72 vs a 78
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
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72 vs a 78
I am looking to hopefully purchase a decent corvette that will need some work to restore. I really like the 72 model stingray, but I also like the 78 model because it's the 25th anniversary. Out of these 2 from those of u that have them what's a better buy? Which one are parts more available, resale value once fixed up, etc, etc.
Look forward to the comments
Look forward to the comments
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Without knowing anything about these two cars and all things being equal the 72 has a lot more upside than the 78....meaning you could spend more on the 72 fixing it up and not be upside down when completed.
All that being said the 78 Silver Anniversary is one of my favorite corvettes.
All that being said the 78 Silver Anniversary is one of my favorite corvettes.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
If you plan to keep it and resale is not an issue then it is just a matter of which takes less work or if you want chrome bumpers or not. Parts can be found for both at a ton of places. But I would go for the 25th ann car if it were me.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,328
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ***,
I agree with gq.
The 72 & 78 are VERY different Corvettes. People like one or the other, (or both), for various reasons.
Given 2 cars of very similar condition, the 72 is likely to be more expensive to buy, but the cost and availability of parts, and the price of labor, will be similar.
Regards,
Alan
I agree with gq.
The 72 & 78 are VERY different Corvettes. People like one or the other, (or both), for various reasons.
Given 2 cars of very similar condition, the 72 is likely to be more expensive to buy, but the cost and availability of parts, and the price of labor, will be similar.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I used to have a '78 L82 Silver Anniversary along with the '69 L71 I still have. There is definitely a huge difference between the cars beyond engines.
The early C3's are more basic and ***** to the wall cars. The '78 was more refined and a great driving and cruising car, even though it wasn't a speed monster though it would go faster than I would want to take it...it did run that good.
When I say "speed monster" that has to be taken in comparison to its contemporaries...other cars from the late 1970's...not exactly the high point of performance.
The early C3's are more basic and ***** to the wall cars. The '78 was more refined and a great driving and cruising car, even though it wasn't a speed monster though it would go faster than I would want to take it...it did run that good.
When I say "speed monster" that has to be taken in comparison to its contemporaries...other cars from the late 1970's...not exactly the high point of performance.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
The 78 is a "more practical" Corvette. More usable space, larger fuel tank, generally more creature comforts and fewer complex systems.
The 72 is generally appreciated as a better looking car, will hold a higher resale value, and is likely smog exempt in more jurisdictions.
The 72 is generally appreciated as a better looking car, will hold a higher resale value, and is likely smog exempt in more jurisdictions.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
The 78 is a "more practical" Corvette. More usable space, larger fuel tank, generally more creature comforts and fewer complex systems.
The 72 is generally appreciated as a better looking car, will hold a higher resale value, and is likely smog exempt in more jurisdictions.
The 72 is generally appreciated as a better looking car, will hold a higher resale value, and is likely smog exempt in more jurisdictions.
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Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
With exception to a few, the 72 year was a low compression year. It's not exactly going to be significantly faster, base-engine to base-engine. The LT1 and big block do have an edge on the L-82, though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
I own 6 Corvettes ( 64,72,76,79,88, and a 98) 3 Coupes and 3 convertibles
Man..my 79 (basically the exact same car as a 78) and my 72 are light years apart ...
The 72 feels like a Corvette should feel like ...the 79 feels like a Mini Van in comparison...
I very rarely drive the 79,...and if I do its just to take my wife out for an ice cream sunday or some other leisurely... nice slow drive ... Nice Cruiser but no sports car and its an L82 but can't spin the tires unless its in pea gravel ...
My 76 is also very much like my 72 its feels like a Corvette ... and even with less horsepower will kick my 79's ***
Bob G.
Man..my 79 (basically the exact same car as a 78) and my 72 are light years apart ...
The 72 feels like a Corvette should feel like ...the 79 feels like a Mini Van in comparison...
I very rarely drive the 79,...and if I do its just to take my wife out for an ice cream sunday or some other leisurely... nice slow drive ... Nice Cruiser but no sports car and its an L82 but can't spin the tires unless its in pea gravel ...
