electricfish

Hello All, I am scheduled to look at another c3, this one is a 78 L82 4 spd car with documented 18,000 miles on it. Looking at Hagerty's valuation site gives crazy high values for these cars. Anyone have recent experience buying or selling low mileage examples of these?

Many thanks and Happy Easter--E-fish

news2me

About a year or so a go one of the guys in my club had a Pace Car that he was selling. The car was in Ex. Cond, L-48 with Auto Trans. I want to say he had like 16,000 miles or so on it. He started out with a price of $31,000 and got no bites, went down to like $27,000 and dropped it again. If I remember right, it sold for $22 or 23 K.
The car your looking at is a 4 Speed with the L-82, that's a very nice package...
I just texted my friend and asked him about the mileage and price he sold his for.

news2me

He got back to me already, it had the L-48 with Auto Trans and only 11,000 miles on it. He sold it for $24,000, the car was in Mint cond. He all the Orig. paper work, bill of sale, window sticker, he had it all.

capevettes

I just noticed one for sale parked outside a car repair facility on Cape Cod a couple of days ago. I stopped in and inquired. It belonged to a lady. L-48, auto with 36,000 miles in decent shape. They wanted $20,000 for it. I told them I thought it might be worth that if it were an L-82, 4 speed. They said it was appraised at $34,000 My response was, "I guess it all depends on who does the appraisal."

3JsVette

Wait till you get to actually see it. It will depend on how well it has been stored and cared for. Paint condition, surface rust and interior wear will influence your decision on value a lot. If you are able to agree on a price and buy it with 18K miles on it at least you will be able to enjoy it. As a complete guess on value if it's perfect (in 1978 build quality) I would think the ceiling would be no more than $25K. If possible post pictures and maybe we can help you make a decision you will be comfortable with.

Easy Mike

Examine the paperwork very carefully. Actual PC L-82 4 speed numbers have been "guesstimated" for years with no factory documentation to confirm any of the claims. You want the real thing before you write the check.

electricfish

Thanks for the advice, I'll check the vin and engine # for #'s matching, and verify mileage. The owner has a lift so I'll check the frame and suspension and transmission identity. The latter is a bit confusing; I think it should have an aluminum case but I'm not sure if it should be Borg Warner or Muncie. Thanks for all the help--E-fish

vettebuyer6369

Hagerty's has some valuations that are curious. Pay more attention to what things really sell for.

While an L-82 4 spd is a nice option, the fact remains the Pace Cars are dramatically over represented by available low mileage cars due to the rush of people believing they would be future blue chip collectibles. People with low mile Pace Cars are routinely disappointed in what their cars bring as opposed to what they expect for what would seem to be worth more.

Do some research on their real sales.

righthanddrive

Only a few true pace cars managed to leave the factory with 4-speeds. Almost all were automatics- check the VINs

Teplicky

I bought a 1995 Pace Car 2 years ago as an investment and to complete my collection
Paid $24 and spent couple thousand on it
Had 3,000 miles on it so I put new tires to keep the orginal tires in good condition
Car was 100 percent perfect
Was one of the cars used at the Indy race
I collected some history on it
Just sold it, $25,000
Was hoping for $29,000 but most lookers were more like $22,000
Seems there are few people that are interested
Hope this helps

vettebuyer6369

I'm guessing he's talking about '78 Pace Cars here in C3.

kevenw

i am curious. i have been looking at 79 trans am 10th anniv. cars for several months and prices seem so high 15-20K for 403 olds models which have rust and some parts missing. i just started noticing the 78 Pace car vettes, and they look nice, but seem cheaper , some for 9000 to 12K for what looks like nice L48 cars. whats your take on this? thanks

Iceaxe

I follow Camaro's and Trans-Am's closely and have owned several of each over the years, and you are correct, all things being equal you can get twice the car for the same money if buying a Corvette.

Corvette's just don't bring the same money as the F-bodies, I have a lot of personal opinions on why this is so, but bottom line you get a lot more bang for your buck buying a Corvette.

Your mileage may vary.