79MakoL82

What is probably the most widely known fact about the 1979 Corvette is that they made 53,807 of these, a record year for Corvette production that still stands today. Yes, there were a lot of Corvettes made in 1979, but how many of these record-setting year cars are still around? Unfortunately, that is impossible to know, but let’s consider a few facts:

Fact one: While many Corvette enthusiasts seek out their favorite chrome bumpered C3 Corvette to become pampered garage queens (1968 to 1972 and the back half of the 1973), they consider the later models with rubber bumpers less “desirable”. So while the chrome bumper years are sought after to be lovingly restored and pampered, the later C3 years (1974 through 1982) are often considered “throw aways” or “daily drivers”. If you think this one through, eventually enough of them will be junked or parted out that they become more rare than anyone realizes. The fact that 1979 was a record setting production year only exacerbates the perception that there are plenty of these cars to go around, but we have no way of knowing how many are actually left.

Fact two: What is one of the most desirable C3 Corvette’s out there? Many would say the 1969 with a 427 Big Block and a four-speed manual. Now, lets compare production numbers of the 1969 versus the 1979 model years. There was no big block available in 1979, and most people would consider the 427 big block a performance option, so I will compare numbers to the L82 high-performance engine option in 1979

Total cars built 1969 = 38,762 1979 = 53,807
Total Big Block/Hi-Po engines 1969 = 15,325* 1979 = 14,516
4-speed manuals 1969 = 30,248 1979 = 12,353

* This number does not include 12,846 High Performance L46’s that were installed (a small block L82 equivalent).

Now, even by original production numbers, which is more rare? A 1969 big block 427 with a 4-speed manual or a 1979 L82 with a 4-speed manual? You be the judge. Also, remember that not all high performance engines came with 4-speed manuals and not all 4-speed manuals came with Hi-Po engines. So in the case of a 1979, the actual production numbers of this combination is somewhere below the 12,353 vehicles. For a 1969…somewhere below 15,325 if you don’t include the L46 hi-po option.

Fact three: Take a look around when you go to a Corvette car show. Count the numbers of later C3’s (rubber bumper) versus the earlier C3’s (chrome bumpers). Count how many 1979’s versus other years. You will probably notice that by comparison there aren’t as many you would expect. Why? Some reason’s could be: 1) There aren’t as many around as people might think, 2) They are not in the hands of enthusiasts and are therefore probably not being cared for, or 3) They are being used as daily drivers and are in no condition to be shown.

Any way you look at it, they aren’t as common as some people think, and with the lack of respect they receive, there will be fewer as time goes on. If you have a 1979, be proud of it. You are one of the few people to have the gift of foresight. If you don’t own one now, take advantage of a market that is blinded by chrome and is willing to let these go cheap. Take care of it and eventually they will be kicking themselves for letting the car go.

There is a finite number of 1979 Corvettes in the world, and that number will only go down. Remember, many animals that are extinct today were hunted by men who believed there was an unlimited supply.

OK...flame away



[Modified by 79MakoL82, 7:57 PM 8/12/2003]

Dwayne 76

(No flame suit here) That was a well thoughtout post. I agree with you, but I don't see the rubber bumpers gaining much value though. Most of the people that are into older cars stay away from 70's Vette's due to quality issues, and poor performance. Otherwise, your bang on.

sb69coupe

No flames from me, just an observation. Rarity != Desirability. Just because the number of '79 L-82's is lower than the number of big block '69's does not make the '79 L-82 more desirable. 225 hp through a single cat converter, no true duals, and low performance is the reason.

Same thing goes for '65 disc brake delete cars. Rare beasts indeed, only 316 out of the total of 23562 '65's had drum brakes. Do they bring a premium? Nope. Same goes for the 3-speed base manual tranny in '69. Only about 262 '69's had the 3 speed manual, but they are not sought after. Rare, yes. Desirable, no.

