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53k Original Miles: 1979 Chevrolet Corvette

The original owner of this 1979 Chevrolet Corvette, a gentleman by the name of Al, has decided that the time has come to part with his beloved baby. It is a really clean and tidy looking car, and as a bonus, it has a mere 53,000 original miles on the clock. The Corvette is located in Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. Al is asking $10,000 for this one-owner vehicle.

This Corvette is an attractive looking car, and the color choice of Dark Green does make it slightly unusual. Chevrolet rolled out 53,807 Corvettes in 1979, but only 2,426 cars wore this particular shade. In rarity, this is second only to a “Corvette Yellow” car, of which only 2,357 cars were built. The presentation of the Corvette is very nice, and it looks like a car that has been quite pampered by Al. The paint has a really nice shine to it, while the glass all looks nice and clean. The aluminum wheels, which can be prone to deteriorating as time passes, appear to be free of stains, pitting, or curb strike.

Dark Green was not a popular choice for an interior trim color in a 1979 Corvette. Only 907 buyers chose to equip their cars with Dark Green leather, which is what we find in this car. The two interior shots that we receive are a bit inconclusive, but they do paint a relatively positive picture for the Corvette. What we can see of the leather on the seats and wheel looks to be in good condition, as does the console. In addition to leather upholstery, an AM/FM radio, a tilt/telescopic wheel, and power windows, I also believe that the Corvette may be fitted with air conditioning.

Powering the Corvette is a 350ci V8 engine, backed by the reliable 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. It isn’t clear whether Al chose to equip his Corvette with the L48 or the L82 version of the 350, but this means that the owner has either 195hp or 225hp at their disposal. We have no information on how the car runs and drives, but if the claim of 53,000 original miles is accurate, then there is a real possibility that the car is in sound mechanical condition. As a bonus, Al has recently had his Corvette fitted with new tires.

For someone who has their heart set on owning a C3 Corvette, Al’s car is about as cheap as you are likely to find for a 1979 model. The fact that its paint and trim combination is relatively rare could be considered as either a positive or a negative, but I personally think that its an attractive looking car. That relatively rare combination might well prove to be a benefit to the vehicle’s value in years to come. I hate to use the term “bargain,” but this Corvette really would seem to be one.

Comments

  1. Avatar CapNemo

    Fitted.

    Like 3
  2. Avatar Steve R

    If you look at completed/sold listings on eBay, most that have sold have gone for less than $10,000, most that have sold for more have L82’s and or 4spds. If local it might be worth the money if Al is truely still the owner and has paperwork and service history to back it up.

    Steve R

    Like 5
  3. Avatar M.Balmer Member

    Pardon my ignorance for asking, but why does the stance from the wheel opening look weird to me? I mean there seems to be a big space there, amirite?

    Like 4
    • Avatar whmracer99

      Agree. Wonder if Al had oversized wheels and tires on it and had elevated the car for clearance. Could be why the rims look so good and the tires had to be replaced due to dry-rotting.

      Like 0
    • Avatar CapNemo

      It’s because the ground is lower in those spots, and so the wheels droop down a little bit. :)

      Like 3
      • Avatar whmracer99

        Looking at the actual ad both sides front and back seem to be higher than normal. (?)

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    1979 is one of the highest number of Corvettes built model years. Add in the base engine and automatic, and I suggest the seller will need to be very flexible on that price, especially with Corvette season winding down. This might be an $7500 car at best.

    Like 5
  5. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    Not normally a C3 fan but this is a nice example if legit, albeit with an asking price that seems optimistic. Unless you’re going to use it for rock crawling, that wheel gap looks a bit wonky. I’m a huge fan of green vehicles, including Vettes, but this colour combination doesn’t appeal to me…it’s crying out for a tan/buckskin colour interior, to really make the green exterior stand out. Personally, I’d put the money into a late model C4 or early C5.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Chuck

    I ordered a ’79 Vette, L82/4spd with every option available at the time. It was midnight blue with a doeskin interior. It was the worst car I’ve ever owned in terms of reliability. (And, I’ve owned 50+.) It is the reason I’ve refused to buy another GM product since. In fact, it was twenty-six years before I would even consider buying another domestic vehicle. Thanks, but no thanks; I’ll stick to Porsches.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      If it was a stripper vette with no a/c or p/w or cruise ctrl, not much to go wrong -with good maintenance – grease front end & door hinges regularly, etc.
      Better yet if it was a ’74 or earlier stripper car, because that was last year of indestructible turbo 400 automatic & no cat conv either.
      Throw a pertronix in the distributor & you can forget about that for at least 25 years, like i have.
      As for squeaks & leaks, you turn up the radio/change the mufflers, & who drives these in bad weather?

      Like 1
  7. Avatar R Soul

    The gap on the rear wheel wells is from replacing the rear spring. The aftermarket springs tend to make the rear sit higher than it should, resulting in having to buy longer bolts to try and adjust the excess height. The composite springs are the better option.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      I think they might be made in China too. Chinese springs always make them sit high. You see this all the time in restored muscle cars. These used to sit low from the factory.

      Anyway, if the story is true, I wish Al the best of luck with the sale. Though he kind of missed the boat. If this had been a 1969 Chevelle SS he’d be a very rich man right now!

      Like 1
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      Another data point- My 1979 had a composite spring and it rode as high as this one does.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Racingpro56

    Base C-3…especially a ’79…worth of maybe 1/2 asking price here. Maybe a bit more for pristine condition. I’m waiting for the overall Vette market to tank as the mid-engine monsters come alive.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Dave

    I just sold a restored/modified ’79 for 6K.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Bob McK

    If this only had a 4 speed, I would be talking to this guy about his price. But I believe that a Corvette should not be equipped with an automatic.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Frank Y

      I have A 79 corvette 42k L82 But a Automatic. Corvette Beige with light beige/cloth-leather interior asking about the same if someone is interested

      Like 1
      • Avatar Ike Onick

        Pony up the $50 and place a proper BF ad.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Frank Y

        I did with my previous car ( 77 Firebird) but your right @ike a lapse in judgement and some of the replies made me do it without thinking.

        Like 2
  11. Avatar JOHN Member

    I was never a fan of the 74-79 body style, but when they added the rear spoiler to the car it instantly improved the look in my opinion. The 74-79 just don’t have the appeal to most collectors, but they are available pretty cheap, and I wouldn’t mind one to hot rod a little… lower it, side mounted headers, the 80 rear bumper, nice wheel/tire package, suspension and brake upgrades, you could have a pretty impressive car on the cheap.

    Like 1
    • Avatar poseur Member

      agree. 1980-82 is best looking C3 for me and much of it from the revised front fascia.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Comet

    Evidently equipped with the very rare 4WD option.

    Like 2

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