First corvette 79 L82 milage question
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Yonkers NY
First corvette 79 L82 milage question
Hi everyone, I just bought my first corvette (very excited) 79 L82 4 speed. Before I bought it I had the car checked out body-wise by a good local auto body shop (should add reputable as well), a local mechanic that has about 30 years working on cars in general as well as classic autos. Both the auto body guys and the general mechanics told me the car is original without any major body work (just paint and not that good of a job) mechanically everything works with the exception of minor things like door locks stick and the wiper stopped working, other that everything works well. Now for the question, the mileage on the car says 28000 and I have no reason to doubt the guy I bought it from (also there are papers with the car from the dealer where it was bought used buy the guys father in law in 83 with 22000)is there any real way of knowing what the mileage is? I've checked most all of the wearable parts and they look great (seats, pedals, rug, and so on). I like the car so much I don't really care if it has 200k on it but curiosity forces me to learn some more..... any help? Of course thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Does the engine and general engine bay area, still looks 'nice', without any evidence of a pressure wash or repaint? Do all yt? he the rubber and hoses, still look factory? Underneath the car, does the suspension still looks like it has gone 28K and not 128k? Examine the rubber A-arm bushings and the rear suspension ascertain that they're aged, versus worn out. The underside of the engine should still have it's factory paint. Wiring should look nice, neat and not worn, cracked and free of amateur repairs. These are just some of the things you should look for and is not complete, by any means.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No. Nothing definitive unless you have a paper trail of records spread over several years citing odo readings. Does it actually matter? You say you trust the seller and the other opinions you have received. It appeared not to be a deal breaker for you when you bought the car.
Why not cruise and enjoy and not lose sleep over it?
Congrats on the 79.
Why not cruise and enjoy and not lose sleep over it?
Congrats on the 79.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Nov 6, 2014 at 08:08 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Check the Ball joints, if they are riveting in, then most likely it's 28K, bolted in, then add a hundred 
Ours were still riveted in when I changed ours, but also ours was titled with low miles as well.
we had 70K and change.
I know you can rivet in new ball joints as our new ones came with rivets too, ( for originality purposes) but I would bet highly nobody does that on a 79 lol.
Congrats and enjoy, I LOVE our 79.
Ours were still riveted in when I changed ours, but also ours was titled with low miles as well.
we had 70K and change.
I know you can rivet in new ball joints as our new ones came with rivets too, ( for originality purposes) but I would bet highly nobody does that on a 79 lol.
Congrats and enjoy, I LOVE our 79.
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 585
From: Anaheim Hills California
Does the engine and general engine bay area, still looks 'nice', without any evidence of a pressure wash or repaint? Do all yt? he the rubber and hoses, still look factory? Underneath the car, does the suspension still looks like it has gone 28K and not 128k? Examine the rubber A-arm bushings and the rear suspension ascertain that they're aged, versus worn out. The underside of the engine should still have it's factory paint. Wiring should look nice, neat and not worn, cracked and free of amateur repairs. These are just some of the things you should look for and is not complete, by any means.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Yonkers NY
No. Nothing definitive unless you have a paper trail of records spread over several years citing odo readings. Does it actually matter? You say you trust the seller and the other opinions you have received. It appeared not to be a deal breaker for you when you bought the car.
Why not cruise and enjoy and not lose sleep over it?
Congrats on the 79.
Why not cruise and enjoy and not lose sleep over it?
Congrats on the 79.
Thanks for your insight!
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Yonkers NY
Does the engine and general engine bay area, still looks 'nice', without any evidence of a pressure wash or repaint? Do all yt? he the rubber and hoses, still look factory? Underneath the car, does the suspension still looks like it has gone 28K and not 128k? Examine the rubber A-arm bushings and the rear suspension ascertain that they're aged, versus worn out. The underside of the engine should still have it's factory paint. Wiring should look nice, neat and not worn, cracked and free of amateur repairs. These are just some of the things you should look for and is not complete, by any means.
Love the car and wish I found one sooner, I am hooked!!
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Yonkers NY
Check the Ball joints, if they are riveting in, then most likely it's 28K, bolted in, then add a hundred
Ours were still riveted in when I changed ours, but also ours was titled with low miles as well.
we had 70K and change.
I know you can rivet in new ball joints as our new ones came with rivets too, ( for originality purposes) but I would bet highly nobody does that on a 79 lol.
Congrats and enjoy, I LOVE our 79.
Ours were still riveted in when I changed ours, but also ours was titled with low miles as well.
we had 70K and change.
I know you can rivet in new ball joints as our new ones came with rivets too, ( for originality purposes) but I would bet highly nobody does that on a 79 lol.
Congrats and enjoy, I LOVE our 79.
I will check that out, Ive fallen in love with the car so the mileage doesn't matter that much to me, but I like to see things that can be taken care of taken care of, if I sell it in the future I want to pass on as much info as I can so someone else can enjoy it as well (can't see it happening anytime soon I like it too much). I'll post some pictures in the next few days.
Thanks for your help and love your car too!