A known ownership history is desirable when someone is considering spending their hard-earned cash on a project vehicle. Although the 1977 Corvette was no longer the brutal beast it had been in years past, this one is a one-owner survivor that needs little to return to its former glory. The listing suggests its shortcomings are cosmetic, making it an ideal candidate for an enthusiast seeking a hands-on project. Its original owner recently passed away, so it is listed by his estate here on Craigslist in Skyline Country Club Estate, Tucson, Arizona. You could drive away in this classic by handing the seller $13,560. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for striking gold and spotting this promising project.

The seller indicates the original owner remained its custodian until he recently passed away. They describe its condition as great, although the Code 13 Silver paint carries the fading and patchiness typical of this color when exposed to harsh UV rays. It’s begging for someone to address that problem, but they should be doing so from a sound foundation. The fiberglass seems free of cracks and crazing, although the buyer will almost certainly strip away the tired paint to achieve a high-end result. The ‘Vette might be missing one of its aluminum wheels, but the remaining three and the trim look acceptable for a driver-grade restoration. There are no glass issues, and the T-Top shows no evidence of leaking. The initial impression is that the exterior requires a simple repaint, making it an ideal candidate for someone with a home workshop.

Considering the climate in which this Corvette spent its life, its interior is surprisingly good. It is common to see trim and upholstery as baked as the paint, but this presents well for a driver-grade car. The Smoked Gray Leather shows no evidence of wear or major flaws, with the same true of the door trims and interior plastic. The carpet may be slightly faded, but its lack of wear means that replacement is not a priority. The shifter boot looks dry, and that may be the only item requiring replacement. What the interior needs is a deep clean because that should remove any dirty marks and lift the presentation to a higher level. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but I believe there is air conditioning, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio.

We receive no engine photos, but the seller supplies plenty of relevant information. The original owner ordered this classic with the entry-level L48 version of Chevrolet’s legendary 350ci V8. It was no ball of fire, sending 180hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Buyers must have wondered where the days of 14-second ¼-mile ETs had gone, with this car taking 16.7 seconds to complete the journey. Even the top speed was nothing startling, with the small-block running out of breath at 108mph. For every negative, there must be a positive, and this Corvette offers plenty. The car has a genuine 71,000 miles on the clock, and its ownership history suggests there may be verifying evidence. The ‘Vette might look tired, but the seller says it runs and drives perfectly. That leaves the buyer with the option of indulging in some immediate classic motoring pleasure while they devise their restoration strategy.

Later C3 Corvettes remained largely ignored for years by the classic community as they focused on the more potent chrome-bumper models. However, times change, and values for the 1977 model have grown at an extraordinary rate in the last few years. Although this car features the entry-level L48 small-block, it could still command a value beyond $20,000 if restored to a reasonable standard. With its needs seeming so minor, the process should prove straightforward and relatively inexpensive for someone willing to undertake some DIY. Could that convince you to pursue this project further?