1978 Corvette Pace Car - Restore or don’t Restore?

Hi Everyone,

I?m trying to get advice regarding my 1978 Corvette Pace car. It?s a great car, but some things are starting to go wrong with it and other things are starting to bother me. I may consider a restoration, but can not decide what to do with it. I would like to keep the car as original as possible, so any restoration (if not done correctly) could compromise originality.

My basic question, leave the car as-is or invest in a restoration and make it perfect?

About the car: 4,369 original and documented miles. Everything on the car is absolutely original, including the tires which are in soft and excellent condition. It?s a L82 automatic, decals installed from the original New Mexico dealer, CB radio option. Paint is original as well. Interior is very good, but not perfect. At a glance, the car shows extremely well. I exercise the car once a month in the summer.

Things I don?t like: (1) The car has stress marks around the bonding strips on the front fenders. Paint is a bit cracked there as a result. Some of these cars are better than others in terms of this particular problem. I would rate my car average. (2) Frame is good, but the underside is getting bumpy (rusty). The previous owner, and old guy who had the car for 10 years, thought he was helping the car by spraying the mufflers with gloss black paint. There is some evidence of residual overspray from that process, but it?s not too bad. This was the dumbest thing the guy did. I have a car lift in my garage and this car is stored on the lift. So I see the underside all the time and the spray painted mufflers and overall underside condition is wearing on my nerves. (3) Brake lines will need to be replaced. A brake fluid leak is starting near the driver?s side rear wheel. I believe this is normal. (4) I found evidence of some body work on the driver?s side rear quarter panel. It?s not obvious and was not documented or disclosed when I bought the car. I do not believe the car has ever had any major damage. (5) Like many Corvettes this age, A/C and clock to not work either.

If it?s not in the list above, assume very good to excellent condition. Outside of the spongy brakes, the car drives tight and straight and is a great survivor.

This is my first post here, so any comments are welcome and appreciated. What would you guys do?

Thanks, Bruce

Reply to
jetske
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Please excuse the top posting IF it bugs you....

To me I would let it stand on its own as a survivor...

Mainly because it drives as well as it does and doing a Restoration can get both involved and EXPENSIVE... and there is no way that I knolw of that you could recover the costs..\

fix the clock, fix the AC and replace the calibers and brake lines etc...

As far as the painted mufflers etc... I would not let that bother me in the least ..

Just my opinion...

Bob G.

64 72 & 98 Convertibles 76 & 79 Coupes

The 79 (also a L 82) has the pace car spoilers from the factory..BTW Brakes are go>Hi Everyone,

Reply to
Bob G.

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 00:23:27 GMT, jetske wrote something wonderfully witty:

Hell it is barely broken in at 4,369 miles and you think it needs a resto? Sounds more like you have a couple of maintenance issues.

Reply to
ZombyWoof

Here is what I'd do.

  1. Fix the brake problem. By that, I mean "FIX", not replace. The reason will be obvious later. Why do the lines need replacing? Have they rusted through? What do you mean leaking? Leaking is not "normal" although having calipers leak is common.

Much of the brake problems go away IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR!!! Driving it 3 times a year and then sitting for 9 months is not helping.

Get another set of wheels and tires. I would not drive it anywhere but on and off a trailer and into the show field on 30 year old tires.

If the hose or line is leaking, try tightening the fitting to seal. If the caliper is leaking, get a seal kit and install it.

  1. check on fixing the AC. However, I would restrict what was done. For example, I would only use R12 and if the system is leaking, I'd be sure any seals that are replaced are either not visible or original. Otherwise, I would strict it to only being charged at this time. If they can't charge it, well, they can't and I wouldn't do anymore until later.

  1. Join NCRS.

  2. Prepare to go to an NCRS chapter or regional meet for judging as a Bow Tie car. This is for cars that are original survivors. DO NOT begin making the car nice, that is not what Bow Tie judging is about it is about seeing an original car, not a restored car. Other than fixing a leaking caliper or brake line, do not change anything. Wash it only. Do not sand, touch up, paint, wire brush, etc. This only destroys originality.

  1. Plan on going to Bloomington Gold next June for Survivor judging. From how you describe the car, I'd trailer it or ship it, depending on your ability to do such. I wouldn't drive it. This has limited openings, so I would make contact now and get the information you need to be in the judging.

  2. AFTER you have picked up the BG Survivor award and NCRS Bow Tie judging, then I would go through what is wrong with the car.

  1. I'd be sure the brakes were up to par. I'd install new brake hoses as close to original as I could get. I'd start with new seals, and pistons if needed first. If that was not possible, then I would have YOUR calipers resleeved with stainless steel sleeves. Most places will sleeve yours and return them, rather than just exchange.

  2. I'd clean the frame and preserve it. Paint the outside of it with an original shade and spray the inside with an oil mist to stop any rust.

I would have the AC fixed but still only use R12. More expensive, but it works better in these cars. I would still restrict them to keeping the system as original looking as possible. If they can't, find someone else.

Drive the thing on a regular basis. Sitting 9 months will just let it fall apart. Once a month at least, start it in the driveway, let it warm up a bit, then drive it around the neighborhood and at least on stretch of road up to 50 mph or so. Be out there at least 30 minutes. Avoid the rain and snow if you are paranoid about it, but if not, then bring it home and clean it on the lift to get the underside clean also.

Even Harrah's took every car out and drove them on a regular basis.

