77 or 79
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 4
From: caraquet N.B Canada
I think it's a personal choice that only you can decide what year to buy. For me i prefer the look of the 70's over the '80's but that just my opinon. As for the up to '77 the only down side are the seats and the room at the back. That why i did change my seats on my '78 because 78 have the '77 style seats. '79 have the '80's style seats or what they called the pace car style seats. It would good to test drive a few different years so you would have a good idea of what you like and dislike from one year to another. As it was said before, buy the best car you can. It would be cheaper in a long run. I know a lot of guys who fell in love with a vette and bought it just to find out latter it was a money pit and sold them a few years latter.
Last edited by den(thevetteman)78; Jun 27, 2011 at 05:38 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 70
From: MN
even tho I own a '79 he is correct on his thoughts about the rear spoiler
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 745
Likes: 66
From: Hutto Texas
I think the '80 - 82 models incorporate the bubble rear window in to the styling so much better than the 78 & 79 models. The addition of the molded in front and rear spoilers seem to flow with the rear glass. I love my '81 and got it for a decent price considering everything that was done to it. As stated above, figure out which style you like the best and get the very best car you can afford. If you can't find it now then wait. It is a true buyers market right now so the right one will come along for you.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
I think the '80 - 82 models incorporate the bubble rear window in to the styling so much better than the 78 & 79 models. The addition of the molded in front and rear spoilers seem to flow with the rear glass. I love my '81 and got it for a decent price considering everything that was done to it. As stated above, figure out which style you like the best and get the very best car you can afford. If you can't find it now then wait. It is a true buyers market right now so the right one will come along for you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The '81 has a hybrid induction system on it: carb with an electronic fuel mixer solenoid in it and connected electrically to distributor, O2 sensor, and early version computer. One-year-only and not many folks work on them. If that system is working properly when you buy it, I would not discourage you from buying an '81. But, the '82 has throttle body fuel injection and a better electronic controls system and earlier years have the good ol' Q-Jet on them.
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Cruising
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
I agree with all of the advice on buying the best condition car you can afford. I was looking for a 74-77, but ended up with a low mile, original 81. Still like the flat back windows of the earlier cars, but did not believe I would find a better car than the 81 I found.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Call a few auto body / glass repair shops and ask them how much it is to replace a rear glass in a '78 - '82. Then ask the same for '77 and earlier. The answer will make you sick and you'll constantly worry about it. Just my preference, I like the flat back glass.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
The 79 has better seats and more room in back under the glass.
Keep the 80s fronts and rears off the 70s vettes.
Last edited by Tim H; Feb 25, 2012 at 11:36 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Yeah, it really sucks all the 0 times I've replaced glass in my 78 having to pay for it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Seriously old original post...but hey it is the middle of February and I;m bored ...
I own a 79...and I own a 76 ..
Love the 76 interior, love the 76 back glass ( mine is now removable) and I actually prefer the seats in the 76... I had to PAY my daughter to clean the inside of the rear window of my 79 it was a SOB for me to do.. I HATE THAT WINDOW...
I like the 80 and 8 and 82's front and rear ends better then the 74-79 vettes too..
Bob G.
64 72 76 79 88 and 98 Corvettes
all waiting for April fools day so I can open the garage doors and wake em up
I own a 79...and I own a 76 ..
Love the 76 interior, love the 76 back glass ( mine is now removable) and I actually prefer the seats in the 76... I had to PAY my daughter to clean the inside of the rear window of my 79 it was a SOB for me to do.. I HATE THAT WINDOW...
I like the 80 and 8 and 82's front and rear ends better then the 74-79 vettes too..
Bob G.
64 72 76 79 88 and 98 Corvettes
all waiting for April fools day so I can open the garage doors and wake em up
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Back when I started looking for my Corvette I was trying to decide if it should be a 68/69 or a 78/79. I spent days trying to figure out if I liked the small flat back glass better or the larger bubble glass. I was never able to decide if I had a preference, I like both looks a great deal, kind of like comparing apples and oranges. In the end I realized I couldn't live with the early interior and strongly preferred the 78/79 interior so that was the deciding factor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
The 82 is the BEST for useable storage area b/c it is the only c3 with opening rear glass. If you are married or have a gf that wants to go with you on road trips or car shows or what ever it makes it nice to be able to lift the rear windshield grab what ever you need out of your luggage or what ever your hauling rathe than lie both seats down an crawl around in the back wish I had gotten an 82
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Matthews North Carolina
I actually fell in love with the 78...i remember my senior year in high school seeing the pace car and that was all it took to hook me on ALL C3's. It's a great year. Even though I bought an 80.