VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1971-1979 '79 VETTE

Tomorrow I'm going to check out a '79 Vette that my neighbor's friend as lost interest in restoring --It's in primer w/ all the wimdows out ,doors are off and hood is off. engine is supposedly restored but not run don't know milage . Can anyone point out what I should be looking for and what's miner stuff in this car ??? never delt with a Vette b/4 so really don't know what really to look for . Thanks for your help

chevmandog, You need to look the windshield header over very closely for signs of corrosion/weakness. Also look the frame over for corrosion and/or rust through, particularity where the outer sidemembers connect with the rear kick up area directly ahead of the rear wheels. If either of those areas are in question, I would steer away from that vehicle. Unless this particular vehicle is something special, running presentable Vetts of that era can be purchased in the 8 to 10 K range these days.

It is worth more money if it has the correct orginal engine block. The base engine was option L48 and the optional engine was option L79 (more desirable) Also if it has a factory installed 4-speed transmission that is another bonus. If the car has always been in your area and used as a daily driver for some years do watch out for the rust as Oldie described.

The old quote that you cannot pay too much for a good one or too little for a bad one does apply.

In my area ( the Illinois/Wisconsin border )the "evil " salt on the roads in winter eats car's alive so ,yes rust is a super big factor around here !!!I'll be looking at it as soon as we can get together s/b Monday --maybe Tuesday ---keep your fingers crossed !!!!

Wdoftexas and Oldie ----Thanks for your advise gentlemen however we looked at the vette yesterday (couldn't get everyone together until Saterday)----WOW !!!! mucho basket cases !!! the "quote" re-built moter is a glob of greese and oil--I can feel cracks in the windshield frame got the feeling it was involved in hit both front and back !!! so we took a pass on it ,look like more truble then it's worth .