Hello All

I am looking to buy a C3 in a few months. I just purchased the books yall recomended in a few post but I have a couple of quick questions.

Just a little background I have been mostly into MOPARs in the past <<insert boos here>> so I do know how to turn a wrench and have some experience with classic cars. I havent worked on many chevys and until recently have never looked into vettes.

OK I am thinking of getting a 1980 vette (L82 would be a nice upgrade) I am thinking of the 80 because I like the looks, no points, and no computer from what I can find. Plus the ones I have been seeing online fall in my price range of 10-15K.

OK after all that here is the questions

1. Does the 1981 have a computer in it?
2. I have seen 79s with a fin on the back and without. Is this an option or was it just added?
3. I live in North Louisiana and the nearest place to look for a quaility cars seems to be dallas. I have found several dealers up north that would ship is there anyone that you recommend stay away from?

Thanks for your time and any suggestions you may have

 

1. Yes the 81 has the computer.
2. The 78 pace car spoilers were an option in 79. You may also find 79's with the 80-82 rear bumper cap installed.
3. I don't have any dealings with any of the NE Vette dealers so I can't help you there.

 

Hello,

I do not beleive that the 79 did had a rear spoiler as an option, but some put the 78 pace car spoiler on them. The 78 pace car had a front spoiler as well. Others put the whole 80-82 "duck tail" rear bumper on them.

The 81 did have a computer, but it did very little. The 82 was the first year of the fuel injection with the crossfire set-up. Some like it, some hate it. It also had an overdrive transmission, even though the 700R4 was weak, it offered great gas mileage. The 82 Vette was on a serious diet, and was much lighter than the previous years, making it a little more desirable than the others. It is also the last year of the "coke bottle" or "shark" cars.

None of the factory cars had much power. The L82 was the best of the batch, but a mild cam, an air-gap intake, headers, and a good carb will net more power than any L-82 had from the factory.

Buy the nicest Vette you can afford, in the color you want. Changing the color is expensive, and all repairs cost twice what you think, and take three times as long to do.

There are a lot of Vette owners that have never actually driven their cars.

Definite check Corvette Forum and Digital Corvettes for cars for sale first, then compare prices you find on eBay to the local bulletin boards. Look for a local Vette club in your area, there may be a few for sale locally and those guys won't want to steer you wrong.

Lots of great clubs in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Good luck.

 

Good luck with your search

 

1979 option code D80 = spoilers front and rear at a price of $265. These were the same spoilers used on the 78 Indy Pace car replica. There were 6853 ordered in 79. Unknown on how many would have been sold over the counter or aftermarket.

 

Check your Blackbook, Curby.

No disrespect, FF, but any time you can avoid a Corvette dealer you're keeping money in your pocket. Look for cars close to home.

 

Thx for all the information gents. I didnot realize the 82s were lighter and had fuel injection. If so I need to check if they are rated at a higher HP.

And easy mike if I can find one from a person I will buy it but, everyone I have seen locally is way overpriced and I would never insult a car owner by beating up something they are selling.


Thanks again for all the sugestions and keep them coming please

 

I've got an '80 model and love it. Heres a link to some used Vettes that may give you and idea of how much to spend. http://usedcorvettesforsale.com/
There was a local '80 model here in NE Arkansas a young man wanted to sell for $4500.00. I got a couple of pics and his phone number if you want to email me.

 

Welcome from Shreveport! Where around here are you at?
I'd suggest looking through the thrifty nickel(american classifieds) and the newspapers first for the local stuff. A lot of the older crowd will go that route instead of internet ads if they aren't in clubs or anything. Lots of good deals are to be found that way.
I agree with most everyone else, avoid dealers if you can. Do not buy a car that you haven't thoroughly checked out in person.
What are you looking for in a car? Color, year style, engine/trans, matching or modded?
The more we know, the more we can help.

 

I am up in the blanchard area right now. I am still in the research phase right now and expect to buy next spring (unless I can sell my other stingray 07 skiboat lol first)

So far I am thinking I would like a 80-82 prefer 80 a 78-79 would do if it has the tail on it.
Prefer red,black,or silver for color interior is not a deal breaker plan on replacing/restoring it anyway.
Does not have to be #s matching and for the right price I would consider one with motor issues

Must have a good body/ and decent paint not good with body work

Thanks again for all the reasources and Ideas

 

Something else to think about. The 79 , 80 , 81 ,and 82 all came with different rear end ratios and the '82 came with a 4 speed overdrive tranny. These different rear end ratios will give each car a different feel. The '82 will have the best fuel mileage

 

cruise the for sale section of this forum, you will find a better deal and be able to gather opinions from people in the know. took me about 4 months to find mine. came up from the austin area. stay in the south if you can - TX, AZ, etc to get a car without rust. If you can't see it personally, no problem, everyone can send photos of anything you want and also videos to listen to the engine. Mine worked out well. Good luck! -and welcome.

-Dan

 

The 1980 L82 got 230 net HP - which puts it on par with the base 1970 Corvette (which had 300 gross HP - about the same as 230 net). For the later years, that's as much stock power as you are going to get.

They also still had a manual transmission in 1980. Autos lose considerably more HP through the drivetrain (car's are rated at the flywheel so published HP ratings don't reflect this). Get a manual if you can...

 

couperdecar- This car will be just a weekend warrior for me so the milage is not a concern at all.............well at least till fuel gets to $10 a gallon...What I have been looking at is the aftermarket FI upgrades that may give the 82 more power.

wgarneau- One of the selling points of a toy like this is that my wife and I will have a spare car if one of our main cars needs to head into the shop so.... no manual....but thinking of putting a manual valve body in the tranny. I did this on my 74 challenger and it was the best of both worlds

Again thanks for all the advice gents.

 

Smart move. You want to keep things on a friendly footing when you're looking to purchase his/her Corvette.

FWIW: The 4 speed was available only with the L-48 cars for 1980. California and L-82 cars got the TH350.

 

I'd try to find a car which spent most if not all of it's life in the South or Southwest. These cars do rust, frame and birdcage, very expensive to fix.

 

OK this brings up a question

I am thinking the birdcage is the bottom of the front windshield through the t-top supports. On my camero you could see the signs of rust without taking off the trim. Is this the case on a C3 and where else is a problem spot that I can see while I am looking at the car. (Most ppl dont want you removing trim and carpet before you buy it)

Also if the car is a good canidate I am thinking of an engine swap for a rollered 350. The question is I do not need the emissions stuff to my knowlege is there a market for the smog pump ect??

 

The only way to truly tell is to remove the windshield pillar trim and the kick panels. This will allow you to see the actual windshield frame. Removing the kick panels will allow access to the lower portion of the cowl frame as well as a view of the body mounts. Here's a shot of my 82 when I had the kick panels off. Not bad for a car from NJ that was neglected. The brown you see at the bottom (floor board) is the old insulation not rust.

 

My 72 came from Texas, I guess it spent too much time in GALVESTON. What a mess. The frame was loaded with wet sand. It looked great on the outside. Once I started grinding on it.....swiss cheese. LOL (not really) There are not guarantees against rust, regardless of where you buy it. But I agree, arid places like the southwest is your best bet.

 

Mine has never left Michigan. Frame and birdcage are like new. It's not all where it is from. How it is taken care of is important too!