My 76 is also very much like my 72 its feels like a Corvette ... and even with less horsepower will kick my 79's ***
Bob G.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I own 6 Corvettes ( 64,72,76,79,88, and a 98) 3 Coupes and 3 convertibles
Man..my 79 (basically the exact same car as a 78) and my 72 are light years apart ...
The 72 feels like a Corvette should feel like ...the 79 feels like a Mini Van in comparison...
I very rarely drive the 79,...and if I do its just to take my wife out for an ice cream sunday or some other leisurely... nice slow drive ... Nice Cruiser but no sports car and its an L82 but can't spin the tires unless its in pea gravel ...
My 76 is also very much like my 72 its feels like a Corvette ... and even with less horsepower will kick my 79's ***
Bob G.
Man..my 79 (basically the exact same car as a 78) and my 72 are light years apart ...
The 72 feels like a Corvette should feel like ...the 79 feels like a Mini Van in comparison...
I very rarely drive the 79,...and if I do its just to take my wife out for an ice cream sunday or some other leisurely... nice slow drive ... Nice Cruiser but no sports car and its an L82 but can't spin the tires unless its in pea gravel ...
My 76 is also very much like my 72 its feels like a Corvette ... and even with less horsepower will kick my 79's ***
Bob G.
This of course goes out the window if you're running an LT1 or 454.
Aside from poor state of tune / disrepair, the only other explanation would be that the 72 has much more aggressive gearing to make it feel faster.
There is a weight difference, but not enough to turn the 79 into "a minivan".
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
in general, the younger a car is, the better engineered it is and has the nicer accessories and comfort.
from an investment point of view, you have to ask if a 72 and a 78 will diverge in their appreciation curve. They might, or might not.. but if you want to make 10% on your money after selling in 5 years, it doesn't matter if your initial investment is 10K ( for a 78 ) or 20K ( for a 72).
your return is still 10%.
the uncertainty is the appreciation curve, and no one knows that.
buy what you like....
from an investment point of view, you have to ask if a 72 and a 78 will diverge in their appreciation curve. They might, or might not.. but if you want to make 10% on your money after selling in 5 years, it doesn't matter if your initial investment is 10K ( for a 78 ) or 20K ( for a 72).
your return is still 10%.
the uncertainty is the appreciation curve, and no one knows that.
buy what you like....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
This is my point of view so consider it biased to the chrome bumper car.
You say you want to buy 1 to fix up, so your parts pricing will be nearly identical.
When your all done and finished, that 78 will not bring nearly the money your 72 car would if you decide to part with it.
Performance wise, although the basic 72 sbc was only rated at 200 hp, many had no smog equipment, I believe the454 had 275 hp. So if you live in an area where you have mandatory emissions testing, the 72 can be hotrodder and still get through testing. Standards will be more lenient. Leaving any C3 engine stock, Unless you are intent on keeping it stock,would be a shame.
You say you want to buy 1 to fix up, so your parts pricing will be nearly identical.
When your all done and finished, that 78 will not bring nearly the money your 72 car would if you decide to part with it.
Performance wise, although the basic 72 sbc was only rated at 200 hp, many had no smog equipment, I believe the454 had 275 hp. So if you live in an area where you have mandatory emissions testing, the 72 can be hotrodder and still get through testing. Standards will be more lenient. Leaving any C3 engine stock, Unless you are intent on keeping it stock,would be a shame.
Last edited by Sunstroked; Aug 10, 2012 at 12:33 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
IMO, there could very well be something wrong with your 79 (or something right with your 72) if you're comparing a base model 72 to an L82 79 and think there's such a stark difference. The stock 72 has less power than the L82, to the tune of a bit over 10%.
This of course goes out the window if you're running an LT1 or 454.
Aside from poor state of tune / disrepair, the only other explanation would be that the 72 has much more aggressive gearing to make it feel faster.
There is a weight difference, but not enough to turn the 79 into "a minivan".
This of course goes out the window if you're running an LT1 or 454.
Aside from poor state of tune / disrepair, the only other explanation would be that the 72 has much more aggressive gearing to make it feel faster.
There is a weight difference, but not enough to turn the 79 into "a minivan".
I'd put my 79 up against any stock small block 72 any day of the week.
