DO NOT BUY A 1977 Corvette: Things You NEED To Know Before You Buy A 1977 Corvette
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ส.ค. 2024
- Ok, you should buy a 1977 Corvette BUT before you do, please watch this video. There are many one year only parts that you need to pay attention to before you pull the trigger.
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Loved my new 77! Bright red. Stock engine. Alarm in door lock. Bullet mirrors. White leather. Great car. I put 26k on it. Removed the c converter and pvc valve. Opened the gas filler so the bigger leaded gas filler nozzle would work. And, the cruise did work (new car) but wasn’t good. More like having an old time wire throttle button than today’s cruise controls. They had an 8 track player built in. I wore out my 8 track of Sat nite fever! The roof panels attached to the luggage rack with two brackets which came with the car. $11,450 window sticker.
The '77 has always been a dream car since a guy down the road had a new one when I was a kid. Some other year sounds a lot better now.
I'm still buying one :)
I bought 77 two years ago. Before that I watched all Bens videos to familiarise my self with c3. Look from bright side......its unique one year only!!!!
Owned a ‘77 L-82 for 11 years. (Bought used) never had a single problem with it.
My 77 is perfect. no issues. best car I have!
In the early 80’s, I owned a 77 Corvette. Never realized all the one year only stuff. Luckily everything worked well with it and I didn’t have any problems.
I got a 75 L82 4 speed it's been one of the best cars I've owned
A Fountain-of-Youthful Knowledge. Wry wit, insanely informed, historically wise beyond your years. Love your presentations, thanks for the hard work and great insights. All my best as usual.
Purists hated the 75 to 77 better back in baack in the day
The dimmer switch went bad on my '77 so I'm about to install/retrofit a floor switch.
I've got a 77, great condition with no issues but thanks for the information.
The wiper switch was ahead of its time thats how cars are today
I'd take a 77 any day
I have a a 77 I’ve had it for 40 years never had any problems with it runs good looks good and perfect shape. I have only driven it in the rain twice but it’s an excellent shape. I love it.
Great INFO Dude!! It's funny, I just Bought a 1977 Corvette "TODAY" Thanks, Tony G.
GM Management memo to Engineering: "Let's figure this stuff out on the fly and have the suckers (customers) pay for it."
That is exactly my thoughts every time I work on one. I will always love the vette and always have one but I hate them at the same time
Government motors for you
Gm most overrated car companies ever period
Ok.... thank you. You have now graphically shown why this is the worst possible year Corvette to own. 1977. This was in keeping with the times.
Love my 66 love them all
I love my 77 corvette
I would buy this car and immediately strip it down and build it into the Corvette that was in Corvette Summer, the movie Mark Hamill did before he was in Star Wars back in 1977.
I almost bought a new hugger orange 1977 Vette but instead ordered a new 1977 Z/28 4 speed with A/C. My very 1st brand new car. I started workng FT in IT in 1975.
When "TheCorvetteBen," Tells you NOT TO BUY A CORVETTE!!! its time to listen up Lol
Almost every car in the world has all those things in the turn signal shaft. I have a 77 and none of these things are issues for me. But thanks for pointing out the differences and what makes mine a little more special.
The difference is every car in the world has replacement parts available. I sure hope you never break that part because you will find out real quick how hard those things are to find
@@TheCorvetteBen oh, I’ve already heard. Luckily I’m one of those guys that can make almost anything work.
Yesterday I acquired a 1977, it was completely restored several years back, but it’s been sitting outside in this Arizona heat. It has historic plates and it’s insured, runs like a top, but I can see that I have a lot of TLC to deal with. The paint job needs buffing, sanding it with 2,500 sandpaper is a must, but I might just repaint it. I didn’t pay anything for it, I just got it from constantly helping the guy out, so I shouldn’t be too upset over a gift. I definitely need tires, and the A/C might need recharge. And the battery is dead. Since he has a BodyShop, he offered to paint it and will have his mechanic install anything I buy. But there’s a dilemma, I don’t have a place to put it once I bring it home, I already have 4 vehicles to deal with and he’s painting (3 stage 2 tone) my 1993 Silverado.
I'm curious what you ended up doing? Do you have any update? Thanks!!
I have a 1977 Corvette with the L82 engine, T-Tops and 4 speed transmission. Runs great, looks great. 77,500 original miles on it. I still drive it once or twice a month. Good to drive them. The engine is strong. I am just a big guy, tight fit for me ion the driver's seat.
I own a torch red 1977 corvette,and i love it.I put longtube headers,high performance intake exhaust manifold,Flowmaster racing exhaust.New tires,brakes,American racing wheels,tuneup,new valve covers,timing chain,spark plug wires,monoleaf rear leaf spring,fuel filter,pcv valve,many many more.Its a headturner,Wherever i go,people notice it for sure.it also has new shocks.lol russell wayne boyd.
