Low Miles, EXCELLENT CONDITION, #'s Match, White/Red, PRICED TO SELL!!

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Please call Greg directly at 513-200-9226 with any questions about this car.

Seven Hills Motorcars is proud to offer this numbers matching 1977 Corvette in excellent condition with only 64,030 original miles. This Corvette looks excellent, runs great, and is an amazing driver. The car is totally solid with excellent lines and no rust issues. It is ready to be used and enjoyed.

This Corvette has an interesting and unique history. According to the previous owner he was the second owner. He told us that he purchased the car from the original owner in 2000, who was the owner of a local Chevrolet dealership, Hirlinger Chevrolet. We have a copy of the title from 2000 that shows the previous owner to be Leonard Hirlinger. Leonard Hirlinger was the founder of Hirlinger Chevrolet. The original badge from Hirlinger Chevrolet & Oldsmobile is still on the back of the car.

The original owner being a Chevrolet dealer could be one of the reasons this 1977 Corvette has a very special and exceptionally rare color combination. The car is finished in the beautiful color combination of White (10) over Medium Red (722) with White seats, door panels, quarter panel trim and headliners. Even many Corvette enthusiasts may think that this two-tone interior is incorrect or that someone changed out the seats and trim at a later time. Skeptics would be correct that two-tone interior was not a standard interior option and those looking online or in standard books like Corvette Black Book would find that they do not show that two tone interiors were available in 1977. However, this is the correct and original color scheme as verified by the codes on the trim tag pictured in this ad. It is true that the trim tag shows the code 722, which is for all red interior. Two-tone interiors were available only as an override to the normal interior options. When ordered new the dealer would have had to order the car from the factory with the ZP2 process code to override the standard interior color. The Regular Production Option (RPO) code “ZJ1” was used to specify the white seats, door panels, quarter panel trim, and headliners. This 1977 has “ZJ1” stamped on the trim tag verifying that it is a true, correct, and original two-tone red and white interior car.

Besides the correct paint code, this Corvette is completely "Numbers Matching" meaning the engine and transmission in the car are the correct and original units that were installed in the car new at the factory in 1977. Virtually every part we checked on the car is correct with the proper part numbers and appropriate date codes. We have run the numbers on literally hundreds of Corvettes over the years and there are very few that are so correct and original. Even very detailed parts like the distributor, intake, alternator, and even all of the glass is all date coded and original. The last six digits of the VIN, 431176, are stamped on the engine pad, and the engine is original to the car. The transmission is also original with the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the main case.

We have this car priced to sell and are offering an excellent opportunity to own a clean Corvette at an unbeatable value. One could easily buy this car now and sell it for more than the purchase price in years to come as the market on C3 Corvettes is very hot right now and on the rise. The low original mileage is verified not only by the condition of the car, but also the clear Ohio title that shows the mileage as "Actual." Please peruse all of the photos, video, list of numbers, and other information to get a true sense of how clean and nice this Corvette really is.

As a side note, this Corvette is not a dealer auction vehicle. We hand-pick each car after careful inspection. Our Corvettes come from owners who expect their car to go to someone that will give the vehicle the same care and attention as they did. We invite and encourage you to examine the car in person or have the car inspected. Please take the time to scrutinize each picture. We photograph each vehicle to the greatest extent so you can feel confident about your purchase. If you have a question about the Corvette, just give us a call.

Model Description

The 1977 model year is a special one for the Corvette and is considered to be the best of both worlds in some respects by many with the more vintage, "Stingray" style rear window and a more modern and comfortable interior. Most notable about 1977 model year was that it was the last year for the straight back window and "Sugar Scoop" rear decklid treatment. The 1978 model year introduced the new large rear window along with the most extensive redesign in the C3 production run. The interior in 1977 was slightly improved to make the driver more comfortable by moving the steering wheel forward two inches. 1977 was also the last year to feature the round gauges, storage pocket, and retain the truly vintage sense of the Stingray cockpit. Many people prefer the more classic look and feel of the early C3's, such as this car, over the 1978-82 model years.

