Hey all, I'm seriously considering purchasing this '78 C3 and would like some of you to look it over and give me your high-level opinion. The seller is asking 20k and the car looks pretty clean (in my opinion). Working electronics, minimal rust, 17k miles on the rebuild (engine rebuilt in '98) and even has the original paint. This would be my first classic so I was looking for something that wouldn't be too high maintenance compared to lower-priced C3s. I'd be buying out of state and plan on having an appraiser from the local auction drive down to do a PPI, but I'm still hesitant to buy sight unseen.

Thoughts?

 

Nothing in those pictures make me scream run away. Looks like an unrestored freshly pressure washed underside and the interior is ok. You are wise to have it inspected but make sure the person you pay knows Corvettes.

As for value, it's a used 44 year old Chevy. Seller wants $XX, buyer is willing to pay $XX so the difference is your value window. If you and the seller land on a price both of you agree on that is your value point. Good examples of these cars are getting harder to come across as the clock clicks forward.

 

For that money….
EVERYTHING works incuding ac… good clutch and tires less than 8 years old.
Steady temperture in heat with ac on.. a good test drive…
agree prices are not going down..

 

My concern with a pressure wash underside is what was leaking to require a complete underside wash.

So I am guessing engine leaks oil, power steering ram leak PS Fluid, transmission leaks, rear diff pinion leaks.

Fixing leaks of fluid is quit common for these years of cars.

 

My main concern is the paint. If you are planning on storing this vehicle away, original paint is a major plus. However if you want to drive your car often, that old paint may not hold up very well. Painting these cars is approximately 5k for a decent paint job, 10k for a very good one, and the sky is the limit for a perfect or custom job.

If your an originality kind of guy, go for it. If you like driving often, or ‘beating’ on your cars (as my mom describes my driving) I would think twice.

my paint is non original, and pretty scuffed up. So I’m perfectly ok with a few more scratches or rock chips.

One last thing, I wouldnt spend 20k sight unseen (Then again i dont know how big your wallet is). You wont know how bad she leaks and how annoying her squeaks are until the entire purchase process is completed. These cars can very easily have both. I know my car does but i spent 9k and heard them all during the test drive, and I saw the oil spots on the ground when the owner pulled her out.

 

Just my opinion… Never buy a car site unseen especially a Corvette

 

You need to have soneone who knows what to look for check it out in person. I would not use an appraiser from an auction house to check it out unless he also happens to be highly knowledgable on C3 Corvettes. You need someone who knows all the potential issues and how to inspect a C3

That said, that car looks to me to be well worth checking out.. A black on red L-82 4 speed modified with true dual exhaust, especially if it has the 3.70 axle, is a nice combination.

 

Appreciate the response. The seller actually uploaded a 7 minute video doing a full walk around on the car as well as a test drive. Very few rattles and no squeaking. As for leaks, I can only cross my fingers that the inspection brings light of those potential issues.

 

Unfortunately, I live in the middle of bum-**** nowhere. It's pretty difficult for me to see any car in person really unless I'm willing to drive a while. This particular car would be a 12 hour drive, however, I'm currently on the other side of the country helping my family so it'd be about a month before I could actually check it out.

I've been in the market for a classic for around $20k for a while now and this just so happened to be one of the cleaner cars I've found. Started researching on Monday to make sure I knew what to look.

Nevertheless, appreciate the response!

 

Looking over the photos very closely. Yes it was freshly washed. But who wouldn't clean it up before selling. Taking photos while it's still wet??? Well, OK.
Mostly it looks like it has good bones.
L82 4 speed.
Yes it looks like a car worth looking at.

 

I would be worried about all the bare metal that has been soaked and now drips with moisture. Lot of photos of the now cleaned underneath which is suspicious and noted by others. Much rust can be seen already with what appears as the previous undercoating which actually protects finishes and the metal. For some reason the spare tire cover was painted and now the paint is chipping away. But its clean and all there!

Its apparent the smog pump and catalytic converter were removed so it may no longer meet a particular state's emission standards. The distributor has been changed out and the A/C compressor has been replaced which contributes to a working unit.

I would want to know what the engine rebuild entailed and why? ...like cam, heads...what was actually done and would like to see that carb which appears to have new parts on it. All of which suggest an engine that has non-standard settings for a smooth running engine.
Frankly, for a first-time classic owner, I would be concerned about picking up a classic that has been modified to the extent that published information is no longer valid for the vehicle.

 

Potential buyer tells owner, I will be there in a half hour.
Owner says, I will have it ready for ya.
In layman's terms, remove evidence of DOT3, PS fluid, (sometimes Trans fluid and rear axle lube) Which are normal leaks for these cars.

Top-side:
Body looks good, engine looks good, interior is fine. Four speed, P.W. is a plus.

Bottom-side:
Almost looks like this Vette was dragged onto a flatbed with no wheels on it. Lots of scrapes, weird paint marks, bare metal, etc.
Buy it! ($18k or under)

 

Just my 2cents worth.....................I have a 78 and after all that's been done to it since I've had it wouldn't let it go for less then 20k but lets be reasonable here after all it is over 40yrs old and a clean one definitely needs to be completely looked at by someone that is C3 Vette savy with a microscope!!!!!
JJ78

 

you are buying out of state. what state are you in? check your emissions requirements. if it needs inspected, try to scare up 2 oem cats from later cars. 3.3 caravans would work. oe cats are far better than aftermarket junk. it is rediculous that it is not legal to install a used cat. but if they are there when the inspector sees them, they coulda been there for years...