My 77 is so dependable. I’ve had it for 40 years and it’s the most dependable car. I have no issues no problems four speed L 48 It’s a federal car, beautiful shape.
My reasons I dont want a 1977 Corvette are I dont like what they did with the dash and gauges they made them all plastic. Also They stopped calling the Stingray that year. This is why I bought a 1976 Corvette. I was not shopping for a Corvette at all because I already own a 1994 twin turbo six speed Supra and a 1992 Acura NSX with the science of speed twin turbo system and 5 speed transmission I was not looking for a Corvette until I started watching Corvette Bens fine and informative videos so I went out and bought a 1976 Corvette 4 speed and put a brand new Chevrolet 454 crate engine in it now I love it!!
You just brought a smile to the face of everybody who owns a 77 parts car
thats me !!
i own a 75 corvette l 82 corvette conv,,, its been with us 30 yrs ,, we ve taken a road trip every year its always taken us home ,, i just had the end of the neg battery wire snipped at the end at the engine block it was detereating bolted it back up so now it starts 100% better also ,, red with white top deluxe int has air condition,, love it
I have a 77 also. I have no issues with the things you mentioned, except for the wiper/turn signal issue vi have to hold the switch when turning left,.or the wipers will come on. The only way to fix is to replace the unit.
My 57 Chevy has a lot of one year only parts, that’s just the way it is. I would take a 77 over a 78 or 79 just for the styling.
I watched this after buying a 77 corvette. Good thing all mine needs is a new paint job.
That's what you think...
@@jesseconnon8207 I mean. That all it “needs”
12 k for paint
@@carlbullaro7616 how?
Hey Ben, my 77 is an original car with all those unique features to the year. I did notice over the last 10 years doing the interior and a few other parts the cost was a little higher to replace but not enough to stop me from purchasing. Love the car and keep posting these great videos
My dad's best friend bought a 77 Vette in 1977. We didn't know better; it was the 70's.
Thanks Ben. I had 1977 on the brain and I'll now shop earlier if I decide to go with a '70s model. Never should have sold the '69.
The bad thing about shopping early some of the earlier cars have that stupid interior lighting that's in a little tube they never work right. Watch out for those.
Wish you had made this video back in November. I just bought a ‘77 from my mom
She knew, sue her for damages lol
Take Ben's opinion with a grain of salt and not totally as the bible. One mans opinion, 77's were good cars however it was a change over period between models which it seems that Ben was trying to stress, know your animal or pick your poison, lol.
You have to understand the 1977 mindset with roll backs and the end of the disco era. Plus the try, learn and failures with the 1970's era corvette made the corvette evolve into what we have today. All model vettes can make you pull your hair out from time to time. I have owned and built a lot of them over the years.
She is getting back at you for something!
Personally you can have all C3’s after 1972. Crome bumpers is the only way to go.
I’ve always loved the chrome bumper Vettes.
i was a day away from buying a 77. thank you for this
I like that back window.
Good info. My dad had 73 barebones had power steering Manuel brakes but had four wheel disk 350 .i I was young wish I had these vids then. Sold for better things . he got 15,000 for it so must of been decent. In Pennsylvania
OK Ben, now you've really opened up a can of worms here for us 77 owners, Hope you'll show the removal , and rehab/dissection of that steering column before you sell it please.
I'll buy it anyway.
Another thing you didn't mention is the early 77's only have the fender alarm switch and no emblems..the second run in 77 they added the checkered flag emblems
I have the combo alarm switch + checkered flag emblems, but with a chrome mirror and not the sport version (power?).
Those door lock alarms suck. I gotta fix my 77 corvette’s ones..
You taught me some stuff today sir. Always wanted a 77 cause it was the year I was born. Wasn't aware of a few things you mentioned. Old man has had 78 silver anniversary since 90 or so.
Excellent advice! Thanks for taking the time to go over the peculiarities of the ‘77
Not sure why you're all over that wiper switch, it's the same idea GM ended up using for several years. My 77 Vette wipers are like my 94 Sierra. Woo.
Because it is stupid, not reproduced, and when found in good shape expensive to fix
I had a 77 and sold it a few years ago. Just too much money to restore for it's value.
Love the Saturday night fever 8 track 😂
My friend bought a 77 brand new and I remember it being the first Corvette I'd seen with factory leather seats that had velour inserts. I think 77 was the first year for optional glass T-Tops too.
I believe the glass T-tops started in 1978 with the 25th anniversary edition.
My dad has a tan 77 that isn't running but in decent shape otherwise. I still want it because it's my dad's, but I sure hope I don't run into a lot of 1 year only stuff when having it restored.