1977 saw the steering column repositioned 2 inches (51 mm) closer to the dashboard to allow a more "arms out" position for the driver. The custom interior with leather seat trim was now standard, with cloth and leather a no cost option. A redesigned center console permitted universal Delco radio options. Auxiliary gauges were restyled and the ammeter was replaced with a voltmeter. The sun visors were redesigned to swivel so as to provide some glare protection from the side as well as the front. Chevrolet responded to the criticism of the previous year's steering wheel with an all new three-spoke leather-wrapped unit, which was well received. Chevrolet featured this new wheel prominently on the front of their new Corvette sales brochure. The new wheel came on all cars fitted with the optional tilt-telescopic steering column which was ordered on all but a few thousand Corvettes. Corvette's refinement as a touring sports car continued as both power steering and power brakes became standard and new options included body-colored sport mirrors, cruise control, and a new convenience group. The convenience group included dome light delay, headlight warning buzzer, under hood light, low fuel warning light, interior courtesy lights, and passenger side visor mirror. Early in production, the engine paint color was changed from Chevy orange to Corporate Blue. The Stingray script, seen on front fenders since 1969 disappeared, but new cross-flags emblems began appearing on fenders before the model year ended. A Corvette milestone was reached during 1977 as Chevrolet had built a half million Corvettes since production began in 1953.

Exterior

The White (10) exterior is in excellent driver condition. As one can see in the photos the paint has a terrific gloss, deep shine, and smooth finish. Both doors open and shut nicely. The rally wheels have a brilliant finish and no major curb rash. Please note that this Corvette still has the correct original 4-clip style beauty rings, not the cheap foreign made replacements you often see on these cars. The Firestone Firehawk raised white letter tires have a plenty of tread left. There are no major imperfections that have been intentionally excluded from the many photos. As one would expect from a paintjob with this many years on it there are some very tiny blemishes on the tip of the nose and around the car that were too small to show up in the photos, but nothing else that is really noticeable from about five or ten feet away. This Corvette has absolutely no rust issues. The frame is totally solid with no rust around the "key hole" area in front of the rear tire.

Window Date Codes

Please note that all of the windows on this Corvette, both door windows, the rear window, and the windshield are all original as each piece predates the car's body build date of April 18, 1977 (I18). Original glass is a good indication that this car has had no major accident history and never sustained significant damage.

Interior

The two-tone Red (722) and White (ZJ1) interior in this Corvette is in fantastic condition. The gauge faces are clean and crisp and the lenses are clear. The seats look just as good in person as they do in the photos with no rips or split seams. The seat is not overly worn in the typical spot on the bolster where the driver gets in and out, there is just a small spot of wear on the passenger seat. Please note that these appear to be the original seats and skins, not some cheap aftermarket covers or replacements. The carpet is also in great condition with no rips or holes. This includes the rear carpet which is often neglected. The dash and console look awesome with no cracks or sun fading. The door panels are in good shape overall. The door pulls are solid and intact. The radio sounds good and works as it should. Most importantly the dash has never been cut or modified for an aftermarket installation. The jack is still with the car, stored in the storage compartment behind the passenger seat as seen in the photos. The original spare is also still with car. Please note that both seat belts work and retract properly. This is a common problem on C3 Corvettes and an issue many buyers do not think to check. This Corvette has never been smoked in; there are no burn marks and no aroma of cigarettes.

Corvette interiors from this era are not known to wear well, especially for a white color like white, and the excellent condition of this original interior is a huge testament to the meticulous care and attention this car has received throughout its life and another great verification of the very low original mileage.

Mechanical

This Corvette seems to be in excellent mechanical condition. The car starts right away every time, runs well, and idles smoothly. It drives amazingly on the road and at highway speeds. In the video below one can observe the car accelerating on the highway up to about 70mph, shifting through all the gears, braking to stoplight, and going through some curves. Please note that there are no strange noises or vibrations and the car performs quite well overall. The transmission shifts smoothly throughout the power-band. The brakes are responsive and do not pull to one side or the other. The car runs cool and does not overheat. This Corvette has plenty of power and is quite fast. Also, the engine compartment is beautifully clean, detailed, and correct as one can see in the photos. The original ignition shielding, air cleaner, and valve covers are all still in place on the car.

The AM/FM radio works as do all the exterior lights, interior lights, indicators, dash lights, horn, wipers, and power windows, even the under-hood light still works. The blower for the heater and a/c works on all speeds. The vacuum system for the headlights works correctly. The headlights go up quickly and evenly, with no binding in the mechanism. Also, the headlights go up correctly with either the headlight switch or vacuum override switch. Their complete operation from both switches can be viewed in the video. All of the gauges work with the obvious exception of the clock. The air conditioning system is complete and the compressor is not locked up, but the a/c does not blow cold so it may need freon. The car now has a true dual exhaust with no catalytic converter and healthy exhaust note as one can hear in the video. Not enough can be said as to how much of a pleasure it is to drive this car, especially with the T-tops out on a beautiful day.

