I'm usually over on the C5 section, as I'm a Z06 owner, but I have a question that I'd like to ask about a '77 vette. I've found a local gentleman who is the original owner of a black/black L-82 4 spd '77 'Vette. The car is an unrestored original. It has been repainted. It is loaded and he has all of the original paperwork. He's asking $10,000.00 for the car and is firm on his price. The problem I'm having is that the car has a little over 100,000 miles on the clock. I'm thinking that this car should be around the $8500 range, but before I go look at it, I wanted to get some input. Should I be that concerned about the milage? I'm possibly getting this as a second 'vette. I'm also thinking (if I get it) of having it certified as a 'survivor'. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

If the car is in great shape it's probably worth it seeing that it's the rare L-82 4 speed. If the engine's not perfect just have a basic rebuild to stock specs done. If the engine or other mechanicals need moderate to severe help, than walk away.

 

If the car is in excellent condition, it's worth $10k regardless of the mileage. :cheers:

 

I would not shy away from an original owner car. If he has documentation on repairs/upkeep, then 10k is a fair price. As stated above, if it needs major work, ie. engine, trans rear supsension, pass.

 

Thanks for the rapid replies! I always thought that with desirable 'vettes, an engine that needed rebuilding shouldn't really be an issue. I would guess that 10K is acceptable if the car is in excellent condition (paperwork etc.) and it requires no other major work not including an engine rebuild. If the motor hasn't ever been rebuilt, with 100K on the engine, it wouldn't be long before one would be required anyway. Other than extensive frame rust & rear suspension/transmission problems, what else should I look for, or what may be noticeable that would be a cause for me to steer clear? I've been looking for an orange/tan '77 L-82 4 spd for many years. That's a tough combination to find. This is the closest I've come, & I don't have a problem with the color. Black cars look great, they're just a bear to keep clean!

 

Just because it is showing 100k, doesn't necessarily mean it will need an engine overhaul, unless you want to do it for general purposes. My engine has 117k on it and it runs strong. You are correct in looking for frame rot. Look behind the rear wheels, where the frame rails swoop up and then back down towards the rear. This is a major problem area with rust belt C3's. If that part of the frame looks solid, don't worry about the rest. Also, some cars exhibit seperation or cracking of the shock tower/front cradle area. It comes from normal wear and tear and age. The two C3's I have owned, both Cali cars, have never had that problem or rot on the frame. Only surface rust. Be aware that if the owner hasn't done it recently, the brakes and front suspension will be areas that will need attention. To a lessor degree, the rear suspension. You can go the "correct" restoration route or the custom, upgrade route. I have gone the upgrade/improvement route. I make the car handle/ride like a newer Vette. It can be done and done successfully. My old 72 could hold it's own in the twisties with the C4's in our local Corvette club. I would love to get into a C5 Hardtop. That is my next goal. I would say, buy. You will enjoy the car as much as the Z. :yesnod:

 

Here's an update........talked with the gentleman tonight about this car. It is a 4spd L-82. It was ordered by him & has all the available options including the aluminum wheels. The car was built between June & July of 1977. He has 25 years of paperwork including the window sticker. The motor was rebuilt at 90,000 miles. The car has 110,000 on it. It needs a set of tires and AC work (according to him) , but other than that, it is in excellent shape. I'm going to go check it out this Sunday. He's dead set FIRM on $10,000 for the car. Can anyone of you C3 experts tell me just how many 4spd '77 L-82's were made? I'm curious, as I would think that this car would be one of the rarer late 70's cars to locate. It's funny to me how between '73 & '77, L-82s were pretty scarce & then they were the motor option of choice during 1978 & 1979. Then back to being a scarce option for 1980.

 

Sorry! :crazy: :crazy: According to the VIN #, this car was built in April/May of '77, which would make it a pretty late production car. Not that it matters, but could be one of the last '77 L-82s made.

 

In late 99, I bought a 77 L48 auto (with L82 badges, valve covers - ex california so original owner couldnt get a L82.) It had been in a shed for about 3 years and needed some work but was all original apart from a/c compressor being removed and a repaint from silver to red. It had 85K on the clock and a $5000 (NZ) motor recon 3 years ago after a radiator hose blew and the motor was overheated. It cost me $11K New Zealand and at the time the NZ dollar was worth 42 American cents. I knew about this car for over 9 months and waited whilst "deals were underway" and "somebodys coming down next week to buy it". Any car is only worth what you want to pay for it. The current owner can be as firm as he wants. Tell him youll give him $8.5 K and take the $$ around in folding. Takes a brave man to turn down folding. My vette owner was "firm on $15K (NZ). Amazing what the sight of a wad of bills will do. !! Keep us posted. :cool: :cool: :cool:

 

:yesnod:

 

In the past month there is a lot of new activity and/or purchases for 77 vettes reported in the C3 forum. Must be coming of age.

 

according to http://www.idavette.net/facts/77.htm

out of 49,213 cars only 6,148 had the L82 and 2,060 were 4spd. As far as how many had the combination of the two I dunno. According to the previous owner, my '76 L82 4spd was one of *scratches head* 600 or 700 cars with that combination? Though I don't know if that's accurate, or if he was just talking out of his butt.

 

Well, for me, I was a senior in high school & a neighbor of mine had an L-82 Orange/Buckskin and I was just totally in love with it. Even though I've got my Z06, my heart still has a very soft spot for '77 'Vettes. I've been 'holding out' for that (any!) elusive Orange/Buckskin L-82, but it's a tough animal to find; in fact I don't think I've ever seen one for sale. Most of the orange 'Vettes I see for sale are either '76's or non-L-82 '77s. If this black one is as nice as he says it is, it's mine! Yes, I do think that all mid to late 70's C3's are finally becoming more and more desirable. Thanks for the reply!

 

Sounds like a good car at a good price. I wouldn't worry about the 100k miles, especially if the motor was rebuilt at 90k. I would rather buy a high mileage Vette that was driven and maintained then a low mileage Vette that sat for 7 years. I speak from experience. :crazy: Vettes are meant to be driven! :yesnod:

 

One thing I've noticed around here is a lack of clean, unmolested late '70s L-82's. I'm not really sure why. There are plenty of very clean L-48s out there. Perhaps the people who bought L-82's at the time beat the snot out of them because they were the "performance" model in their time...sending them to an early grave. :sad:

 

Regarding the numbers of L82's with the 4-speed, it is my understanding that the 2060 figure is correct. You will see that there were 2060 close ratio 4-speeds produced. The close ratio was only matched with the L-82. Add the close ratio option with the number of automatics and the total is something less than the total cars built. The difference is the wide ratios available on the L48.

I have a '76 L82 4-speed and was wondering the same thing after I bought it. By the way, $10K sounds like a good deal to me - I'd go for it.

Brian

 

My '77 is an modified L-48, 4 speed, Orange, and black interior.

 

Way too much for that car with those original miles!! More than the motor gets old. It was damn near a daily driver. $5000 (US) tops.



[Modified by 76Pitter, 1:07 AM 9/19/2002]

 

I agree with Pitter, $10K is over the top... its not that rare and you do have some doubts re the price. Dont get too keen, make a cheeky offer and hold off. How long has it been for sale ?? :cool: :cool: :cool:

 

To me, it's only natural that the L82 with standard transmission will have been driven harder. Many women don't know how to use a standard.