1977 was one of GM's worst years. Owned a 77 Camaro. It was loaded with smog and a vacuum hose nightmare, gutless wonder.
1984 too! Iknow i had one, the dash after a few years start blinking and the transmission 4+3 had to be rebuit at only 45,000 miles, glass top was leaking also...
Wasn't that first thing that people removed?
Most of the 1970s were GM's worst years. I believe most powerful engine you could get on a '75 Camaro was about 140 HP. After that, GM had a habit of offering limited production halo models with closer to 200 HP, but sold many more with detuned gutless-wonder engines. The famous "last muscle car" 1979 Trans AM had a production run of something like 20,000 while many more "Trans AMs" were shipped with wimpy detuned engines. That's how GM kept their buyers interested while still making their CAFE numbers.
@@pcno2832 Yes but who kept them stock apart of old ladies??
$200 in pistons/camshaft would bump 1972 - 1984 Corvette HP way up!
Fun fact, the very early ‘77’s had Stingray on the sides, maybe 1 or 2 months.
I have a very early '77 (built early Sept of 76) and it does not have a Stingray badge but I can't say for sure that it never did. But it does have a red engine.
@@jwh475ezc That is interesting. Back in 1977 when I was looking for a new '77 I saw one on the showroom floor with the Stingray. This was around Dec 77 so they had been producing the 77 for a couple months.. I knew it was a 1977 because of the new interior, steering wheel, etc. Maybe this was the only one. Later when I saw different dealers had the flags on the side I thought hmm where is the Stingray.
@@dbvetter7485 They probably put them on the cars until they ran out
@@jwh475ezc
Not the assembly plant, doesn't work that way. But I can see a dealer who like the Stingray badges putting them on.
@@thud9797 I just looked up the Vehicle Information Kit on the GM Heritage site. There is no badging section but there are two fuzzy illustrations showing the left side of the car. On the first page at the beginning of the document it looks like the Stingray badge is there but on the second. after "Power Trains" page 16 it looks like it isn't. Go figure, here is the link if you are interested: www.gm.com/content/dam/company/no_search/heritage-archive-docs/vehicle-information-kits/chevrolet/1977-Chevrolet-Corvette.pdf
Wow, this Vette is destroyed!
My dad's 77' has been around since I was 2. Love this specific model. Soon it will be mine. Its so tedious to how many times it breaks down but compared to watch I just saw its a blessing 😂😂
Just shows how GM never learned how to manufacture efficiently by making one good design and sticking with it. Complicating the manufacturing process "on purpose" is poor business management and reduces quality.
Great video, great information. I have my Dad's 1965 GTO; it has many of the same things. One year only trim items too.
It all goes back to what Ben says, slow down and review your cars condition. Then you truly enjoy it more.
Bummer. Mine is a 77.
most people only find your channel after we buy one of these cars, my signals work but the wipers and dimmer dont
I had a 74, which was also unique to the Corvette series as it was the last year of the Big block. It also had a two piece rear bumper cover which makes 74s easily identifiable as long as you haven't replaced it with an aftermarket one piece. It's been a few years since I've owned it but I also believe it was the last year that there was no Factory catalytic converters but I could be wrong on that last fact
Great videos Ben! Been following for a while now and learned so much.. even cars I dont own are a world of knowledge! Great job here :)
1977 Sold 49213, which was another step higher in sales that happened every year until 1980 when there was lesser produced. So C3s sold like hot cakes during their stretch from 68-82.
Well that just stinks, drops the value of my 77 even further. Bought it 5 years ago, never home to even mess with it. Hope some of this stuff still works. I'm seeing some videos where the turn switch assemble can be repaired. Maybe there's hope.
My first corvette was a 1977. I bought it for $5000 from a Ford dealer in Orlando in 1986. Loved that car. Sold it to a German guy the week the Berlin wall came down for twice what I paid. He was shipping it to East Germany (you younger folks may need to look up what I am talking about LOL)/ Love the channel! This was the first channel I subscribed to years ago. Now I have my own, but this is still one of my favorites!
So don't ever buy a 77 Corvette or any other model except a C2
My 77 had a rubber bladder in the gas tank. It was impossible to find, so I ended up using a fuel cell.
That started earlier, like maybe in 75.
If you have the money, knowledge, and ability to fix car's, you go for IT!
Love the patina
I guess my stupid question is if you know not to buy one why did you buy one that seems like a genius move to me
Ben, thanks for the heads up on the 1977 Stingray. Always informative.
76 was a Stingray
77 wasn't
The Swiss Army wiper/signal lever.
77 is an in between year for corvette
It wasn’t a stingray and it still had the flat back window …
Non desirable
A good heads up! Thx!
