1978 Buying Advice

I'd hate to say "go for it!" and then have you wind up unhappy.

I paid $6500.00 for mine with a back yard paint job. It immediately needed brakes (EVERYTHING!!!) and a new wiper motor followed by seal kits for the headlight vacuum chambers. It blew out an exhaust manifold as soon as I got the engine timing set right. It needed a ton of electrical work and the AC still isn't right. Since then I have had it professionally painted. Optionally I upgraded the seats to '79-82, swapped the good, but non-matching engine and trans for a ZZ-4 355 HP and trans for a 700R4 overdrive which went south after 5,000 miles. I have done a bunch more and it is still a project, probably always will be.......

It's a 30 year old car that is relatively simple to work on and it's always going to need something. Accept all that and buy the thing. I doubt you'll regret it.

You are going to have to learn to do your own work on it and C3VR is the best how-to place to go to learn how. That's part of the C3 experience.

One tip....unless you're going to build it for the strip or track, keep the Q-Jet carb even if you have to spend big bucks to have it professionally rebuilt. It's the very best street carb you can have.

There's a 2 cents from 7 years of experience....

DaveAutom8r2008-05-25 07:04:22

Man Autom8 did you say these are simple to work on? There is nothing on these cars that is simple. Howe's simple is it to replace the power Brock booster? What about just changing the sparks plug? Hey this is simple just replacing the oil pan gasket. Wait just finding a leak in the vacuum system is easy NOT. Just to jack the thing up has to be done right. Yes you can get it done but simple no.

Note the word "relatively", then go work on a 1967 T-Bird... or try to change the plugs in a Fiero V-6... or anything built after 1995.... Replacing the brake booster is easy.... Take the driver's seat out then find a skinny young guy to get at those top bolts.... simple!!!! (relatively)

Dave

Thanks Autom8r, that's some good advice. I am still in a holding pattern and am yet to see it. Hoping that the guy can make himself available this week, he isn't in a rush to sell it, and i shouldnt be in a rush to buy it. I have waited 20 years or so for my first vette, a few days/weeks hell even months shouldnt make a difference. I am feeling awfully anxious though. If it takes to long, I just might fly out to Illinois for Mecums Corvette special Bloomington Gold in July http://www.mecumauction.com/auctions/auction_detail.cfm?AUCTION_ID=BG0608

Anybody ever been out to this event? Looks pretty cool with lots of after market parts and seminars and such. Would be a nice first drive back home to CA if I were to find something out there.

Mission accomplished! And here she is... 78 Vette!
Took a while, but all good things are worth waiting for. Picked her up late last night and had a great long drive home. Got a reply on my first Wave. woo-hoo!! With the two keys in hand I got me "Two tickets to paradise!!"Thanks to everybody who posted on this thread. Your advice really helped me make an educated decision. I appreciate all of the support, advice, and guidance.   See you on the road.-KJ



(inserted link)Adams' Apple2008-06-10 19:12:46

[QUOTE=madmick11]Mission accomplished! And here she is...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27534092@N07/sets/72157605541894216/

Took a while, but all good things are worth waiting for. Picked her up late last night and had a great long drive home. Got a reply on my first Wave. woo-hoo!!  With the two keys in hand I got me "Two tickets to paradise!!"

Thanks to everybody who posted on this thread. Your advice really helped me make an educated decision. I appreciate all of the support, advice, and guidance. 

See you on the road.

-KJ
[/QUOTE]

Proud Papa indeed!!
Glad ya found one...enjoy!!