 

Nice color combination, and in general looks like a decent car. My only comment is regarding your statement "wouldn't be too high maintenance compared to lower-priced C3s.". Do not believe that if you pay more for a car that that means it will not have maintenance issues. Its still a 44 year old car that has NEVER been restored. You could pay $5000- $40,000 for this car, and its still an old car, with old wiring, old rubber parts, old everything. My point is simple.....you buy an old car, you can count on maintenance issues. The ONLY way to avoid that is to do a complete body off restoration, rebuild it right, with new wiring, rebuilt components, etc.....which can add up to as much as a NEW Corvette. Otherwise, you restore it one problem at a time. Either way.....but truth is undeniable.....its called "reality". Its a 44 year old car. Just accept the reality of it. Not trying to scare you away,.....just trying to set the expectations properly.

 

What are your intentions for the car? Is originality important? Local around town Sunday driving, shows, hot rodding, or travelling? Are you experienced with working on cars? Do you know a local to you reputable mechanic? Do they work on old cars or is it a liability to them?

It appears to be a factory L82 (tach, emissions decal), 4speed (weld in cross member), FE7 Gymkhana sport suspension (rear swaybar), AC, Rear defogger, D35 sport mirrors, PW car. Assumed there are no records or receipts for work done or the history of the car.

As others have mentioned the freshly power washed bottom is a concern. When a car for sale is still dripping with water assume it does not actually look the same when dry. Things will appear shiny and fresh when in fact they are dull and worn. The car overall looks to be in average condition for a 117,000 mile Corvette. It doesn't look hacked up for 44 years old. The engine was probably rebuilt due to problems that happen in the mileage but who knows. Who knows who rebuilt it or was exactly was done as there is no standard that must be followed in "rebuilding" an engine. Without receipts for the engine rebuild it is no better than a used original because the condition is unknown. Also to note the selling dealer doesn't seem to be experienced with C3 Corvettes (basic used car description, lifted with pads in so-so position, no speak of typical C3 question points).

Typical things ALL C3 Corvettes need are hard to examine on this car for condition partly because of the power washing and also because of the photography being general car for sale angles and not detailed for a C3. The steering control valve was washed so forensics are impossible but my gut says that it was been replaced (bolt heads, finish, bushings, cotter pins) and possible the hydraulic ram too. The brake calipers are not shown nor the hoses. What can be seen on the right front hose is in a shadow but doesn't look new. Assume the worst as all of these cars need brake calipers and hoses. Yes, the dealer may feel the brakes work but for how long and do they work correctly for a C3?

The drivers window switch is broken off of the console plate's molded in plastic screw stud. It will require removing the center gauge cluster, console top plate, etc. in order to plastic weld or re-manufacture the stud so that the switch can be re-mounted. Or replace the console top plate with a repop part.The driver's dash vent is broken. The steering wheel leather needs to be recovered. The passenger door rear jamb surface has drips going up not down so it's not water and must be paint. Was the door re-painted off of the car and why? The drivers door doesn't not have this condition. What are the date codes on the tires? If more than 5 years old the delamination concern becomes a safety factor and new tires are needed. Door glass weatherstripping is original and tattered. Paint is old with wear and checking and new paint is very expensive. Why was the spare tire carrier painted and perhaps some of the bottom of the car?

You will find many owners here will highly recommend you buy directly from an owner. They will more likely know what has/hasn't been done to the car and will also be more likely to negotiate a fair price. This car is at a dealer which means they gave the seller less than it's value, washed it, and listed it at a new higher price. I'll go back to the dripping with water presentation and the dressing of tires and hoses with Armorall. That is done to make a worn car shiny and loo more expensive for lack of better terms.

 

I do agree with the concerns about the wet underside hiding leaking components. Ask for retakes of the underside when it's dry. Most fluids aren't water soluble, so they should still be visible. One clue that I'm seeing that may be a leaking rear seal on the transmission is the burn marks on the exhaust pipe. Sure looks like oil was flung onto the pipe and collected on the bottom side - to be burned off.

 

Good point. I felt the same about the inside of one of the front tires looking like water beading up on the rubber in one spot like a brake fluid leak but that could be old.

The more I look at the selling dealer's photos the more my gut tells me this is a very old repaint and color change or primer coming through. I would want a photo of the trim tag to know what the car paint and interior were originally if that mattered to me as a buyer. The painted spare tire carrier, painted over bumper "pads", windshield reveal trim, road rash exposing a lighter color, paint drips on the passenger door locking edge surface are why I am thinking this. Easier to tell in person.

 

Looks like a 12K C3....IMHO

 

Some really good advice and knowledge here.
Here's the deal as I see it... The car presents well, it has been detailed to death, I'll bet if you slide into the drivers seat you will slide right over the console to the passenger seat...Major armoral... There are only two reasons to power wash the bottom, 1: to hide something, 2: see #1. The motor was rebuilt in 98, by whom and what was done, new clutch? It was only driven 17K miles in the 24 years since then...that aint much.. If it were a true low mileage, everything working original survivor the asking price would be palatable(a stating point)...

I'm not saying it's not worth considering, depending on how it drives, but I would not consider 20K at all and 15 would be a stretch.. I would want to see it myself, too much money not to. It's a well optioned L-82, it's not a Pace Car or Anniversary Edition, it's not rare, the only remarkable thing about it is the asking price.

Sorry but that's how it looks to me..

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