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