Looking at a 77
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: York pa
Looking at a 77
I am making plans to look at a 77. It is original owner, 74K miles. Not sure what engine but all numbers match. Auto, A/C, Leather seats ( no tears) Am/Fm radio, needs carpet. One headlight does not come up. Garage kept and has not been on the road in 10 years BUT they drive it around the yard?!
I already have at 72 convertible and do all my work myself so not afraid to do anything.
Just not sure what this year is really worth. Any thoughts?
I already have at 72 convertible and do all my work myself so not afraid to do anything.
Just not sure what this year is really worth. Any thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Looking at a 77 (princeRed72)
2002 PRICE GUIDE says: std 350 = 10.5 in average condition. Add $1000.00 for L-82 eng. IMO if I wanted a 77 $8000.00 would be more realistic.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 17
From: Newport News VA
Re: Looking at a 77 (princeRed72)
Well with minimum amount of info given, I would say 4 or 5 grand. If fairly decent. A few more thousand and you could get a chrome bumper t-top to match the vert.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Looking at a 77 (71,454,4spd)
I owned a 77 a long time ago. Nice car, but not an especailly great year for C3s.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock, Texas, USA Texas
Re: Looking at a 77 (princeRed72)
I was lucky with the "nothing fancy"'77 - the previous (2nd) owner had had a Vette Brakes kit put in the rear and a built (non-numbers matching) 350, along with 3.55 rear gears.
I'd consider it a good performance platform to build on. You might appreciate the rubber body mounts and creature comforts your '72 might not have.
I spend well under $7 grand for mine and have had little to do - only big thing was a rebuild of the lower performance turbo 350.
good luck
I'd consider it a good performance platform to build on. You might appreciate the rubber body mounts and creature comforts your '72 might not have.
I spend well under $7 grand for mine and have had little to do - only big thing was a rebuild of the lower performance turbo 350.
good luck
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: huntington wv
Re: Looking at a 77 (princeRed72)
why would you say the 77 wasn't a great year? it looks the same as a 76, 75, or 74 and about the same as 70-73 - the chrome bumpers. why are so many people down on tthe 77? to me it's the last of real corvettes, i hate anything after 77.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Looking at a 77 (road2xs)
the 77's are a good entry Vette. If I had the money I'd have got a 69-70 LT-1 convertible. However I pumped 24K into mine and it holds it's own with its bretheren now. P.S. I love the body style of 80-82 Vettes way more than mine road2xs
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Re: Looking at a 77 (Cali,77,L-82)
Have ya noticed anything in common with each thread? Opinions..and you will get ALOT of them here. If you WANT it and you think it is worth it, then get it, Chrome Bumper Folks are happy that their cars are worth more money in Stock form, but my modified '76 (and the '77 U R lookin at) can be at least as much fun to drive, and more, with a few easy perf. mods. 99% of the people attending parades and shows that I participate in have NEVER heard of NCRS or "numbers matching"......All they know is that I have one Hell of a nice looking and sounding Corvette......and thats good enough for me........If you want , you get it......... :cheers:
.. amen to that. If you like it, and it makes you happy, buy it!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Looking at a 77 (princeRed72)
I like my '77 a lot. I picked it up for close to $5000. And it needed work. But I've learned a lot. It all depends on what you're looking for. For me, this was the ticket.
I say if the price is right, grab it.
I say if the price is right, grab it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 65,981
Likes: 15
Re: Looking at a 77 (princeRed72)
You obviously love C3s, and why not? If all 5 generation vettes drove up to Star Bucks, people would most admire the C1 through C3 generations over the C4s and C5s. Nothing wrong with the C4s and C5s EXCEPT that you see them everywhere everyday. Who cares if a C4 or C5 drives up? It's no big deal. The C1 and C2 would grab looks but are expensive; the C4s are getting cheap but are plentiful; the C5s are also fairly expensive. Only the C3s offer the most "look grabbing" car for the money. I know because when my Corvette club goes on a cruise through small East Texas towns, town folk congregate around my car.