Need Help. 1982 Stringray
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Need Help. 1982 Stringray
First of all, I'm a young guy that doesn't know a ton about cars. I've always loved corvettes and today I found a 1982 stingray for sale for $5500. It's in good running order, but the AC system was taken out, leather was re-done and a stereo system added. Original motor, tires, good clean body and very little rust. Owner says the drive shaft needs to be replaced and the turn signals don't work. Headlights pop up just fine and it seems to run quite well. He mentioned there's a very slow leak from the tranny. Paint job is almost pristine outside of one ding and some weather seal on a window that isn't completely on.
The owner doesn't seem to know what he has as it was his son's that sadly passed away when he was in iraq. It has 70,000 miles on it. Also a vacuumn pump was added for the brakes. With myself not knowing much of anything about old cars other than admiring them as I grew up I figured I'd ask you guys for some help. Would this car be worth snagging up for $5,500 or should I pass with the few modifications that were done to it? Or an estimate on how much I should pay would be fantastic.
Appreciate any help.
Chris
The owner doesn't seem to know what he has as it was his son's that sadly passed away when he was in iraq. It has 70,000 miles on it. Also a vacuumn pump was added for the brakes. With myself not knowing much of anything about old cars other than admiring them as I grew up I figured I'd ask you guys for some help. Would this car be worth snagging up for $5,500 or should I pass with the few modifications that were done to it? Or an estimate on how much I should pay would be fantastic.
Appreciate any help.
Chris
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Chris,
If you tell us where you are located maybe one of the forum members can help you inspect the car. Many items to check and that may help you make a decision.
Best of luck with your decision.
David Howard
If you tell us where you are located maybe one of the forum members can help you inspect the car. Many items to check and that may help you make a decision.
Best of luck with your decision.
David Howard
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 494
Likes: 93
From: Bucks County PA
Hey, Welcome to the forum.
Not that it matters, but just an FYI. The Stingray name dropped after 1976. There are no 1982 Stingrays.
I agree with AllC34me, post your location. Maybe someone close can help you out/take a look. Could be a decent price, BUT you want to make sure frame and birdcage are in good shape. ($5500 could be an expensive lawn ornament if there are frame / birdcage issues).
Not that it matters, but just an FYI. The Stingray name dropped after 1976. There are no 1982 Stingrays.
I agree with AllC34me, post your location. Maybe someone close can help you out/take a look. Could be a decent price, BUT you want to make sure frame and birdcage are in good shape. ($5500 could be an expensive lawn ornament if there are frame / birdcage issues).
Last edited by 76C3forme; Jul 18, 2016 at 11:28 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Have you driven the car?
Ask why. AC was standard equipment.
Have you checked the numbers?
Ask why.
Power brakes were standard. Does "vacuum pump" mean brake booster?
I'm leaning toward pass on this one unless you are able to gather more information about the car. Pics would help.
...the AC system was taken out...
...Original motor...
...Owner says the drive shaft needs to be replaced...
...a vacuumn pump was added for the brakes...
...Would this car be worth snagging up for $5,500 or should I pass with the few modifications that were done to it?...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 252
Likes: 25
I agree with everyone who states to get a forum corvette expert to go with you to inspect the car. If you are not a mechanic you may want to contact a mechanic you trust and ask them how much would they charge to fix what is wrong with the car. This way you will have an idea what the true cost of the vette is. Good luck with your search.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Yes I've driven it. It rides quite nicely and doesn't have any noticeable problems even when getting on the gas above 80.
Drive shaft and AC are a mystery as his son passed away.
*Brake booster. My bad.
Also I did check the numbers and the engine matches the body.
Will post pics as soon as I can.
Drive shaft and AC are a mystery as his son passed away.
*Brake booster. My bad.
Also I did check the numbers and the engine matches the body.
Will post pics as soon as I can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
you said that you do not know much about older cars,,,,this is not a good car to learn on.several of the things you said that were bad, will cost a lot .The cost of the car is not bad but the cost of repairs could be twice what you pay for the car.If you want a corvette find the least modded car you can .when people modify a car THEY DONT always know what they are doing.Fixing what bubba has done can cost a lot.JMO
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Have you seen the title? Is it in the seller's name? Does the title match the car's VIN? The price seems within range for what you describe, but I'm a natural cynic when it comes to transactions that include a backstory.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Yes I have. He's actually been 3 houses down from me so I knew his son growing up and have known him (not well in the slightest) for 11 years, but I do know the story about his son is true and that it's been in their garage for as long as I can remember.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
you said that you do not know much about older cars,,,,this is not a good car to learn on.several of the things you said that were bad, will cost a lot .The cost of the car is not bad but the cost of repairs could be twice what you pay for the car.If you want a corvette find the least modded car you can .when people modify a car THEY DONT always know what they are doing.Fixing what bubba has done can cost a lot.JMO
:
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Most of it looks okay. The fit of the front fenders seems a bit off toward the top. The gap seems much wider and a bit proud of the alignment to the door. May just be an artifact of the photography. If it's not the photography and it really is like that, you might want a bit more inspection of the front frame rails or how the front clip is bonded to the bulkhead. There is quite a bit of fluid leakage, but that could be nothing more than valve cover gaskets and the trans pan. Hard to say without cleaning and leak checking, but if it is those gaskets, they're cheap and easy to replace.
It's not a perfect car, but it's also not bad. How acceptable its flaws are depends upon your ability to address them. Some folks work on their cars as time, money and skills allow. Other folks fix cars with a checkbook. Old Corvettes are not for people who fix cars with a checkbook.
It's not a perfect car, but it's also not bad. How acceptable its flaws are depends upon your ability to address them. Some folks work on their cars as time, money and skills allow. Other folks fix cars with a checkbook. Old Corvettes are not for people who fix cars with a checkbook.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
Are you sure it is an 82? A lot of badges, emblems from an 81 to include speed, teach and steering wheel but seems to have the monoleaf rear spring for an 82...can you provide the VIN?
It is sitting high in the back, like when rear-end suspension work has recently been done or it's been on a lift. A few other things I'd question but those are the big ones for now.
It is sitting high in the back, like when rear-end suspension work has recently been done or it's been on a lift. A few other things I'd question but those are the big ones for now.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 494
Likes: 93
From: Bucks County PA
Wondering if the Previous owner just added those emblems?? He or an owner before him, obviously added the Stingray Emblems on the fenders at some point.
Nothing that would really stop me from buying the car. (But I'd want to remove the kick panels and check what's visible at least of the birdcage and make sure there is no damage there. I've seen a lot of nice looking cars that have had T-Top leaks and the lower birdcage is completely rotted out under the kick panel.
Looks like it could be a pretty cool project though..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
Agree but am starting to wonder if this was the joining of two cars...the speed/teach emblems and steering wheel were not easy emblems to replace. VIN will tell and am interested to see the motor - crossfire or not? But at $5K it's a great car to learn on, very similar to my first 82. Great learning experience!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
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From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Are you sure it is an 82? A lot of badges, emblems from an 81 to include speed, teach and steering wheel but seems to have the monoleaf rear spring for an 82...can you provide the VIN?
It is sitting high in the back, like when rear-end suspension work has recently been done or it's been on a lift. A few other things I'd question but those are the big ones for now.
It is sitting high in the back, like when rear-end suspension work has recently been done or it's been on a lift. A few other things I'd question but those are the big ones for now.
BTW, how;s it going 2Tone, still have the 82s? Sorry for the highjack.
Last edited by Buccaneer; Jul 21, 2016 at 01:38 PM.