1979 Chevrolet Corvette

Coupe

L-82

Automatic

1Z8749S402499

Clear

Gasoline

This has been an enjoyable car for the last few years. While not the most sought after of Corvettes this car has been enjoyed by me and the rest of my family. Overall, a decent looking car that starts easily and runs and drives well. Blue?, yes blue. I don't know how the pics will look yet but this is the original Corvette Blue paint that is sometimes so light that it looks white to folks depending on lighting, etc. A dubious past; I've pieced together that once upon a time it was wrecked, driving over something damaging the passenger side lower control arm. The car sat in storage inside for a long time. It ended up part of an estate sale where the previous owner bought it. He had the damage repaired, a very nice job. He enjoyed the car a bit but it beat him up pretty good with multiple repairs that he couldn't do himself nor afford to pay for. He bailed out of it and I bought the car a few years ago. Well, like all good Corvettes, it didn't disappoint! It broke faster than it could be fixed!! The previous owner did a water pump and a caliper or two as well as some brake lines. I've replaced the fuel pump, fan clutch, radiator, a couple calipers, brake pads, power window motor, regulator and switch, FIVE new tires and yes the spare is mounted on a matching aluminum rim!........Yes!, they fit...with a little fussing. There have been a few liberties taken with this car. The heater selector arm for temp control was gone, the heater control valve was bad and the blend door vacuum diaphragm was bad so.... I removed the return spring from the blend door and set it to blow half up and half down and a heater control valve with a lever was installed. When the weather cools and you want heat, just flip the lever. There are a lot of things that have been removed from the car both during work from by the previous owner and by me. About 90% of the parts are in boxes. The AC condenser is gone and some lines, that is all I'm aware of but don't be surprised if a few more tidbits are gone. The AC compressor, air pump, and air cleaner and related items are in the boxes. The speedometer and odometer do not work. I'm sorry, I've not checked into them at all and have no idea why. The true mileage is anyone's guess....A ton of miles, I don't believe so....but I just don't know. Note......NO POWER STEERING. The power steering was leaking from the pump, cylinder and the valve. Every part of it was a goner. I'm a minimalist at heart so I decided to get rid of it. Corvettes have two holes on the steering knuckles. Which hole you put the outer tie rods in decides the ratio of the steering, tailoring it for manual or power. The problem with late 70s and early 80s Corvettes is that the knuckles stopped having provisions for manual steering, no second set of holes. They stopped offering manual steering in 74....75...76...I can't recall. Well. I put on older knuckles as well as a center link and pitman arm for older manual steering cars. It is nice!!, steers easy when moving along. NOW.....when you are standing still it takes an effort to turn the chubby tires. I like it, have no issue, my teenage son used it all summer with no problem and I have other manual steering cars so for me it works great. Folks have gotten used to power steering so give it some thought before bidding. The L-82 motor is the best part. A little history lesson, this is a great motor with a LOT going on inside. It was an expensive option because it got you; A 350 V-8 of course PLUS; 4 bolt mains, forged crankshaft, forged flat top pistons, aggressive cam, 2.02/1.60 valves, guide plates, aluminum intake, big Quadrajet, recurved distributor, aluminum valve covers.......it is a BIG DEAL! Unfortunately, emission requirements forced the Chevy folks to top it off with restrictive heads with big combustion chambers.......there went your compression and easy breathing. The car has a lot of power now and is a lot of fun to drive. Of course different heads would really get you moving! Runs good. There is a lazy lifter that ticks away........like 2/3 of the small block chevy motors I've owned! It leaks and oozes oil, enough to make a mess of the floor but not so much that you are required to add oil to any extent. The mufflers had fallen off before I bought. My buddy, a mechanic slapped some tail pipes on it that he made up. It seems silly but with only the converter to quiet it, it sounds great! ................This ad and Corvette is starting to sound rough.................but it is not! It is a very fun car to drive. The underside, frame, floor, etc. is in great shape, it is a very solid car. It looks good. It is the kind of car you can take anywhere, enjoy, not worry about it, etc. There is nothing really pressing that it needs at the moment. I guessed on the alignment after doing the steering and it could be a bit better. I was putting an alignment off until I replaced the lower ball joints......I just haven't done them yet, they are not terrible. Take the T-Tops off and go cruising!