In terms of affordable Corvettes, the C3 has always been at the front of the pack, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a car that doesn’t deliver the true Corvette experience. Check out this bright yellow 1979 Corvette, which packs its original, numbers-matching L82 V8, a 4-speed, and a long list of options including A/C, power windows and locks, and more. Oh, and it only has 46,879 original miles. With all that going for it, the price seems shockingly reasonable and with the upgraded engine, it remains a whole lot of fun to drive. And don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone just how affordable it really is!

We believe most of the code 52L Corvette Yellow paint on this car is original and in fantastic condition. At some point in its life, the optional D80 front and rear spoilers were added, because they’re just a slightly different color from the rest of the car, noticeable only when the light is just right. We’re also guessing the mirrors were changed out at that point, as there’s some touch up along those areas in the same color. None of it detracts from the dramatic C3 look and the fiberglass underneath is obviously in fantastic shape with no issues or signs of previous accident damage. Black pinstripes highlight the C3’s swooping fenders and the hood bulge proudly advertises the optional L82 V8 living underneath. 1978 saw the addition of the fastback-style rear window, which really made a big difference in the Corvette’s look, and with the fullness of time behind it, this ‘70s ‘Vette starts to look awfully good.

The best choice of interiors in your yellow Corvette is black leather, and in this 46,879-mile car, they remain in excellent condition. A few wrinkles, but certainly no splits or tears and the grippy buckets are still all-day comfortable. You’ll also note that by 1979, the Corvette was offering plenty of luxury with this car carrying functional factory A/C, power windows and locks, a tilt steering column, rear defroster, and other goodies that make it very easy to live with today. The entertainment system is a later AM/FM/cassette head unit that fits like it was born there and all the gauges except the clock are operational (it’s normal for the tach to park itself like that when the engine is off). The plaque on the console advertises the optional L82’s specs of 225 horsepower and 270 pounds of torque, which doesn’t sound like a lot today but in 1979 it was still the king of the hill. It’s enough to make the Corvette feel quick and punchy around town, especially with the 4-speed manual transmission and its bolt-action feel. It just racks through the gears and seems incredibly robust, so go ahead and hit that shift! T-tops were, of course, standard equipment and this car carries its original storage bags and straps so you can secure them in the cargo bay in back.

The optional L82 350 cubic inch V8 was a nice step up over the base L48, offering an extra 30 horsepower that you can really feel. This is indeed the car’s original, numbers-matching engine and it’s nicely detailed with a factory dual-snorkel air cleaner (unique to the L82), finned valve covers, and corporate blue engine enamel on the block itself. No modifications of note, so the car starts and runs quite well and pulls the slick Corvette around without seeming to work very hard. Of course, power steering and 4-wheel disc brakes were standard equipment, so it’s easy for anyone to drive this Corvette and all the options make it comfortable almost anywhere. Add in the bulletproof reliability, plentiful parts supplies, and readily available performance upgrades, and this is a great hobby car to own or a great place to start if you want to build something spectacular.

Underneath, this car’s low mileage status becomes obvious, showcasing a chassis that has never seen inclement weather. It has never been rusty or wrecked and the critical areas ahead of the rear wheels and in the “birdcage” are completely solid, so no worries there. There are plenty of signs of proper maintenance over the years, including some recent brake work, so you shouldn’t be afraid to put this one on the road—it’s what these cars do best. Exhaust is the standard 2-1-2 setup, although the catalytic converter has been removed for a bit more performance and there are new mufflers out back. Ride quality is surprisingly good on these cars; no it’s not a luxury car but it’s not the bone-crusher that everyone says, either. That’s probably due to the car’s low mileage and stock specifications. It sits right, handles well, stops true, and pulls hard through all four gears, which is what you want from a Corvette. Factory aluminum wheels are some of the best-looking hoops of the era and carry fat 255/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials at all four corners.

In terms of bang for the buck, it’s still tough to beat the C3 Corvette. Early chrome bumper cars are seeing significant gains, and the L82/4-speed cars will be close behind. With great colors, low mileage, lots of options, and an entertaining driving experience, this is the Corvette you’ve wanted at a price you can afford. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.