1978 C3 Corvette L82 4 Speed T-Top Great Running Car, College Tuition Sale

1978 Chevrolet Corvette Description

This is a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette 25th Anniversary with L82 Engine and 4 Speed Manual Transmission. It is like a time capsule from 1978. Everything is stock except for some components I replaced to make it road worthy. I bought this car from a guy that owned a pool company and was owed a bunch of money from a customer. He took it in trade for the debt and literally never drove it. He would start it once in awhile. I had been going to his place for years and the Vette had been sitting inside his climate controlled shop with his other cars and his personal helicopter. At this point the Vette had sat for at least eight years and the battery was long dead so I did not see it ever run. I bought it from him and put gas in it and a battery and drove it up on the car hauler. I was surprised as I figured the fuel pump would go out immediately. It did, as soon as I backed it off the trailer and tried to pull it in my shop. New fuel pump and it fired right back up and stayed running. So I immediately put a new master brake cylinder on it since the brakes were soft. All new power steering system since it was leaking something terrible. I noticed it also had a new radiator replacement. The fuel gauge sending unit was replaced and the fuel gauge now works. The old tires had major flat spots since they had sat so long. I put on all new Cooper Cobra Radial tires on the original factory stock rims. I also put in a new center console with A/C Heater control switch. The car runs great and has a current Calif. Smog Certificate (not my choice for sure). In order to get it to meet smog, the fuel tank was dropped to replace old vent lines. Also other vacuum lines were replaced and new PCV installed. Since it was able to pass smog is a good indication the engine is still strong and not wore out. It drives straight and true and the previous owner had the car professionally aligned by a GM specialty company that know these cars well. I don't know exactly what the gearing ratios are in the transmission and rear end, but the car does 3100 RPMs at 70 MPH. So considering this car is mostly stock and 40 years old, I would say it's in pretty good shape. It's defiantly an everyday driver. It needs a new arm rest and inside panel on the drivers side, new weather stripping kit, carpet kit, the upholstery is a little thin and the drivers seat has a small 2" tear where the corduroy is sewn to the leather trim, the right turn signal indicator dash light is burnt out, but works, the clock doesn't work, the A/C doesn't work, but it's all there and probably just needs a charge, The four speed transmission has the reverse lock-out. I put a new power window motor in the driver side and it works great now. The arm rest needs replacing or repaired, but I have not done it yet since I was going to replace the entire panel with new armrest. I have the old one. The door panel is held on by a couple of screws since I was going to replace it soon. Overall I truly feel confident in saying this is a mechanically sound car. I know things will pop up in anything that is 40 years old and not saying this car is perfect by any means. It is mostly in need of cosmetic upgrades. It could use a paint job or a really good touch up. The fiberglass is all intact and in good condition. There is a crack in the paint on the lower drivers side where it appears someone opened the door and hit a curb. My personal plans were to keep this car period correct. There is a bill in Calif. that would move the required smog year to 1994. If it passed, I was going to change the carburetor, cam and put headers on it leaving it correct for the era. There is a Blaupunkt cassette player that needs a code to unlock it which I don't have. The driver side door detent spring is missing, but I have new/used door hinges if you would want to replace them. Don't get me wrong, both door hinges are tight and close easily. There are also the mounts for louvers on the back window. Also the glass on the car is perfect. No bullseyes, cracks or damage to any of them. I am selling this car to pay college tuition for my daughter. I hate to let it go, but hey priorities. It sells with no warranty and as is where is. I will be more than glad to help load it, but shipping method is up to the new owner. Title is clear and in hand and ready to sign over.