New to corvettes
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
New to corvettes
Hello—I have never bought an old corvette before nor do I have a sense of their value. Was hoping to get your thoughts on the vehicle in the link and whether it’s worth the asking price. Thanks.
https://www.sevenhillsmotorcars.com/vehicles/467/1979-chevrolet-corvette
https://www.sevenhillsmotorcars.com/vehicles/467/1979-chevrolet-corvette
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 143
Likes: 131
From: Mid TN
Wrong rear bumper cover. No spare tire carrier. AC removed? All ignition shielding missing. 80-82 rims. Price seems a little high to me. I have a 79 I am getting ready to sell. I just redid all the bushings in the rear suspension. New set of Cooper tires and all new shocks. Everything works but the ac. 63k original miles. 3rd owner with all original paper work. Hasn't been in the rain in over 32 years. Hoping to get 16k
Last edited by thomas68; Aug 17, 2024 at 02:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 964
From: Wauconda IL
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
What color is it? Got a pic?
Wrong rear bumper cover. No spare tire carrier. AC removed? All ignition shielding missing. 80-82 rims. Price seems a little high to me. I have a 79 I am getting ready to sell. I just redid all the bushings in the rear suspension. New set of Cooper tires and all new shocks. Everything works but the ac. 63k original miles. 3rd owner with all original paper work. Hasn't been in the rain in over 32 years. Hoping to get 16k
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 143
Likes: 131
From: Mid TN
Dark Blue, Oyster interior. 63k miles. 3rd owner. New tires less than 100 miles. New OEM style bushings throughout the rear end. New shocks. Paint is excellent. Runs and drives great. Hasn't been rained on since I have owned bought it in 1992. Have all the documents from the original first and second owners. Everything except the window sticker. Only selling because I bought a 68.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
Looks good at first look. Have to see in person. IDK about the price...seems a little high, but that's the starting point. What kind of numbers have you discussed with the seller? You should take someone there with you who knows what they're doing, to look at it.
Note: It was a real common 'mod' to replace the rear end with the newer 80+ style spoiler. If you like that (I personally do), I wouldn't let that be an issue. In fact you'll find a lot of 70's Corvettes with the same rear end.
What else is 'good' about it?
Note: It was a real common 'mod' to replace the rear end with the newer 80+ style spoiler. If you like that (I personally do), I wouldn't let that be an issue. In fact you'll find a lot of 70's Corvettes with the same rear end.
What else is 'good' about it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 1,893
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Way too high for the most produced, low horsepower Vettes. That's more of a $12 - $15 area range car. Of course only my opinion. You would be much better off finding a car here on the forum or from a private seller.
Stay away / avoid "USED CAR DEALERS" Like COVID19 ............. There was just a really nice 73 vette 4spd on here with the same miles, much cleaner, much nicer, more original, with lots of docs, recent paint & was asking the same money & was a great buy ! * Don't rush into anything * Winter is coming & as the the temps drop so do the prices !!! ..........................TAKE YOUR TIME !
Stay away / avoid "USED CAR DEALERS" Like COVID19 ............. There was just a really nice 73 vette 4spd on here with the same miles, much cleaner, much nicer, more original, with lots of docs, recent paint & was asking the same money & was a great buy ! * Don't rush into anything * Winter is coming & as the the temps drop so do the prices !!! ..........................TAKE YOUR TIME !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 1,893
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The blue one above looks like a much nicer car for a lot less money & i'm sure he is flexible. I would trust him before any "USED CAR LOT" !!!
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
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See post #133
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
Here are the two red flags to look for. If either is true, the car is overpriced. If both are true, well, you know the rest.
1. Automatic transmission (likely why the car is for sale in the first place)
2. Being sold by a dealer
1. Automatic transmission (likely why the car is for sale in the first place)
2. Being sold by a dealer
Racer
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 276
Likes: 170
From: Pikes Peak region Colorado
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The overall does not look to bad but what sticks out is the price and look close at the engine engines photos. There is blue overspray on the fan belt, brake booster line rear of carburetor and the oil pan drain plug has been painted over. This looks to be a rattle can overhaul. Not feeling it personally. The Blue car looks to present itself quite well by comparison with just one photo.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
As discussed last week, not everybody wants a stick.
Could be from age of owner, medical condition, handicapped, etc.
The vehicle year in question above has data showing:
4,062 manuals sold.
41,454 autos sold.
I guess the automatics are highly sought after.
Could be from age of owner, medical condition, handicapped, etc.
The vehicle year in question above has data showing:
4,062 manuals sold.
41,454 autos sold.
I guess the automatics are highly sought after.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
BTW, 1979 was the most popular year for Corvettes, ever, with 53,807 made. So there are more automatic 79s than almost any other year (84 beat it, and some years of C8s). But the manual transmission was standard in 1979. 12,353 came that way. 4,062 (about a third) came with the M21 optional close-ratio manual transmission.
Before she knew better, my wife bought a 79 auto. It has turned out to be a very costly mistake to correct.