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L82 4 Speed vs L48 Auto price difference

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Old 08-16-2018, 08:57 PM
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pd64
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Default L82 4 Speed vs L48 Auto price difference

Apples to Apples otherwise what would a L82 4 speed be worth compared to a L48 Auto?
I missed out on a very nice L48 Auto and an equally nice L82 4 speed has just come up but it’s about 30% more. It does also have 20000 less miles so not quite apples to apples. I’m thinking of going 20% more. Just wondering how much of a premium the L82 4 speed brings. It’s the only one I’ve seen in the few weeks I’ve been looking. Thanks
Old 08-16-2018, 09:04 PM
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derekderek
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What year car you looking at?
Old 08-16-2018, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
What year car you looking at?
Sorry both 1976
Old 08-16-2018, 09:53 PM
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pd64
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A few pics...looks original other than the wheels. 67000 miles, not a fan of white but love the interior colours:
Old 08-16-2018, 11:31 PM
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Apples to apples a 1976 L82 4-speed is worth nearly twice what a base automatic is worth. YMMV
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Old 08-17-2018, 12:50 AM
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The 4-speed is worth every penny if you actually drive the car. If you are going to swap in a 5 or 6-speed anyway, it matters less (and for a 1976 may be easier to start with an automatic with a removable crossmember, depending on your comfort level working under the dash).

Red/black interiors are the best interiors, and white Corvettes are a little bit faster than any other color.
Old 08-17-2018, 01:27 AM
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Looking to buy something as nice as possible, original as possible, and put a few hundred miles a year on it. This one seems to check all of the boxes just need to get an original set of wheels on it. It’s a bit more than I wanted to spend but I read the “buy the best you can afford or pay later” and that makes sense.

Last edited by pd64; 08-17-2018 at 01:29 AM.
Old 08-17-2018, 01:45 AM
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I’m in Canada not sure how much prices compare but would a car in this condition bring $15k in the US?
I’m hoping to pick it up for around $13
Old 08-17-2018, 04:15 AM
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The October issue of Corvette Magazine (just arrived) reviews C3 values and for a 1976 with show value = $18k but the value drops for average condition to $10k. Add $2k for an L82.

In contrast when looking at a 78 Pace Car with and without 4-speed; add $2k to $18.2 for L82 in average condition while $5,000 is added for an L82/four-speed. So that Pace Car with average condition that starts at $18.2 could be valued at $25k when equipped with a four-speed.
Old 08-17-2018, 06:01 AM
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Hagerty price guide says -8% for automatic.
Old 08-17-2018, 06:24 AM
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One can read all the price guides, NADA and Blue Books out there but when you're talking 180 horsepower vs. 210 horsepower L-48 or L-82 makes very little difference in the retail price.
There are currently 10 1976's listed for sale in the greater Los Angeles area with a price spread from a low of $5,500 to a dealer listed car at 16,900 (which is pretty optimistic). All but one have automatic transmissions.
Even the standard transmission won't add much, if any, to the price of a '76. I'm talking actual price, not current desirability. Remember, of the 46,558 cars made in 1976, about 80% came with automatic transmissions as the focus of Corvette had clearly shifted from performance to comfort.
A few years earlier and these drive train choices have a profound impact on a Corvette's value. But from '73 to the end of the C3 era the limited drive train choices do not seem to make much difference in the real retail world. The only exception being the '73-'74 big block cars which command a little more. I have a owned a few '76's. Nice cars. I've focused more on their option list than their engine/trans offerings. A fully loaded red on black '76 with nice cold A/C will be stronger in the market than a brown on saddle '76 with roll up windows, no tilt-tele and no A/C regardless of engine/trans choice.
Remember, there are no bad Corvettes. Some are just better than others. Good luck with your search.
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Old 08-17-2018, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by pd64
...Apples to Apples otherwise what would a L82 4 speed be worth compared to a L48 Auto?...Just wondering how much of a premium the L82 4 speed brings...
What's it worth to you? You're the potential buyer.
Old 08-17-2018, 08:23 AM
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cv67
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Get the L82 thats in primo condition, most arent. Put more than a few hundred on it too....
Its not collectible but more desirable than the L48 auto..to most anyways

Last edited by cv67; 08-17-2018 at 08:26 AM.
Old 08-17-2018, 08:45 AM
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stingr69
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The '76 stick shift car will sell faster and my guess is it would sell for $1500 more.

More broadly - If the numbers match and the car is a desirable year and color/options package, the AT-MT price gap could easily get much wider.
Old 08-17-2018, 09:13 AM
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Thanks for all of the info. Going to look at it today hopefully if all looks good I could be coming home with it.
Old 08-17-2018, 10:11 AM
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FWIW - Corvette DNA lists a $1500 bump for the L82 and a $2500 bump for the 4 speed in a driver quality 76.

In an excellent car the bump is $2000 for the L82 and $5000 for the 4 speed.

That an $5 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Old 08-18-2018, 09:02 AM
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Well I ending up coming home with it long day had trouble renting a trailer. All available factory options, bags for the tops, manuals, original spare & jack.
I’m heading out of town I’ll post some pictures when I’m back in 4 days. Thanks for all of the advise.

Last edited by pd64; 08-18-2018 at 12:30 PM.

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Old 08-18-2018, 09:39 AM
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Will it drive home?
Old 08-18-2018, 09:40 AM
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Drives good but old tires. 180 miles away
Old 08-19-2018, 09:55 AM
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I’m wondering if anyone has seen this red black interior colour combo in a 76 before?
My interior code is 192 which indicates black leather, so looks like the seats were redone red. But the backs of the seats are also red, and the door panels. Seems like that would have been a lot of work to change out the black. Could this have been special ordered?

Last edited by pd64; 08-19-2018 at 09:58 AM.


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