Topic: 79 front spoiler?
in Forum: C3 Body
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I have a 1979 vette with the front spoiler (standard from 80-82). The previous owner told me that both the front and rear spoilers were options in 1979 and that this car was so equipped. Since purchasing the car I have had several people (usually complete strangers) insist that the front end of my vette has been replaced and is not original.
Does anyone know if the spoiler was indeed an option in 1979? Thanks for the info.
All the best,
Andy
|UPDATED|4/11/2003 7:11:18 PM|/UPDATED|

All the best,
Andy
|UPDATED|4/11/2003 7:11:18 PM|/UPDATED|
1979 Corvette. 330HP 350ci Chevy Vortec. Dynomax ceramacoat headers. Holley 650 4bbl. 3 speed automatic 350 turbo tranny w/ shift kit & torque converter dyno'd @ 864 ft.lbs
|IMG|http://www.rogerscorvette.com/free/milligan.jpg|/IMG|
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Former Member
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Toledo, OH - USA
Joined: 9/4/2002
Posts: 147
Vette(s): 1976 Stingray, L48 auto Buckskin/Buckskin Leather originally. Numbers matching.
79' did offer an optional spoiler, but it is the same spoiler from the 78' Pace Car. In your picture, it looks like you have the 80'-82' bumper w/integrated spoiler. Possibly the entire front clip from an 80'-82'.
75'-79' share basicly the same bumper cover. The 78' Pace & 79' optional spoilers were a seperate "bolt-on" addition.
|UPDATED|4/11/2003 10:59:18 PM|/UPDATED|
75'-79' share basicly the same bumper cover. The 78' Pace & 79' optional spoilers were a seperate "bolt-on" addition.
|UPDATED|4/11/2003 10:59:18 PM|/UPDATED|
'76 L48 Auto
Project
|IMG|http://www.freewebs.com/privategod/Mine2a.JPG |/IMG|
The 80-82 front and rear ends are popular style changes to earlier sharks, but they were not factory options. It makes me wonder what else the previous owner told you.


Former Member
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HILTON, NY - USA
Joined: 8/18/2002
Posts: 21
Vette(s): 1979 frost blue with midnight blue interior
IT sure looks like a 80 front end to me. I have a 79 and the grilles are compelety diffrent. Hope this helps 


Grand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
Yeah, yours has had the 80-82 front nose cone put on in place of the 79 stock cone. My 79 has the Indy type front spoiler that was an option from the factory. If you want a good comparison check out Adam's ride (that doesn't have the spoilers) and mine.
The front nose was the best identifying change from 79 to 80, well, okay besides the engine changes, but those aren't obvious from the exterior.
Check with the previous owner and see what other changes he did.

The front nose was the best identifying change from 79 to 80, well, okay besides the engine changes, but those aren't obvious from the exterior.
Check with the previous owner and see what other changes he did.

Yeah,
It definitely looks like the front clip was replaced. Not that I really mind. There's some serious airflow as a result of the newer spoiler. I was able to go to the Petersen Museum for Corvette Day (5/3/03) where they had a vette from each year of production. Seeing the 79 and the 80 side-by-side I could easily see the difference. Another difference I noticed was the absence of nose cone joints on my ride. It all appears to be one solid piece, leading me to think that it may be an aftermarket front clip. The p/o mentioned that he tangled with a sheet of plywood on the freeway about 10 years ago when the car was last painted. Perhaps that was when the front clip was replaced. Thanks for the help.
Andy
It definitely looks like the front clip was replaced. Not that I really mind. There's some serious airflow as a result of the newer spoiler. I was able to go to the Petersen Museum for Corvette Day (5/3/03) where they had a vette from each year of production. Seeing the 79 and the 80 side-by-side I could easily see the difference. Another difference I noticed was the absence of nose cone joints on my ride. It all appears to be one solid piece, leading me to think that it may be an aftermarket front clip. The p/o mentioned that he tangled with a sheet of plywood on the freeway about 10 years ago when the car was last painted. Perhaps that was when the front clip was replaced. Thanks for the help.
Andy
1979 Corvette. 330HP 350ci Chevy Vortec. Dynomax ceramacoat headers. Holley 650 4bbl. 3 speed automatic 350 turbo tranny w/ shift kit & torque converter dyno'd @ 864 ft.lbs
|IMG|http://www.rogerscorvette.com/free/milligan.jpg|/IMG|
Your whole front piece has been changed to later (80-82) style. RPO D80 was the option code for PC spoilers for 79 vette, but they looked like this:

Rear Shot

Front shot
Your car looks
anyway, it would be nice to see it listed on the 79registry soon! 

Rear Shot

Front shot
Your car looks


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in Forum: C3 Body
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