Gentlemen, A little help please.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 27
From: Southern Virginia
Gentlemen, A little help please.
I've never had a C3. Many years ago I had a 65 but it's long gone. I've had 2 C5's and currently a C7 Z06. Enough background.
I'm looking at a 79 C3 coupe 4 speed. Dark green with "doeskin" interior. Complete interior replacement just completed. Paint looks good, a little bit of spider cracks in the front bumper. Numbers matching motor (L82) with no obvious signs that it needs attention. Current owner does not know if it has been rebuilt but there's 104,000 on the clock I got to believe somewhere there's been a rebuild. Glass tops that look good and OE wheels also look very good. Everything looks very good, but I need to put it on a lift to see the belly. Plan to do a better inspection in a couple of days. Couple of questions:
1) What's it worth? I've seen asking prices from 7,000 to 25,000.
2) What to look for as far as problems with that vintage?
3) What am I missing?
Thanks in advance.
I'm looking at a 79 C3 coupe 4 speed. Dark green with "doeskin" interior. Complete interior replacement just completed. Paint looks good, a little bit of spider cracks in the front bumper. Numbers matching motor (L82) with no obvious signs that it needs attention. Current owner does not know if it has been rebuilt but there's 104,000 on the clock I got to believe somewhere there's been a rebuild. Glass tops that look good and OE wheels also look very good. Everything looks very good, but I need to put it on a lift to see the belly. Plan to do a better inspection in a couple of days. Couple of questions:
1) What's it worth? I've seen asking prices from 7,000 to 25,000.
2) What to look for as far as problems with that vintage?
3) What am I missing?
Thanks in advance.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Long time 68/69 owner here so I really do not know all the details on the later c3 cars. I can tell you that if you have an opportunity to post a bunch of pictures those in the know will be able to give you a much better opinion. Hope it works out!
Off hand the major issue with the c3 is rust. Check the frame thoroughly. I know on early c3 cars you can pull the kick panel speakers and check the mounts but I am sure about later cars.
Off hand the major issue with the c3 is rust. Check the frame thoroughly. I know on early c3 cars you can pull the kick panel speakers and check the mounts but I am sure about later cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,409
Likes: 1,821
From: Apple Valley, MN
Condition of the frame
Condition of the birdcage
Fit of doors and hood
Read up on how to properly evaluate each. Many, many posts on the subjects.
Any idea of the lineage? You want to avoid a car that has been in Katrina or Sandy.
In general, you are looking at a car that is more than 40 years old so you should expect to be encountering various issues that will inevitably crop up over time. Go in eyes wide open and well informed.
Condition of the birdcage
Fit of doors and hood
Read up on how to properly evaluate each. Many, many posts on the subjects.
Any idea of the lineage? You want to avoid a car that has been in Katrina or Sandy.
In general, you are looking at a car that is more than 40 years old so you should expect to be encountering various issues that will inevitably crop up over time. Go in eyes wide open and well informed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 103
From: Brisbane Queensland
Hi G3duck,
There is a sticky thread which covers all the major points regarding buying a C3. Here is the link - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Good luck with your inspection, I'm sure other members will chime in withe value estimates.
Mark
There is a sticky thread which covers all the major points regarding buying a C3. Here is the link - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Good luck with your inspection, I'm sure other members will chime in withe value estimates.
Mark
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
A good '79 is worth $12k -$15k tops. Anyone asking $25k for a '79, well pass them by. Unless you want to pay $25k for one, then I'll sell you mine. Green exterior, tan interior, 4-speed is desirable. Don't get caught up in that 'Numbers Matching' bs, that really only applies to '72 down. It will drive like a Corvette, but it is an old car and you will have to replace everything.
Personally, I'd buy a C6 or C7 Z06.
Personally, I'd buy a C6 or C7 Z06.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,944
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
79 L82 4-speed? That's as good as it gets without a chrome bumper.
Here's a thread from last year with pricing comparisons, and some example cars of Forum members. That is a very sought-after car, but condition will determine the final price. I'd agree that $15K is tops, and possibly much less if there is rust. Look for rust behind the kickpanels (bring a screwdriver to remove them and take a look), and ahead of the rear wheels.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-1979-l82.html
Also, make sure it's a real L82. It is encoded in the VIN, and if it doesn't have a numbers matching engine, don't pay a premium for it. I don't expect the current owner to lie to you, but verify all information yourself. This site has VIN, engine stamp, trim tag, and other decoders. Have it ready on your phone when you go take a look.
http://corvettec3.ca/
Does the odometer read 4000 miles? It could have gone around twice, not just once, or have a swapped speedo, or who knows what. Condition matters a lot more than mileage, though.
Please post some photos when you see it!
Here's a thread from last year with pricing comparisons, and some example cars of Forum members. That is a very sought-after car, but condition will determine the final price. I'd agree that $15K is tops, and possibly much less if there is rust. Look for rust behind the kickpanels (bring a screwdriver to remove them and take a look), and ahead of the rear wheels.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-1979-l82.html
Also, make sure it's a real L82. It is encoded in the VIN, and if it doesn't have a numbers matching engine, don't pay a premium for it. I don't expect the current owner to lie to you, but verify all information yourself. This site has VIN, engine stamp, trim tag, and other decoders. Have it ready on your phone when you go take a look.
http://corvettec3.ca/
Does the odometer read 4000 miles? It could have gone around twice, not just once, or have a swapped speedo, or who knows what. Condition matters a lot more than mileage, though.
Please post some photos when you see it!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
not a lot of c3's that still exist made it to 100k miles. most of those were run out and junked. and it is not the engine. the engine could take 100k easy. it is the suspension, running gear, door hinges, wear points in interior, now, most of this stuff also got beat just by resting 40 plus years and much needs replaced even in a 25k mile car. so miles is less of an issue than it was when they were 15 years old. here is easier way to access that 10 rules thread. roll down to post 107. the frame and bird cage are the 2 things you really don't want to have to repair. body nest after that. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orvette-6.html what is he asking?
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