4-speed question?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...this past year I "converted" my Silver '75 L-82 coupe to a four speed car. It's the one I use and drive the most and since 1990 I have put over 40Kmi on it being an automatic....enough's enough. Went to a wide ratio Borg Warner Super T10 and with the 3.36 rear gears, it's GREAT. 
ps...I'll keep my '74 an automatic for when I don't feel like shifting...
ps...I'll keep my '74 an automatic for when I don't feel like shifting...
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
I would think 10K is a very good price for a 78 with 55K miles. You're not going to lose on the deal and prices have been climbing for the later 70's vette's. You're not going to make a fortune as they are not appreciating like the steel bumper vettes. I have a 78 4 speed and wouldn't think of selling it for 10K. They only made 3,385 4 speeds that year out
of 46,776 cars, so it is scarce.
of 46,776 cars, so it is scarce.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: Deerfield Beach FL
4 speed question
I also agree that 4 speed cars in the later years are rare. I have owned a '78 L-82 4-speed car for the better part of 16 years and have loved every minute of it. Here is the actual breakdown for the 1978 Corvettes....38,614 Automatics, 3,385 4 sp (M21 close ratio) 4,777 4sp (M20 wide ratio) which nets total production at 46,776 cars.......Very hard to determine the exact # of L-82 4sp cars, the only thing I have heard is that only about 200 were Pace Cars........Drew
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by 92BlackRoseconv
I use to have a 78 silver anniv L82 automatic and I enjoyed it but I sold to get a 6spd vert C4 then I bought a 98 vert automatic(so my wife could drive it) and I currently know of a guy with a silver 78 with a 4-spd not a silver anniv just silver w/red int. with 55k miles and he has owned it since 81 and the paint is near perfect. It has always been in gararge and he is the second owner. I drive my C5 as a daily car I thought this 78 would be fun to drive on the weekends. He wants $10k would this be a good investment?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
Here are the value's for a 78 Corvette right out of the Gold Book. This is the book most insurance companies use for rate quotes. Fair Condition $5000. Good Condition $9500. Excellent Condition $15,000 and Show Condition $19,000. http://www.manheimgold.com/car_lo.html000. .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by Drew
I have the Build Sheet for my '78 L-82 4sp......How can I help?
I sent you an email but I'm looking for the broadcast code on the build sheet referenced next to the four speed description. It's probably M21 on your L82...the L48s are the mystery.
They were equipped with the econo model four speed while the L82s got the BW.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
According to the Corvette Black Book which is a very reliable piece of information there were only two RPO#'s for the transmissions. M21 - 4 speed close ratio and MX1- Turbo Hydramatic Automatic Transmission. In 79 the 4 speed RPO changed to MM4. I used this book to decode my 78.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 280
From: Egg Harbor Township NJ
2015 C2 of Year
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10, '14-'15
Originally Posted by Robert Hall - Keisler Sales
... as far as making one sell better and be even more fun to drive, why not a five speed?
Robert at Keisler Engineering
423-773-9789
Robert at Keisler Engineering
423-773-9789
Heh...Yep... I'll second that... Got me one in my 65 BB502....Best thing you can do to your vette...!!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: Deerfield Beach FL
4 speed question
Hello digrelli........I have to respond to your last post concerning the two tranny's in '78 corvettes. I know what the Black Book says but if there were 38,614 MX1 automatics and 3,385 M21 4 speeds that is only 41,999 cars. There were 46,776 corvettes built in '78, What did the other 4,777 cars have? I can assure you my original Build sheet states RPO M20 4-speed for my car. I don't know why the Black Book left out the M20 cars but they do exist......Thanks for the read, Drew
