Topic: The $500 corvette
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Well, I am now a Corvette owner. 1978' red with oyster. The body is good, tires are nice. I had new brakes put on it. Pads, calipers, rotors and master cylinder. New exhaust. New starter. New battery. New plugs and wires. Now, on to what it needs. Windshield, (cracked), interior. ALL of the interior. Air conditioning. (had it originally, most of the system is still there.). Heater core.
But for $500, it was still a steal!
Pictures to follow.
Oh, I've got plans...!
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Congrats on the purchase!!! Sounds like it's gonna need some TLC(and some $$$), but....don't they all? Good Luck with the restoration, and post up any questions you may have....lots of good folks here that have already been there/done that, and we're all willing to help out with info! 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Be sure to check the build date on the tires! If they are over 5 years old, REPLACE them. Blowouts on Vettes take fenders with them! If it was me, I'd replace the tires anyway. I just don't trust other people. Does the frame and birdcage area check out? That sounds awefully cheap for a Vette. Good luck and happy motoring!
Barry
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.
Besides the normal parts house there are a couple of individuals that restore C3's and the ones they cannot restore the part out.
I have heard of one in your area but do not have the name or exact location I will try to find out if you want. I have on 10 minutes from my house in Lemon Grove.
The Bird Cage is the the metal frame work that contains the drivers compartment. (basically that is it).
By the way my C3 was a lot of sun damage and I was able to save a lot of money by going with used parts where it made sense. Hows your Dash? I believe 78 was a year that they changed and it is the same as my 82. So if you have to replace I have lots of experience because I had to take mine in an out about three times to get it correct. I now know what not to do and what to do.
Waiting for pictures?
Did you get a GM Shop Manual for your year yet? You will need one.
I have heard of one in your area but do not have the name or exact location I will try to find out if you want. I have on 10 minutes from my house in Lemon Grove.
The Bird Cage is the the metal frame work that contains the drivers compartment. (basically that is it).
By the way my C3 was a lot of sun damage and I was able to save a lot of money by going with used parts where it made sense. Hows your Dash? I believe 78 was a year that they changed and it is the same as my 82. So if you have to replace I have lots of experience because I had to take mine in an out about three times to get it correct. I now know what not to do and what to do.
Waiting for pictures?
Did you get a GM Shop Manual for your year yet? You will need one.
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
voiceoftj said: Well, I am now a Corvette owner. 1978' red with oyster. The body is good, tires are nice. I had new brakes put on it. Pads, calipers, rotors and master cylinder. New exhaust. New starter. New battery. New plugs and wires. Now, on to what it needs. Windshield, (cracked), interior. ALL of the interior. Air conditioning. (had it originally, most of the system is still there.). Heater core. But for $500, it was still a steal! Pictures to follow.
Where da pics??? Dan
20111115155328r.jpg)
Looks like you got the deal of the year for a C3.
Can't go wrong at that price.
My day job has nothing to do with cars, so I love tinkering and working on them when I have the time. Learning a lot as I go along. And this is the best gang to be a part of when you're pulling stuff apart and starting to wonder "What the heck am I doing?" A lot of very knowledgeable people here that are more than willing to help out.
I love them 25th anniversary cars. Post some pics when you get a chance.
Can't go wrong at that price.
My day job has nothing to do with cars, so I love tinkering and working on them when I have the time. Learning a lot as I go along. And this is the best gang to be a part of when you're pulling stuff apart and starting to wonder "What the heck am I doing?" A lot of very knowledgeable people here that are more than willing to help out.
I love them 25th anniversary cars. Post some pics when you get a chance.
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.
You will truly enjoy tinkering for years to come!! Btw, you battery drain might not have anything to do with the battery or alternator - C3s are notorious for bad grounds....
|UPDATED|9/29/2011 5:15:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|9/29/2011 5:15:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Drove from San Francisco to LA today, found a few more glitches.
Oil pressure gauge doesn't work.
Clock doesn't work.
Tach doesn't work.
Speedo works, but reads 25% faster than you are actually going.
Runs hot. (Although, it was an oven in central Cali today.)
All weatherstripping needs replaced.
Windows misaligned.
Fuel gauge works, and seems to be accurate, but low fuel light stays on at all times.
Gen light stays on.
High beams don't work.
Horn doesn't work.
Dome light missing.
A few signal lights seem to be missing or broken.
3 rear hatches missing hinges, just laying over openings.
Visors missing.
T-Top lining missing, fasteners messed up on tops.
Strange jerky-ness in rear when in reverse. Sometime forwards.
Every joint in front end needs replaced.
Passenger side mirror needs replaced.
Need keys for door, glove box.
Corvette logo on rear broken.
Starting a blog, will post photos there, and cross post to here. Later!
Oh, I've got plans...!
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2480
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
The local/state L.E.O.s would be lookin at taking it off the road if it was in this state with that much wrong with it. 
. Keep us up-dated on progress.
. Keep us up-dated on progress.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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