I just baught a 77 stingray for 4 grand. I found this old man who got it in a trade for some trackters to make the deal even. He didn't care to much for corvettes, but he loves machanics and making things run right. The body is in fare shape and the interior could use some work, but everything else is great. He had the engine and transmission rebuilt and the rear end reconstructed. The great thing was he had all the pappers to proove it. When I saw that, I hade to buy it, because I think I can sell it for 7-8 grand and make a profit. The thing that gets me is that the tittle and VIN say it is from 77, but it has the fastback rear windshield of 78. Is there any explanation for that. I can't find any thing online that says that that ever happened. there are no 25th anniversary badges on it and the speedometer cluster is 77 for sure. What do you think happened that gave it that 78 rear windshield and not the 77? the back of the car is just like a 78, but nothing else that I know of is. It still has the original paint job, so its not some strange custom job. does this make the car more valuable?

 

Welcome to the forum.

Check the fifth digit in the VIN. It's the last number of the model year. In your case, it should be a 7. If it is, then strongly suspect someone has put a '78 or '79 rear clip on it.

 

The fith digit is a 7. For someone to change the back end would require them to redo the interior to, because it is just like a 78. The only thing that is not 77 for sure is that back end. every thing else that I can tell is 77. It would have been a lot of work to do what was done there. It looks completely perfect. I am 99% sure it has the original paint jop as well. How could that have been done?

 

I was wrong, it was the 6th digit for model year.

There's a website (pg knows it and I didn't bookmark it) that can take your S/N and give approximate build date. If it was a really late date like June '77, then it's remotely possible that it got a '78 body but that's a stretch. Never have heard of this before.

The '78 had a 24 gallon tank which filled the space made available by the temporary spare. Also had a locking glove box that replaced the map pocket. The wiper/washer control was moved from the steering column back to the IP. The 4 spd was a Borg Warner instead of a Muncie unless a M-21 close ratio was fitted.

 

It does not have a locking glove box for sure. The wiper washer is on the steering column to. I Would like to know how this happened?

 

My money's on a rear clip graft job.

 

I have the same on my 77. Everything looks perfect and even a body shop told me that it looked factory. Ivoice says that production of car was November 1976. I'm curious about how it was done and I've been unable to contact the original owner to find out for sure. I'm in the process of restoring the car and I'm sure I'll ask some questions in the future and I'll let everybody know what I find out when I talk to the original owner.

 

How about some pictures. Inside, outside, underside, the works. Might be able to tell something more. Cheers