michalkatab

I'm a new member and am looking into purchasing a black 1977' Corvette L-48 as my first car (I'm 16 years old and have experience driving many types of sports car). It has 50k miles in (seemingly) good condition. I would have to fix some minor cosmetic things on the inside but no big deal. My main concern is the annual upkeep costs of a car like this as well as time put in to keep it running. Im going to be needing to drive it to school everyday and of course have fun cruising during weekends so can't have a car that will break down every couple hundred miles. Thanks for the input in advance

Edit: Also how hard is it to work on minor engine repairs and upkeep? I don't mind doing some tweaking and repairs but i still need to learn how to do just that.

Easy Mike

Insurance will be costly for you. Your agent will class you as a single male under the age of 23 which is insurance mumbo-jumbo for high risk.

Typical fuel mileage will be 14-18 mpg with the car tuned. Less if your popping it to WOT every chance you get.

Daily dependability will depend on your mechanical skills.

No disrespect, but at your age what kind of "all types" of sports cars have you been driving?

Good reading here if you want a little back ground:


Post pics of the 77 you have your eye on.

Good luck.

wgarneau

This is what I get for value on a 1977 L48... Whether or not it's a good fit for you, only you can decide. My gut tells me that for your needs a two year old Ford Focus might be a better fit. Except of course that you want to look cool!! Can't blame you there - I was young once too. Now I've got both a 2010 Focus and a 1978 Corvette. Best of both worlds!

10% $5,545.40
20% $7,487.34
30% $8,652.51
40% $9,429.28
50% $10,594.45
60% $11,759.62
70% $12,536.39
80% $14,089.95
90% $15,643.50

rugerm44

RC cars don't count.

michalkatab

First off, thanks for the information.
With a 77' and no traction control or ABS I won't be on WOT all too often. And no disrespect taken, i know i'm not the most experienced driver on the road. As for sports cars i've driven I learned and have driven for the past year a 1999 mercedes-benz clk 430 amg. After that i've driven a porsche boxster s and 1985 911 targa, a BMW m3 m5 and 330i, and a 1995 Ferrari 335 (only around the block but still very fun).
About the pictures im out of the U.S for the next two weeks and cant find that same one online. Its a black L-48 with dual side exhaust, a T-top, and a luggage rack.

As for the ford focus, i was hoping to get something fun and that i can learn to maintain before I have to become a "responsible adult" haha

wgarneau

My first car was a 1972 Monte Carlo with a 350 pulling just over 300 HP. Chrome wheels and a snorkel hood scoop. That was a sweet ride... A Ford Escort would have made more sense, but it was 1990 and I was nineteen... I LOVED that car. So have fun!

bryanpl123

A chevy 350, IMO, is the easiest engine to work on when it needs it. It sounds like you should be okay if you have the car checked out by a mechanic first... since it only has 50k miles on it you shoulndn't have to worry about much. The only problem you will run into in working on the vette is the tight spaces... which isn't really all that tight when compared to todays cars. Go buy the Haynes manual when you get it and skim over it. It can tell you all the basics and some ok in depth repairs... for everything else and that which you don't quite understand... come back here to the CF that is what we are for...I have received lots of help here by both asking questions and using the search function. You will find lots of pictures of repairs being done that help walk you through it.

Do look the car over very well for rust on the frame and birdcage (the frame around the cockpit), the rest of the car is fiberglass. Search the forum for "Birdcage rust" and "frame rust" to get an idea of where to look.

Insurance shouldn't be an issue with this year vette... when I was 20 and got my first vette (75 L-48) it was actually cheaper than my 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse 4 banger!

Other than that, have fun, drive safe... AAA offers a defensive drivers course that can be helpful... its not always you... alot of time its the other drivers you have to look out for!

::EDIT::

Most importantly... Save the Wave! Give a friendly wave when ever you pass another vette on the street!

wnmech

In my opinion the 77 corvette was only a sports car by title. They wont handle or perform as well as the above cars you mentioned. The C-3 is definately an attention getter. Parts are usually easy to get thru the corvette venders. Most suspension stuff can be bought from local parts stores.

michalkatab

Thanks for all the information everyone (except rugerm44 lol) ill definitely look at the car for any damage or rust. Also, what to you guys think about a Hurst shifter? I had a guy who owned an older mustang recommend one. The vette is a 4 spd automatic by the way.

