Vehicle Description
This 1979 Chevrolet Corvette gets a lot of things right. Maybe it's
because bright red Corvettes are always in fashion, or maybe it's
those timeless shiny Rally wheels, but this Stingray perfectly
captures the feel of the era. It also packs its original,
numbers-matching 350 V8 L82 engine (that's the optional small block
with extra horsepower, 225HP to be exact) and a handsome red
leather interior, so if you're looking for a starter Corvette with
lots of pop and plenty of style, it'll be hard to do better than
this for less money.
Looking at the trim tag, it says this one is painted 72L. Code 72
is Corvette Red, so it's wearing the right suit of clothes and
always has. From what we can tell, this paint looks too fresh,
clean, bright, and deep to be factory original, although it's not
so eye-popping that it's so easy to tell right away. It's a
faithful, strong driver-quality respray that was likely finished
several years ago, and while there are some minor signs of use and
age, the car still has a ton of charisma and style. Look at the way
the light dances over those swooping fenders and tell me again that
this is not the quintessential color for a sporty C3 coupe. Panel
fit is just about how the factory would do it, very good but not
perfect, and the car has an overall look that's quite honest with
plenty of curb appeal.
Code 722 Red leather was the recommended interior choice with code
72 paint, and the seats in this car appear to still be wearing
their original, factory hides. The sculpted bucket seats are
supported by very nice original door panels at the flanks and plush
carpets that are a little faded but not damaged (fading is all but
impossible to avoid with red). Factory gauges still look good with
crisp, bright white markings on their faces, visible through a
leather-wrapped steering wheel with leather that's starting to show
its age, and the units in the center stack are all-original too.
Options include a tilt/telescoping wheel, seatbelts, power windows,
and factory A/C that features newer hardware and a modern
compressor under the hood. The only major deviation from stock
inside is the modern JVC AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo head unit in the dash
and speakers behind the seats. Paint-matched T-tops mean open air
motoring is always an option, and they stow easily in the
compartment behind the seats where they have their own vinyl bags
to hold them safely in place.
The wonder that is the small block Chevy provides power, this time
in matching-numbers L82 guise and making 225 horsepower. Of course,
more power is just a few phone calls away, but even in completely
stock form, the engine has great torque and moves the 'Vette with
ease and a great V8 burble. Reliability like this is unparalleled
in any other 2-seat sports car, and the tidy engine bay suggests
that this '79 has always been someone's toy, not a daily driver.
Not detailed for show, it has nonetheless been maintained and used
gently, with signs of routine maintenance seen throughout.
Underneath, it's quite clean, showing only minor signs of use but
no cause for worry thanks to a long life of fair-weather driving
and garage storage. Power 4-wheel discs, power steering, and a
limited slip differential were standard equipment, and the TH350
3-speed automatic was the most popular transmission option that
year. It starts quickly, idles right, drives well, and you'll
probably find that you feel comfortable behind the wheel almost
instantly. Classic Rally wheels always look right on a 'Lil Red
Corvette, with these wearing period-perfect 225/70/15 Goodyear
Eagle GTII white-letter radials that really fill the fenders.
If your tastes run to fuelies and split-windows, but your budget
says otherwise, this 1979 Corvette L-82 gets you into the game at a
very reasonable price. Call today!
