C3 corvettes
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 157
Likes: 29
From: Montezuma Ga
All used car values have jumped a decent 20-30% in the past covid years..... I get a kick out of perusing marketplace seeing all the high prices. C3's are just going up with the rest. I think they will have their own separate climb as they were very reasonably priced beforehand........... Shoot, I sold my first vette (1980) in 2000 for 5k. I thought that was the going rate for a nice looking driver back then. Prices really didn't move for 15yrs after then....... Before this boom, I think I could have gotten a nice looking driver for 8-10k. Now??? 12k and up. For the most part, IMO
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 534
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
71 c3
Sold my 1968 427 435hp coupe in 1971 for $5000.
Sold my 1959 in 1967 for $3000
Now looking at a nice 1971 350/270hp 4spd car. Numbers Matching, painted in original mulsanne blue 4 years ago. For $15,000.
After looking whats out there that is reasonable.
Sold my 1959 in 1967 for $3000
Now looking at a nice 1971 350/270hp 4spd car. Numbers Matching, painted in original mulsanne blue 4 years ago. For $15,000.
After looking whats out there that is reasonable.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 569
From: Wisconsin
Very reasonable. If the frame and cage are decent, run to it, don't walk.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 113
Likes: 22
From: New York
I agree, $15k is a darn good price. I paid more than that 8 years ago for my '71 coupe, 350, auto. Of course photos would help determine a more accurate value. I think regional pricing is also at play as well. C3 prices here in the northeast seem to command lower prices than equivalent cars down south or out west.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,920
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,787
Likes: 3,180
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
L82 or L48
Have a ‘78 pace car S903114 but the hood is stamped L82 and VIN says L48. Does anyone know how to tell if motor is L82 ? Windshield shading also covers VIN stamp, door has the one I mentioned. Is there another place for VIN ?? Where would it be located? Thanks.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 157
Likes: 29
From: Montezuma Ga
One quick way is by the finned valve covers. But they can be swapped as well.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,887
Likes: 4,071
From: US-PNW
I'm not versed in the L-48 v. L-82 differences but here goes:
- What emission label does the engine compartment have?
- What stamp is on the engine pad?
- What red-line is on the tachometer?
- There is a "hidden" VIN stamp on the upper side of the frame in the driver rear wheel well. You'll need something to clean off the dirt, a light, and mirror.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 175
From: Hillsborough NC
L-82 should have an X in the fifth digit of VIN. What you posted starts at the 7th digit. L-48 would be L in the fifth digit.
Agree that you need to see the pillar post and match the title of the car just to be sure.
L-82 had an A.I.R. pump, aluminum finned valve covers (black), silver painted aluminum intake manifold, dual-snorkel air cleaner. Tach in interior should also have an L-82 moniker on the face. A lot of the dressing (valve covers, etc) can be added easily to an L-48. Check your exhaust manifolds. If they do not have the provisions for the A.I.R. injection tubes from the original emissions system, I would put more money on the fact that someone added the L-82 hood emblem and it is a base L-48 engine. People are generally lazy that way
What you have of the VIN is definitely pace car though. Pace cars got 9 as the eighth digit in VIN and then went from 900000 to 906502.
Agree that you need to see the pillar post and match the title of the car just to be sure.
L-82 had an A.I.R. pump, aluminum finned valve covers (black), silver painted aluminum intake manifold, dual-snorkel air cleaner. Tach in interior should also have an L-82 moniker on the face. A lot of the dressing (valve covers, etc) can be added easily to an L-48. Check your exhaust manifolds. If they do not have the provisions for the A.I.R. injection tubes from the original emissions system, I would put more money on the fact that someone added the L-82 hood emblem and it is a base L-48 engine. People are generally lazy that way
What you have of the VIN is definitely pace car though. Pace cars got 9 as the eighth digit in VIN and then went from 900000 to 906502.
