Picking a Corvette

[Trjohn57]

Next month I'm going to be picking up a Corvette. I have a choice of either a 1977, 1982 or a 1996. I like the 77 best. So far, I think that's the one that I want. Don't know much about these cars. Would like some advise on which one to get. The 77 has a new paint job. It's black.

[34_40]

That's kinda like asking about picking out a new girlfriend... which would you choose? the blonde, the brunette??? or perhaps the redhead?? LOL...

Personally, I haven't any use for post 70's vette's.... but that's my humble opinion only!

[Dave Severson]

I'd take the '96, would make a great suspension donor for a Hot Rod when you're done with the Vettin' around stuff!!!!!

[2bubbas]

I have a 72 and a 99 now- but have had several others- crawl in and out of the 96 several times- have you wife/ girl friend do so as well- see if you want to do that all the time- I like the looks of the 82 better than the 77 but just my opinion- horsepower way down in those C3's-

[Trjohn57]

The 77 and 82 has the sex-a-peel that I like. The 96, not so much. I'll be picking it up in about 3 weeks. So I guess I won't make my decission until I see all three of them. With a prosthetic leg, the 96 probably won't work to good. I believe the 77 was recently painted inside and out.
The choices are brunett or redhead. I do prefer a good blonde, but I'm not really that picky as long as she has nice curves. Thanks guys.

[jerry clayton]

I'd do the 96--better suspension system, heat/a/c--LT1 engine I had in my 92 averaged between 21.6 and 21.7 mpg the total time I had the car in traffic around greeater Northern Il area and actually had read out off 28 mpg at 100mph---Yes a little effort to get out of the car because you set so low but there are plenty of things to push yourself up with---

The wheels are ugly on all of them----

[35fordcoupe]

depends on what you're looking for. the '96 would be closer to a daily driver fun car with good mpgs like Jerry said (although neither of my LT1 cars would do 21 mpg in traffic unless I had switched on the electric motor) and the '77 and '82 are more likely to get the looks of a classic car (note I said looks not performance ). Neither the '77 or '82 are the most "classic" or corvettes but the '77 is still clinging to the 70's style while the '82 looks like a mini '81 f body with extra plastic. I suppose for a car purely meant to be a toy I'd get the '77 since it still looks about as old as a '74. IMO the '82 is completely out. It just has nothing going for it over either of the other two except probably price.

I'm curious why you are limiting yourself to one of these three cars. I can't imagine how many good deals there are on corvettes of this age to settle for one of these.

[cffisher]

years ago I got a basket case vett it was a 74, I restored it and thought wow I've got a vett.lol I sold it shortly after it was finished. I couldn't get in or out grasefully It was fast 350 4 sp. electric everything. Cornered great. Nice car and didn't loose any money on the sale but I will never own another one.

[stovens]

For style purposes only I thought I'd post the three years in the same color for help seeing the suttle differences.
1977

1982

1996

[stovens]

I think for style I like the 77, and if it's a new paint job, that's a big plus financially!But I do like the beefy look to the 82. I'd then go by interior and and confort, and consider smog and miles on the car next.(in California)

[stovens]

Interiors by year
1977

1982

1996

[stovens]

Next Horsepower that came stock on the car(per corvette-web central.com) This is where the 96 will shine!
1976
The base "L48" 350 was now rated at 180 horsepower as engineers were beginning to figure out the intricacies of emissions regulations. The L82 350 jumped to 210 horsepower. Both engines breathed in through four-barrel carburetors.


1977
Same HP and engines as 1976.


1978
The base L48 350 was now rated at 185 horsepower and a new dual-snorkel intake bumped output of the L82 version to 220 horsepower.


1979
A dual snorkel air cleaner now fed the Base L48 350 and that boosted output to 195 horsepower. The L82 was treated to a new cam, larger valves, a higher-compression ratio and a more efficient exhaust system which all combined to push the engine to 225 horsepower.


1980
Base L48 350 now made 190 horsepower and the L82 was rated at 230. Californians were stuck with only a 305-cubic-inch V8 making 180 horsepower.


1981
A new, 190-horsepower "L81" version of the 350 V8 was the only engine available.


1982
"Cross-Fire Injection." This injection system boosted output of the L81 350 to 200 horsepower.


1983
N/A Since no Corvettes were made.


1984 Start of the C4
350 V8, again equipped with Cross-Fire throttle body fuel injection and now rated at 205 horsepower.


1985 Corvette Horsepower
Tuned Port Injected (TPI) version of the 350-cubic-inch (now more commonly referred to as a 5.7-liter) small-block for 1985. This vastly more efficient induction system bumped output of the V8 to 230 horsepower.


1986
Same as 1985


1987
Hydraulic roller lifters to the L98's valve train boosted its output to 240 horsepower.


1988
New aluminum cylinder heads and a revised camshaft boosted the L98 to 245 horsepower.


1989
Same as 1988


1990
In the ZR1 the Lotus-designed, Mercury Marine-built, all-aluminum, 5.7-liter, DOHC, 32-valve LT5 V8 made 375 horsepower. The L98 made 245 horsepower.


1991
Same as 1990


1992 Corvette Horsepower
LT5 V8 made 375 horsepower.A new LT1 was rated at 300 horsepower thanks to significant revisions to the cylinder heads, accessory drives, cooling system and fuel injection.


1993
LT1 was 300 horsepowerThe LT5 horsepower went from 375 to 405 — in real-world terms (accounting for the difference between the old SAE gross and current SAE net rating methods)


1994
Same as 1993


1995
Same as 1994Last year for ZR1 in the C4.


1996
LT1 changed to the "LT4" that increased to 330 horsepower.

[Trjohn57]

You've giving me alot to think about. Wow, confusion. It's coming from a friend who passed away. He had all three of the years listed. His brother is taking two of them and giving me a choice. Pickup is ready to go. 1200 bucks later. I will use his boxed in trailer to haul it around 1800 miles one way. The 82 is red and the others are black. The 77 was painted inside and out.
Like I need another car anyway. I have alot to think about, but when I see them all together, that might really confuse me. This is gonna be a great vacation. On top of it, I get to go to Key West. South Dakota is way to cold right now. Below zero.

[jerry clayton]

fly down and drive the 96 back, enjoy some sea food while your there--wait for spring break for beach decoration

[Trjohn57]

Now I'm really confused. That's the best idea yet. Wish I would have thought of that.