Hemi John

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.

drwet

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.

C3 4ME

82's also were automatic only. No manual option.

Hemi John

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!!

av81

If it worked out that a good 82 was available I would recommend one , the fuel injection and 4spd auto will give you great fuel milage ,

Metalhead140

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!

Priya

Yes, me too. 79 with the Pace car spoilers.

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.

Metalhead140

Couldn't agree more, and as I said, totally unbiased.... Love my '79!