever wary of shops who overcharge for work just because it's a Corvette. So many of them either don't know what they're doing and/or view 'vette owners as their gravy train that many of us do everything we can ourselves in order to avoid them.
Anyway, here's wishing lots of happy miles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Eagle River Alaska
Yes, welcome to the shark tank.
No matter how experienced or how much you trust one, IMHO if any given mechanic isn't quite familiar with C3's you'll be wise to get 2nd and 3rd opinions before having much of anything beyond very basic maintenance done (including suspension/alignment work). And, be ever wary of shops who overcharge for work just because it's a Corvette. So many of them either don't know what they're doing and/or view 'vette owners as their gravy train that many of us do everything we can ourselves in order to avoid them.
Anyway, here's wishing lots of happy miles.
No matter how experienced or how much you trust one, IMHO if any given mechanic isn't quite familiar with C3's you'll be wise to get 2nd and 3rd opinions before having much of anything beyond very basic maintenance done (including suspension/alignment work). And, be ever wary of shops who overcharge for work just because it's a Corvette. So many of them either don't know what they're doing and/or view 'vette owners as their gravy train that many of us do everything we can ourselves in order to avoid them.
Anyway, here's wishing lots of happy miles.
Welcome to the insanity.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I would direct your mechanic to pull tires, check brake pads and than pull a caliper and determine if they have been sleeved or not and what kind of seals are used. If the calipers have not been sleeved with stainless steel sleeves, it suggests that the iron will eventually cause problems and it should be corrected before putting your wife on the road. The O ring seals work best over the lip seal so if you are going to this extent, than its best to replace as well. Finally, if these components look in order, I would have him proceed, flush brake fluid and bleed. I believe that will give you the assurance that the brake system will work when your wife puts it on the road.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Agawam MA
St. Jude Donor '11
Hi everyone!!
Thanks for all the great tips.
Looks like I have a good order of where to start. Safety first. Vanity last.
I've know my mechanic since before I could drive, he's also owned a few Corvettes.
I'm shipping it from FL, I just got a call it will arrive Mon or Tue.
The only thing I know about the car is it runs and has a new engine and transmission. My mechanic will be checking everything!
Thanks again.
Thanks for all the great tips.
Looks like I have a good order of where to start. Safety first. Vanity last.
I've know my mechanic since before I could drive, he's also owned a few Corvettes.
I'm shipping it from FL, I just got a call it will arrive Mon or Tue.
The only thing I know about the car is it runs and has a new engine and transmission. My mechanic will be checking everything!
Thanks again.
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg Illinois
Welcome to the forum. Excellent choice in year (I also own a 78 
) I would look at the brakes first, mine failed in the first few months of owning the car. Tires would be the second thing to look at. Lots of great info and people here. Enjoy your new toy.
) I would look at the brakes first, mine failed in the first few months of owning the car. Tires would be the second thing to look at. Lots of great info and people here. Enjoy your new toy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
Brake, brakes, brakes! Its the most problematic area even more than tires because its out of sight.
I would direct your mechanic to pull tires, check brake pads and than pull a caliper and determine if they have been sleeved or not and what kind of seals are used. If the calipers have not been sleeved with stainless steel sleeves, it suggests that the iron will eventually cause problems and it should be corrected before putting your wife on the road. The O ring seals work best over the lip seal so if you are going to this extent, than its best to replace as well. Finally, if these components look in order, I would have him proceed, flush brake fluid and bleed. I believe that will give you the assurance that the brake system will work when your wife puts it on the road.
I would direct your mechanic to pull tires, check brake pads and than pull a caliper and determine if they have been sleeved or not and what kind of seals are used. If the calipers have not been sleeved with stainless steel sleeves, it suggests that the iron will eventually cause problems and it should be corrected before putting your wife on the road. The O ring seals work best over the lip seal so if you are going to this extent, than its best to replace as well. Finally, if these components look in order, I would have him proceed, flush brake fluid and bleed. I believe that will give you the assurance that the brake system will work when your wife puts it on the road.
brakes are very important!!! then take a look at the tires and as commented all the rubber hoses and belts. Welcome and as soon as you get the car post come pics.
