THE 1977 CORVETTE

 

Thank you for joining us again here at Hobby Car Corvettes, located in Martinsburg PA, as we continue the exciting series, C3 Vette Rundown. For each post in this informative and enlightening series, we will discuss the ins and outs, and ups and downs, of each Corvette in the third generation. Some years were better than others, but every year, was impressive. In 1977, Corvette only continued to increase in sales and popularity.

 

 

We began this series with the launch of the third generation Corvettes in 1968, and today, we’re going to introduce you to the tenth third generation Corvette. Wasting no more time, let’s find out why the 1977 Corvette was such a massive success!

 

HALF A MILLION CORVETTES

 

1977 marked a big year for Chevrolet Corvettes. This was the year they made their 500,000th Corvette. It was in their 15th year, that Chevrolet reached 250,000 Corvettes. But they almost halved that time when they reached 500,000 only eight years later.

 

 

The famed 500,000th Corvette, was driven off the production line on March 15, 1977 by general manager, Robert Lund. It was a White Coupe and can be seen today in Bowling Green, Kentucky at the National Corvette Museum, which we had the great fortune of visiting recently!

 

We think it’s safe to say that everyone is glad Chevrolet stuck with their belief in the Corvette when the waters were rough. Due to national and economical hardships in the post war America in the 1950s, the Corvette was nearly pulled from production. But someone knew better. To them, we say thank you.

 

1977 CORVETTE AESTHETICS

 

We’re beginning to see a pattern over the past few years, of very few changes being made. This is what happens when you spend years and tireless hours perfecting a car. You get closer, and closer… to perfection. So why change anything?

 

 

 

 

Aesthetically, the 1977 Corvette was nearly identical to the 1976 Corvette. One innovative design was the  introduction of a luggage and roof panel rack. The option was designed specifically for the ability to transport the car’s T-tops, as an alternative to putting them in the Corvette’s lidless trunk.

 

 

 

As we briefly mentioned last week, 1976 would be the last C3 Corvette to bear the Stingray emblem. This year, the 1977 Corvette would have in its place, the traditional crossed-flags insignia.

 

 

 

On the inside, there were also very few, but notable changes made. One exciting change to the console was a redesign to make room for the first 8-track player, incorporated into the AM/FM stereo system. Another interior change was that the shift console and gauge console were changed to plastic.

 

In addition, Corvette continues to focus on driver safety and experience. In order to increase driver visibility, the instruments on the dashboard were restyled, and the climate controls were simplified. The simpler, the better. Leather seats were standard, but cloth inserts were an option. The manual shift grew an inch but the travel for the pull was shorted. This specific change improved parking brake accessibility.

 

 

 

 

Another change in size for improved safety and comfort, the steering column was shortened by two inches. This change gave drivers more room for their arms, enhanced safety, and made for easier entry and exit. A new leather-rimmed steering wheel was introduced. For those who ordered the non tilt-telescopic steering column, the 1976 wheel was the only option.

 

1977 CORVETTE MECHANICS

 

Though this mechanical update didn’t change anything mechanically, it wasn’t quite an aesthetics change. In between August and September of 1976, the color of the engine was changed from orange to blue. Some early production Corvettes in 1977 still rolled out with the orange engine, but they were the last.

 

Other than that, there were no notable changes were made mechanically from the 1976 Corvette. A continuation from 1976, the 1977 Corvette came standard with a 180 horsepower, 350 cubic-inch, small-block Chevy engine mated to a 4-speed, wide-ratio manual transmission.

 

Also this year, power steering and brakes became standard.

 

DID YOU KNOW

 

• 1977 was the first year there was a $1,000 increase from previous year.

• 1977 was the first Corvette with an 8-track player option

• The option of a 210 horsepower engine was not available in Canada where the base engine remained the only available option due to higher emission standards

 

CONCLUSION

 

Once again, Corvette set a new sales record at 49,213 units. Despite times of economic hardship, challenging regulations, and speculation as to the necessity of powerful cars like the Corvette, the numbers have steadily increased. If you have been following our series, you will notice that this has been a trend, year after year since they worked out the kinks of the third generation Corvette in 1969.

 

 

As always, we hope our C3 Vette Series has helped to enhance your Corvette knowledge and experience. We aim to provide you with accurate and interesting information around all things Corvettes. If you have anything you would like to see written in a post, drop a line and we would be happy to consider it for the future.

 

And of course, if you are in the market for a Corvette, here at Hobby Car Corvettes, we are always ready to assist. Feel free to peruse our wide range of Corvettes in our current inventory, 1977 Corvettes included!

 

With only 5 years left, we hope to see you again next week as we continue on our third generation Corvette series.

