1977 corvette engine color
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 196
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From: holland pa
1977 corvette engine color
i own a early production 1977 corvette s/n0242 and the engine is chevrolet orange is this possibly correct? i thought all '77 came with corporate blue painted engines. the engine bay is in dire need of detailing and early spring i want to pull it out and do so and make sure that if i repaint the motor i will be doing it correctly and input would be greatly appreciated. .....chris
Burning Brakes
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
There is a long story behind this. In the mid-1970s GM decided to consolidate its engine options and do away with separate Division offerings amongst Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, etc. The common V8 of choice was the Chevrolet orange 350cid. It first appeared in an Oldsmobile in I believe 1975. My memory fails me somewhat. One new Olds owner was pleased as punch with his new car until he opened the hood and saw an orange Chev engine rather than an Olds Rocket. He sued GM and eventually they took back the car. GM panicked. By early 1977 GM V8s, and most other engines, began to appear in "corporate" blue so as to avoid consumer confusion and liability issues. If you check a window sticker from that time you will see a disclaimer re the source of the engine be it a Buick, Olds, Chev or Pontiac. One man changed GM policy.
So a Chevy orange 1977 350 may be absolutely correct.
So a Chevy orange 1977 350 may be absolutely correct.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Fayetteville NC
Originally Posted by jonny4523
blue blue blue Here's some pics of mine
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
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From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by Ace77
Engine color actually changed from orange to blue very early in the build year, somewhere after 00913 but before 02416, according to one web site.
Ace 77 is correct. My engine was originally blue, however when I redid my motor I painted it Chevy Orange as I believe all Chevy motors should be Orange. Blue is for Fords and some Mopars. I could never understand why Chevy went blue.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
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From: Longwood Florida
My is a 77 late model with blue engine and I have sport mirrors on both sides...my alarm is in the lock.
My uncle has a orange 77 with a orange engine, single chrome mirror, and the key hole on the front fender... he has a early car.
I guess 77 has some unique features.
My uncle has a orange 77 with a orange engine, single chrome mirror, and the key hole on the front fender... he has a early car.
I guess 77 has some unique features.
Last edited by holley505; Dec 9, 2004 at 05:06 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
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1977 how many unique features?
My is a 77 late model with blue engine and I have sport mirrors on both sides...my alarm is in the lock.
My uncle has a orange 77 with a orange engine, single chrome mirror, and the key hole on the front fender... he has a early car.
I guess 77 has some unique features.
My uncle has a orange 77 with a orange engine, single chrome mirror, and the key hole on the front fender... he has a early car.
I guess 77 has some unique features.
I have a 1977 - Yellow late model from Canada with an orange engine, single chrome mirror, gm power antenna, and side fender flags
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Mine, Dec 1st. 76 birth date. Nov. 30 trim plate date.
Corporate blue as delivered. Painted it black almost straight away. Hated that blue/green color.
Corporate blue as delivered. Painted it black almost straight away. Hated that blue/green color.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Seattle Area Washington
Source: Corvette Black Book ISBN:0-7603-1751-8
Between August 23 and September 7, 1976 The Flint Engines Changed From Orange To Blue.
Production Month V.I.N. ending:
Year: 1976
August : To 02287
September: To 06337
October: Not Listed
November: To 14216
December: To 17551
Year : 1977
January: To 21118
February: To 24662
March: To 29041
April: To 33057
May: To 37029
June: To 41233
July: To 45179
August: To 49213
Between August 23 and September 7, 1976 The Flint Engines Changed From Orange To Blue.
Production Month V.I.N. ending:
Year: 1976
August : To 02287
September: To 06337
October: Not Listed
November: To 14216
December: To 17551
Year : 1977
January: To 21118
February: To 24662
March: To 29041
April: To 33057
May: To 37029
June: To 41233
July: To 45179
August: To 49213
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
18 years later, I think the OP question was answered already.
