Looking for 1979 - advice on these

[Chris Patrick]

Hi. My name is Chris and I'm new to this forum. I had a couple of Corvettes long ago and have a chance to own them again. I really want a 1979 as I wanted on when they first came out but couldn't afford it then.

I have been on here lurking since November. I see that you are not shy about your comments on the good and bad on cars on ebay so I thought this is the place to ask about some cars.

I'm looking at these three on ebay and thought I'd ask advice from those here on these cars.

Red 1979

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4620928490&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT

Blue 1979

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4620765055&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT

Maroon 1979

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4621074529&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT

Thanks in advance for your comments and recommendations.

Chris

[Mike E.]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Stay away from the maroon one--too much non-original stuff. Red one has spoilers which is good, but rally wheels which are not as desirable as the aluminum ones. Blue car is probably the nicest of the three, but do you really want that blue? Hard to resell! FWIW

[Wayne P.]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

I agree with Mike's comments. Remember these are the heaviest Corvettes ever produced and due to that the performance and fuel economy suffer greately. That also means they are fairly inexpensive to buy.

[Paul L.]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Chris,
I drove a 1979 L-82 for 17 years (see pic) so feel competent to make a few comments. I'm partial to the blue one. It is basically in original, untouched condition. The engine compartment is intact and amazingly it still has the factory pellet catalytic converter. The only part I can see that is missing is the plastic distributor ignition shield. A number of new parts including seats are included as well. The RPO N90 alloy wheels

The red one has what appears to be a 1980-82 rear bumper and although the pics are difficult to see, it may be molded onto the body. That suggests to me a possible hit.

The maroon one simply does not appeal to me for some reason. It may be the bubble lamps and the bra. I just don't get warm feelings.

They are pretty close in price so that equals out. All have the base L-48 engine if that is a consideration. As noted, they are heavy cars and with the L-48 motor, you can expect passenger car performance. But nevertheless they are Corvettes and are fun to drive.

Good luck!

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Thanks for the advice. Actually, I like that blue. It is unusual and not like a half million red ones.

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Thanks for the advice. I was looking in the Black Book and see tht the '79 weighs less than the '75 to '78. It also had the highest base horsepower from 1974 to 1982.

I'm not really looking for a hot rod. Otherwise, I would buy a later C4 or early C5. But I really liked the '78 when they were new and thought the '79 was better, with better seats, nicer badges, and so on.

[Tracy C.]

I believe the blue one belongs to a member

and frequent contributor to this board. If not, he may also have one like it still for sale.

tc

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Thanks, Paul, this is a great breakdown of the cars.

Yours looks very nice.

[Paul L.]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Chris,
When I bought my 1967 in 2003 I had thoughts of keeping both cars (see pic). But given the limited storage space at my residence, reality soon set in. I gave up the 1979 with some sadness but it is still in the area and in fine condition. I wish you well in finding a good one!

[Chris Patrick]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Very nice looking pair of Corvettes, Paul. Too bad you could keep both.

The prices on the ones I'm watching on ebay have gotten fairly high. I see some advertised for as much at $13,000 on other forums and web sites. Are these good prices on these? I see one of the three has ended early. Some others have come up but several are junk as far as I'm concerned with rusted frames or needing work.

This one is nice, but I'm not crazy about being just another red Corvette. what do all of you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/L82-Stingray-automatic-w-shift-kit-373-rearend-am-fm-cd_W0QQitemZ4622106038QQcategoryZ6168QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This white one loiked nice but it is up to $11,000 already. Are these '79s now worth that much?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-White-Auto-8-Cyl-loaded-A-C-stock-350-all-new_W0QQitemZ4620704463QQcategoryZ6168QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This black one looks good at first but the bidders seem to be staying away from it. It may have more to fix since it just came out of storage. What do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-Corvette-L82-59-000-Original-miles-or-Trade_W0QQitemZ4621197552QQcategoryZ6168QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This blue one I mentioned earlier. Someone mention this color is a bad value but my wife liked it. Still, it is up to $7000. Is this color so bad that this price is a bad deal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-Corvette-Original-Engine-Matching-Numbers-VGC_W0QQitemZ4620765055QQcategoryZ6168QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks in advance once again.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Chris,

Another thought...
79s are common enough that "almost" no matter where you are in the country, you'll be able to find some for sale once the spring weather improves. I wouldn't think of buying one on eBay that I hadn't had the chance to inspect in person prior to the sale. There are too many possible problems on these cars to believe anyone else's report. Remember - they're "just" old cars. And the difference in value between a good one and bad one is not that much, so buy on condition!

Patrick

[Paul L.]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

This thread seems to have been split up/convulated in some way. I will get back to you tomorrow.

[Paul L.]

Re: Looking for 1979 - advice on these

Someone got the light blue one for $7,000.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...8&forum_id=119