This 1979 Chevrolet Corvette checks many of the most important boxes for anyone looking for a classic to park in their garage. It is a one-owner survivor with 70,000 miles on the clock. It presents exceptionally well and features the desirable L82 V8 under the hood. The seller recently spent a considerable sum below the surface, ensuring the winning bidder can slip behind the wheel of a car that is a turnkey proposition. They have listed the Corvette here on eBay in Concord, California. Bidding has passed the reserve, sitting at $5,100.
After a major refresh in 1978 that added a fastback-style rear window and dramatically changed the Corvette’s appearance, Chevrolet made only minor updates in 1979. The company continued to offer buyers ten paint shades, with this car’s owner selecting Dark Green Metallic. It was chosen by 2,426 customers, and only Corvette Yellow was rarer. The seller’s grandfather purchased this classic off the showroom floor, and potential buyers should consider it a survivor. As such, close inspection will reveal minor marks and imperfections. However, the paint still shines like a mirror, and the panels are free from stress cracks or other problems. Considering the car’s location, its lack of frame and birdcage rust is unsurprising. The trim and glass are in good condition, and this car features the extremely popular aluminum wheels.
The “Green” theme set by this Corvette’s paint shade continues inside, with the interior trimmed in Dark Green leather. The seats look exceptional, with no wear on the prone outer bolsters. The carpet isn’t faded, and the remaining upholstered surfaces and plastic are excellent. The only unknown is what hides beneath the dash cover, though it may be there more as a preventative measure than to hide any nasty surprises. This interior is nicely equipped by 1979 standards, featuring air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The iconic big-block disappeared from the Corvette’s options list at the end of 1974, meaning that the C3 remained 350-only territory until production ended in 1982. However, it wasn’t all gloom and doom, with this ‘Vette featuring its numbers-matching L82 version producing 225hp and 270 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission handles shifting duties, while power steering and power brakes had become standard fare from 1977. The seller says this beauty has 70,000 miles on the clock, and its history suggests that figure may be documented. They recently invested a cool $15,000 in this Corvette, fitting new brake discs and pads, a new exhaust, a new radiator, a replacement transmission cooler, and other unspecified work. They support their claim with receipts and invoices, confirming that this survivor runs and drives extremely well.
With the reserve reached, this 1979 Corvette is days away from finding a new home with someone who will write the next chapter in its story. It isn’t perfect, but its overall condition confirms it has been cherished from the day it rolled off the showroom floor. Bidding has been subdued, but I believe that will change in the auction’s final hours. It deserves a home with a genuine enthusiast who will continue to treat it respectfully. It will be fascinating to see whether any Barn Finds readers might consider pursuing this classic further.
The ’79 Corvette is the heaviest on record. The L-82 wasn’t available new with California emissions, so grandpa bought it in another state. Seller has his phone number in ad – we’ll see if it gets bought off of eBay;
“So If You Got This Far Give Me a Call,
Feel Free to Contact us at
(415)980-0555. Thanks For Reading! And Happy Bidding.
We will accept offers to End auction.”
Seller also has two recent negitives, both on vehicle auctions, so do your due diligence.
I’m getting tired of flippers saying they are selling cars for a grandpa, friend, relative neighbor or dead aunt. Someone did that with my moms mid-80’s 26,000 mile Honda Accord a few years ago. I started watching his eBay account, he was selling some relatives car every few months. In California it’s a way to avoid fees and taxes, but also leaves a new owner on the hook for bridge tolls and express lanes fees (which can be as high as $20+ for 5 miles). There is always a chance he actually is selling it for someone else, but the odds of that are slim.
Steve R
Where is the car located? Pictures of bird cage, and better underneath pictures.
Tire dates on sidewalls
Never been a fan of the ’78 and later C3’s due to the big rear glass. In fact, not a huge fan of Corvettes in general as they seem to be everywhere. “Dime-a-dozen” is what I like to say. That being said, this is probably the best looking 1979 Corvette I’ve ever seen, maybe because I’m a sucker for green. If only it had a tan interior, it would be near perfect. GLWTS.
Hoo-eee! Talk about “bottle green,”… That color makes my palate long for a glass of nice dry red!
Very nice looking Vette!! Color is nice also!!
Why would anyone put $15k in it to sell it for a fraction of that??? I’d pay $6k for it and fly out and drive it home only because I love the color combo. Once home I’d put a “REAL” engine in it and keep the stocker wrapped up in a crate under the work bench!
Because they probably weren’t planning to sell it at that time and repair bills can get out of control quickly. Shops are expensive in California, unless you can do the work yourself you pay someone else to do the work. In most cases, you aren’t getting the money back when it’s time to sell, setting an asking price based on the total of your receipts doesn’t make a $10,000 car worth $20,000.
Steve R
Green was not chosen by many buyers in 79. I had a green 71. Beautiful car, only fly in the ointnent for me is lousy automatic. No OD in 79. That came in 1981 I believe. At least with 78 to 82 cars, no totally ugly barbeque grill on rear deck.
nice looking vette. colors look good together.
I had a 1981 I bought with 20K miles back in 1989. It was black with extra coats or clear added, with black wool buckets and mirrored T tops. The rear spoiler of that year cleaned up the back end. It had Vette approved Tru Spoke wheels with center spinners. I won 2 car shows for that class with that car but it was a dog and handling was so-so. I also bought a new Acura Integra that year with the 1.8L DOHC. It was faster and handled a LOT better and the 5 speed was fun to drive. Sold the Vette in 1991 and never looked back.
Nice clean Corvette here green on green and the price seems good.
Hmmm, I love it. Gorgeous and sexy C3. But the math really doesn’t add up. How do you sink 15 k into a car that’s going to sell for less than 10??
I wouldn’t touch this without doing a thorough in person inspection first. The seller only has three feedbacks, two were negative for a lack of honesty and the positive was someone who wanted to cancel a bid and the seller did it.
Pictures of bird cage please
And since it was brought up. Pictures of the dash. Where is car located and are you there not in Alaska? Tire dates and a few pages of what was done to your car for $15,000, thanks
Good looking Vet , but i question all the work they say was done . The exhaust looks original, from factory. he also said it has 18 inch rims but in one picture you can see 15’s on the car . They also say it has traction control and antilock breaks . this equipment was not available till the 90’s . If they put aftermarket equipment on it was $15000 not well spent. Late 70’s Vets that are in vary good shape are selling for $7000 to $12000 .