Well, it only took me one year to sell the HHR and find an 82 for my DD.
Back in March of '11 I was asking for opinions about an 81 or 82, which would you choose? Most of the replies were for the 82, although I almost purchased an 81. But due to the fact that it wasn't the vehicle it was made out to be, I passed.
Found this 82 at a reasonable price, it does have about a 10" crack in the body seam at the LF fender. It also has a repaint about 18 months ago in the original Silver Blue. Interior needs some work, as we now have the power windows working, have the parts for the PDL's, horn, (horn relay) and new starter switch.
It also appears to be a FE7 car, as it has the steel 9 leaf spring and rear sway bar. Ordered the window sticker & build sheet from the NCM, so it will provide me with all of the info.
On the way home (134 miles) when purchased mileage was at
24.72 mpg, not bad at all, that OD trans is great, under 2000 r's at most cruising speeds. 45 mph is just over a 1000 r's, can't beat that.
Here are a few pics, will have some questions soon, I am sure.....Tom

 

Come on man, you need to post pics of the interior and of the engine bay! I guess you can clean it up first if you need to. Great looking car. Im always in love with corvettes with rare paint colors, or at least the different ones!

 

Looks sharp

My first corvette was an 82CE which I really enjoyed....best of luck with your new ride.

 

Tom, congratulations! That's a beautiful 82 - look forward to seeing more pictures

 

that comes tomorrow..... unclean.......
yes it does look good......thanks.... will even post the pic of the damage area......and interior shots as well.....

thank you...thank you....it's been a while since I've had a C3 as a DD, didn't take to long to get that feeling once again..... of course I'm in a 30 year old car, and it is quite different from the SS, but I am enjoying every minute and once I get it to where it should be, will enjoy it even more.......

more pics tomorrow.............

 

thanks..... have to get some sleep as I get up early in the AM for work and to wake the neighbors up more pics soon........

 

My first Vette was an 82CE as well. I restored a black 82 last year and sold it.

Nice colour combo on this one. Good luck with it and enjoy it.

 

You'll also get great gas milage. My 82 gets mid 20's at 65mph. Love my car!

 

Congrats, looks nice !!!!

 

Very nice!!! congratulations

 

Congrats - beautiful color!

 

Nice ride !
Congrat's

 

Nice.

 

Looks just like my 82, mine will look like that after I get it painted this spring. Right now it looks more silver then silver blue because of fade. We're in Florida for the winter, so when I saw your car, I told my wife I had a surprise for her, that I had the car painted this winter, when she saw the picture she thought it was mine. Its a twin to mine. Your car looks great! You don't see many silver blue.

 

thanking everyone for the complements and well wishes.....appreciated.....

ok, here are more shots of the 82.....the interior does need work, I have both door panels removed, the crack in the left front fender, and will post my questions and concerns in the tech section with a link here....

 

so we are twins.....sounds good to me.....would like to see some pics of yours, the interior as well, if you get a chance. as you can see from the above pics, that the interior, engine and front fender do need attention. I wanted to get one a liittle more finished, but the price was right. and what I learn here will only help me with the 74.

if anyone sees anything out of the ordinary, just let me know...thanks..

here is what I know about my 82:

bought it with 69,800 miles
has new electric fuel pump and hose
gas tank was dropped and liner was cleaned
engine is original w/no known work done
just tuned-up and TB's set-up
idles around 6-700 r's in D (a little rough, but ok)
AC may need a charge or other work
SS calipers, new rear rotors, cut front rotors, new pads
rebuilt trans, about 1000 miles ago
true dual Magaflow exhaust system w/no cat, o2 sensor hooked up in exhaust pipe
valve cover gaskets leaking
engine need to be cleaned
new radiator w/180 degree thermostat
need alignment check as RR wheel seems to be out just a tad
t-tops need to be redone
seats need to be redone also

for not wanting to buy a project, I sure did....

What I don't know about the 82:

why my DS door won't open form the outside or inside (more on that in the tech section)
why bubba was under the dash, inside the door panels, etc., nothing to major that can't be corrected....just time consuming.
and it is still fun....

 

Well the 82 is 2 weeks and 1 day old with me....
and my problems and solutions so far.....

PW's working intermittently.....replaced PW switches

PDL's not working....replaced both pigtails and 1 PDL switch

PM moves side to side, not up & down.....toggle switch needs replacement

Power Antenna not working....needs rebuild

LS outside & inside door handle will not open door......just received order that contains replacement spring for handle to release door latch.
just have to figure out how to attach properly

speedometer needle bounces at low speeds...have to check out cable

center console is trashed....needs replacement

play in steering wheel...box may need adjustment or rebuild

engine only starts with T&T wheel in one position....(had posted in tech) and received some good replies, have to follow through with recommendations

rubber is toast in the rear spring (FE7), may replace the rubber now or thinking about switching out to the VBP rear 340 lb spring that I had made for the 74 BB, the 82 does ride a little stiff, and I am sure that the worn out rubber cushions don't help....

needs alignment, as RR wheel seems to be out slightly....

started died last Sunday replaced Sunday evening....

T-Tops need rebuild....weatherstriping, molding, etc.

gas mileage is decent providing I don't get stuck in highway traffic on the commute home, which is almost impossible.....with no traffic, I can get an average of 23 to 25 mpg.....if in stop and go traffic, it drops to about 18 mpg....

thinking about swapping put the Magnaflow mufflers (very low mileage on them) for a set of CC stock replacements

seats need to be redone......

all-in-all I am enjoying the 82, more of a slight project than what I wanted, but good learning lessons for when I go to put the 74 back together....

also ordered and received from CM the window sticker, and build sheet from the factory......

It is good to be back into a C3 again for my DD....