An Affordable ’77 Corvette With T-Tops and a Four-Speed

A ‘70s Chevrolet Corvette can be an excellent candidate for a first collector car. This 1977 Corvette coupe recently for sale on eBay is a perfect example. It’s both reasonably priced and nicely equipped, with desirable features that include side pipes and a four-speed manual transmission.

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Blank Canvas

Showing a low 108,000 miles for its age, this Corvette is no trailer queen. But the seller is up-front about its needs and says the car runs and drives well as-is. That makes it a blank canvas for the next owner to drive and enjoy or add upgrades. Either way, an $8,500 or best offer price leaves plenty of room in the budget to get started.

Under the hood is a non-matching-numbers 350 cubic-inch V-8. GM used this popular engine in millions of vehicles. It’s known for its longevity, offers plenty of acceleration, and has decent fuel economy. The aftermarket for replacement and performance parts for the 350 is massive.

With a four-speed manual transmission and side exhaust pipes, this Corvette is set up for driving enjoyment. Its Accel electronic ignition was a worthwhile upgrade for performance and reliability. The engine compartment could be transformed with good detailing, but the chrome air cleaner helps brighten things up.

Elegant Look

The Corvette’s dark green paint lends it an elegant and sophisticated look. It shows well in the photos, with a deep shine and no obvious flaws. All factory logos and trim appear to be in place and in good condition. The windshield, side glass, and T-tops all appear to be free of cracks or other damage.

No underside photos are provided, but the body shows no evidence of rust or corrosion. Custom touches include an aftermarket hood with twin air scoops, period-appropriate American Racing polished aluminum five-spoke wheels, and meaty Kumho 255/45 performance tires showing plenty of tread life.

The black interior is largely complete and functional but could use some attention. The door panels were cut for stereo speakers that are now long gone. A non-functional aftermarket stereo resides in the dash. The factory console also shows wear and black tape appears to cover holes. Replacements for these bits are readily available on eBay and are relatively easy to swap out.

For Serious Drivers

What this car does have is the Corvette equipment Chevrolet knew serious drivers wanted. Full instrumentation includes a big speedometer and tachometer right in front of the driver. The thick-rimmed steering wheel provides plenty of grip when cornering. The chrome ball topping the shift lever falls readily to hand for crisp gear changes.

The car does not skimp on creature comforts. Steering, brakes, and windows are power-operated. The Corvette left the factory with an air conditioner, but it is unclear whether the system is currently functional.

A true diamond in the rough, this Corvette has the bones and extras to make it a show-stopper. Are you ready to take it on?