As a proud owner of a 79 SHARK...
I can vouch for the following:
-79 seats, without doubt, fold at a point that allows much easier access than the 78 to the rear compartment.
-In 79, Chevy finally incorporated 20th century lighting with T-H on the high beams.
-79 had 1 to 1-1/2 inches more lateral cabin passenger space. Important for us big boys (and girls)!!!
-79's seats sat slightly higher due to new foam type and new slide track hardware
-79's have about 2 inches more front-to-back slide than the 78, which is nice for big and small drivers alike.
-79s have a 24 gallon gas tank.
-Purists will claim the 79 is the SHARK body style (a la Duntov's Mako Shark), even though the "Sting Ray" (two words) comprised the same basic styling through 82.
I'm a bottom line guy. At the end of the day, your choice depends upon what you want from your Corvette. Driveability, Collectibility, and Resale Value don't always go together for every Corvette lover. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. My advice? Weigh what you want and what you like, give up some to get some, and make your best deal (profound, eh?) Absolutes apply only to the purest of the purists, and most of us common Corvette lovers don't have time for that, though we all wish that we did!!!
You decide based on what your dream is. I strongly recommend you read Jack Smith's article in the December 29 Chicago Tribune Magazine. We don't buy features. We buy dreams. If you can't find the article, email me and I'll find it for you.
May you have countless westward, amber sunset cruises before you . . . in your 79 Corvette.
Quick
) was the 82 Collectors Edition. Early C3's (1968-1972 or 73) had removable rear glass, but its not the same.
