Newbie

[Holmsey]

Hi, I have just bought a rough 1978 project. Just trying to get a few things sorted in my head for the jobs ahead. First I will apply for registration. then get it road-worthy enough for an mot. What have you done to get the lights to have separate indicators and not flashing brake lights? Will it need a fog light and reversing light, and which headlights did you fit.
Just a few of I'm sure many questions to come.
Photo of the project.. not my house by the way ;o)

 

[johng]

If you join the club there's a good article in the Members Only section that shows how to re-wire your front and rear lights. It doesn't need to have fog lights or reversing lights, but I have used switchback leds to provide both indicators and reversing lights in the original reversing light fittings. It doesn't look like it's got the 1978 25th anniversary bonnet emblem, has it had a front end shunt?
Like you I bought a rough 78 project, only took me three and a half years to get it on the road

 

[Holmsey]

I am a member, Not sure on the front shunt.
I went to the members-only section and it said I don't have enough privileges to view it?

 

[Roscobbc]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure one of our commitee members will be along at some point to update your membership status. You can simply convert the reversing lights over to indicators with a change to anber bulb and a little simple wiring. It's not a legal requirement for reversing lights or rear fog lights on a vehicle of this age. Make sure from indicators are amber. Headlamps - simply buy a set of new 5 3/4" headlamp bowls with Xenon replacement bulbs. These are a EU legal Halogen replacement bulb with 50% or greater output but very similar current consumption to standard bulbs. You could go 'fancy' perhaps with a total lamp upgrade and go LED all around.

 

[Rich]

I am a member, Not sure on the front shunt.
I went to the members-only section and it said I don't have enough privileges to view it?

Welcome to the CCCUK, David and thank you for joining the Club. I have amended your website status to Member, so you should be able to view the Members forum now.

 

[Emc]

Feel free to get in touch, I do what you are doing all the time. advice and parts

 

[Holmsey]

Hi Guys, I am wondering if I have a 1979 Vette not a 78 as advertised. It has the 79 hood and fuel cap badges, not the anniversary ones. Also, the seats hinge higher. From what I can remember, they only did this style seat in the 78 Pace Car, and then std in 79?
I get the car tomorrow, so I will have to look at the vin. Would a 79 be of less value?

 

[curious bystander]

The steering wheel in your photo. is a one year only design that was fitted in 76 I think - all other C3's have the three legged versions. They are not inter changeable, so your column looks like it has come from a 1976 year car.

 

[johng]

I reckon you're right it's a 79. Hopefully no front end shunt after all (I'm just paranoid about this because mine did have a shunt)

 

[Rich]

The steering wheel in your photo. is a one year only design that was fitted in 76 I think - all other C3's have the three legged versions. They are not inter changeable, so your column looks like it has come from a 1976 year car.

Whilst the Vega (four spoke steering wheel) was introduced in 1976, it was also used on '77-'79 with the non tilt/tele column, so if may be correct for your car.

 

[curious bystander]

Looking closely at the interior shot it does have a non tilt steering column - which is unusual for a late model C3 - so Rich Rogers may well be correct.
When you get the car take a close up photo of the small oblong "Trim" tag on the door jamb on the drivers side. From that someone on here will be able to tell you the exact date of manufacture, the original colour and any other significant extras specced. Tell us the VIN as well. All helps with the ID.
As johng says, it does look like a 79. Values of 78 and 79 will all be down to condition. 78 Pace cars command a premium, but otherwise no difference IMHO.

 

[Emc]

The steering wheel in your photo. is a one year only design that was fitted in 76 I think - all other C3's have the three legged versions. They are not inter changeable, so your column looks like it has come from a 1976 year car.

Not quite true Bill ,it came on all corvettes with a standard column

 

[Holmsey]

So it arrived at my house today. Yep it's a 79. I didn't look at the column when I sat in it as I thought they all were tilt columns.. but sadly not. So now as I'm a gert lump the steering wheel is nearly on my lap. Trying to source a tilt/tele column.. Hum? not so easy. Has anyone ever got an after-market one to fit, like say ididit?

 

[Roscobbc]

Perhaps consider a smaller diameter steering wheel - with a reduced dish maybe - my '68 came with a 16" or 16 1/2" wheel and non tele column (tilt wasn't an option on this year) - and yes the steering wheel could 'interfere' with ones family jewellery. I simply use an aftermatket 12" diameter shallow dish wheel

 

[johng]

Now you've got the car, it would be interesting to see some more photos and to hear what you plan on doing to it.

 

[Chuffer]

I would go with Rosscobbc `s suggestion as a much cheaper and less hassle option . My 1980 MY came with a non standard 12 inch Grant GT wheel but I also benefit from a tilt column as standard too .

 

[CaptainK]

Perhaps consider a smaller diameter steering wheel - with a reduced dish maybe - my '68 came with a 16" or 16 1/2" wheel and non tele column (tilt wasn't an option on this year) - and yes the steering wheel could 'interfere' with ones family jewellery. I simply use an aftermatket 12" diameter shallow dish wheelView attachment 14640View attachment 14640

Coincidentally, my 68 also has that problem. Handily, the previous owner in USA put in the smaller wheel as well.

 

[Roscobbc]

I found that the steering weight (with the smaller wheel) is much more 'Euro' in 'feel' when using the smaller steering wheel and far easier/quicker to correct unwanted/unexpected non-steering related changes of direction - (wouldn't want to use the small wheel without the power steering though). On the downside the indicator stalk is perhaps too long and speedo/rev counter view is 'challenging'........although in reality (other than concerns about speed limits) the rev controlled/limited shift light located on steering column right in front of you aids driving when perhaps too else much is going on and trying to keep and 'eye' on the speedo.

 

[teamzr1]

So it arrived at my house today. Yep it's a 79. I didn't look at the column when I sat in it as I thought they all were tilt columns.. but sadly not. So now as I'm a gert lump the steering wheel is nearly on my lap. Trying to source a tilt/tele column.. Hum? not so easy. Has anyone ever got an after-market one to fit, like say ididit?

I attached a 140-page PDF from GM engineering archive
It covers all the design details, etc for 1979 Corvette

 

[Holmsey]

Thanks for that, I'll download it and have a good look.