1977 Corvette PRE-PURCHASE Inspection

I recently had the opportunity to check out a 1977 Corvette I saw listed in the classified ads.
The seller was asking $10,500 but we did not reach an agreement and besides, he had a sentimental attachment to the car, something I can completely relate to. So no deal.
Anyway, this is a video of the inspection and test drive. I trimmed some of the footage to make it as concise as possible while giving you a good overall view of the Vette inside and out.
I hope you enjoy the video.
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
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- 76 Vette Assembly Manual: amzn.to/2GBuHrd
- 68-82 Corvette Manual: amzn.to/3devEEW
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- 68-82 Vette Resto Guide: amzn.to/2QvvIGQ
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
The repairs and other work I do are for my own benefit and entertainment, and even though my videos may sound and appear to give technical how-to advice, that's not my intention.
Working on a vehicle is inherently dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a licensed mechanic.
#corvettec3 #c3 #c3corvette

[@markrichardson3566]

Sweet Corvette, put it up on the lift, it will show you alot, it's 40yrs old, make a cool driver 🙂

[@budehrmann5902]

Based on what I saw of the front body mount on the driver's side, I think you are lucky you didn't buy it.

[@76vette]

You’re probably right. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@donaldstanfield3486]

That car is a money 💰 pit junk be glad 😊 you didn't buy it.

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@victorycrosby4896]

I have a 76 stingray L82 Muncie 4 speed 411 short throw with koni front end short ratio steering corvette yellow blk interior no air ps 4 wdb no pwr wndw , perfect no leak tops impressive undercarriage all original same asking price. Needs paint od shows 89,000.

[@herold30]

In Germany you pay around 15,000 euros in this condition🎉

[@alzg8779]

Great channel, hey, any tips on brake system on 76, no leaks, no air in system, New MC, very low pedal. Should I try front calipers? Thanks! Al

[@76vette]

All 76s had power brakes, right? I’m not sure 🤷🏻‍♂️. Anyway, a failing booster may be the cause, but if it’s ok, you may be able to adjust it. What you describe does sound like air in the lines though, but if everything is tight and there are no leaks, then replacing calipers and pistons may be the only fix. Plus it’s a good opportunity to maybe upgrade them? Just sayin’ Lol 😆 Good luck and thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@sergiopodesta]

A lot of work...and I prefer manual trans...

[@76vette]

Yes! 😊👍🏻

[@terrystrand]

Rusty frame / birdcage - A low powered l48 not the l82 - an automatic - not a Stingray - looks untaken care of... - too much asking $$$$$ - Nope. Nope. Nope.

[@kfm908]

I hate rust..I would walk away unless I got it really cheap 6 grand or less

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@door2416]

10500 for that car, I don't think so. That's a 5000 car if that. I wouldn't want it with the rot in the birdcage. He didn't even get it running better before he put it up for sale. That tells a lot. Plus it's an ugly color. Wait for something nicer.

[@76vette]

Oh I passed on that one. Lol 😆

[@jarheadjake503]

The rust in the frame especially where the bird cage bolts to the rails. The drivers side shows how rusty it is. Probably have to replace the rails for the bird cage to be actually bolted down. My advice is get a corvette builder to checkout the car. Semper FI

[@SamQuintani]

you should have bought that thing. That thing was in reasonable condition. These cars are becoming more rare to come across these days. I love 74 corvette. Best of luck!

[@76vette]

Yes, it was a decent car, but not the right car for me. The thing is, I already have a fine, 4-speed Stingray at home, so I can be as picky as I want. Plus, I see lots of C3s advertised in Florida. So I don’t think they are becoming “rare” per se, but they are getting pricier. Anyway, thank you for commenting and for watching. 😊👍🏻

[@Comicsngamez]

I agree! I have a silver anniversary! 1 owner! And 48,000 original miles excellent condition! I can’t begin to tell you, how many letters and times I come out to my car with notes left on it! People wanting to sell!✌️ Tha car was in decent shape! Would’ve been a good buy!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@heliplt63]

I would not even touch it after seeing the drivers side kick panel removed with all of the rust around the birdcage . All of the C3s have that problem but there are some out there in much better shape with no major rust problems .

