Tell me all you know about Corvettes in 1978

[Raza]

I saw a C3 Vette split roof parked in a lot with a for sale sign and I had to stop by and take a look at it.  Miraculously, it's a stickshift!  A 4 speed, but hell, it's a stick!

The guy there doesn't know much about it, other than the fact that it's a 78 and the mileage.  He doesn't know about the engine or anything like that, but he gave me the number of the owner.  It looks to be in pretty good shape, other than a few pain chips here and there (it might need a paint job soon).  He's asking 14 grand.

What questions do I need to ask?  What can go wrong?  What engines were offered in this car?

[TBR]

It likely has a 350 and probably is very low on power due to emission equipment. Don't waste your money or time.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Exactly, they are slow and probobly don't handle all that great.

A 4 year old civic offers more performance than that thing.

[BMWDave]

Yup...Corvettes were absolutely raped by emissions rules, etc.  The engine in that car is making about 190 hp, I believe.

[R33 GT-R]

As the above have stated, it's a pig Raza.

[BMWDave]

But there is no denying the looks...that Corvette is the best bodstyle, IMO.

[TBR]

I didn't figure it was even making that.

[TBR]

But there is no denying the looks...that Corvette is the best bodstyle, IMO.

I prefer the C4 and C2, myself.

[BMWDave]

I didn't figure it was even making that.

But the car is heavy, and its not an efficient engine.

and manuals are rare.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

it probobly doesn't even make 190hp,

THe mid 80's vettes(still suffering from emissions), only made 5 more hp than a comparable(turbo Z) of the time.

[Secret Chimp]

I like that body style, but aside from the rare variants that actually had powerful engines, I wouldn't leave one of those things stock. 3-4k for a crate 350 and there you go.

[Raza]

Okay, guys.  Thanks for the warning.  I'll pass.

[R33 GT-R]

Now if you want to pull the engine and build up a shortblock you can make it dance.

[TBR]

If you're willing to put 6-7k into it you can make it a fast car, but it really isn't worth it imho.

[R33 GT-R]

If you're willing to put 6-7k into it you can make it a fast car, but it really isn't worth it imho.

Yep, unless he just wanted straight line acceleration.  Could you imagine trying to setup that suspension.  Arrrrgh.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Sure you can make it fast for very little, but it will still handle like sh*t, just like 95% of the cars of that era.

[Raza]

I wasn't willing to put more money into it--14K was more than I was willing to spend as is.  I can get a newer 911 for that price.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

14K???

I wouldn't bother with it, you can get such a better car for half of that price.

[Raza]

14K???

I wouldn't bother with it, you can get such a better car for half of that price.

I thought he was asking alot.  But I bet he's betting that the stick will get him the extra bank.

[R33 GT-R]

14K???

I wouldn't bother with it, you can get such a better car for half of that price.

I thought he was asking alot.  But I bet he's betting that the stick will get him the extra bank.

There is an ass for every seat as the car business goes.  

[Raza]

14K???

I wouldn't bother with it, you can get such a better car for half of that price.

I thought he was asking alot.  But I bet he's betting that the stick will get him the extra bank.

There is an ass for every seat as the car business goes.

He's moving out of state--my guess is he won't end up selling it for a penny over 10.