Topic: 1979 Early or Late?
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Former Member
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Ridge Manor, FL - USA
Joined: 1/1/2012
Posts: 7
Vette(s): 1979, Just purchased. Previous owned by two individuals. Garage kept entire life. 47K Miles
I'm looking at interior improvments and find items that are 1979 early specific. How do I tell if my 79 is 'Early'?
Thanks,
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-general/2871538-early-late-1979-identifcation.html
Informative thread. My 79 is vin # 6770 out of 53,000 plus, so I always considered it to be "early".
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If you have a 3 compartment rear storage unit it's early. Late 79's had 2 compartment units as 80-82 do. The early 79's had the 140 MPH speedo, late 79's had the dreaded 85 MPH unit. Thats the 2 big differences in the interior. Also, the late 79's were available with the lighted vanity mirror on the passenger sun visor. The rear compartment is the easiest way to tell.
Barry
Former Member
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Ridge Manor, FL - USA
Joined: 1/1/2012
Posts: 7
Vette(s): 1979, Just purchased. Previous owned by two individuals. Garage kept entire life. 47K Miles
Thanks! That makes it an early 79, as I do have the 3 compartments and the 145 mph sp. Now if I could just find a safe place to open her up.
Any tips out there on Leather repair? I would rather try to repair a couple of small tears than replace the entire seat covers.
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Jon welcome aboard!
ebo
I have used the leather repair kits in the past on some seats in a Tahoe. It was right where you slide in and out of the drivers bucket. It worked well for me.
Hardest part was getting the shade right. The heat iron with the leather pattern design worked well also.
Most large Auto stores sell the kit.
Good luck, and nice looking shark you have there...only 47K! Nice find!
ebo
ebo
Jon welcome aboard!
ebo
I have used the leather repair kits in the past on some seats in a Tahoe. It was right where you slide in and out of the drivers bucket. It worked well for me.
Hardest part was getting the shade right. The heat iron with the leather pattern design worked well also.
Most large Auto stores sell the kit.
Good luck, and nice looking shark you have there...only 47K! Nice find!
ebo
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
I would think that 471 just east of you would be a good place to open it up. I bet there are not a lot of cops on that road. Can not tell what condition the surface is in but it does look inviting from Google Maps.
Of course be careful make sure your tires are less than a couple of years old. Tires sitting in one place for long periods blowout easy and a blowout is never fun. In a corvette it is a disaster as the car body comes apart quickly. I have had two front tire blowouts in my time at high end freeway speeds and did not wreck either car but it was interesting ride. You would not want to end up as alligator food.
|UPDATED|1/19/2012 12:19:36 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Of course be careful make sure your tires are less than a couple of years old. Tires sitting in one place for long periods blowout easy and a blowout is never fun. In a corvette it is a disaster as the car body comes apart quickly. I have had two front tire blowouts in my time at high end freeway speeds and did not wreck either car but it was interesting ride. You would not want to end up as alligator food.
|UPDATED|1/19/2012 12:19:36 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Former Member
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Ridge Manor, FL - USA
Joined: 1/1/2012
Posts: 7
Vette(s): 1979, Just purchased. Previous owned by two individuals. Garage kept entire life. 47K Miles
Thanks,
First thing I did was drive it from the previous owner straight to a shop and had all new tires installed. Even though they looked new, they were in fact 14 yrs. old. and I'd never buy 14 yr old tires. Had the salesman show me the date codes, the new ones were only 2 weeks old.
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in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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