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I am searching for a 78 pace car and looking for a good condition clean car, I found a 30k original mile L82 4 speed car, looks pretty nice all around till I got the underside pics... I've made my decision on the car and gonna pass for the money and not sure how much he could come down to make it worth it for me... just wanted thoughts on this 1978 pace car with 30k original miles described as excellent underside, and I actually told him I don't want something that was undercoated on the entire underside... this can't be typical right, I wouldn't want this on anything I purchased, or my expectations too high
Last edited by Golfobsessed; May 10, 2024 at 06:26 PM.
While i do not like undercoating I wouldn't have a problem with that car for the right money, from following your journey i don't think going to be the car you want regardless of price.
While i do not like undercoating I wouldn't have a problem with that car for the right money, from following your journey i don't think going to be the car you want regardless of price.
I think your right, i just wanted a little thoughts here if I'm gonna have too high expectations, outside and inside are nice but I would spend the time on that underside... I couldn't have that under my car.
Could it be undercoating the original selling dealership applied to jack up the price? Look as though it's been on there for 45 years or somebody later sprayed trying to hide something? If original to car, could be a good thing. But, I would also hesitate on this. Never get all that cleaned off. Nor worth the effort & hassle. Make for an all-weather driver if priced right?
RM
Corvettes with undercoating become a very real challenge. While its preserved originality...one can't see it. And to remove it destroys those original finishes. It is an L82 4-speed and if you can live with undercoating its a good pick up. I have known many owners who have attempted to surgically remove that crap...it's never the same underneath unless you can live with it. That was dealership applied and applied rather heaviily. I've seen many with undercoating but it is obvious the applicator wished to preserve the chassis...and that it has.
I'm originally from the land of snow and ice. And of course salt on the roads. My car has always had undercoating on the frame, and basically everywhere underneath the car. But , my frame is still solid. And I'm from the land of snow and ice!
pros and cons both ways I reckon.
I don't mind the undercoating. When I work under the car, I reapply it as necessary. Why so many don't like it? Got me.
Thanks guys, definitely looks like it was applied long ago and I do believe the frame/cage to be solid, the car is pretty nice otherwise but he's also the 12th owner and only owned since October, I looked a local one yesterday with 90k miles, wouldn't buy a 90k mile car but wanted to see it as it was near my local office... the underside was much cleaner.
At the risk of loosing this one I'm gonna look a little more, I would take the time and remove as much of the undercoating on this particular car where I could, not worried about preserving original markings or anything but would want a more detailed underside.
I’m old enough to remember when most Chevrolet dealers used to sell an undercoating/rustproofing called “Rusty Jones”. It was a big seller that was similar to Zeibart coatings. Many cars originally from the NE are going to have this on them.
I’m old enough to remember when most Chevrolet dealers used to sell an undercoating/rustproofing called “Rusty Jones”. It was a big seller that was similar to Zeibart coatings. Many cars originally from the NE are going to have this on them.
yep I remember Rusty Jones well, I grew up in a dealership collision center in the later 80s in Massachusetts. I've purchased several old corvettes and other cars from the east coast/mid west and two in the past few years (69 and 80)... I haven't seen an underside fully undercoated since I lived back east, I know they are out there but frankly most I've looked at don't have it but typically looking at low original mile cars. I will actually be in New England this week for work and gonna look at one at least... maybe two.
I'm not looking for a mirror under the car underside just not fully undercoated if I can avoid it... perhaps I'm a little spoiled with the older low mile corvettes I've had over the years with fairly clean undersides that I can take to the next step.
after reading some of the responses perhaps its a bit more common than I've experienced.
I may regret not buying this car, just gonna give it a little more searching, I would take the time to clean up the underside though the 12 owners and only owning the car for 7 months before selling bothers me a little too.
Pics slightly blurry..but imo..car looks good. I don’t see where it’s sprayed all over. Anything on the fiberglass cmes clean with lacquer thinner. The a arms and other non frame coatings hold up decent and or easily repainted/ powder coated.
Pics slightly blurry..but imo..car looks good. I don’t see where it’s sprayed all over. Anything on the fiberglass cmes clean with lacquer thinner. The a arms and other non frame coatings hold up decent and or easily repainted/ powder coated.
yep we just see different things, was definitely undercoated early in life or perhaps at the dealer just not what I want if I can find uncoated... its what im used too... my 80, my 69 and 64 were all low mile, unrestored and uncoated, I realize I'm just looking for something different than most think as normal but I'm in no rush and will keep looking, just missed one here the other day with an exceptionally clean underside, this is my 80 (I'm not necessarily looking for this clean just not all undercoated)
it doesn't just come off with thinner when it's that old, I could remove it all and would if I purchase as some is chipping off, entire spare tire cover and bracing is coated, personally for $30k I would like to find a little cleaner.
I'm looking for a little more like this as again a little more of what im used too
I'm still not completely out... was just going through some boxes in my garage and found a full suspension kit i forgot i purchased and never used, could be a good reason to throw it up in the air and go to town on it.
Last edited by Golfobsessed; May 11, 2024 at 02:47 PM.
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have no problem with that frame / undercarriage. Better then RUST or even mild surface rust !! What I do have a problem with though is 12 owners ................... whats up ???
Last edited by 427SIXPACK; May 11, 2024 at 04:32 PM.
I have no problem with that frame / undercarriage. Better then RUST or even mild surface rust !! What I do have a problem with though is 12 owners ................... whats up ???
yeah he sent me a history report on a spreadsheet and i would be the 12th owner... he also just purchased it in October and not crazy about that as well... no real rush on my end.
Personally, any older muscle car that is 40 to 55 years old like C3's, that were professionally undercoated would not prevent me from buying it. As long as the car is solid and rust free, checking the bird cage and under the windshield trim, would be my only concerns. I would imagine many people who have restored vehicles over the years, especially in the northern part of the country, had them undercoated. I believe they are not hiding anything and I surely would not take the time or expense to remove undercoating. Honestly what I look for is; matching numbers, miles on car, number of owners and overall condition of car. Keep in mind if you are looking for a 1978 Pace Car (4 Speed and L82) they are rare and only built around 553 units. 1978 Silver Anniversary's with those same options built around 665 units. They are the rearrest 1978's and who knows how many are left in original condition today. If it is all original, low miles and clean like the pics shown you should be okay. Though I agree with earlier member coments,11 OWNERS would be a concern, but these cars are aging. I always suggest if you are not 100% comfortable have a thorough inspection on the car for reassurance or keep searching for the car you want.
78 with 30k miles underside thoughts