Ganey

77s were very reliable new & if in very good condition can be reliable. Easy to work on (to me).

Here's a start.
Replace Ignition module if not new. Replace any belts or hoses that look bad. Replace battery if more than 3 yrs old for example.


A good standard of handling is the Road & Track slalom course.
77 w/ FE-7 High Perf. suspension set a new record in 77 with 63.6 mph "hampered by stock air pressures".

Surprisingly, R & T did not try or publish performance with increased air pressure. They were aware stock air pressures were meant to keep the less astute out of the weeds.

Later matched by a Ferrari 512BB.

The 84 Corvette (however not all C4s) did better. The primary advantage of C4 being better tires. So many complained about the 84 stiff suspension that rates were reduced.

For reference, Mario Andretti turned 63.4 in a 1999 Corvette.

wgarneau

Back in the day, Hurst was the big name for manual after-market. B&M was the name for autos. If you go that route, think about a Transpak and/or a shift kit - also by B&M. But you'll want new heads and a new cam if you do that - no sense in making it shift quick if you don't have any power...

I used to have a B&M quicksilver column shifter on my 72 Monte Carlo. I had the stock shifter on the 81 Firebird I just sold, but it did have a B&M Transpak/shift kit. When it was in a good mood (when the Holley 750 doublepumper was with the conditions) it would chirp shifting into second. THAT is fun!!

markids77

Your 1977 came from the factory with a 3 speed, non-locking converter slushbox unless it had a 4 speed manual originally. If your current flame has a 4 speed auto it is very non-original. Barring photos, a link to the ad you responded to might help us evaluate just what it is that makes your heart race.

volition

To be honest I wouldn't hold my breath on it not breaking every few hundred miles.

The cars are over 30 years old now.. things will break when it's daily driven , it's just inevitable.

Luckily, they are pretty simple cars and most things are easy to fix. Parts availability is very high as most common breakdown items are carried at your local auto parts store for much much cheaper than you would think.

Small Block Chevy engines are very simple and will rarely leave you stranded. However, being a classic GM product, the rest of the car will develop a steady stream of nagging small problems that will drain your wallet real quick if you aren't careful (ask forum members about "while I'm in there" syndrome")

Vette5.5

Not sure of the insurance issue for a younger driver on these, as L-48's really dont have much power. You're really wanting to look closely at the flex bumpers, as could be a rather expensive project in itself. As mentioned, a 30 year old car, so lot's of stuff to go wrong. Keep in mind, most modern 3.5 litre twin cam V6, 6 speed auto cars, will easily be showing you their tail lights.

michalkatab

Ya you're right i must have gotten my information mixed up, thanks.

Easy Mike

There are a lot of things you are not going to find on a 77 (or any C3 for that matter) which are commonly found on cars today.

Buy the book, Michael. Do your homework.

If you want ABS and traction control and if you want to stay in the league with what you've been driving around the block, look at C4s, C5s, or C6s.

Tim H

I can't see traction being a problem unless you have slick tires.
The engine is just a small block Chevy easy and cheap to work on.
Your problems are going to be a brake caliper a week going bad until all replaced, front nose crashes from not being able to see anything past the fender bulges, t-top leaks, power windows work 1 minute then not the next 3 days then work again, click, click, click starter problems from who knows where grounds losing contact.
Really not a good choice for an experienced 16 year old such as yourself.

wgarneau

"R/C doesn't count, "such an experienced 16 year old such as yourself"

Cone on guys. Are we gentlemen here or not? Yes he is young - but that is not his fault. We should be encouraging the younger drivers to share our passion for these beautiful cars rather than making snide little remarks like that.

Scotty76

Garneau:

Can you run that value spread for a 1976?

Kid, go buy a modern car. I can't speak for everyone here but for me this is a big hole in my garage that I throw money into. Instead of drinking or gambling I fix boats and cars up. It keeps me out of trouble. Point is this is EXTRA money after all the bills are paid and I don't ever plan on driving my C3 to work, ever.

wgarneau

You bet Scotty...

10% $4,857.61
20% $6,990.07
30% $8,269.54
40% $9,122.53
50% $10,402.00
60% $11,681.47
70% $12,534.46
80% $14,240.42
90% $15,946.39