A restoration will destroy all originality. It is the originality that is the value. The Survivor and Bow Tie awards attest to the originality.

Reply to
Tom in Missouri

Hello Everyone,

I'm a "never have owned one, but sure want to..." vette person. My favorites are the '63, '64, '73, '78 and '79. I really like the late 70s due to the larger, "Mako Shark" influence in the design.

What I've been reading in here, off and on, are the problems associated with this machine and it appears to me, these may be a deterence to owning one. I've never even driven one, but find the necessary care kind of intriguing in many respects.

I'm wanting to do the whole nine yards and make the shows, rallies and get to know others with similar vettes to compare and discuss. So...here's the group's loaded question:

Which year is THE best year Vette to own. (I hate the looks of the 80s years.......too lean, bland and just unattractive to me.) The "hatchback" look of the late 70s looks very stylish to me!

I'd appreciate a guesstimation of price if you would. I'm in Oregon.

I'm looking forward to reading your opinions.

Ernie

Reply to
Ernie Sowards

If you're looking for the 78-82 style, look later in the model years. They started coming out of the poor performing era with a little more power. I have a 78 and love it though. Of course, until I get some restoration going, it's pathetic lawn art for the near future and my 96 catches the daily driver role. If you're looking for a daily driver, look late C-4 or later, the power/fuel economy puts the C-3's down hard. Most importantly, learn all you can about what to look for when looking at a Vette. There was a checklist floating around the NG for a while. There are places that you may never think to look until it's too late and can cost a large fortune to repair later. Also do a lot of price shopping. As long as it's not a serious collector item, you can get some great cars for good prices. Rob

Reply to
Scubabix

buying in on a mid year C-2 will be between $20-40K

73 will be an easy $20K min 79-82 can start as low as $2500 and go to $20k An average 79-82 will be $8-10k and will be a really nice driver for that money. As far as performance HP any car that old should be freshened up to any extent you want from a new crate motor to a decent rebuild. Parts for any vette are readily available from numerous companies. Performance parts and upgrades for suspension, brakes, wheels and tires are also easily available. You can get into the vette lifestyle easily and spend whatever you want on your car, its a fun hobby and great feeling just to drive and enjoy. The investment in your hobby yields fun and relaxation as its dividend. Have fun

kickstart

Reply to
kickstart

The BEST year to own is almost invariably the newest one. During the '70s, people didn't follow that due to performance issues. Today, some still take issue with that because of their personal taste on looks, options, goals, and so on. As such, to many, the 1967 435 hp is the best, and they pay dearly for that.

Problems have always been a feature built into Corvettes. Part of it is the complicated design and part of it by the drivers. This isn't a car grandma drives to church on Sunday and to school to teach during the week. This is a car that drivers have often put the foot to the floor more than once. However, most problems are not major or insurmountable.

Problems also show up because these cars are old and old cars develop problems. Would you expect a 30 year old 150,000 mile car to run perfectly across the country?

Unless the car is very low miles, or has been completely restored, it is bound to have some problems. Typical are wheel bearings, overheating, options and accessories quit working, and so on. Clocks typically quit. Most were designed for 2 or 3 years of life and 25 or more with no maintenance is a bit to expect.

However, with a bit of care and maintenance, there is no reason to expect that most of these could not fulfill most of your driving needs. After all, they did when new just like other cars.

Buying the cheapest available of any given year or model will be a sure indicator of one needing lots of work. Buying the most expensive is not a good idea either, as the price often reflects things like desire rather than practical value.

And you need to study about them as in the years that have passed since they were built, many have been modified, restored, rebuilt, raced, abused, rebuilt again, and so on. As such, it is often hard to know exactly what you are buying and whether it is worth the asking price or not.

It is often a good idea to get someone who knows them well to assist you.

Reply to
Tom in Missouri

On the years you have picked, here are some ideas.

Buy whichever in good shape ready to drive. Be sure to have someone along who can help you determine what is stock and what is not. There are pros and cons to being all stock and to having modifications, but often these modifications can be custom work that causes whoever comes along to repair it later more effort. However, a really sharp mechanic should recognize the changes and adapt quickly.

Value on the '63 and '64 come from originality. However, originality is often simply being stock, as original parts may have worn out years ago and been replaces with less-worn old parts or NOS parts.

The '78 and '79 are less susceptible to value changes from originality.

'63 has more one-year only items than '64. However, '63 has a higher value than '64.

'78 and '79 are the more modern cars. As such, you will find more creature comforts.

'73 is a good year that gets more creature comforts but still retains the original Shark design. Back in that era, '68 to '72 were often having the chrome bumper removed and the front molded in like they had done with the '63 to '67 a few years earlier, so the '73 is really a factory "custom" look.

Get off the couch, go look at several, talk to the owners, and don't buy for the first three months. This way you won't be seduced by the first good looking Corvette you see. Get someone impartial and unexcitable to go with you to be sure to keep you level.

Good luck.

Reply to
Tom in Missouri

'Which year is THE best year Vette to own. '

REPLY: 'Best' can refer to a variety of things ; and alot of it is subjective too. Your question should be rephrased as such to be more definitive : Which years were best/good for each generation ? It appears you have more of an interest in the C3 Generation since you like the shark look . My 'personal ones' to stay away from are as follows (and for various reasons ) : 1968 , 1976-1980 . Email me if you want a checklist of 75 things to look for when buying a C3. Dave.

Reply to
dave

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