I have been looking at a 1980 L82 automatic for some time now, the car is at a reputable corvette restoration shop and the owner is a client of mine. It's red, has T tops and a white interior but definitely needs some work. I have all but paid the guy for the car, he is waiting on the owner to send him the title as she has asked him to go ahead and sell it to me...

however, perusing the marketplace I came across a 1976 stingray 4 speed red with black interior and an, 'upgraded motor that has more power than stock.'

now, dammit, im stuck.

I can't decide whether I should grab the L82 auto or go with the 76 stingray

ive always preferred manual trans in my sports cars but these cars are a little small for me (6'2" 210lbs)

I understand you guys are kind of shooting in the dark with advice but I don't know where else to turn lol

so, any input is welcome as I prepare to buy my first Vette!!!

TIA!

 

So you know something about the 80, it`s at a reputable shop, and you know the owner, (a client). You`ve already agreed to buy the car, just waiting on title.
You saw another car for sale that you know NOTHING about. What was the question again?

 

lol whether I should give in to the desire to plant my left foot on the man pedal or not.

'agreed to buy' is a bit firm, I haven't even driven the car yet and he hasn't driven it in 2 years... its agreed that I want it but still pending a drive and detailed inspection so, backing out isn't going to hurt anyones feelings. as of yesterday he's still waiting on a water pump, alternator and new battery before it'll even start.

side question, is there a VIN history service like carfax available for cars this old?

 

My first question would be what’s the pricing? Secondly, it really depends on how you will use it. If you plan to use it a lot and no racing type stuff, then the automatic might be nicer for that. If you plan on full restoration then either would work but the 76 might be a little easier with the manual. Again, depends on your plans on how you want to use it but pricing could make a difference in my humble opinion. The 76 having a custom engine would be more fun to drive with more power and a manual. Personally, I don’t consider the automatic to be a real performance car due to the restrictions those cars have emissions wise. You need to fact check this but I believe the automatic has under 130 hps. The 76 with updated engine probably has a lot more.








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thanks for the assist, I plan on driving it on the weekends and when the weather is nice here... most of the year we're pretty warm so I can get a lot of time behind the wheel. the stingray is 7500 and the L82 is asking 10k but I know there's wiggle room. I plan on upgrading and restoring some things but not looking for museum quality car here.

 

Welcome to the Forum!

If I had to choose, I'd buy that 80 L82 in a heartbeat, tune it up and drive the wheels off for a season. Then I'd save up for a 5-speed conversion, probably a Tremec TKX from SST. 1980 is the best year for Vettes without chrome bumpers. They are 250 lbs lighter than the year before, and the last year without computers. Go sit in both, and see what speaks to you. Personally, I can't stand the pre-78 interior.

I have the exact opposite 80, an L48 4-speed, white on red interior. The manual makes the car. I'm also 6'1", and somehow I have a bit more room in my 80 than in my wife's 79 auto. The glass T-Tops will help you, but I rarely put mine on. Oyster White interiors are awesome.

Either way, be sure to check for rust behind the kickpanels and the other usual spots. Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

 

solid advice!! ive checked the usual spots around the birdcage, the rear wheel wells and the frame on the 80 and its in great shape, very little surface rust. there's a pretty big door gap on the driver side, not so much on the passenger side but from what ive read thats common on these cars and can mean anything from a drunk assembler on the line to drooping nose or bent frame. the 76 is 3.5 hours from me so its difficult to just go check it out... I'm going to have the guy do a walk around via FaceTime on Sunday and ill have the best look I can at those spots. ill definitely be posting tons of progress pics here regardless of which I choose.

 

Manual no issue 6’3 225..i find my 79 very roomy

 

Buy both and then live with them for a while until you decide which one you like better and sell the other one!

 

Your spending real money so take the long ride and look for yourself.
Does either car have a service history?
That might sway you one way or the other.
Plan of spending a few grand more after the purchase,
Price a new interior and carpets and a few random parts.
Are you handy? Can you fix your Corvette yourself, if not add a few grand more!

 

Drivers door bushings might be worn, to test open the door a few inches and lift the end of the door and see what's moving.

 

schuffler
use this to check old VINs: https://www.nicb.org/vincheck

 

In that’s case I’d go for the 76. Better performance so it will be ,or fun to drive. I’m not a fan of the bubble windows on the late c3’s. Sounds like fair pricing on both but the lower price on the 76 makes it easier for me. Good luck and enjoy. Mine is a 70 I bought 12 years ago. I’ve done so much to it by now that’s it’s hard to add up how much I’ve spent on it but it’s a thrilling ride. 383 stroker crate special build, 5 speed TKX, ridetech suspension to name a few. 500 hp 500 torque

 

Manual Stingray with upgrade engine, bubble back Auto.
No brainer. I wouldn't hesitate on the Manual Stingray if it checks out rust wise, bird cage, paint, etc.
Automatic is nice for your wife.

 

If the cars are in similar condition, I'd take the '76.

 

The "chain" says it all: Stay away.

 

There are small differences in style of the two years. The 76 was the last year Corvette wore the Stingray badge until the C7 revived it. The 77 was the last year of the tunnel back. And 78 was the first year of the rear bubble glass. Chevrolet played around with the exaggerated ‘whale tail’ in 78 and 79, and I think it became the final body line from 80 to the end of the C3. Sometime around 1980 you also began to see T-top panels appear in glass. BTW, the Texas sun will cook your head with those glass tops. Oh yes, and another big deal for the sports car guy was the 85 MPH speedometer in the 80 model. A lot of guys complained about that.

In the photo of the 76, the rear bumper is not correct. But, the 80 is 41 years old and the 76 is 44. In either case plan to do some work.

I’m more of a fan of the early C3s’, 68-through 77. Regardless of the direction you go, a C3 will always be a C3. When you put them in a Corvette line, their beautiful body lines always attract attention.

Best of luck with your purchase!

 

Which one needs the LEAST amt of work?
How much work (and money) are you prepared to put into whatever car you get?
Which one can you get in and drive/enjoy right away ...this summer?

I say buy the car that meets most of those qualifications...

 

White interior ,lots of work to keep it clean . Black interior , wipe it down with a wet rag and away you go .

You have to wonder why no one has driven the 80 for so long , what is going to start leaking when the dry seals start working again.

4 speed = fun ............auto = steering wheel attendant

RUST is the main issue here . (or lack of to be clear ! )

 

Lot's of opinions above. Unfortunately when you ask for advice on a choice like this what you get are personal opinions about what THEIR choice would be.
Let me try it and do it factually.

First, you may not be concerned about long term value but a 76 is probably the least likely to appreciate in value of all C3's. Just like the 64 is with C2's. The L82 1980 is probably the most likely rubber bumper to appreciate. Don't hate me I owned both, it is what it is.

Second, If that is a numbers matching L82 it is the lowest price I have seen in a decade. Please PM me if you don't buy it. So you are buying very low in a possibly appreciating car. Conversely, a modified motor non matching number rubber bumper anything is going to be worth about what it is right now for years to come.

Third, that high performance motor will always be a mystery, what did Bubba do to build that motor up? And that can mean thousands of dollars in downstream expense. There are great cars out there built by great builders but unless ALL the details and parts are known then you are really up the creek when a problem occurs. I could show you a few right now for sale that are great builds but they are 50k plus not sub 10k. That alone is a red flag.

Buy the L82, it is the KNOWN quantity, You know the players and the car has no mysteries and a solid pedigree with a future. Not only that but it is an incredible start to a performance platform. That 4 bolt L82 can be easily and inexpensively modified to produce much more HP without losing the matching numbers.