Reader-Owned 1979 Corvettes

Ok, well...I did a lot of searching for another vette while I couldn't work and was recuperating after a head-on collision I had in my code #56 Bright Yellow '77 Vette. That was my 1st Corvette which I only had for a year and a half before it was totalled. I could have been more realistic and bought a car maybe more practical, but having a Corvette that short of time wasn't enough. Turns out, after searching everywhere for, online and in person, I was in the local pharmacy getting my meds I needed after the car wreck and the cute pharmacist girl that knew I was looking said her dad had lots of classic cars and wanted to let one of his corvettes go. He lived less than two miles from me and in the same town. I bought the '79 L82 Corvette for $9000.00. As you know Binnie, I have probably put about that much into it. Most notable of the add-ons are the complete VB&P composite suspension, the Bowtie Overdrives TH200-R4 Level 2 auto tranny, an Edelbrock Performer Air-Gap manifold and Edelbrock Performer carb, Dynomax ceramic headers/dual exhaust, and red/black leather interior. Although it is a bit tight at 6'3" tall, it is still fun to drive when I can and when the weather cooperates!

This is my 1979 L-82. I really don't know much about the history of this vehicle. I bought the car back in December '08 on a whim, and at times I wish I hadn't, but things are turning out pretty good. I'm pretty sure the original color was white and I know the original interior color was fawn skin, but now it's all black and black. The vehicle was painted with black lacquer with cracks and flaws all over. The interior was also painted black over the fawn skin with black upholstery and carpet. The engine was a 2-bolt main 350 with aluminum performance heads and the TH-350 auto transmission. I pulled all that out and put in a 383 stroker, coupled to a Borg-Warner Super T-10 4-speed manual transmission out of a '75 Vette. The transmission came as a kit with all hardware except for the block stud and frame bracket which I had to order extra. There was absolutely no smog equipment on this vehicle when I bought it and the power plant looks the same except now it's all black and clean. The side pipes are Hooker and they sound really fantastic when you get your foot on it. It had 3-bladed aluminum saw blade mags when I bought it but I never really liked the way they looked as it took away from the classic Vette appearance. Last Thursday I put on some 16 X 8 American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels with 255 X 50 X 16 BF Goodrich tires and that really made the difference for me. I'm in love with this car all over again and my wife even agrees with the way the wheels make the car look. There is absolutely no way I'd be able to restore the vehicle to original because the cost would be overwhelming. It will just be my hot rod and of course, one of my many toys in my stable. This is not my first Vette; my first one was an 84 with Crossfire Injection but I traded that for a 1978 H-D Iron head Sportster which I sold after I bought my 49 H-D WL solo bobber project. Like I said, toys in the stable!

Here's my 79 L82. I am just installing new suspension/brakes complete. I went with Corvette Brakes O ring callipers, sport rotors, stainless lines, poly bushing kit, front and rear bars, composite rear spring, new coils, tie rods, ball joints etc, and Bilstein shocks.

I also did some engine upgrades including Edelbrock airgap with Holley 750. I had to use a 70 LT1 air filter base to clear the stock hood but ended up with just enough clearance. A set of Hooker coated pro comps to flowmasters completed this winter's work.

I got this car about 6 months ago for therapy. I have Parkinson and was told to do something to keep my muscles working. The car was wrecked then parked. I replaced all light sockets, center gauge board, door latch, u joints, wheel bearings, brakes and lighting wiring. The car is a 1979 L82 with a 350 engine from a 71 Corvette 270hp, with Edelbrock intake, carb and headers. I do all the work on the car myself including paint and bodywork. The paint is gloss black base coat, one thin coat of white pearl and top coated with candy apple red with clear coat.

Binnie writes:

Thanks very much Gary for sharing your story. We all wish you the best of health in the future as you enjoy your beautiful ride.

1979, L48 with 4 speed, just stumbled across this C3. I'm not telling you what I got it for because it was a steal.

Binnie writes:

A nice example of an unmolested '79.

It was one of the greatest days of my life - I bought the C3 which I had my eye on for a week. I wanted to buy it preferably from Estonia so that I can see the car myself. Amongst the very few possibilities, I believe that I found the right one. All in all it is in very good shape. The paint is perfect from two steps away but minor problems can be noticed in a few places on closer look. The seats look like new. I plan to replace the carpet. Gadgets like the headlight vacuum, all lights (except license plate and dashboard), wipers, blower, electric windows, central locking all work fine. I'm not too sure about the washer fluid pump, the tank is empty right now but when I press on the washer button, there is no sound coming from the pump.

The previous owner was a nice guy, took care of it as much as possible and replaced several things. Some new items include: radiator, cooling system hoses, driver window motor, all new suspension (KONI), new seals on the T-tops. He also gave me some items he bought but hasn't installed yet including: all door seals, the door hinge pins and there may be more as I haven't looked through the bag yet.

Here are some shots of my 1979 L82 custom Vette. I purchased the car as a basket case 20 years ago. My intention was to put it together and flip it. After taking it apart, life got in the way and the car sat for 12 years. When I got back at it, I decided to make it a mild custom and put plenty of miles on it. The front is a fiberglass 1980 style moulded in bumper and Monza style headlights. The rear is a 68-73 backlight panel with painted steel bumpers. The paint is Corvette Mille Miglia red with 12 colors in the graphics. All body and paint work was done by myself.

Binnie writes:

Very nice indeed...I like it!

My first Corvette. It only took me 30 years after wanting the one at Quirk Chevy when I bought my '79 Camaro. At 19 I just couldn't afford the Corvette then. I finally got my '79 Vette. I purchased the car in April 2008 from what I believe was the forth owner. It was sold through RC Chevrolet in Hillside, NJ. It is a 1979 L82 with matching numbers and just over 65,000 miles on it. It is now a daily driver, weather permitting. It spent the first two months of my ownership at John's Corvette in Laconia, NH just making it road worthy. I rescued it from three years of hibernation and everything was leaking, rubber was rotted, timing was way off, and the list goes on. It is still the original Light Beige exterior and Oyster interior. Emissions stuff has been stripped off by a previous owner. Exhaust is 1974 dual. Options on the car include AC, PB, PS, Tilt & Telescope Wheel, Leather Seats, Gymkhana Suspension, Sport Mirrors, Rear Defrost, 3 speed AT, L82, and Cruise. Never tried the AC or Cruise control but everything else works.

Here is a picture of my '79. I live in Minnesota. The car has 45,000 original miles and is a L82 with a 4 speed. I've taken out the stock motor (nothing wrong with it, just wanted more power). I have built a new 400 short block to 406 and am dynoed at 422 HP. I'm just having fun. Keep driving safe.
Check out Tom's other toy below :-)