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@MM-fq3ys]

I think if you want something more original…like I like them too…the engine situation would’ve been a deal breaker for me too. That body mount under the kick panel was pretty well gone by the looks of it too…too much rust would’ve made me want to knock the price down too. Buckskin has to be one of my least favorite colors as well. Resto-mod car all the way; as a result I wouldn’t want to give him more than $6k in today’s market, because of my tastes, my investment to bring it up to a high quality after purchasing, and the low market return on C3’s in today’s market. Keep up the cool videos! I’ll see you on the road soon.

[@76vette]

I owned a Buckskin Tan ‘76 Vette back in the early 1980s, and loved the color. The brown interior not that much. So I swapped it for a red one, and the Buckskin Tan body with the red interior looked awesome! I don’t particularly care much for restomods, even though I’ve seen many fine examples. I prefer original-looking C3s which can cost just as much to restore. The tricky thing about buying a classic vehicle, especially one that will not bring as much money because of year of manufacture, is getting it for cheap enough in an attempt to justify a restoration. On the other hand, you have sellers who want to sell a drivable Corvette who-in some cases-think the badge alone will justify a higher price. Finding a happy median for both parties involved a lot of negotiating as well as diplomacy. lol 😆 Your valuation of this ‘77 is right on the money considering all the work and parts it needs. On a separate note, I recently drove down to Orlando and looked at a 1976 Buckskin Tan Corvette with not only a factory 4-speed transmission, but also with 31,000 documented miles! Did not buy it because regardless of all the aforementioned qualities, buying a used vehicle always involves additional expenses. (Not to mention I already have a gorgeous’76 sitting in my garage 😎). The seller and I talked about price briefly, but I really felt he was being fair with his valuation of the car and I didn’t want to insult him with my offer, so we parted as friends. I will have a video of that beauty next month, but whoever buys it will have a gorgeous car he or she will enjoy for years, so stay tuned, and thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@josemartins9976]

I have the same 1977 vetted, same color but with original L82 engine. When comparing that car to mine I would say that one being worth no more than 9k

[@76vette]

Having the L-82 engine adds value, of course, and so does originality IMO. I valued it around $7K based on the work needed and I looked at it as a possible addition to the channel for content. But ultimately, I want one that’s as original as possible, unmolested, in overall good condition, and for a reasonable price. So an unicorn. lol 😆 Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@aboutmyfathersbusiness8324]

Bird cage is rotted. That would be a deal breaker for me. Engine bay cleanup, compression check, all new ignition components, EFI conversion; laying the spark plug wires behind the tins/headers and rewiring alternator, starter, AC compressor, fan, ignition from the firewall out. Interior; gut out and detail. Carpet looks like it could be saved. Seats and dash look decent just need new stops for the driver side. Entire suspension would have to be gone through with their rubber bushings that are probably shot, replacing to urethane. Rear and front wheel bearings replaced. TH350 serviced and rear differential. To start... I would offer 7500 if compression was good and the cage was ok.

[@76vette]

Excellent assessment. I did not inspect the birdcage thoroughly, but as I mentioned earlier, the bolts tend to corrode faster and make everything look pretty bad. I have a video coming out soon if a ‘74 I looked at recently with a bird cage that is completely ruined, so stay tuned for that one. A non-numbers-matching engine usually points to a car that’s not been taken care of properly, and I pretty much lose all interest at that point. Having said that, this one in particular was not that bad and it could actually be flipped if you could buy it for around $7K as you stated. But I’m not a car flipper and it was not the right car for me. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@JR-ic4hl]

$10,500 is not a fair price.

[@76vette]

That’s solely a matter of opinion. A drivable 1977 Corvette in overall good condition is worth at least 10 grand. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@markrichardson3566]

You said it's worth 10k, I'd buy for 10k❤

[@evanbarr9270]

Thats a edelbrock carberater.

