Need advice

[Aprlsvet]

Hi
Hope with all the knowledge here somebody will have the perfect advice for me. Am getting ready to purchase a 78 Pace car, next week. Contact has been made with owner and it's stated the car is an all original car, down to the grease marks on the underside and original tires.

Any special things that I should be looking for? The vin number stated is a true Pace number. The car is real nice looking and appears to be a true value. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[The73vetteman]

Well allow me to be the first to offer advice. I believe there is a section here on the CAC site about tips when buying a new (old) Vette. I would suggest you find and browse that first.


The folks here will I am sure offer lots of advice about the frame, brakes, steering, a/c and so, so I will just say one thing. It's an old car. Some stuff wears out just from getting old, some wears out from use, but it all wears out. Take your time looking over the car very carefully and if in doubt get some one else to look as well.

Good luck!

 

[Yoda]

The73vetteman suggestions are right on, here is the section from the Action Center on Buying a Corvette. The information and check list of items to look at are a extremely helpful when looking at purchasing a Corvette .

I notice you mention even down to the original tires. While this may sound appealing and be worth extra points in some shows, BUT, if you plan to drive the car, I would get those 27 year old tires off the car as fast as possible Even in the best of storage and care, I wouldn't trust those tires at anything over 40mph for any length of time :eek

Another consideration is if the car is esp. low milage or has sat for extended length of time, then be prepared for LEAKS, the seals and rubber develop flat spots from sitting or worse they deteriate to the point of being worthless. Also the fluids in the transmission and rear-end might be subject too.

I bought my 1981 after it had sat for about 6 years, it had 56,800 miles on it. I drove it from Rochester Hills, MI to Modesto, CA. By the time I got the ole girl to California, it leaked from everywhere, Transmission, Rear-end, Power Steering Pump, control valve and slave piston, valve cover gasgets and oil pan gasget. About the only thing that didn't leak was the rear main and the valve stem guides (Which surprise the heck out of me)..

Good luck with the 1978 Pace Car, THEY are Beautiful Corvettes

Bud

 

[Stallion]

That description of that Vette seems all fine and dandy on paper, and any collector would jump on it. Low low miles are nice, but dried out seals are not. People get all excited about 8 original miles!!! on a car. Just make sure that everything is mechanically alright. There are some negative effects on not driving a car and putting miles on it.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[Daryllawman]

Have it checked out really well....a car that has the age and not many miles isnot like a new car....low miles can have its share of problems....good luck

 

[Aprlsvet]

Thanks to all for the sound advice. Didn't really think a lot about things drying out and seals. Current owner has said it's been driven a couple times a month for the last several years. Also said it is currently registered and we'll be going for a ride. Any others know of anything the be on the watch out for??

Thanks

 

[ernbuild]

watch out for the steering wander

Thanks to all for the sound advice. Didn't really think a lot about things drying out and seals. Current owner has said it's been driven a couple times a month for the last several years. Also said it is currently registered and we'll be going for a ride. Any others know of anything the be on the watch out for??

Thanks

hi mate ,i too have a low miliage 78 , i purchased 18 months ago. by the way mine is a right hand drive [we drive on the proper side here in aussie land]
i picked her up in sydney and drove her home to brisbane approximatley 700 mile
when i left it was great ,by the time i got home i had managed to wear out all the suspension bushes front and rear. the old rubber bushes had almost disintergrated from sheer age. you will find quite a lot of things the same, however rebuilding them is half the fun. welcome to the fold.enjoy your folley.

regards from down under ernie.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

With proper care and maintenance, your 78 could be driven forever. My own 78 has over 250k miles! She's still running strong. Our priorities over the last 15 years have been: Safety. Reliability. Cosmetic. In that order. I have had many miles of smiles with my vette and look forward to many more.
Heidi

 

[tlong]

My vette guru here at Tom Jumper Chevy says the '78 Pace Car is one of his favorites. Each is in different condition, but you are starting with an excellent model.

 

[Aprlsvet]

Hi to all,

Thanks for the imputs and support. I made the trip to pick it up this weekend. Was not all that I'd hoped for but just couldn't resist the urge to get an origional Pace car. Loaded her up and brought her home. The exterior show a lot of wear but the mechanics are right on. Car is a matching numbers car and runs extremely well. I think I will change the 27 year old tires out though!! Just for safetys sake. I knew by the Vin that it was an L48, but somewhere along the line somebody has put 82 badges on the hood and valve covers to match. Rest assured they will be removed upon the new paint/decals. I will post a couple pix when I get them. All in all am very excited with my first C-3. Having two in the driveway is cool too!. Take care and thanks.

Scott

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Congrats!
Heidi

 

[srs244]

congratulations!! i just bought a 78 pace car set up pretty much the same as yours. L-48, automatic. also with someone else's idea of "improvements", like yours, lol. i've followed the posts here and really couldn't think of anything to add above the excellent advice already given. mine is in excellent exterior shape (not perfect, but excellent) but is in need of a complete interior, soup to nuts. fortunately, mine was driven over time and all the mechanicals have been tended to right along. all new bushings, tie rods, etc. i'm embarking on the insides and it is a true adventure. since this is the 4th corvette i've owned, i kind of knew what to expect, now it's just a matter of executing it, lol. working alone on it in whatever spare time i can gather up, it will be a true labor of love at this point.

 

[JBWeaver]

Water leaks

Water leaks in the weather striping; run some water over it. Look for rust. Look under the car as much as possible. Run your fingers inside the frame near body mounts and look for signs of rust. If you find any, there may be more in places you can’t get to. Look at the door hinges for any signs of rust. Water likes to get down in the bottom of that pillar and is one of the worst things that can happen to a Corvette.