The search
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 8
From: Carrollton Texas
The search
The kid 
is off at college and we are left home alone. My Wife wants to join her friends for social activities. She suggests we join the LoneStar Corvette Club
. She drives an 07' TrailBlazer SS with the heart of a Corvette but I think we will need a C3 to really do this right. In my search I have found some nice and almost nice cars to choose from but what I don't get is why so many 74' -77's have the 80's back bumper. Is there a problem getting the correct peice or is this a preferance? I looked at a nice 77' the other day , it was near perfect except for the Stingray script on the sides...I don't get why you would'nt want it to be correct? Aftermarket wheels are another turn off...There will never be any wheel as perfect as a 15"X8" rallye wheel, just my humble opinion/I could be wrong! Happy Labor Day!
is off at college and we are left home alone. My Wife wants to join her friends for social activities. She suggests we join the LoneStar Corvette Club. She drives an 07' TrailBlazer SS with the heart of a Corvette but I think we will need a C3 to really do this right. In my search I have found some nice and almost nice cars to choose from but what I don't get is why so many 74' -77's have the 80's back bumper. Is there a problem getting the correct peice or is this a preferance? I looked at a nice 77' the other day , it was near perfect except for the Stingray script on the sides...I don't get why you would'nt want it to be correct? Aftermarket wheels are another turn off...There will never be any wheel as perfect as a 15"X8" rallye wheel, just my humble opinion/I could be wrong! Happy Labor Day!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: Palm Springs CA
Many like the look of the up-turned spoiler tail of the 80'. The 74' was a 2 piece tail with a seam down the middle, and many have replaced it with the one piece tail just to get rid of that seam. Purists of course would have it just because it's correct and unique to the year. The two piece tail is available. There are those that don't like the Stingray name because reportedly it doesn't mean anything and was just a fender space filler. The 68' did not have it on the fender. The owner may have had damaged ones, and didn't bother to replace them. Regarding wheels, there are a million opinions on that. There are many who run alternative wheels just to save their stock ones for shows. This is true for vintage rubber, transmissions, and sometimes even motors. There are stock, resto-mods, and modified Vettes... to each their own. I hope you find a good, safe, quality car for you and your wife to enjoy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
IMHO
Rear bumper is just a styling change to add a bit of flare to an otherwise plain looking rear end that should have never been changed back in 1974. But thanks to the insurance companies and other safety conscious opinions those chrome bumpers where just too dangerous to pedestrians and had to go, also adding a plastic cap made the car cheaper to build. However, over time those urethane bumpers would buckle and get wavy requiring replacement and so is a good time to upgrade the look.
When the Pace Car came out many people bought the front and rear spoiler treatments for their cars as well. The integrated spoilers front and rear treatment is one of the main reasons I like the 80-82 style of C3 and now own an '81.
I will not be installing Torque Thrust wheels on my 81 simply because the new Mustang wheels have ruined the appeal for me now saturating the market with 5 spoke wheels.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 3
From: Woodinville WA
I don't think there is any evidence of 1977 Corvettes having the Stingray script on the side from the factory. If a 1977 has it, chances are a previous owner put it there. 1976 was the last year with the emblems.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
The 77 did not have the stingray script on the fenders. Depending on if it is an early 77 it will only have the burgler lock on the drivers side fender and if it is a late 77 the fenders will have the cross flag emblems on the side. I am sure the Lone Star Corvette club is a good club but I dont think they have many C-3's in their group. I have viewed their website and saw mostly newer corvettes. I have been to a couple of their shows and they are great.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 8
From: Carrollton Texas
I will be one of the few with a C3 in the LoneStar club. All of my friends have new Z51 and Z06 cars. I'm not a fan of C4 and C5 and I don't have the extra scratch for a C6 so I'm "doing it old school" Thanks for the input. I have two candidates for my garage so i'll let you know how this turns out!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The kid will be back. 
Updating the rear bumper cover was/is a popular swap. Correct bumper covers are available. Swapping back is not difficult, but might cost you a paint job.
Small stuff and not a deal breaker. Sell the wheels. Purchase rallies or the optional aluminum wheels.
My two cents' worth: don't pass up a nice C4.
Good luck with the hunt.
...many 74' -77's have the 80's back bumper. Is there a problem getting the correct peice or is this a preferance?...
...Aftermarket wheels are another turn off...
My two cents' worth: don't pass up a nice C4.
Good luck with the hunt.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 6, 2009 at 10:30 AM.
