Possible next C3 purchase
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
Possible next C3 purchase
I'm kinda' considering another C3 purchase in the near future... just now kinda' looking around at what's available.
My new found C3 knowledge acquired (lessons hard learned) with the purchase of my '73 leads me to believe I can do a better job this time and get a nicer car that needs less work in the first place.
I think I want a '78 or '79 with a manual transmission 4 spd or up graded 5/6 would be cool. (I missed a very nice '78 a few years back and I've always kicked myself for not jumping on it when I should have)
What are the big differences between the 78s and 79s? Is it primarily the interior? or are there other changes I should be aware of?
Anybody care to comment?
Any cars for sale that I should be aware of?
mardyn
My new found C3 knowledge acquired (lessons hard learned) with the purchase of my '73 leads me to believe I can do a better job this time and get a nicer car that needs less work in the first place.
I think I want a '78 or '79 with a manual transmission 4 spd or up graded 5/6 would be cool. (I missed a very nice '78 a few years back and I've always kicked myself for not jumping on it when I should have)
What are the big differences between the 78s and 79s? Is it primarily the interior? or are there other changes I should be aware of?
Anybody care to comment?
Any cars for sale that I should be aware of?
mardyn
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 365
From: Tolland CT
I really found this site helpful when I was researching which car to buy, it goes into great detail about the year to year differences.
https://www.corvsport.com/corvette-list/
https://www.corvsport.com/corvette-list/
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
I really found this site helpful when I was researching which car to buy, it goes into great detail about the year to year differences.
https://www.corvsport.com/corvette-list/
https://www.corvsport.com/corvette-list/
Thx mardyn
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Since you mentioned upgraded 5/6 speed it I'm guessing you're not concerned with "all original". If that's the case just buy the best '78 or '79 that you can find. You can always change the seats.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
The seats were the most notable change.The '78 and '79 model Corvettes were very similar; very much sister models.
1979 cars with the L-48/Auto combo got a 3.55 rear axle, changed from the 3.08 in ‘78.
Some like that, some don't.
In ’79, nose and rear deck badges reverted to the cross flags style seen in ’77.
Rocker panels, T-Top and rear window molding were painted black in ’79.
In ’78, L-82 cars had a dual snorkel air intake. In ’79, all cars had it.
Blade fuses became the new standard in '79.
Optional radios with cassette players were introduced to the Corvette in '79.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
Yeah, I don't really care too much about originality other than I don't want something that looks like a "Corvette Summer" car...
I do like the idea of later model split back seats, the blade style fuses are also a welcome change... Either engine is fines as neither one are remotely powerful by today's standards.
The additional space provided by the later rear window arrangement would give me a less claustrophobic feel vs my '73 Coupe.
There seems to be plenty of them out there, but few are manual gear versions...
Thanks for all the great info.
mardyn
I do like the idea of later model split back seats, the blade style fuses are also a welcome change... Either engine is fines as neither one are remotely powerful by today's standards.
The additional space provided by the later rear window arrangement would give me a less claustrophobic feel vs my '73 Coupe.
There seems to be plenty of them out there, but few are manual gear versions...
Thanks for all the great info.
mardyn
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,509
From: Virginia
With the cross-flag logos, the '79 is the best looking of the vinyl bumpers, and the last year that you can get an L-82 with a 4-speed. Between the seats and the modern-style fuses, it's worth finding one. If you care about an original manual, make sure that the engine numbers match, and the engine code denotes that it came with a manual. There are probably other ways to tell, but that's pretty definitive.
There are interesting changes just within the '79 model year, notably the switch from 3 to 2 door cargo compartments, the location of the door locks in the door, and the color of the "oyster" interior. Some are listed in this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ifference.html
Good luck finding your car!
There are interesting changes just within the '79 model year, notably the switch from 3 to 2 door cargo compartments, the location of the door locks in the door, and the color of the "oyster" interior. Some are listed in this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ifference.html
Good luck finding your car!