Hello all. I'm a new guy here, and hopefully, with some of your help, I'll be able to stick around. I guess I'll dive right in, and start asking some questions. I've always loved Vettes, but in terms of owning one to drive, I've always been partial to the C3. As luck would have it, I came across a 1982 for sale the other day. I pass it every day on the way to work, ogling as I drive by. Exactly what I've been looking for... kinda rough around the edges, nothing a little TLC and fresh coat of paint could bring back to life. I called about it, and was told that it has 77,000 orig. miles, the engine and trans were "redone" about 5 years ago, new tires, no suspension work, new t tops, new carpet, and a $5000 body kit, and the car comes with the original hood. The owner also stated that it could use new seat covers. I poked around a little bit, and there's a few cosmetic areas that need some work, and surface rust (no flaking or scale) on the frame. I haven't heard it run, or looked under the hood, but plan to take a closer look at it this week, and take it for a drive. Before I do that, I felt it prudent to come to the people who know this stuff best, and find out what I should look for on an '82. Problem areas, gotchas, etc. I am mechanically inclined, so working on the think shouldn't be an issue. Just looking for some owners' intuition. Thanks!

 

I'll be able to stick around. Good luck with that?

 

Unless you want this 82 and the changes made to it, pass on it and keep looking.

 

It's not at all that I don't like the changes. I'm just looking for additional things that I should be looking for on this car that are specific to it's year/model. I'm no dummy when it comes to buying a used car, but would like to know if you all have certain areas that you definitely look closer into.

 

I wouldn't think the 82 is immune to most of the problems related to other C3s. Wiring, mechanical, paint, weather stripping, seat wear, console and instrument bezel and gauges from PO taking them in and out and not being too concerned with what is put back right or broke in the process...
I have seen what may be a weak link in the transmission on the 82 and the Cross fire must be a bugger to play with....
Vettes are not cars you can just let set around......they need driven but not abused....if you drive the crap out of it, then you better be a good mechanic and have deep pockets. It looks like many of the corvettes that are for sale have just lead a pretty hard life......driven and not maintained.....left outside to the elements....and then just parked and left for dead. The NICE ones have been babied, garage kept with regular maintance (done right) not bubba.
Sooooo be patient and find a gooooood fixer upper, that needs some cosmetic and TLC, or get ready for the dreaded OFF body resto.....

 

Thanks, 73, that's what I'm looking for. I started out driving a '79 Chevy Scottsdale that had set in my dad's garage for several years. We ended up doing a complete rebuild of the engine, and added about 150 additional horses while we were there. I've never had a vehicle to a shop, except for tires/ alignments. I believe I've got the mechanical stuff covered. I'll take a good look at the car. He's asking $8000 FYI.

 

Welcome avitech, with that handle I'm going to assume you are a fellow aviation maintenance technician?
Regarding the 82, first try your best to ascertain the condition of the underlying metal structure of the body, aka birdcage. That's the area of the car that either destins it for the junkyard or a worthy restoration.
Also, make note of immediate repairs required to make it presentable and safe to drive. Corvettes have many dedicated parts suppliers, a quick check will give you replacement part prices.
The last thing to look at is what the cost of a really nice 82 is currently going for. A quick ck of recent auction prices for nice 82's will give a better indication of current pricing.
Compare your projected purchase cost plus required parts, to what a ready to drive car will cost.
I speak from a little experience as I'm 1/2 way thru a 72 restoration. I'm doing mine exactly how I envision a C3 should look. To outright buy one was more than I had to spend, but paying for the parts as I rebuild each component makes it affordable and I know done right.
There is a "sticky" thread on what to inspect on this era of corvettes. I encourage you to read it then reinspect before purchase.

 

8 grand should get a good driver especially in this economy. Be patient, check the for sale section in the forum.....and don't be afraid to pass on something just because your emotions get the better of you. As a lot of these gentlemen have learned the hard way......buying the car is only the beginning of the expenses. Try to find something that has had the majority of the bigger items already taken care of, then you can concentrate on personalizing the car to your own taste. Good luck.

 

When I stopped to look at it the other day, I noticed the body mounts were dried/cracking. Some rust on the exhaust (what I could see of it). The reason I'm looking so hard at this car is because it appears to be one that I can tinker with, and it's far enough away from being original that I wouldn't feel bad about putting miles on it after it was done. I want to make sure there isn't some obscure part like a flux capacitor that's unable to be found anymore that I need to make sure it's not in need of replacement.

 

BTW, yes, Sunstroked, I'm a fellow A&P/IA. Thanks so much for the info, guys. I'll read the sticky. I'm very curious to see under the hood as to whether it's a diamond under the rough, or a Lego brick with oil leaking from every seam.

 

I forgot the posters name (oldstylebob) with these pics but he really puts a spotlight on some of the major trouble areas some of which you cannot see without pulling interior parts off of these cars. The fiberglass panels being in good shape can really distract you when comparing these cars to steel body cars.

Starting at about picture 30 you start to see trouble areas.

http://s1052.photobucket.com/albums/s453/oldstylebob/

 

If I could count the number of people who told me their engine was "redone". Ask what that means, does he have receipts?

Even the clown I bought my car from told me it had 88K original miles, but in FL anything older than 20 years reporting the milage is exempt. Opps, minor over sight in his advertising, or done on purpose?

It was very obvious my engine had been redone recently from all the new visible gaskets, parts and paint. But other than the bolts on, I can't tell what was done inside the engine. It wasn't until I got her home and could remove the valve covers did I find the comp-cams roller rockers.

But I looked at plenty of cars that looked stock but supposedly where redone x time again.

I always ask, what does that mean to you. It means different things to different sellers. To some people a new head gasket is a redone motor.