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Orange Project: 1977 Chevrolet Corvette

The Oxford definition for basket case is “a person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope”. Ok, this 1977 Chevrolet Corvette might not be a basket case just yet. It has been sitting for over 20 years and was originally a California car. However, time and neglect have taken their toll. A lot of the damage has properly occurred over the past 4 years when the Corvette was shipped to New Jersey and stored outside. Currently, the car is located in Saint Michaels, Maryland, and is listed here on eBay. With 6 days remaining in the auction, the Corvette is bid to $3,151.

The interior has not been spared and will need a complete replacement to bring the car back. With prices of mid-1970 C3’s still languishing under $10,000, this restoration could quickly turn into a bad investment. It might be better to just clean and fix things as much as possible. However, as soon as the missing passenger seat back is replaced, it will expose how bad the condition is of the rest of the interior. There is surface rust on a number of pieces of chrome and metal on the interior along with dry rot and cracking.

The Corvette appears to be equipped with the L48 engine option which was a 180 horsepower 350 cubic inch V8 engine backed by an automatic transmission. The seller has done some work including replacing the fuel tank, fuel lines, belts hoses, brake system as well as an oil change. The carburetor has also recently been rebuilt. However, the car is not going anywhere soon due to the dry rotted tires that are still managing to hold air.

The exterior condition of the car is rough but the orange paint is still on all the body panels. If the birdcage is not rusty, this car could be brought back but it is going to need a lot of little items including new weatherstripping. The odometer shows just 48 miles and the seller is adamant that this Corvette is not a salvage car but one that just needs some attention.

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    Maybe take this and combine it with the ’57 pickup…….

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Daniel wright

    Mold on the seats, mold on the nose.. this one is an over priced parts car…I would guess the bird cage will crumble at a touch

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Mitchell Gildea Member

    The Green Day definition for basket case is “Do you have the time to listen to me whine about nothing and everything at once? I am one of those melodramatic fools neurotic to the bone no doubt about it”

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Maverick

    A blue car originally. To a cheap maco paint job. This car to me looks rode hard .well used up. Nothing special. Money pit.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Ike Onick

    Orange you glad this is not your car?

    Like 1
    • Avatar Phlathead Phil

      Wonder what will happen once the new owner “juices” the gas pedal?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Ike Onick

        They may find it a-peel-ing unless it has gone too far to seed, then they may feel they got squeezed on the deal. Know what I mean?

        Like 2
  6. Avatar ACZ

    The owner may saying how great this car “really” is but it’s his fault that it is in it’s present condition. Base engine, automatic, mold, rot, mildew. It’s pretty hard to believe you get 3 Gs out of it in parts. Run, don’t walk.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar gaspumpchas

    bet the frame is crackers, Too. 350 with a whoppin’ 185 hp and a slush box. This thing wasnt much good when it was new. Good luck and stay safe
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Jon

    Had a white ’77 with Firethorn Red interior but had a ’75 just like this – Orange with Camel leather interior … left a magnetic box with $20 and spare set of keys in it under the car when I traded it in …

    Like 2
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      LOL! When I sold my 1973 Dodge van, ‘The Dodge Lodge’ back in the day, I rolled up a doobie and put it under the horn button.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Frank Sumatra

        When I sold my 1961 Corvette in Hollywood, CA, I left Marilyn Monroe’s undies beneath the passenger’s seat. WINNER!!!!!!!!!!

        Like 1
  9. Avatar William R McDonald

    Really crappy paint job, I agree, it ain’t worth 3k too much work to be done!!!!!!

    Like 1
  10. Avatar George Mattar

    Parts only. Too common to waste money on. And I love C3s. Have owned two. Have a 73 4 speed coupe now. No rot. Inside since 1973.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Paul Shapiro

    I don’t believe it only has 48 miles on her, second or third time maybe? Corvette’s are made to be driven. Bad choice of colour too.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Joe

    Another one that needs ALL the expensive stuff. I have a black 4 speed one, 2 tone smoke/white interior, early production… Prob never finish it…

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Jim Muise

    Wow ,an extra large amount of TLC (truck load of cash) needed to put this one back in showroom condition and after you have spent those big $ you will own a nice vette worth half what you spent! Good luck!

    Like 0

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