'78-'82 differences besides cosmetics?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 68
'78-'82 differences besides cosmetics?
I am seriously thinking of buying a '78 to '82 C3 and want to hear the plusses and minuses of the various years?
Also I have read on here that the later years are more "streetable" vs a '68/'69. Are they that much more comfortable or ?? Want to hopefully put some miles on it and not be a garage queen.
Also I have read on here that the later years are more "streetable" vs a '68/'69. Are they that much more comfortable or ?? Want to hopefully put some miles on it and not be a garage queen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 651
From: Thunder Bay
78 seats are not as comfortable as the later cars (except the pace cars which had the better seats.) '82's have the Cross Fire injection which some say is problematic and not as easy to upgrade ( although some guys love them.) Manual transmission wasn't available after 1980 (or '81, not sure) The later cars didn't have both holes in the crossmember for dual exhaust, which means if you want to upgrade to dual exhaust you have to change or modify the crossmember. I think that started in 1980, but again not sure. Just a few things to think about.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 68
I didn't realize the pace cars were the only cars to have the good seats. Seems that of the '78 C3's i was looking at, really all of them were pace cars! Love the pace car!
And while I would like a manual, seems most C3's in that year range, most were autos, so that becomes a moot point with an '82. I originally was shying away from '82's because of crossfire, but after reading about it and the side badges, it appeals to me.
Really exterior and interior color seem to be the most important, but also the right car at the right price in the right location... Seems alot of the C3's are in California, $2k shipping away!!
And while I would like a manual, seems most C3's in that year range, most were autos, so that becomes a moot point with an '82. I originally was shying away from '82's because of crossfire, but after reading about it and the side badges, it appeals to me.
Really exterior and interior color seem to be the most important, but also the right car at the right price in the right location... Seems alot of the C3's are in California, $2k shipping away!!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
78 and 79 are basically the same except seats and detail differences.
80-82 change body style, are lighter, have glass rear spring and different rear diff etc. 80 is carb, 81 is computer controlled carb, 82 is cross fire injection (and auto only, which for me personally is a big deal).
Personally, I think 79 is the pick, and I'm totally not biased at all!
80-82 change body style, are lighter, have glass rear spring and different rear diff etc. 80 is carb, 81 is computer controlled carb, 82 is cross fire injection (and auto only, which for me personally is a big deal).
Personally, I think 79 is the pick, and I'm totally not biased at all!
Last edited by Metalhead140; Apr 21, 2018 at 09:06 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
The 80-82's were also 250 lb lighter than the 78&79 with I believe thinner glass, thinner body panels and aluminum rear differential. 81-82's had optional power driver's seat.
Last edited by Priya; Apr 23, 2018 at 12:35 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
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