Input Appreciated
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Zanesville OH
Input Appreciated
Here is my 77, i'm very new at this, i've always dreamed of owning my own vette so i bout a project car and dont really know what i have. Any input is appreciated.
Last edited by codeman1330; Mar 8, 2011 at 01:25 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Eaton Ohio
Click the photo tab in the red bar @ the top of the page, it will lead you to how to upload pics.. or just use photobucket.com or link them from your facebook account(right click pic, properties, copy the URl paste here between the IMG tags)
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,920
Likes: 6,178
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Those crazy .gif files on flicker are not going to show uo. Upload your pictures to Photobucket and copy the IMG files and post them. Your car needs a ton of input and people are not going to chase your pictures to help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 1,549
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Congratulations and welcome to the forum! Looks like you have a good start. A little cleaning and a few repairs and you'll be good to go!
Are those "Western Wheels? I have the same ones minus 2 original caps on one side.
What are your plans? Mostly stock or are you looking to change things?
Are those "Western Wheels? I have the same ones minus 2 original caps on one side.
What are your plans? Mostly stock or are you looking to change things?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 895
From: Myrtle Beach SC
As suggested, you may wish to determine your goals...and a budget. A first step is to assess what you have and photos have limited value unless you can target some very specific technical details, like engine VIN codes, trim tag codes, etc. I would suggest you invest in an NCRS Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide for the 1975-77 model years. This will help you learn "Corvette" language so when we ask "wha't the date code on the trim tag" you'll know what we are asking for. It's $30 bucks and the link is listed below.
If the emission sticker is still there, shoot a picture and post. Its located on the driver's side, projects out from the firewall and holds the brake booster. It will describe the original engine, tranny configuration. So far your doing good...figured out how to post pictures!
1975-77 TIMJG
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 6
From: Lake Charles LA
If it were me, the first thing I would do is check to see how much structural rust that car has. The frame and the cab structure that is called a "birdcage." Get under the car and check your frame. Remove the front kick panels to see how much rust you have there. Also check around the T-Bar roof at the windshield and the front header. If you have a lot of rust, the cost of your project car may be out of the ball park.
If you don't mind sharing, what is your investment so far? You have a lot to do to that old girl. How much of the work are you able to do yourself?
If you don't mind sharing, what is your investment so far? You have a lot to do to that old girl. How much of the work are you able to do yourself?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Looks like you have a lot of work to do on the car...BUT nothing that time and a little work can solve....
Actually it looks like my 76 did when I purchased it ... drivers door looks like the outer skin separated...not a hard fix....when I gutted my interior I also was surprised that the car had a metal floor...(my older cars did not....but anyone can cut out and replace the floor pan...
I'd go over the car for rust in the frame and birdcage area as well as the windshield area then gut the interior and go at it...
I'm now 67 and have 6 Corvettes in my garage BUT just looking at your pictures has got me in the mood to find yet another project car to keep me busy ... 1/2 the fun of owning an older Corvette is in rebuilding them ...
To me you are a lucky man... only hint I can give you is NOT to keep track of what you spend... that will only make you sick but a $100 here and a $100 there will never be felt...
Go at it...
Bob G
Actually it looks like my 76 did when I purchased it ... drivers door looks like the outer skin separated...not a hard fix....when I gutted my interior I also was surprised that the car had a metal floor...(my older cars did not....but anyone can cut out and replace the floor pan...
I'd go over the car for rust in the frame and birdcage area as well as the windshield area then gut the interior and go at it...
I'm now 67 and have 6 Corvettes in my garage BUT just looking at your pictures has got me in the mood to find yet another project car to keep me busy ... 1/2 the fun of owning an older Corvette is in rebuilding them ...
To me you are a lucky man... only hint I can give you is NOT to keep track of what you spend... that will only make you sick but a $100 here and a $100 there will never be felt...
Go at it...
Bob G
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
If it were me, the first thing I would do is check to see how much structural rust that car has. The frame and the cab structure that is called a "birdcage." Get under the car and check your frame. Remove the front kick panels to see how much rust you have there. Also check around the T-Bar roof at the windshield and the front header. If you have a lot of rust, the cost of your project car may be out of the ball park.
If you don't mind sharing, what is your investment so far? You have a lot to do to that old girl. How much of the work are you able to do yourself?
If you don't mind sharing, what is your investment so far? You have a lot to do to that old girl. How much of the work are you able to do yourself?
The rust should be the first thing you check because, if it is real bad, you might want to find another car. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
You've got a LOT of work ahead of you. Are you good with tools & fiberglass? As others have said, rust may be your biggest issue in the bird cage & frame. If it's bad, unload it and find another. Don't mean to be negative, just honest. Post pics of underneath the car also. The kickups are a typical bad spot. That's the frame area that goes up & over the rear suspension. Good luck, but this looks like it will be a money pit, which you'll never recoup when you sell it someday.
Glenn
Glenn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I started with less as mine had no drivetrain to speak of. Make sure it's not rusted badly then make it run first. After it runs, make sure it will stop. Then look at the suspension and replace any bad parts/bushings/shocks etcetera. Once it runs and drives safely work out the electrical gremlins it will have for sure. Then and only then go after the body repairs since your budget might be a bit stretched at that point... do the interior LAST, after paint. Work on only one area of concern at a time and do each all the way to completion; if you allow yourself to get stretched out on several repairs at the same time you'll get frustrated because none will ever seem to get done, and funding more than one repair at a time hurts. Ask lots of questions here before you spend any money, someone here has done the exact thing and you'll come out time and dollars ahead since you can benefit from other's experience. Welcome to the 1977 fan club!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
Another thing--post your location and maybe someone is close to you and can come by and look and give you some first hand help/info on what your looking at. All of it comes down to 2 things--time and money. Mine has always been personal satifaction in doing the work and it keeps me occupied!!! 
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Zanesville OH
I bought it for 3k, so far i've completely stripped the inside. I will post some underneath pictures later. OEM is not really my main concern. I am very handy with tools so i think i will be able to do most the work, except the engine, on my own. It does run, sounds great, but i have not drove it, one of the tires is flat, and i want to get the breaks checked.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Eaton Ohio
make sure you check out the sticky at the top of the forum for Brakes.. they have a life of their own... and baffel many lol
when you check for rust under the car get a little inspection mirror and light to see if you can see above the frame gusset in the corner just to the rear of the door( there is a corner their that tends to collect debris and rust out a critical structural point) right before the frame kicks up over the rear tires
Need for frame repair will dictate the nessesity to do a frame off (which isn't as bad as you might think if you have a little room)
when you check for rust under the car get a little inspection mirror and light to see if you can see above the frame gusset in the corner just to the rear of the door( there is a corner their that tends to collect debris and rust out a critical structural point) right before the frame kicks up over the rear tires
Need for frame repair will dictate the nessesity to do a frame off (which isn't as bad as you might think if you have a little room)
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Looks like you are coming right along! Let me know if you are in need of any little interior bits. I have been parting out a 76 Corvette, and might have just what you are looking for