Highlights
- Only 18,383 miles from new
- Uprated L82 model with 220bhp
- Recent respray in original colour
- One of 1,900 ‘Coke Float’ cars with chocolate and doeskin colour scheme
- Single Florida keeper until 2022 then current enthusiast keeper
- Recent wiring and other light repairs to finesse the car
- Current Irish MOT valid to June 2025
- Very smart and well kept low mileage ‘25th Anniversary’ year C3
The Appeal
To celebrate 25 years of the Corvette, the ‘78 C3 got a makeover. That included a new fastback rear screen, an improvement that makes these later cars desirable.
This one is particularly so. The vendor tells us that just 4% of cars - 1,900 in total - received this one’s stylish chocolate metallic brown paintwork with doeskin cabin. It is a combination modelled on America’s famous ‘Coke float and root beer’ beverage and, as the photos confirm, it looks fantastic.
This 220bhp L82’s remarkably sparing use helps the impression. The displayed mileage of 18,838 miles is reportedly correct, and the car had just one Floridian keeper before the vendor acquired it in 2022. He is a serial C3 collector and has taken great car to bring this car’s minor elements up to the standard of the rest of the car. That work has included a new master cylinder, new bearings, replacement callipers, wheels realigned, new window regulators and motors and upgraded steering geometry. The doors have also been rehung to ensure flush lines.
The result is a very fine C3 that wears its 47 years very lightly. It comes to market with Irish MOT to June 2025. With its great colour scheme and condition, this is a very fine example of America’s sports car.
The vendor says:
“Is it the unbelievable sound of the V8 when you start her up on the drive or is it just how unusual the colour combination is? I've had three vettes, lived in LA and never saw another one in this colour. 1,900 were made and after 46 years they're can't be more than a few left in the world.
“The car gets so much attention, women love the car, men stop and smile at the car and kids can't believe their eyes. Everyone will talk to you. The shape and curves on the car are so unique, and nothing today will give the feeling you get from driving this car with a friend on a sunny day. The wheels with the white letters stand out and provide a lot of comfort and track.
“The targa window at the back gives you so much light and I much prefer it to earlier years. The t-tops come off so you can go from coupe to convertible driving. Absoutely love this Corvette. It so fun to drive, sporty and handles really well.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 1978
- Remained in Florida with single keeper until 2022
- Imported to Netherlands in 2022
- Acquired by current keeper from Netherlands in same year
- Current keeper has owned several Corvettes
- Receipts available for work done over the past three years
- No US service history which vendor says is common in the US car world
- US title and European import documents available
- Garaged over winter; driven locally mainly on sunny days
- Driven less than 1,000 miles in current ownership
- Maintained by specialist Paul Cobban at Classic Services Ireland a
- Vehicle safety inspection valid until June 2025
Work undertaken since vendor acquired car in 2022:
- New master cylinder
- Upgraded steering geometry
- Doors realigned
- New window regulator
- New window motors
- New bearings
- Replacement callipers
- Wheels realigned
The Condition
- Very rare chocolate brown metallic with doeskin interior
- Recently repainted
- Car is in very good order for a 47 year old model
- Vendor states that there are no dents or scratches
- Some paint bubbles due to fibreglass, common with Corvettes and hard to see
- Regularly polished and exterior cared for by seller
- Bodywork presents well with flush panels and recently re-hung doors
- Alloy wheels in good order with matching BF Goodrich tyres
- Doeskin interior with mix of leather and fabric trim as shown
- Interior is reported to be largely original with some minor marks to note
- Headliner pads under the t-tops have been replaced
- Roof lining is reported to be clean, flush, and smooth
- Bucket seats in very good condition with light marks as shown
- The vendor tells us that he usually protected the seat with a throw
- German radio with Bluetooth that works well
- Seatbelts work perfectly
- T-tops and electric windows open and close as they should
- Clock on the dash doesn't work, which vendor says a battery would fix it
- Carpet is not stained as shown
- Fresh new Corvette mats on the floor
- Steering wheel has a few marks only seen from underneath
- Steering wheel and seats are adjustable
- Glove box, a new feature for the 25th anniversary
- Fastback ‘78-onwards rear window design
- Spare door hinge available but not used
- T-tops can be removed for convertible driving
The Mechanics
- 250CI 5.7L V8 L82 220bhp engine
- Engine capacity of 350
- Automatic transmission
- New battery recently fitted in the back
- Mechanically sound and runs very well according to seller
- Extensive list of recent work summarised above
- All work undertaken by Paul Cobban, a classic car specialist
- Sold with current Irish technical inspection
- No reported running or driving issues
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