 

We currently have the following 1977 corvettes for sale:

 

 

SPECS

 

MODEL	1977 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
GENERATION	C3
BODY STYLE	Two-door coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive
MANUFACTURING LOCATION	St. Louis, Missouri
Original Price	$8,647.65
Units Produced	49,213
EXTERIOR COLORS	Classic White, Silver, Black, Corvette Light Blue, Corvette Dark Blue, Corvette Chartreuse, Corvette Yellow, Corvette Bright Yellow, Corvette Orange, Corvette Tan, Medium Red, Corvette Dark Red
INTERIOR COLORS	White, Smoke Grey, Black, Blue, Buckskin, Brown, Red
CONSTRUCTION	Uniconstruction: fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, backboned by a steel cage outlining the passenger compartment. Principal members – underbody, front and rear end assemblies, dash panel and hinge pillars are bonded, riveted, or bolted together and to each other. Hood is plastic with bonded plastic reinforcement. Coupe: two removable roof panels and removable rear window. Frame: all welded, full length, ladder construction with 5 crossmembers. Side Rails and intermediate crossmembers box section; front crossmember box girder section. Eight body-mounting points.
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN)	1Z37L7S400001 – 1Z37L7S449213
ENGINE SUFFIX	CHD: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS CKD: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, HIGH ALTITUDE CKZ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL CLA: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC CLB: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, HIGH ALTITUDE CLC: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS CLD: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL CLF: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC
ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER	3970010: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HP, 210HP
HEAD NUMBER	333882: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, 210HP 374650: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP
CARBURETOR NUMBERS	ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057202: 350 C.I., 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS. ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057203: 350 C.I., 180HP, MANUAL TRANS. ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057204: 350 C.I., 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIR CONDITIONING ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057210: 350 C.I., 210HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS. ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057211: 350 C.I., 210HP, MANUAL TRANS. ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057228: 350 C.I., 210HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIR CONDITIONING ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057502: 350 C.I., 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057504: 350 C.I., 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIR COND., CALIF. EMISSIONS ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057510: 350 C.I., 210HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., CALIF. EMISSIONS ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057582: 350 C.I., 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., HIGH ALTITUDE ROCHESTER Q-jet #17057584: 350 C.I., 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIR COND., HIGH
DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER	1103246: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP 1103248: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS 1103256: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210HP
ALTERNATOR NUMBER	1102474: 350 CUBIC INCH 1102484: 350 CUBIC INCH, WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING 1102908: 350 CUBIC INCH 1102909: 350 CUBIC INCH
AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER	OA: 3.08:1 RATIO OD: 3.36:1 RATIO LR: 3.36:1 RATIO OB: 3.55:1 RATIO OC: 3.70:1 RATIO
PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE	AUG., 1976: 402287, SEP.. 1976: 406337, OCT., 1976: 410517, NOV., 1976: 414216, DEC., 1976: 417551, JAN., 1977: 421118, FEB., 1977: 424662, MAR., 1977: 429041, APR., 1977: 433057, MAY., 1977: 437029, JUNE., 1977: 441233, JULY., 1977: 445179

Options Codes, Production, & Pricing

 

CODES	DESCRIPTION	QUANTITY	RETAIL PRICE
1YZ37	Base Corvette Sport Coupe	49,213	$8,647.65
A31	Power Windows	44,341	$116.00
B32	Color Keyed Floor Mats	36,763	$22.00
C49	Rear Window Defogger	30,411	$84.00
C60	Air Conditioning	45,249	$553.00
D35	Sport Mirrors	20,206	$36.00
K30	Speed Control	7,269	$38.00
L82	350ci, 210hp Engine	972	$14.00
M21	4-Speed Manual Trans, Close Ratio	29.161	$88.00
M40	Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission	6,148	$495.00
NA6	High-Altitude Emission Equipment	2,060	$0.00
N37	Tilt Telescopic Steering Column	41,231	$0.00
QRZ	White Letter Stell Belted Tires, GR70x15	854	$22.00
UA1	Heavy Duty Battery	46,487	$165.00
U58	AM-FM Radio, stereo	46,227	$57.00
U69	AM-FM Radio	4,700	$187.00
UM2	AM-FM Radio, stereo with 8-track tape	24,603	$414.00
V54	Luggage and Roof Panel Rack	16,860	$73.00
YF5	California Emission Certification	4,084	$70.00
YJ8	Aluminum Wheels (4)	12,646	$321.00
ZN1	Trailer Package	289	$83.00
ZX2	Convenience Group	40,872	$22.00

 

TRANSMISSION CODES

 

CODE	TRANSMISSION
W	Warner 4-Speed, Heavy-Duty Aluminum Case
AM	Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 with 350 L-48 Engine
CB	Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with 350 L-82 Engine