The idea of purchasing a turnkey classic offering the scope for some garage tinkering can be irresistible to many. This is particularly true if the vehicle in question is iconic and affordable. This 1977 Chevrolet Corvette ticks all of those boxes, while changes made by the seller will have unlocked some welcome performance gains. With winter on our doorstep, spending the cold months whipping this classic into shape would be a productive and rewarding way to pass the time. The seller has listed the Corvette here on eBay in North Bergen, New Jersey. They set their BIN at $6,000, with the option to make an offer.

The C3 Corvette may have lost its performance edge by the time our feature car rolled off the line in 1977, but that didn’t prevent it from setting a new sales record. An impressive 49,213 individuals handed over their cash to buy into the ownership experience, with the first owner ordering this one in Classic White. This was comfortably the most popular shade in 1977, with 9,408 owners selecting that color. The seller admits that the car requires a wash, polish, and wax, to improve its appearance, but doing so will be a rewarding task for the buyer to undertake. There are some cosmetic imperfections, but with no visible significant fiberglass issues, the idea of performing a cosmetic refresh with new paint may prove tempting to many. The seller doesn’t mention the presence of rust in the frame or birdcage, but it is always worth negotiating an in-person inspection to be sure that there are no hidden nasty surprises. The removed badges are included, and the wheels should present well if attacked with a high-quality polish.

The first owner ordered this Corvette with the L48 version of Chevrolet’s legendary 350ci V8. They teamed the small-block with a three-speed automatic transmission, with the self-shifter accounting for almost 84% of total Corvette sales in 1977. The small-block had become pretty soft by the time this car left the line, placing 180hp and 270 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. However, this classic should have little trouble bettering those figures. The engine features rebuilt cylider heads, an ugraded camshaft, roller rockers, an Assault aluminum high-rise intake, a Holley 750cfm carburetor, Doug stainless headers, and chrome side pipes. Improved breathing is the best way to extract additional power from any engine, and this ‘Vette ticks that box. The seller also recently replaced a significant number of brake components, claiming that the vehicle runs and drives well. That will allow the new owner to enjoy this classic immediately while planning their path moving forward.

One aspect of this Corvette requiring relatively little attention is its interior. It probably won’t score the new owner many show trophies, but it shouldn’t cause any shame if they rock up to a Cars & Coffee. The Black uphostered surfaces and carpet look quite nice, as does the dash. The faux woodgrain is lifting in spots, although an attack with some glue might recify the issue without costing a fortune. The only functional issue is the non-working clock, and while it isn’t loaded with factory options, it does appear to score power windows, a tilt/telescopic wheel, and cruise control.

If you are genuinely interested in giving this 1977 Corvette a new home, you may need to act quickly. The seller’s listing has attracted over 560 views in the last day, with forty people adding this classic to their Watch List. That suggests that it has struck a chord with potential buyers, and it will only require one to hit the button before it finds a new home. Are you tempted to be that person?