Overall Condition

Overall, this 1977 Corvette is in excellent original condition. The low mileage, the great unique history, the beautiful and rare color combination, and the excellent overall condition make this Corvette particularly desirable and very hard to duplicate. Numbers matching is important in the Corvette market and in Corvette pricing and as one can see this car is very correct. This Corvette always gets a ton of attention driving down the road. It is apparent that the vehicle has been well taken care of by its previous owners. The prices of C3 Corvettes have increased considerably over the past several years. They are secure and wise investments for a collector. One could easily enjoy this vehicle for several years and sell it for more than the purchase price with minimal effort.

Other sellers are not taking the time to show the car is in such great detail to give you all of the numbers, options, photos, and video. As stated above, numbers matching is extremely important in Corvette pricing, especially for an exceptional example like this car, and will become even more important as time passes and this car becomes older and even more rare. This information is very valuable and important for pricing. Any perspective buyer, for any of our vehicles or from other sellers, should ask for all the numbers and information before he or she makes a purchase.

Thank you for looking and please do not hesitate to email or call with any questions.

item
number
description*

VIN
1Z37L7S431176
The first digit, "1," indicated the Chevrolet division of GM.  The "Z" is the series, Corvette.  The "87" is the body style, 2-door sport coupe.  The fifth digit is the engine, 8, correct for an L48 car.  The sixth digit, "7," indicates the model year, 1977.  The "S" is the plant where the car was produced, St. Louis.  The last five digits are a sequence number so this is the 49,389th Corvette made for 1979.

Body Build Date
I 18
"I" corresponds to April and "18" is the eighteenth day of the month meaning this Corvette's body build date is April 18th, 1977.

Engine Code
V0412
"V" means the engine was build in the Flint, MI plant.  The "04" is the fourth month of year and the "12" is the twelveth day of the month meaning the engine was assembled on April 12th, 1977.  This is correct as it precedes the build date of the car.

Suffix Code
CLA
This means the motor was intended for a 1977 Corvette with an automatic transmission, which is correct for this car.

Engine VIN Stamp
431176
The last 6 digits of the car's VIN, 431176 are stamped on the engine pad and pictured below, meaning this engine is original to this car.

Engine Block Casting Number
3970010
The engine block has the correct 3970010 casting number for a 1977 Corvette.

Engine Block Casting Date
D 6 7
"D" is April, "6" is the sixth day of the month, and "7" is the last digit of the calendar year so the engine block was cast on April 6th, 1977. 

Intake Manifold Casting Number
346249
The intake manifold is original and correct for a 77 Corvette with an automatic transmission with a 346249 stamping.

Intake Manifold Casting Date
C 30 7
"C" is the month March, "30" is the thirtyth day of the month, and "7" is the last digit of the calendar year, Meaning this intake manifold was casted on March 30th, 1977.

Distributor
1103246
The distributor is original and correct for a 77 Corvette with an automatic transmission with a 1103246 stamping.

Distributor Date Code
7 C 16
The "7" is the last digit of the calendar year, the "C" denotes March, and "16" is the sixteenth day of the month meaning the distributor was made on March 16th, 1976. This is correct as it predates the assembly date of the engine.

Alternator
1102474
This alternator is original and correct for a 77 corvette with A/C with a 1102474 stamping.

Alternator Date Code
6 K 27
The "6" is the last digit of the calendar year, the "K" denotes October, and "27" is the twenty seventh day of the month meaning the distributor was made on October 27th, 1976. This is correct as it predates the assembly date of the engine.

Windshield
LG
"L" is March and "G" is 1977 so this window is original, made in March of 1977.  This is correct as it predates the build date of the car.

Driver's Window
XG
"X" is February and "G" is 1977 so this window is original, made in February of 1977.  This is correct as it predates the build date of the car.

Passenger  Window
LG
"L" is March and "G" is 1977 so this window is original, made in March of 1977.  This is correct as it predates the build date of the car.

Rear Window
LG
"L" is March and "G" is 1977 so this window is original, made in March of 1977.  This is correct as it predates the build date of the car.

exterior color code

10
Classic White

interior color code

722
White with Medium Red

 

 

 

 

 

rpo code
description

1YZ87
Corvette Sport Coupe

A31
Power Windows

C60
Air Conditioning

D35
Sport Mirrors

J50
Power Brakes

L48
350ci V8 Engine

M40
Automatic Transmission

N37
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column

N41
Power Steering

QRZ
White Letter Tires

U58
AM-FM Radio, Stereo