1977 CORVETTE

  • Since the Stingray front fender nameplate departed this year, Chevrolet's sports car technically no longer had a secondary title.
  • Changes were fairly modest this year and mainly hidden (such as a steel hood reinforcement) or inside.
  • New crossed-flags emblems stood between the headlamps and on the fuel filler door.
  • A thinner blacked-out pillar gave the windshield and side glass a more integrated look.
  • The Corvette's console was restyled in an aircraft-type cluster design, with individual-look gauges.
  • A voltmeter replaced the former ammeter.
  • "Door ajar" and "headlamp up" warning lights were abandoned.
  • New heater/air conditioning controls, an ashtray, and a lighter were on the horizontal surface.
  • A recessed pocket was now seen behind the shift lever.
  • Power window switches moved to the new console.
  • The manual shift lever was almost an inch higher, with shorter travel.
  • Automatic transmission levers added a pointer and both manual and automatic shifters added a new black leather boot.
  • A shorter steering column held a multi-function control lever.
  • This year's steering wheel had a leather-wrapped rim.
  • This year's colors were
    • Classic White
    • Silver
    • Black
    • Corvette Light Blue
    • Corvette Dark Blue
    • Corvette Chartreuse (used on one car)
    • Corvette Yellow
    • Corvette Orange
    • Medium Red
    • Corvette Tan
    • Corvette Dark Red
  • The Custom interior, formerly an extra-cost option, was now standard.
  • "Dynasty" horizontal-ribbed cloth upholstery was framed with leather (the first cloth trim offered on a Corvette), or buyers could have the customary all-leather seat panels.
  • Leather came in ten colors, cloth in six.
  • Two new trim colors were available: Red and Blue.
  • Door panel inserts were satin finish Black instead of the prior wood grain.
  • Both the instrument panel and door trim panels lost their embossed stitch lines.
  • New padded sunshades could swivel to side windows.
  • Passenger-side roof pillars held a soft vinyl coat hook.
  • Power trains were the same as in 1976, but power brakes and steering were now standard.
  • A total of 6,148 Corvettes came with the special L82 V-8 engine under the hood, while 7,269 had the optional Gymkhana suspension.
  • Only 5,743 Corvettes had the M20 four-speed manual gearbox and 2,060 used the M26 close-ratio four-speed.
  • A mere 289 Corvettes came with trailering equipment.
  • New options included an AM/FM stereo radio with tape player, cruise control (for cars with automatic transmission only), and a luggage carrier that could hold the roof panels.
  • Glass roof panels were announced, but delayed for another year.

I.D. NUMBERS

  • The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
  • Serial numbers ranged from 1Z37*7S400001 to 1Z37*7S449213
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2ZCorvette
    37coupe
    5*Engine type where * is replaced by the following
    • L = L48 350-cid V8, 180-hp, 4-barrel
    • X = L82 350-cid V8, 210-hp, 4-barrel
    671977
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13400001 to 446558production sequence
  • Engine serial number began 0001001
  • Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
  • Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
    • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
    • The one or two numbers shows the month
    • The last digit shows the year
  • Engine suffixes:
    CodeEngineHorsepowerCompressionTransmissionFuel SupplyEmission Control System
    CHD350-cid180-hp V-88.5:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorCalifornia
    CKD350-cid180-hp V-88.5:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorhigh-altitude
    CKZ350-cid180-hp V-88.5:1manualfour-barrel carburetor 
    CLA350-cid180-hp V-88.5:1automaticfour-barrel carburetor 
    CLB350-cid180-hp V-88.5:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorhigh-altitude
    CLC350-cid180-hp V-88.5:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorCalifornia
    CLD350-cid210-hp V-89.0:1manualfour-barrel carburetor 
    CLF350-cid210-hp V-89.0:1automaticfour-barrel carburetor 
  • The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 77-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
  • The body number is the production serial number of the body.
  • The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
  • The eleven 1977 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • 10 = Classic White
    • 13 = Silver
    • 19 = Black
    • 26 = Corvette Light Blue
    • 28 = Corvette Dark Blue
    • 41 = Corvette Chartreuse (used on one car)
    • 52 = Corvette Yellow
    • 66 = Corvette Orange
    • 72 = Medium Red
    • 80 = Corvette Tan
    • 83 = Corvette Dark Red
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorCloth & Leather UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Black19C192
    Smoked Gray15C152
    Blue27C 
    Brown69C692
    Red72C722
    Buckskin 642
    White 112

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
1YZ37
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger
$8648344849,213

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO L48)Optional Engine (RPO L82)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid (5.7 liters)350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio8.5:19.0:1
Brake horsepower180 @ 4000210 @ 5200
Torque270 lb-ft @ 2400255 lb-ft @ 3600
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Fuel supplyRochester M4MCRochester M4MC

TRANSMISSION

Manual transmission
  • four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.64:1
    • 2nd = 1.75:1
    • 3rd = 1.34:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.55:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
Optional Manual Transmission
  • close ratio four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.43:1
    • 2nd = 1.61:1
    • 3rd = 1.23:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.35:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
Automatic Transmission
  • Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.48:1
    • 2nd = 1.48:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.08:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1

CHASSIS

FeatureCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length185.2 inches (4.704 m)
Overall width69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height48 inches (1.219 m)
Ground Clearance4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread59.5 inches (1.511 m)
TiresGR70 x 15
Positractionstandard
Steeringrecirculating ball
Front suspensionIndependent, unequal-length control arms with ball joints, coil springs, and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, trailing link, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers
IgnitionHEI electronic
Body constructionSeparate fiberglass body and box-type ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank17 US Gal (14 Imp Gal) (64 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO A31Electric power windows$116
RPO B32Color-keyed floor mats$22
RPO C49Rear window defogger$84
RPO C60Air conditioning$553
RPO D35Sport mirrors$36
RPO FE7Gymkhana suspension$38
RPO L82350-cid 210-hp V-8$495
RPO M21Four-speed close-ratio manual transmissionno-cost option
RPO M40Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissionno-cost option
RPO N37Tilt-telescopic steering wheel$165
RPO N40Power steering$151
RPO QRZGR7O x 15 raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires$57
RPO U58AM-FM stereo radio$187
RPO UM2AM-FM stereo radio with tape system$414
RPO U69AM-FM radio$187
RPO V54Luggage rack and roof panel rack$73
RPO YJ8Aluminum wheels$321
RPO ZN1Trailering package$83
RPO ZX2Convenience group$22

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Introduced September 30, 1976
  • Model-year production: 49,213 (Chevrolet initially reported 49,034 units)
  • Calendar-year production: 46,345
  • Calendar-year sales by U.S. dealers: 42,571
  • Model-year sales by U.S. dealers: 40,764

1977 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1977 Corvette

1977 Corvette

1977 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




email me: