This really caught my eye. I guess I like the color.http://www.corvettesoftulsa.com/view_car.php?cvid=1139 Anyway, with the low low mileage, this just seems that it ought to be put back to original and compete for NCRS flight. But I talked to the dealer on the phone today and found that besides the side pipes, the manifolds have been replaced with headers and the smog pump and related components are missing. What kind of hassle would it be to return the exhaust and emissions back to original?



(made link clickable)Adams' Apple2008-02-11 19:36:52

If you're mechanically inclined I don't think it would be very difficult to return to stock.  The problem would come in finding some of those parts, especially the OEM smog equipment -- which I'm sure is going to be very pricey.  It is a beautiful car, and personally, I think the factory-style side pipes are a GREAT addition. 

That is a sweet looking car, fer sure!
One could remove the side exhaust, and sell it for enough cash to replace the smog equipment. Factory '69 pipes, in good condition go for around $1200+!!! As long as they are in good condition, and original GM issued parts, and all of the hardware is there, that is.

The car would prolly "Top Flight" as is, if it is as nice as the pics show. Just because the pipes are not correct would not exclude it from being scored well enough in other areas to "Flight".
The smog equipment can be replaced, as can the original exhaust manifolds...there are places that do specialize in those things. It really depends on how much is actually missing.

REAL NICE CAR. IF ORIGINALITY IS WHAT YOUR INTO  YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT AT A REASONABLE COST. REMOVING THE HEADERS AND EXHUAST FOR STOCK AND RE-INSTALLING THE SMOG PUMP WILL COST YOU PERFORMANCE THOUGH. GOOD LUCK IF YOU BUY. BOB

I had a friend of mine in Tulsa go by and have a look at it for me. He's not a Corvette guy, but I figured he could give me a general opinion if it was worth the trip to see for myself. He got some more detailed pics and there are some changes to the car from the pics that the dealer has posted and so the assumption is that the dealer posted some older pics. Everyone loves pics, so at the risk of someone on here buying the car out from, under me before I can make the trip, here goes...
                                           New Pics
The exhaust manifolds appear to be original, not headers as I was originally told. I also noted that at some point, sport mirrors were added. I don't know that the mirrors hurt anything judging-wise. On the one hand, I don't like that someone continued to "tinker" with the originality of such a low mileage car, but on the other hand I like the sport mirrors better than the chrome. Does anyone see anything in these pics that would be of "concern"?

(made link clickable)Adams' Apple2008-02-16 16:47:44

The car looks good and if original may be a good buy.    If your going to mikes712008-02-16 11:01:30

Is the car yaller, or orange? It looks orange in the CoT pics, but yaller in your photos. Not that it matters, just curious!

'77s could have had sport mirrors from the factory, so that's not really an originality issue, if they are the correct ones, and installed correctly.
Looks like someone got a little shaky while doing some touch-up painting on the engine!
There are also some chrome pieces that aren't original, and it seems to be missing the "T" bolts that hold the ign. shielding to the supports...I see a plain bolt there. Nothing some detail work couldn't take care of.

As far as the smog pump...I don't think that engine was ever equipped with a smog pump, from the looks of it. There's no groove in the pulley for one, nor are there any brackets. There's also no fitting, or even holes for fittings, on the exhaust manifolds. Are we sure this is the original engine for the car?

Not all cars had the smog pumps...for example, the '74 cars with automatics did NOT have a smog-pump (A.I.R. system). Some export cars did not have them either. Has anyone actually checked the numbers on the stamp pad to verify this is the original engine?

The car looks great...needs some detail work if you plan on doing NCRS/Bloomington, but otherwise, it looks like a good deal.

My friend who looked it over isn't a Corvette guy so I didn't ask him to verify engine numbers or anything.  I just wanted a general thumbs up before I made a trip to see it.  As to the AIR, I was kind of assuming it was supposed to have it, but in NCRS specifications guidebook, I haven't figured out which years and engines had AIR and which didn't.  For some years, the book is very specific, and then for others, it doesn't say.  However, in the C3 buyers guide, there is a picture of a 77 engine bay that is captioned as being one of the finest unrestored examples, and that picture does not show a smog pump.  In fact, this looks better than the picture in the book.  As to the chrome breather cover and brake reservoir cover, I'm told they have the originals in a box along with some other original parts.  I noticed the sloppy rattle can work too, but I guess thats really nothing to worry about since it can easily be fixed.  The color is supposed to be Corvette Orange but I'm not sure if the difference is the camera, or the lighting or what.  I wish I had an official color chip to take with me to compare.  I'm going to call and talk to the dealer more this week.

The pics from the dealer look to be the correct orange. Must just be the lighting when your friend took the other pics. We do have members up yonder in Okieland. Perhaps one of them is close enough to check it out, or go with ya to look at it.

I believe the automatic cars, for a few years, did not require the AIR systems to pass emissions regulations when new.
The car really looks like a sweet deal. Hope it works out, and you can bring it home!! Now...if we can only find one for your brother...

it is a sweet looking vette. don't really know if this would make a difference in your decision to get it or not but just something you might want to check out more closely. i am wondering if by any chance this car was repainted.

can't really tell for sure by the pic but in pic 23 the spare tire looks like it has paint on it. wondering if was repainted and the overspray got on the tire. just an observation and may not be of any importance but sometimes those little unimportant details can tell you more.

hope it works out for you.