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New owner of a '77 C3. I picked up this beauty back in August of '17. I've been a fan of Corvettes and C3s for as long as I can remember, so I when this one fell in my lap I had to get her. Now, I wish I would have read the post about rules of buying a C3 beforehand, but
I'm more than happy with my purchase. As with most C3s, it has it challenges. Thankfully there is no rust and the interior is in good shape with minimal cracks. The original paint has some chips but looks good from 5-10 feet away. The car has been inspected by the local Corvette shop. As expected, I have some work to do under the hood. It has original engine block. Now, I don't have the capacity to do much of this work myself so I've enlisted the skills of a trusted guy that knows how to get it done. Among other minor things, I need a new radiator, heater core, water pump, and carburetor which are being installed now. I've taken it on some short trips around town but I'm looking forward to weekend cruising when the weather breaks. Looking forward to using this board as resource as I settle in with my '77.
New owner of a '77 C3. I picked up this beauty back in August of '17. I've been a fan of Corvettes and C3s for as long as I can remember, so I when this one fell in my lap I had to get her. Now, I wish I would have read the post about rules of buying a C3 beforehand, but
I'm more than happy with my purchase. As with most C3s, it has it challenges. Thankfully there is no rust and the interior is in good shape with minimal cracks. The original paint has some chips but looks good from 5-10 feet away. The car has been inspected by the local Corvette shop. As expected, I have some work to do under the hood. It has original engine block. Now, I don't have the capacity to do much of this work myself so I've enlisted the skills of a trusted guy that knows how to get it done. Among other minor things, I need a new radiator, heater core, water pump, and carburetor which are being installed now. I've taken it on some short trips around town but I'm looking forward to weekend cruising when the weather breaks. Looking forward to using this board as resource as I settle in with my '77.
Good luck with your new car. Don't smile to much as you drive it.
Welcome! I took delivery of my white 77 with automatic in November. I too have some things to keep me busy this spring. So far I have replaced the tires and purchased an interior screw set. I also bought the 77 GM shop manual as well as the GM assembly manual. I recommend both. Not a fan of the 68-82 repair manual. This Forum is a wonderful resource.
Welcome aboard. I too have a '77. They are a lot of fun to cruise around in and as a friend of mine who has a C7 told me "they are all pretty darn cool". Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have.
It notes the two-tone interior, in this case red interior with white seats, door panels and a couple of extra features. Note the white door panels while the seats are red cloth. A previous owner changed out the white seats for red cloth seats. The trim tag interior code 272 calls for red leather interior and the ZJ1 is an override code for the two-tone, in this case white leather seats.
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Feb 7, 2018 at 04:17 AM.
It notes the two-tone interior, in this case red interior with white seats, door panels and a couple of extra features. Note the white door panels while the seats are red cloth. A previous owner changed out the white seats for red cloth seats. The trim tag interior code 272 calls for red leather interior and the ZJ1 is an override code for the two-tone, in this case white leather seats.
Do you think that the original owner may have ordered the cloth seats as an option? I saw a picture of another '77 with the white leather seats and have been thinking about installing some in mine.
Do you think that the original owner may have ordered the cloth seats as an option? I saw a picture of another '77 with the white leather seats and have been thinking about installing some in mine.
I just checked here: http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1977.aspx It seems that any combination could be ordered but the tag says the seats should have been red leather. The cloth/leather combo seats appear to be original. Did the tag get affixed before the options were selected?
I just checked here: http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1977.aspx It seems that any combination could be ordered but the tag says the seats should have been red leather.
There were defined combinations...not random as suggested by vettefacts. The dealer brochure defined those limited combinations.
The cloth/leather combo seats appear to be original.
Appears to be? What makes them appear to be? How many miles on the car? White discolors quickly and are easily interchangeable.
Did the tag get affixed before the options were selected?
The trim tag was attached once the body was assembled and painted. This took place after the dealer and submitted an order: zone entered it into their system, returning a confirmation order to the dealer; and the dealer confirming the order. Only then did the order and its options go into production. The buildsheet documents a ZJ1 option build.
Once, trim was installed and at the end of the assembly line, inspectors would confirm trim tag, installed options and manifest (buildsheet) all reconcile to be precise. So the trim tag calls out red leather. In contrast your pictures show red cloth...thus the discrepancy and doubt that these seats are original to the car.
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Feb 7, 2018 at 01:51 PM.
Reason: clarification
There were defined combinations...not random as suggested by vettefacts. The dealer brochure defined those limited combinations.
Appears to be? What makes them appear to be? How many miles on the car? White discolors quickly and are easily interchangeable.
Good point, they are a bit worn in some places but that certainly doesn't mean they are original. 92K miles
The trim tag was attached once the body was assembled and painted. This took place after the dealer and submitted an order: zone entered it into their system, returning a confirmation order to the dealer; and the dealer confirming the order. Only then did the order and its options go into production. The buildsheet documents a ZJ1 option build.
Once, trim was installed and at the end of the assembly line, inspectors would confirm trim tag, installed options and manifest (buildsheet) all reconcile to be precise. So the trim tag calls out red leather. In contrast your pictures show red cloth...thus the discrepancy and doubt that these seats are original to the car.
Thanks for this background. Good to know more about the history of my car.
Also, by the date code on your trim tag your car should be a January 77 build. I see that your engine is Chevrolet orange rather than the Corporate blue. My 77 that I sold recently had the original drivetrain was a September 76 build and was blue.
New '77 Owner
