1977 Conversion to a '78.

[photovette]

This is really a 1977 model. Can't tell it that it's not a '78. Must be a early mod.

 

[vetteboy86]

That is very interesting. I would love to hear more about that car. If you have more info please, do tell.


Craig

 

[photovette]

It's on EBAY.com:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4515534479&category=6168&sspagename=WDVW

 

[Bob Chadwick]

It it's a 77 the rear has been modified. The ad says to ask for the VIN, which should tell which year the car is.

 

[photovette]

The interior is that of a '77. I think changing the interior would be harder and more expensive than changing the body. And why would someone want to make a car 'older' instead of newer?

I wonder why they're holding the VIN close to their chest?

Still, it is a nicely done mod to the body and really demonstrates how close a '77 and a '78 are.

 

[vetteboy86]

So what is it? Perhaps a 78 body on a 77 frame. What else could it be. :confused

 

[photovette]

All the mounting points for the interior panel/dash attachments would have to be changed--probably a major re-wiring job too. I'm guess a rear clip from a '78 was grafted on. I wonder if the hatch opens? If not, I'd bet the mod was done before 1982. I also wonder why the Car Dealer didn't mention the mod?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I don't disagree with you Photovette.

What else do you think they aren't telling you???

 

[Tom73]

Interesting....they say "It appears that this vehicle has never been involved in a collision. There is no damage present on this vehicle. There is not a door ding on this vehicle. The vehicle looks as new as the day it was first sold." Love they way they say "It appears", what a copout.

Usualy when you see these conversions done, the original car has been hit hard in the rear requiring the replacement of the rear clip. So they happened to have a rear clip from a 78/79 and just used that for the repair work.

I would stay away from this car, no telling what is going on below the skin, unless they can provide a good story with solid documentation.

tom...

 

[photovette]

I was surprised at the number of bids so early--and they said it has the '700R4' rebuilt--like it was the original transmission.

One mod I will do, when I eventually get my '77 painted, is to put the park/cornering lights from an '81 in. C3's need cornering lights--it's a big blind area after dark.

 

[c4cruiser]

Hmmm, "Call for VIN" That seems sort of suspicious to me. The 6th digit would be a 7 for a 1977 and an 8 for a 1978. But the eBay ad calls the car a 77.

All the 78 cars had the 25th Anniversary emblems on the nose and the gas lid. This one doesn't. This is probably a rear clip grafted on. The fenders and rear glass would not be anywhere nearly as hard to do as the rear portion of the interior.

 

[Dave Z]

Another footnote on the interior...isn't that the infamous "Vega" steering wheel from '76?

 

[76texvette]

You are right, that is a 76 steering wheel.....It also says A/C......don't see a compressor. No telling what has been done to this car!!!!!

 

[photovette]

It does look like it, though I've never seen a non-T/T steering colume, so I don't know. Hopefully whom ever buys it will join this dforum and we'll hear all about it.

 

[Dave Z]

I hope whoever buys it joins too. For some reason, this Vette has really peaked my curiousity. Personally, I believe it's been wrecked. Also, it looks as if great pains were taken to graft the rear clip of a '78. They really did a nice job from what I can tell from the photos and the engine looks like some time and effort was put into it. I wonder how the frame is.

 

[ruby76]

Another footnote on the interior...isn't that the infamous "Vega" steering wheel from '76?

:dance, Yep, the interrior looks like 77, the back window is 78 and later, the steering wheel is 76 as it was a 1 year only deal.

So what is it? Perhaps a 78 body on a 77 frame. What else could it be. :confused

probably is a 78, but the original buyer bought it in late 77

 

[jdp6000]

The other possibility is the car is a revin. Bad guys steal cars then buy a wreck and attach a serial number to the stolen one. This maybe a 78 with a 77 vin attached to it. I'd be careful, this happens a lot up my way.

Jim

 

[Tom73]

They have now posted the VIN:

1Z37L75433837

so it is, by the VIN a '77.

(That "5" in there is a misprint, should be an "S")

tom...

 

[KANE]

So what is it? Perhaps a 78 body on a 77 frame. What else could it be. :confused

CHOP SHOP....

Well, I have seen some wierd stuff. I have seen everny manner of 76-82 Vette convertible, but I have never heard of such a drastic change to a 77 to make it a 78. Oh well. Someone must have really had an attachment to the dash of the 77 and the glass of the 78.

 

[KANE]

I hope whoever buys it joins too. For some reason, this Vette has really peaked my curiousity. Personally, I believe it's been wrecked. Also, it looks as if great pains were taken to graft the rear clip of a '78. They really did a nice job from what I can tell from the photos and the engine looks like some time and effort was put into it. I wonder how the frame is.

Granted, ANYONE can throw cheap paint on a Vette. I seriously doubt the previous owner(s) went shy on these repairs:

- Center bolt valve covers
- Upgraded ignition
- Single plane manifold
- Headers
- 700R4
- Aftermarket carb

I don't know too many people who would spend so much money on a structurally unsound frame. It looks like new carpet too. I think someone just got tired of their project car or lost it due to a change in their life.

It is a nice looking Frankenvette.

I bet it was wrecked only on the body, or was in really sad shape before somone started spending money on it. More than likely, there were two Vettes- a 78/9 and a 77 in someone's possession. The 77 may have been the one with a better interior. The "donor" may likely have been a front end collision.

There could have been a third vette too. That vette may have provided some of the components to the interior. For what ever it is worth, the 77 must have been the better frame. Someone conciously chose to make that car what it was. It isn't an accident and an attempt to pawn it off. The shear amount of money spent under the hood shows that. I don't see a bubba air cleaner from Mr. Gasket and lots of rust or trash under the hood.

It did have AC on the old engine. The pulleys tells me that. Not sure why the AC was left off- I guess that would explain a few things. It was cared for. The condition shows that. AC was not a priority to the previous owner. It was more than likely a weekend car. I would believe it was garaged judging by the condition of the carpet. Didn't look like it had a lot of water or mildew damage. New paint too. I think that was the last part before the car was sold.

From the look under the hood, the engine was done first, followed by the body. Someone systematically repaired the car. There was a plan.

A tree could have very well fallen on the back end. Something must have destroyed the rear clip without damaging the frame. That would explain why someone choose the 77 as the platform.

I would say it has a unique story. If it checks out structurally and mechanically, I would have no problem owning it. It is really a neat story.