Stopped at a used car dealer today to check out a 1978 L82 coupe I saw a couple weeks ago. The hood says L82, as does what is supposed to be the original window sticker. When I try to decode the VIN, it doesn't match the reference I have. The number starts with 1Z8748S. The reference I have says the 5th position should be an L or H, but the car has a 4. Is therea number mismatch, or do I need a better reference?

I can post more info tonight when I get home, typing on the phone screen is tedious...

 

4 is correct for a 1978 L82

 

Found the answer, I need to save better reference material on my phone.

 

Thanks. Now I need to do some research on prices for all the cleanup it would need.

 

Buy a copy of The Corvette Black Book. You can carry it with and won't have to fool with saving things on your phone.

 

I just got a '78 L-82 this summer as my 1st vette.

What kind of shape is this one in? Any pics?

 

and since you are more interested in C3 etc, you can pick up an older issue (not current with 2011 corvettes etc) for a song. even new the most current issue is around $20 and you can't beat it as a pocket sized reference material.

 

I have some pics on the phone and the dealer web site has more. I'll try to remember to post them later.

I think it's rougher than the $8900 price warrants, but I haven't done that much research on prices yet.

The paint, not original, is quite chalky and has a couple chips. Some buffing and wax would probably make a huge difference. There's a crack in the passenger door and something odd going on in the lower edge. The weatherstripping needs to be replaced, as does the carpet.
The leather on the seats looked pretty good, but the steering wheel needs work. The driver side window was down a couple inches and wouldn't stay up. Apparently the passenger side had the same problem, but it had been fixed.

The car has A/C, but I'm not sure it works. We ran the engine for a few minutes and the line from the compressor was only slightly cool. Perhaps it would have cooled off more if it was on longer or if I had driven the car. I really only stopped to take a look and didn't want to take up the guys time taking it for a ride. The heat/ac fan was just barely blowing even on high.

The rear bushings that I could see in the wheel wells looked like they needed to be replaced. I suspect others were in similar condition.

On the positive side, a good amount of work had been done on it. Tires were relatively new. All 4 sets of brakes had been redone. It also received some engine maintenance including water pump, carb rebuild, and other things.

From what I could tell, it was in decent drivable condition and could be fixed up over time.

 

Good point. I meant to look for one, but hadn't gotten around to it. Probably should get one and leave it in the car.

 

I usually get a new one every year or every other year. I save the old ones and keep one in each car (x4), one at my desk at home and one at my desk at work. You never know when something catches your eye and you want to verify it.

 

Here are the pics I took on the phone. The dealer also has pics on his web site. I'll try to snag them and post here too. When I took pics I was focusing on issues I saw.

Added some pics:

25th anniversary emblem:


IMAG0158 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

Terrible paint job:


IMAG0157 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

L-82 badge and faded paint:


IMAG0155 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

Something going on here:


IMAG0151 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

Crack in passenger door:


IMAG0150 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

Window won't stay up:


IMAG0147 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

Door pocket:


IMAG0146 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

Steering wheel:


IMAG0145 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

Spedo:


IMAG0144 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

 

Forgot window sticker:


IMAG0159 by piper_chuck, on Flickr

 

Dealer pics:

 

i paid 8700 for my '78 L-82 a few months back. has rear differential clip snap, cleaned up the rear-end of the underside. put in a new exhaust and muffler set. also new spark plugs and wires along with new battery. I've yet to change out steering wheel and fix the a/c. But like yours, my interior is all good. maybe 1800 bucks into it so including well-priced labor.

I would say that 8900 is grossly overpriced considering it's paint. it's not that it's not show quality, it's just baddd. My is fine from 5-10 feet, but your's was a poor job and falling apart.

 

I think the paint and a few other issues are what has kept it from selling. The dealer that's got it on consignment thinks it's priced well, but I disagree. If it was a couple thousand lower, or if I thought he'd come down that much, I'd be tempted to go back for a more thorough look, but from what he said when I was there, I don't think he is willing to lower the price much.