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Okay. So I'm going to take a look at this 1980 L82. I couldn't attach the ad here but the details are as such. 74k miles. Vin is 1Z876AS430390.
Tires good. Original motor and transmission. But from the pictures the valve covers don't look original. Has an oil leak. Asking 13k. Ok...please give me your opinion on the car.
It's missing the Cruise Control Servo , trans kickdown linkage looks Bubba-ized , original carb is missing and aftermarket intake , wrong valve covers , not the end of the world but still missing... you might check the number pad on the block to see if it matches the last digits of the VIN tag , body and paint looks good so there's 10K saved at the Body Shop you won't need ... Take a good look at the frame , see if it steers straight with no pulls or brake shake and brake pull , if the owner doesn't mind take off the kick panel to check the bird cage and body mount ... maybe make check to see if all gauges work , check AC too as the more that works the better . If everything checks out his price is in the ball park and good starting point as a seller
Agree with Eric… that engine compartment looks thrown together with whatever was laying around the shelves at a speed shop. Theres nothing about the engine compartment thats original. Check the engine number, might not be what they say.
Not sure if its the shadow but the front bumper cover looks like a different shade than the rest of the car. The drivers side of the hood is also noticeably out of alignment. The clues Im seeing tell me it needs a serious in-person inspection by someone familiar with 80-81 cars and a significant price adjustment.
Yeah...I knew the engine was not stock from the picture. But it doesn't hurt to bounce it off you all since the forum has some good insight into C3s.
He has only had it for a year. So, Ill end up looking at it with more knowledge on what to look at.
I don't think anyone mentioned it but the 5th digit of the VIN is a 6 which confirms it is an original L82. Lot's of good internals there. Looks like great paint and if the interior is as good you have a great start. I would not be that concerned about cleaning up and correcting bolt on parts in the engine compartment. Just make sure the numbers match on the engine block. An L82 80 model is one of the nicest driving late model c3's. I also think the price is pretty good considering our inflated times.
You get what you pay for.
Why is the owner bouncing after a year? Curious. Wonder about long-drive/summertime overheating. Long term coolant loss. Etc.
I love the later C3’s. I would be concerned about all the aftermarket engine stuff, but only to make my tests and inspection more thorough than a all original, not enough to walk away.
Certainly has potential. If it were all original and in good shape, I think the 13 would be reasonable. You have to downgrade per your own judgment based on the unknown things that may have been done. I would pull it down enough to allow me to bring it back to stock and still not overpay. No labor costs, just parts. But that is just how I get a starting price on a modded car.
You get what you pay for.
Why is the owner bouncing after a year? Curious. Wonder about long-drive/summertime overheating. Long term coolant loss. Etc.
I love the later C3’s. I would be concerned about all the aftermarket engine stuff, but only to make my tests and inspection more thorough than a all original, not enough to walk away.
Certainly has potential. If it were all original and in good shape, I think the 13 would be reasonable. You have to downgrade per your own judgment based on the unknown things that may have been done. I would pull it down enough to allow me to bring it back to stock and still not overpay. No labor costs, just parts. But that is just how I get a starting price on a modded car.
Apparently selling because he has too many cars and HOA is bugging him about it. Who knows where the truth lies. I tend not to believe that story but I haven't met him yet to feel it out.
If it was stock I'd be running to see it. But because it isn't I may sweat him out to lower the price.
Without looking at the car there is no way to tell. He doesn't seem like an enthusiast. Bought the car less than a year ago. Hasn't driven it much and has an oil leak. If it was a true L82. I think it would have sold immediately
far better to regret the car you shoulda bought 6 months ago than to regret the car you did buy 6 months ago. the body frame and birdcage are the be-all and end-all. there was not enough special about an 80 L82 to make that car a yes or no depending on whether it is numbers-matching or a 78 caprice engine. or an 01 chevy express van engine...
1980 l82- thoughts?