Don't get me wrong, an L-82 is worth a premium over an L-48 in equivalent condition. And I do believe that the rubber bumper cars will rise in value over time. A few years back the chrome bumper sharks were real cheap too. I just don't think that there's going to be any given '79 that will be much more valuable than any other since so many were produced with so few desirable, rare options to set them apart.

Shannon

79MakoL82

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that a 1979 L82 4-speed should fetch the same price as a 1969 BB 427 4 speed. This is merely an argument for respect for a car that seems to get little.

In response to the HP rating on the L82, I hear that 225 HP number thrown around a lot by guys measuring their HP by gross numbers versus net numbers. As an example, the 1971 LT1 was rated at 330 HP gross. It dropped to a more realistic 255 HP net in 1972. No real changes to the engine. Still had the dual exhaust, but the HP rating system changed. And the 2-1-2 w/Cats exhaust thing can be remedied in Florida :D (I have true duals no cats). Just saying the "low performance" argument does not necessarily hold a lot of water. Does a 427 make higher HP. Yes, by either rating method, but maybe it wasn't "all that" that it appeared to be. Maybe the 390 HP 427 was really about 300 HP net (255/330 = .77, so 390 x .77=300). Not so impressive now. That's only 75 HP more than the net rated L82 in 1979 with a 2-1-2 exhaust out of 77 additional cubic inches with true duals.

In regards to quality issues :confused: . I'm unaware of quality issues in the 1979. I do know that the body mounts were improved in 1973. I know that the rubber bumpers improved low speed accident tolerance. I know there were numerous improvements from 69 to 79. As far as I know, there were only improvements between 1969 and 1979, but I am unaware of quality issues in 1979. (OK...you may have me on the 1976 Vega steering wheel but...)

Again, this is a case for respect. Chrome bumpers are nice, and they look great, but how much of that is mystique?


[Modified by 79MakoL82, 8:47 PM 8/12/2003]

Vette-Nut

Here is the deal most of us can afford the C3 because they made sooo many, Over 500,000 were built. I laugh when I hear this is a numbers matching vette so what. I truly enjoy my 72 I drive it on most nice days and if I get caught in a rain so-what. Maintaine and enjoy

79MakoL82

That's fine. In all reality, my next purchase will be a '73. Would I buy a 68-72? No, I prefer the refinements that came with the later years and I don't want to deal with the wiper door. The headlights are enough for me. :rolleyes: :D to each their own.

Double Aught

Might as well lump in the 78's too. For some reason, those two years are overlooked even by the people who love rubber bumper cars! My poll on on which C3 you liked the best found most loving the chromies. :cry (Me too :rolleyes: ) or the 80-82. Oh well, looks like my Pace is a keeper. :D

OkeeGuy

well...being a 79 owner myself i have to jump in on this one... :)
when i bought this, my 2nd corvette (1st was a 68 vert in 1975) i had NO intention on buying a rubber bumper car at all...
what i DID know was that i wanted the very best condition vette that i could find within the $10,000-$14,000 price range...
one thing it HAD to be was a 4 speed for the fun factor... :yesnod:
and it had to be a C-3 and VERY nice...
well...i stumbled upon the car that i now own...a 79 L-82 4 speed...
3 owners...garage kept and very clean and a very nice driver...
i cant begin to tell you how much i love this car...
yea...it has its idiosyncrasies as most all vettes of any age do...
but i find it comfortable, reliable and fun as hell to drive...
now of course i have rebuilt the engine re-using only the original block and am probably putting out somewhere around 350-360 HP and it has zero smog junk on it anymore as well as 2-1/2" true duals...
and the Steeroids addition was a God send as im sure it would be on a 68-73 as well...
ok...it has no chrome bumpers...but to tell you the truth i dont really care...yes, i DO love those too, dont get me wrong...but it really dosnt make any nevermind to me that mine is "rubber bumper delete"...
just thought id add my 2 cents here...
bottom line...I LOVE MY 79 and i am SO glad that i bought it...
:yesnod: :yesnod:

feb18blacksunday

:iagree:

Tom T

I love my '79 also... Looks great & rides very well. Even with the base L-48 it has more net HP than any base Vette since 1972. So it's not as under-powered as much as people think. Plus it has 285 lbs of Torque. I also think it's one of the cleanest looking years with the fastback window and no spoliers on it. Also has a much nicer interior with the Pace Car seats from '78 and insulation much better than the early C-3's.

