I spoke with a previous owner of my car.  He stated that the original owner ordered the car special with a hot engine.  It is an L-82 with a 350 four bolt Made in Mexico currently.  It had 427 emblems on it and he stated that he thought that it was ordered with a 427.  I don't think so, but it is possible.  My black 1979 is now white exterior.

Every bit of originality counts when it comes to resale!  I'm assuming you checked your spec tag on the inside of the drivers door for all of the option codes (exterior color, interior color and fabric) the car came with from the factory?

Never say never, but after '69 the only big block available was a 454, and not in Corvettes. If the L82 markings are correct, then the car originally was equipped with the L82 small block, which was the high performance optional engine available in '79.

The made in Mexico engine is a current crate engine from GM. Mexico is where they're cast. Not sure if they're assembled there or elsewhere.

If the car had 427 emblems that doesn't mean at some point a 427 wasn't installed in the car. Maybe by a dealer for a customer, maybe by a specialty shop. Without documentation there's no way to know.

Keeping the car original is nice, but if doesn't have the correct engine it came with from the factory, then originality is a moot point. Do what you want with the car. It's already non-original so what you might do won't change that.

Uh...the 454 was available in Corvettes from 1970 until 1975.('74 was the last year). It may well have had a big block in it at some point, but it wasn't installed at the assy. line.

In '79, the 3.70 was the standard ratio with the L82 & 4spd, with the 3.36 an option. Automatics had the 3.55 ratio standard across the board(L48/L82, auto)

Never heard of a "Ralley Sport" option on a 'Vette...
I'd say just enjoy the car...have fun!
Adams' Apple2006-11-15 06:06:34

I'll add one more thought.  GM could not have allowed production on any such car on it's actual assembly line, as it would have been a huge variation from normal parts & methods for all it's workers.  But far more importantly, as many former management employees from GM have pointed out, if they did produce it and sell it to someone, they would have had to have the full combination of engine, driveline and other assorted parts certified by the EPA - They just couldn't afford to do that for one or a handful of cars.  They did prodice some all-out race cars at facilities other then the normal assembly line (not sure about '79), but those cars wouldn't have all the "normal" things on it that I assume your car has, such as standard interior, lack of roll cage, fairly standard driveline, etc.

I suspect the previous owner is just passing on a story he had been given by the person he bought it from - who knows what owner along the line invented the story...