Opinion Please
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
Opinion Please
I just picked up a 77 for the wife for a resto project we can do together.
the car is ruff but a fair price.
Opinion:
It would cost $$$ to get this old girl back to factory, but I could put my 454 in it, redo the gage console my self with Autometer gages and just sort of reto-mod it to a Big Block side pipe AC car with a hot rod flavor
I understand that it would hurt the value?? it would be nice and clean.
Thoughts?
I just happen to be a Big Block Nut and already have all the stuff laying in shop waiting for a home. I could keep the L82 wrapped up in plastic or something just in case. but really is the 77 going to ever be the holy grail of Vettes? I don't see it?
the car is ruff but a fair price.
Opinion:
It would cost $$$ to get this old girl back to factory, but I could put my 454 in it, redo the gage console my self with Autometer gages and just sort of reto-mod it to a Big Block side pipe AC car with a hot rod flavor
I understand that it would hurt the value?? it would be nice and clean.
Thoughts?
I just happen to be a Big Block Nut and already have all the stuff laying in shop waiting for a home. I could keep the L82 wrapped up in plastic or something just in case. but really is the 77 going to ever be the holy grail of Vettes? I don't see it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
If you're looking at doing that much modification, I wouldn't worry about diminishing the value. If/when it comes time to sell it, sell it as it is....a stock under-powered car that has a big block with side pipes. A "non-numbers matching fun machine".
77s were a part of the low-power era in Corvette history and had the rubber bumpers, so it's doubtful that they will ever be worth as much as a chrome bumper car.
IMO, sell off that old L82 to someone that cares about and wants date codes, for funds to put back into her.
77s were a part of the low-power era in Corvette history and had the rubber bumpers, so it's doubtful that they will ever be worth as much as a chrome bumper car.
IMO, sell off that old L82 to someone that cares about and wants date codes, for funds to put back into her.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
You're a lucky guy if the wife wants to get involved to build "her" car so like the others have mentioned, build it any way that pleases both of you and then go enjoy it.
The biggest value you'll get out of the car is whatever floats your boat.
You'd probably get more push back if it was a NCRS Top Flight car and telling us that you want hamburger now, instead of filet mignon.
Have a ball and show us some pictures, "while you're at it".
The biggest value you'll get out of the car is whatever floats your boat.
You'd probably get more push back if it was a NCRS Top Flight car and telling us that you want hamburger now, instead of filet mignon.
Have a ball and show us some pictures, "while you're at it".
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
You're a lucky guy if the wife wants to get involved to build "her" car so like the others have mentioned, build it any way that pleases both of you and then go enjoy it.
The biggest value you'll get out of the car is whatever floats your boat.
You'd probably get more push back if it was a NCRS Top Flight car and telling us that you want hamburger now, instead of filet mignon.
Have a ball and show us some pictures, "while you're at it".
The biggest value you'll get out of the car is whatever floats your boat.
You'd probably get more push back if it was a NCRS Top Flight car and telling us that you want hamburger now, instead of filet mignon.
Have a ball and show us some pictures, "while you're at it".
I had an account with photo bucket but it doesn't work since the reboot
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
tonight we got the new calipers painted so we can put breaks on it. along the way discovered that the L-82 350 is not that its a turd 2 bolt truck engine.I believe we are gonna build a nasty small block for it instead.
Everything will fit, and I can save the BBC for a different project.
Boss says its fine, better on gas and easier to get the AC to work
as long as it beats the ground
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
If you bought it to restore and sell for profit.... you made a mistake.
If you bought it to build, play with, and put a big smile on momma`s face, what does "value" matter?
I have cars with more into than I`ll EVER get out, but my children helped me build them, and there`s no amount of money that can account for that.
I say get her in the garage, give her some tools, and GET SOME PICS of her covered with grease and under the car!
I probably wouldn`t even HAVE a corvette if it wasn`t for my wife`s insistance that we get this one!
If you bought it to build, play with, and put a big smile on momma`s face, what does "value" matter?
I have cars with more into than I`ll EVER get out, but my children helped me build them, and there`s no amount of money that can account for that.
I say get her in the garage, give her some tools, and GET SOME PICS of her covered with grease and under the car!
I probably wouldn`t even HAVE a corvette if it wasn`t for my wife`s insistance that we get this one!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
If you bought it to restore and sell for profit.... you made a mistake.
If you bought it to build, play with, and put a big smile on momma`s face, what does "value" matter?
I have cars with more into than I`ll EVER get out, but my children helped me build them, and there`s no amount of money that can account for that.
I say get her in the garage, give her some tools, and GET SOME PICS of her covered with grease and under the car!
I probably wouldn`t even HAVE a corvette if it wasn`t for my wife`s insistance that we get this one!
If you bought it to build, play with, and put a big smile on momma`s face, what does "value" matter?
I have cars with more into than I`ll EVER get out, but my children helped me build them, and there`s no amount of money that can account for that.
I say get her in the garage, give her some tools, and GET SOME PICS of her covered with grease and under the car!
I probably wouldn`t even HAVE a corvette if it wasn`t for my wife`s insistance that we get this one!
ur right I got this thing to build and enjoy, my guess is that it will be worth 1/2 what it takes but that is not the point
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
Yeah, right!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 833
From: WI
The one consideration I would toss out there is if by making those modifications (like big block swap and custom gauge), if it takes a long time to implement because you have to hunt down extra parts (that you don't have) and fab up a bunch of stuff, you might be saving money but pushing the completion time of the car WAY out there. If that is the case, you might be better off getting used parts that you can 'drop' in and enjoy it sooner. Then, make the mods at some future point (like in the winter). Just a thought.
I've been in a situation where I went over and above to do something 'cool' but it took a lot longer and cost more than replacing what I had originally (but it took a LOT LONGER).
Otherwise, whatever trips your trigger. Good luck!
I've been in a situation where I went over and above to do something 'cool' but it took a lot longer and cost more than replacing what I had originally (but it took a LOT LONGER).
Otherwise, whatever trips your trigger. Good luck!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 543
Likes: 10
From: B.F.E....Bowling Green Kentucky
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,380
Likes: 415
From: N J
True, will never be worth big $$$ so I say go for it and do it your way ! Was in the same situation also, had a 454 in the garage for a few years, found a 77 roller and dropped it in. It will be the least expensive vette I ever owned but will have the most fun with it. The fact that the Mrs wants to help out makes it that much better. Heres my project. Good luck.