But believe me, I like the looks of the early C-3s and would love to own one of them also.

:cheers:

JB

Well, I never owned a '79, but I did own a '78, and frankly it's apples and oranges. The '69 is more fun to drive and gets a HELL of a lot more attention, but the '78 was more comfortable and driveable and had a HELL of a lot more cargo room. I enjoyed both a great deal. Would I go back to the '78 & give up the '69. HELL no. :D

Wiper door is no problem, BTW. Mine works fine, but it wouldn't matter if it didn't, since she never sees rain. :D

JB

Stoge

I do think soft bumpers C3's will increase in value from here on out. They will never be worth the same amount of money as a chrome bumper car. I would be willing to bet that a couple years after C6 debuts, our cars are going to start going up in value.

greatgonzoglenn

Guys/Gals, to be perfectly honest with you, each and every Vette has it's pros and cons. Is one better than another.......who cares? You have a (or more) Vette. I enjoy EVERY Vette. Do I have a favorite, sure, but will ALWAYS take a second glance at ANY Vette. :flag


[Modified by greatgonzoglenn, 11:45 PM 8/12/2003]

XLAR8R

Always liked the early C3's especially '73 but I also just like the C3 body
style (any of em) so when I ran across one I could afford a '79
fixer upper I jumped on it. It may take some time to make it nice but I finally got a C3. And I'm not dissapointed its a '79. IT'S A CORVETTE. :hurray:

groovyjay

Great post! I've always loved all vettes regardless the generation. C3 is my favourite, hands down it just has everything right on the :cool: side. When I was shopping for a Corvette, I was very open minded about it and just browsed different cars until I came across the 79 I finally bought, actually the deal was made on the spot. I test drove 68,70,77,80 and 80 before I found the 79. The more I look at it, the better it looks. I like the big rear class, it makes the body flow even better than the early sharks with vertical class. I also like the rubber bumbers, they make the car look more modern(simply just a matter of taste) To be honest my dream car is pretty darn close to what I have now, so maybe in few years time it has transformed into my dream car and THAT's what it's all about! :steering:

Disco_Mike

I love my 79 l-82 4speed.

OkeeGuy

PS....
one thing i hated about my 68 vert was lack of cargo room...
going away for a few days?
hhhmmm.where will i put anything larger than a toothbrush?
and we DO take the vette out of town on a regular basis...
also...you cant do this...

mrvette

Well, no offense to any of the later shark owners, or C4, C5 owners either for that matter, BUT the truth of the situation is I would never own one, why?? the crazy wavey way the rubber bumpers fit and not fit, and then change shape in the sunlight, you know, full of waves and outta shape... and allways look like they ready to break off....
longer snout also is most allways tweeked in front, show me a driver, and I"ll show you a tweeked bumper in front....not that I don't like the style, it's just the way it's done that ruins the effect....that and with that extra overhang, the chins allways scrape the driveways....fine for a show car, but for everyday driving???.....

there are a few things I have changed about my '72 there, as you notice, so it's differant too....

but the worst thing in all of these cars is the rust, get past that one, and you got a winner....

GENE

Let 'er eat!

The wiper door is like anything else once you have it working right and understand it you'll love it. It's actually one of the coolest things about the car - I put it right up there with the back window that comes out. :thumbs:

red topless gator

I love my 79 L82 4 speed, and dont give a rats **** if its not an attention getter. ( I hope Im more stable than that). Chrome bumpersn are ok if thats what you like, but I run into a lot of people at shows that will only consider chrome bumpers cars. To each his own I guess but If I had my dream car it would be a rubber bumper vert, period..............LT