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Just wanted to introduce myself as a new Corvette owner. I've loved the C2 and C3 Corvettes since I was a kid and I've wanted one for ever. While there are quite a few downsides to getting "old"er (I'm 42), one of the perks is some disposable income for toys. I accidentally stumbled across a 1978 one morning last week at a car place here in Arizona, and I was signing paperwork within a few hours. I paid $15k out the door for it, and I honestly have no idea if that's a steal or not... it certainly feels like it to me! I guess you can't put a price on happiness though haha.
She'd been sitting for a while, and is slowly coming back to life. Even though the dealer I purchased from had replaced some of the hoses, my first "long" trip out, I made it about 10 miles down the freeway before blowing the upper rad hose. I quickly made it to the next exit and found a great QuickTrip parking lot for some triage, before hopping on my phone and calling a friend. I ordered parts and had him pick them up for me. There's something to be said for vehicles that can be broken down on the side of the road, to a complete fix and rolling again in 2 hours (mostly waiting) with nothing more than a screwdriver (which, I already had on me). Can't do that with hardly anything else modern I own!
I've been doing a bit of research and I know from the trim tag it was originally silver, with dark blue interior. It's pretty much the same today, but someone added the SAE charcoal paint after the fact. There's also some dark blue pinstriping that kind of reminds me of the '82 CE (with some extra flare and liberties taken around the back by the fuel cap, and "ghost" lines on the hood which were removed at some point).
Other than some stained carpet, which looks like remnants of oil/sludge that someone attempted to clean, and a well used drivers seat (leather is just used/loose, and there are some small spots where the color has disappeared), I think the car is in pretty good condition. I've had some struggles with one of the headlights not wanting to come up by itself all the time, I don't seem to have brights, and there doesn't seem to be heat (but the AC works great!).
I don't know what engine is in it yet (haven't really started looking into that) but it has the automatic transmission.
I haven't quite figured out what to do with the car. My first goal was to see how unique the car is, and go from there. I'm enough of a purist to know that I don't want to screw up something special...but I'm wild enough to want to mod the hell out of everything I own haha. As best I can tell, this was just a pretty base model silver/dark blue and there's nothing really special or unique about it. For now, I'm just hoping to clean her all up, fix some nicks and chips in the paint, and fix up some of the stuff that's excessively worn (carpet, sun visors, seats, maybe some of the gauges) and figure out the headlights.
I'm really looking forward to sharing more, and gathering even more knowledge from everyone here! I have a LOT to learn. I appreciate the opportunity, and thanks for having me!!
Welcome to the club. That is a typical SIlver Anniversary paint scheme. Silver on top with charcoal below the belt line. My 78 looked just like that. Before I started changing things. Some here will comment about what you paid for the car. That is irrelevant unless you are buying a car to flip and make money. Most of us spend way more on these cars than they are worth. Either upfront or down the line as we get them back in shape. Unless there is something I can't see, it is not a rare car. Actually that is what I liked about mine when I got it. And I am MODDING THE HELL OUT OF IT. You got something you wanted and that is what is important, especially as we all get older ( I am 74). I would suggest getting it safe to drive, like brakes, tires ( look at the date codes not the tread) belts and hoses ( as you now know). Don't believe anything the dealer told you. Drive the car for a bit and get a feel for it. Then you can decide what you want the car to be and how you want to change it. But first you need to connect with the car itself. You might realize after you drive it some that it isn't a SPORTY as you imagined, especially compared to newer cars. I don't think hat will be the case but it has happened.And keep the screwdriver, the duct tape and an adjustable wrench nearby. BTW, some of the bolts in that car are SAE and some are metric. That was the first thing I learned 12 years ago. Remember, this is suppposed to be fun, so smile, and wave at any vette that goes by, no matter what generation it is.
Welcome to the forum!
I remember what that day feels like when you drive away in your new to you Corvette.....smiles all around!
Enjoy driving it around for a while, and keep a pen and paper handy to jot down things that need attention....anything that old needs some.
Safety stuff is priority, so make sure all belts and warning lights work, as well as brakes....make sure they all work, there's loads of threads about brakes here on the forum.
Enjoy the car as best you can, and steadily work to improve it.
Welcome to the Forum...Sharp looking Vette.
Let's not discuss what you paid for the car.
If YOU are happy, we are happy for you.
Shine her up...replace tires if they are old (blow-outs happen)....
make sure brakes are reliable...
service the transmission and differential fluids and oils......
Welcome, and man do I miss Arizona. Had to move back to PA for family issues, snowing here today not to bad but I will miss the weather for sure.
Congrats and lookup ACE (Arizona corvette enthusiasts) great club and great people.
Thank you @kanvasman ! I agree some may think it was too much, and some may think too little. A good friend of mine in his mid 80's was surprised I paid less than $30k for it, but I suppose it's all relative and as you pointed out, almost no one here (or anyone who loves cars) gets into them for the money. I know I could easily drop another $5k in a shopping cart tonight and not look back... it's definitely a hobby that you have to really love to keep up with.
I'm glad to hear that modding isn't frowned upon (at least by some hahaha)... I definitely dont want to do anything too crazy to it that kills the spirit of a 78, but I also feel like some changes and updates will help me leave my mark on it.
I agree that having a "common" car can make it a little more fun. I've seen some of the low miles cars on Youtube, and I think I'd want to put it in neutral and push it everywhere I'm pretty happy to have something I can drive and love and have fun in.
I had NO idea there would be anything metric on the car! THANK YOU! haha. That will save me some frustration for sure.
The tires are in such great shape, I didnt think to check the date codes (that's actually a common and great tip here in AZ that we all should be doing)... Probably should have done that before I got her "up to speed" over the weekend haha.
Welcome, and man do I miss Arizona. Had to move back to PA for family issues, snowing here today not to bad but I will miss the weather for sure.
Congrats and lookup ACE (Arizona corvette enthusiasts) great club and great people.
Thanks! I will check ACE out for sure.
I know what you mean; my family back east are suffering this week haha. I'm over here running around in all this sunshine. Granted, in 4-5 months, I'll be crying and wishing I was over there!
Welcome to the forum!
I remember what that day feels like when you drive away in your new to you Corvette.....smiles all around!
Enjoy driving it around for a while, and keep a pen and paper handy to jot down things that need attention....anything that old needs some.
Safety stuff is priority, so make sure all belts and warning lights work, as well as brakes....make sure they all work, there's loads of threads about brakes here on the forum.
Enjoy the car as best you can, and steadily work to improve it.
Cheers
Thanks! I gotta say... it's the first car I've owned where I catch myself walking away from it, stopping, and turning around to stare for a bit. It's definitely bringing smiles to my face.
I do need to check out the brakes. I'm not having any issues with them, but they squeak a lot more than I think they should. Could just be the pads someone put on it or something, but it's definitely high on my list.... speaking of, the pen and paper is a great idea. I'm starting to lose track of things sometimes haha, so putting it down on paper and not just in my head is a great idea.
New from Arizona
I accidentally stumbled across a 1978 one morning last week at a car place here in Arizona, and I was signing paperwork within a few hours. I paid $15k out the door for it, and I honestly have no idea if that's a steal or not... it certainly feels like it to me! I guess you can't put a price on happiness though haha. 
I'm pretty happy to have something I can drive and love and have fun in. 