Ok, so I'm sure that wiper/turn signal switch is a bizarre one year only part. And it is weird that the cruise is on the tilt, not in the end of the wiper/signal stalk. But why is it so easy to accidentally turn the wipers on in this year Vette? I mean what am I missing, thats how GM did wiper/signal/cruise and dimmer functions through the 80's and 90's and its never seemed to be an issue for me in other models.
Because the whole stalk rotates. Not just a ring or switch on the stalk
Don’t need to watch the vid to know that.
If I had to pick one it would almost be a mix of the best of 73-77. Chrome bumper cars got real expensive. 73 has that odd mix of urethane front and chrome rear bumpers, 74 had that odd split rear bumper, 75 you got HEI ignition, lost the big block, got catalytic converter, by 76 you lost the fiberglass floor, had the crappy Vega steering wheel, got alloy wheels, lost the cowl induction hood. 77 has just so many one year only parts.
Stylewise, the 1980-1982 Corvette was the best C3 ever. It's my favorite, especially the opening glass rear hatch on the Collector's Edition.
Jimmy Carter era Corvette......Oh boy...
I have a 77, with that exact same setup. it’s partially restored and most of the things work, the alarm system is in the door lock and it doesn’t seem to work, the cruise control works and the steering column is in pretty good condition but the steering wheel is offset, the door panels have The wood insert instead of the black stripe (probably from a 76) . It’s a 4speed manual, leaks all the transmission fluid, has a tired old small block 350 with 240k miles on it, the rear differential snap crackles and pops, and it shakes violently above 60 mph and handles like a brick on rover skates.
Hi Ben, the reason for the one year only odd mid production T Tops are the fact the sun visors were now Telescopic and could be rotated to move to the side glass with one single hinge . Because of this they had to redesign the interior insert on the t tops to clear the movement of the visors. Yes 77 only with the pin integrated front guide pins to the release handle to clear the large hinge and make it more cost effective.
My 77 has the l82 it’s a decent motor
They were junk from the factory?
Mid 70's weren't the best years for American autos.. I remember the first time I sat in a 76 Corvette, was shocked at the poor quality compared to say a 76 Impala that seemed to be built like a tank. But now they are all toys anyway, and look great, so you just fix and enjoy them for what they are.
The Corvette always got flak for being at the top of Chevy's most expensive vehicle yet quality wise seemed to be lacking.
Mmmm the year i want I've been looking at them
I honestly love the 1977 just because it’s so wack and unique. I’m never trading mine
Me too 😎👌 I have three 77 Corvettes
L82auto, L48 auto,& L82 4speed
Same here
Well thankfully mines going to be a 1/4 monster with a 454
Very Good!...
I actually shopped around for a 77 because of the cruise control and the "other " features. SO I bought a 74 L82, I dont miss it. I will eventually buy one one day. BTW, You selling the wheels?
Yes
I only want one so I can get it painted/wrapped to look like the wreckfest super venom...
I bought a 1977 corvette off a friend of mine that just sat. Looked like a 68-70 dodge charger with that small window. Put a nice sbc about 350 HP with a stall converter and nice cam and line lock love it! It's kind of a beater but i think i will never get rid of it. i have 2 videos on youtube doing burnouts.I want to try a big block in it. Peace Love and Muscle cars!!
wow, glad im working on a fully original 76, 77 has plastic everything. how on earth did anyone think making stuff plastic was an upgrade
Good to know, going to look at a '77 tomorrow
My cruise control never worked properly. Never would hold set speed. It finally died a natural death
My turn signal stalk broke off and some of it is still in the column. Any advice on what I can do and where to get needed parts?
I spent some time trying to find the wiper/signal/dimmer switch for my 77. IMPOSSIBLE to find. I sold the car.
That's not a 1977 Corvette on the trailer (unless someone swapped the polished deep dish wheels for those slotted wheels) at the video's beginning. Those slotted wheels were first available on the 1978 Corvette.
78 had the large back window until 1982. This is at least 74-77 car
Ben, also the rear window defroster switch on the console is '77 only and if you have a good one I'll take it
She looks like a work of modern art on the outside. LOL
Or not, there’s absolutely nothing modern about that haha
@@ClappedBimmers She looks like some creative artist painted her to me. LOL
Wish I’d seen this 10 years ago.
Well, who cares husband bought one anyway and it's awesome!!!Did not buy one that needed much work lol
So here is a question. If you do not care about being original, what would be the best subs? Sounds like putting a 78 cruise control in is an upgrade. What about a different column?
Does it not say stingray by the alarm body key hole? Mine did. I just forgot how the headlights come up? Were they vacuum or hydraulic?