[@didiermasclet5350]

Whoa! For my part, residing abroad, I will not be interested in the vehicle as it is. Already, transport, customs and local taxes would very quickly increase the price. I paid mine a lot more while having a car on which there is nothing to do, except perhaps personal improvements. I will soon give you the results of my adventure which has now lasted 6 months as well as send you photos. 🙂👍.

[@76vette]

Yes, fixing and (especially) restoring cars usually is VERY expensive. Buying the best car one can afford is the way to go. I look forward to seeing pics of yours. Soon I hope, for your sake. You’ve waited long enough! 😊👍🏻

[@davereynolds7104]

I see Vette's like this one all the time going across the carpet at Mecum for anywhere from 7k - 9k. Sellers have too understand if the numbers don't match it's just another car. In the dog world we call the mutt's

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@gianluca8805]

Are you only interested in the 68-77 C3’s or are you looking at 78-82 as well ?

[@76vette]

Good question. C3s in general, but factory 4-speed cars only. Although I would make an exception for a good deal on an ‘82 Collector’s Edition 😊👍🏻

[@davidmcmenamin9701]

Nice video. Agree value around 10ish depending on frame etc. Looks like a little rust in the mounting bolt area.

[@76vette]

Thank you. I didn’t poke around the bottom of the door hinge pillar but for the most part it looked ok. The bolts usually deteriorate a lot faster so they look horrible, and they also weaken which makes removal a real PITA! Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@paulmoss7940]

A lot of folks don't know that a 77 is a one year interior on some parts.

[@76vette]

Yes, the ‘77 was a “transition” C3 😊👍🏻

[@e.z.hernandez6378]

When I first got my 68 coupe it was very similar to this one but a little more intact in the interior. An all original #’s matching 3 speed 327. It has power steering, windows and A/C. It was repainted but needs corrected. It took a thorough tune up just to get it running but a lot of the rusty crusty parts have since been stripped off, refinished or replaced. Anyway my original price after sitting for over a decade was $6000 in 2018. I understand that was a fantastic price then for a chrome bumper car making it worth the time to learn and money to fix. Honestly I’d try for under ten grand for this one if I was in the market for a project. Knowing I can redo almost everything wrong with it. I’d love one for the wife… but she likes C4’s 🤷

[@76vette]

My first Vette was a ‘68 327/auto I bought when I was 19. IT. WAS. FUN! 😆 Is yours a 3-speed manual? If so that would be pretty rare 😳. As far as this ‘77, I think the right price is in the $6-to-$7K range, considering all the work it needs. And I honestly think it could sell for around $15K once everything is taken care of. But making the investment with hopes of making a slim profit would be risky if not foolish. You bought yours for the right price, but I’m sure bringing back to life has not been cheap, and we usually don’t account for all the time we spend working on them. If you had to pay someone to do all the work, you might as well just bite the bullet and buy one that’s already been restored. I tell people restoring cars is a very expensive hobby. Ask me how I know. Then again, to paraphrase George Best, I’ve spent a lot of time and money restoring cars. The rest I just squandered. lol 😆

[@e.z.hernandez6378]

@@76vette Mine is a 3 speed TH350 automatic. One of 300 put in that year because no one wanted them, but she runs fast enough for me. I’ve also about tripled the purchase price. I’ve learned a lot and do all the work myself now because of a horrifically bad twilight zone experience with a performance shop. I’ll never do that again.

[@76vette]

Some shops out there are nothing more than fly-by-nights, to put it mildly, and you have to avoid them like the plague. Same goes for some paint shops. I’ve had a few cars in “paint jail” in the past. Not a pleasant experience. But we persevere 😊👍🏻

[@russellboyd5262]

I enjoy your videos. I have a torch red 1977 corvette, with 116000 miles on it.I really like the car.lol russ boyd.

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@Norcal_a90]

7k

[@76vette]

Yup. Spot on. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