48k Mile Survivor: 1977 Chevrolet Corvette

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Most Corvettes were not built with gut-wrenching L88 motors and in the mid to late 1970s performance enthusiasts had to modify their engines to get even a reasonable level of power from the 350 cubic inch V8 engine that was used in C3’s through 1982. This is a 1977 Chevrolet Corvette that is located in the San Francisco Bay area and can be seen here on craigslist. With only 48k miles on the odometer, this Code 26 Light Blue Corvette is listed for $10,500.

The car appears to be well maintained and it is always nice to see a clean car listed for sale. Many times the seller doesn’t take the time to clean up the car before posting pictures which tells you a lot about the maintenance. The white interior is attractive and the car is equipped with an automatic transmission and has aftermarket speakers in the rear.

As in the prior two years, only two engine options were available in the Corvette. The L48, which this car was delivered with, was the base engine and produced a meager 180 horsepower in 1977. The L82 engine was a little more powerful and delivered 210 horsepower from the factory. In 1977, the engine paint color was changed from orange to Corporate blue early in the production year. This Corvette has the standard rally wheels and a rear luggage rack.

For a buyer looking for a stock, two owner, unrestored car (except for one paint job), this is about as nice as it gets. Prices for the mid-year C3’s have remained low for quite some time but I think they are great looking cars. So for C3 buyers, the $10,500 asking price is a little high but it is a low mile, California car.

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Comments

  1. TimS

    Great color combo. If it’s ready to cruise and enjoy without sinking in another three grand, then that may not be a bad ask.

    Like 17
    • Frank Sumatra

      Agree 100%. Good ask and a great car to go and enjoy. Perfect.

      Like 9
      • Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

        The color combination and the automatic transmission and being from the low-horsepower era categorize it as a cruiser, and nothing wrong with that. It looks great. Someone should be able to have fun with it.

        Like 12
    • Peter Reef

      As an Aussie, I reckon the asking price was a bargain! This is an AUD30,000 car here. It’s so easy and cheap to add 50 or so HP to that engine, but very expensive to restore the remainder. Someone grabbed a good buy!

      Like 0
  2. 86_Vette_Convertible

    Pretty good looking car. You’d still want to inspect the birdcage and frame but if they are as clean as the rest of the car I wouldn’t expect any issues there.

    Like 3
  3. jokacz

    You can’t believe any performance figures from Car and Driver, especially during that era.

    Like 0
  4. T

    Why did GM ever abandon the rally wheel?

    Like 7
  5. Dusty Stalz

    Kudos to the seller for NOT calling it a survivor. That term is used way too much.

    Like 3
  6. Jim

    Meh..pretty, but pretty underpowered too

    Like 0
  7. A-body Fan

    Maybe lower performance but nothing a gentle street camshaft, attention to detail in ignition timing and curve couldn’t correct. Easily a high 13 second car with simple bolt on’s.
    Or you could just wax and enjoy as is. :–)

    Like 7
  8. George

    Corporate blue engine color is what it should be. This photo shows the engine to be Chevrolet blue. Someone painted it wrong color or engune changed.

    Like 0
  9. Joe

    More of a question… Looks like the seats and door panels are Oyster, and the rest is smoke grey. Does this have something to do with ZJ1, and 152 ??? And what other panels/parts would be oyster? Visors? I have a 19L 77, E21.

    Like 0
  10. SamM

    Sold. Dang

    Like 0
  11. Pat D

    Had the exact same car with similar mileage. Pretty color combination. Sold for about $10.5 in 1996. I had a 65 Bonneville convertible in the garage, so something had to go. Really enjoyed the 6 years I owned it.

    Like 0
  12. Karl

    Agreed with all said the L48 was pretty anemic from any power stand point, I would have an issue with that but these cars are fun to cruise in good tight steering and comfortable to put some miles on. Like was stated look close for rust in the key areas and if all good it should prove to be good reliable transportation.

    Like 0
  13. Dave Mathers

    Nice driver. The problem with Vettes in the latter part of the 70s is that the ‘smogged’ engines didn’t have enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding. I sold Vettes back in the big block era, 1968 – 1973, and I even sold one 69 L-88!! FUN times.

    Like 0
  14. TimM

    A low horsepower automatic transmission corvette!!! No thanks!!!

    Like 0
  15. PRA4SNW

    If you have to have a ’77 Corvette, this one would qualify as a good buy.

    Like 0
  16. David

    Its a nice car

    Like 0
  17. drew shields

    Had a 77 same color. Sold it about 25 years ago. They haven’t seemed to have appreciated much since then.

    Like 0

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