Newbie here with a question. I've been shopping C3's in nice condition and find most of them are sadly way out of my price range. But then I come across this one on Ebay that has only a $7500 BIN price and no bids or hasn't been scooped up at that price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Corvette-Base-Coupe-2-Door-/121787994762?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c 5b21528a:gSQAAOSw9mFWG~jS&item=121787994 762

It seems like a beauty according to the pics and description. What am I missing? Educate me? Thanks.

 

Well... um... I don't want to offend anyone... but it's a 77. Still a C3, still a corvette, still a cool car, but, not at the top of the food chain in the C3 world. Secondly, it's a California car and the tags will be expiring this month. Not great engine bay pictures, but I see it has headers on it and no EGR provisions. 77's require smog checks here and he may be trying to dump it off before it becomes an issue for him. I don't know what the smog laws are like in Virginia, but that one has California problems.

 

Engine, wheels, etc not helping value any.

 

"with rare automatic transmission"
"M20 4-speed automatic transmission"
"Turbo 350 with a B & M clutch pack & shift kit"
ec ec ad nauseam

 

Wow...REALLY good points I as a newbie would NEVER even have thought to consider.

You say "But it's a 77."

And?

Why aren't 77's at the top of the food chain? Issues or looks? Or....? This sounds really important but I don't know what it means. Tags expiring why an issue? You can see it has headers on it and no EGR provisions? How do you see this and how do you know it has Cali problems? Sorry to be such a numbskull but that's why I came here....to hopefully learn something from y'all before I acquire someone else's headache!

I DID catch the "with rare automatic transmission" and rolled my eyes a bit myself but I didn't catch the ""Turbo 350 with a B & M clutch pack & shift kit." Does that mean it is NOT automatic and has a clutch or what the heck does all that mean as far as bularky? Educate me please.

[/QUOTE]

 

You say "But it's a 77."

And?

Why aren't 77's at the top of the food chain? Issues or looks? Or....?

Without getting into personal preferences, it's neither. A 77 just won't command as much money as a chrome bumper C3.

This sounds really important but I don't know what it means. Tags expiring why an issue? You can see it has headers on it and no EGR provisions? How do you see this and how do you know it has Cali problems? Sorry to be such a numbskull but that's why I came here....to hopefully learn something from y'all before I acquire someone else's headache!

In California a smog check is required every other year at the time the registration is due. It's just a guess that the reg is due... no proof... but cars are easier to sell when they are currently registered. He would have to do some substantial work to get that thing back to passing smog condition. I don't know how much you know about cars and don't want to insult you, but the engine picture in the ad shows the headers. They obviously have no EGR tubes coming off of them and the intake manifold looks to have no provisions for it either.


I DID catch the "with rare automatic transmission" and rolled my eyes a bit myself but I didn't catch the ""Turbo 350 with a B & M clutch pack & shift kit." Does that mean it is NOT automatic and has a clutch or what the heck does all that mean as far as bularky? Educate me please.

Who knows!!!

 

I assume he means the friction discs in the turbo 350 are B&M.

Not sure why he references an M20 4sp, hooker heads when he means headers, or his Isky cam roller instead of roller cam. Even if English is not his first language its still a strange ad.

 

Thanks Fellas!

Looks like I got my answer about why this car has issues! But it has literally 256 watchers! Why? Maybe just people hanging around to see who get scr***ed! LOL

And I obviously <B> don't </b> know anything about cars (except how to haggle) so you can't insult me...don't worry. <u>I am here to learn. </U>We all can feel foolish when we are new at something so yes, I am afraid of asking stupid questions here but in the other forum I said sorry if I am asking a stupid question and they said "There are no stupid questions only stupid people." If I ask questions and I clearly am asking a naive question, it is an opportunity to educate me if you will. And education has always been the key to success in my book!

So, no 77's. Got it. There is a boatload of them out there right now...seems like all I run across in the 70's!

 

Why no 77's? Don't let a few comments sway you. We have a '79 " gasp " and I love every sexy inch of it. Big glass and all $7,500 isn't a bad price for a 77' running and driving. Just make sure you read the sticky post at the top when buying a corvette. You are light years ahead of me. I didn't find this forum until AFTER we bought our car. I love the blind excitement you seemed to have when you posted. Don't be jaded by some who will tell you some years are better than others. We bought the "worst" year and I still love it. Actually I love the seats in the 79' and the spoilers that were an option in 79. There is Uniqueness in a '77 for that was the last year of the flat back window. Find the car that's is right for you and have fun.

 

They are at the top of the food chain for anyone who owns one. My advice is never to purchase a C3 you have not personally inspected.

 

Hi Hubie,
I think you'd be wiser to begin considering cars that are located considerably closer to Alexandria than the yellow car.
Just the cost of getting that car to your driveway changes what you'll actually pay for it considerably. Have you checked into the cost of shipping it east?
As Mike said it's quite a good idea to take a look at a car you're thinking about in person. In your case since you're not familiar with this era of Corvettes you might want to have someone quite knowledgeable about these cars go with you to look at the car. They can quickly tell you what they see in the car and also offer some impression about how it runs and drives.
There are many, many Corvette folks in your area that would make finding someone to help you quite possible.
Good Luck as you continue your search.
Regards,
Alan

PS: I don't think you need to discount a 77 car entirely, but you do need though to understand what you're buying and why a particular car is priced as it is.
Remember, 'price guides' are generally based on cars that are mostly stock, it's much more difficult to put a value on a modified car.

 

there are lots of fish in the sea, find one closer to home

 

He didn't mean 77 in particular, he was saying that the mid to late 70's generally sell for less. There's nothing inherently wrong with a 77 and they are beautiful cars, just for some reason those years aren't bringing a lot of money. I think they will only increase with time. The ad says "faded paint", which means if you want to paint it, you'll probably run into 10,000 estimates. The interior looks nice, but the car needs to be inspected in person for rust in the birdcage and frame. If you look at the car and you're ok with the paint condition, you may be doing alright with that price. I personally would look for one with good paint, you can buy one for close to the same price. I would prefer an L82 with a 4 speed, too. But everyone doesn't like the same thing. It's not a bad entry level car if you want to drive and tinker. Then if you find one you like better, you'll know because of your experiences and won't lose a lot of money on this one. They won't go much lower unless there's a rust problem.

 

I think I would approach this one with caution.

 

Go to your local car shows, find C3 owners, and ask lots of questions.

 

[QUOTE=Hubie1002;1590722441 But then I come across this one on Ebay that has only a $7500 BIN price and no bids or hasn't been scooped up at that price.

[/QUOTE]

Because no one wants to pay $7,500 for a $4,000 car

 

Nobody has mentioned that his description indicates its a 77 built in October 1977. That makes it an extremely rare 77, and probably justfies the asking price.

 

It looks like a teenagers car.
I guarantee that car has had the ever loving **** run out of it.

 

If you think it is the car for you, then buy it.
You only live ones :- )

 

Did anyone else notice the fuel line?? Who used plumber fitting to make a fuel line?

Unless this guy is in a No Smog area. It won't pass emissions testing if he sells it in state. So he needs to sell it out of state or make it legal.