So how did this American-made sports car gain its elite status? And why is the 1977 Corvette considered such a classic?
The Chevy Corvette has a rich history in America
A second generation was introduced in the early 1960s, and a third in 1968. The latter begins to resemble what we now think of as the classic Corvette.
The 1977 red T-top Corvette is a great example of a classic car
The magazine noted that the 1977 Corvette continued a recent trend in which the car was more "buttoned-up" and reserved. It included refinements to the gear shift, and a single combined washer/wiper, high-beam switch, and turn signal lever, for example (which was an unusual feature for American-made vehicles of the time).
While this might have appealed to newer drivers of the car, Car and Driver said, seasoned Corvette owners could find themselves missing "America's heavy-hitter sports car," which was beloved by the masses just the way it was—“wild” and just as impressive on the race track as it was on the streets.
T-top Corvettes were particular classics. Though they weren't technically convertibles, they gave the feeling of open-air driving. Few images strike audiences as more American than a 1977 red Corvette flying down the open roads.
What is a T-top and why did Chevy make them?
GM originally introduced the T-top to their Corvettes in 1968 when it was rumored that safety concerns could see convertibles banned. While this never actually happened, the T-top was nonetheless a perfect solution to the potential ban. It could adhere to regulations while still offering a similar result.
Third-generation (C3) Corvettes, in production until 1982, were the only models to feature the T-top. Sales of the early C3 T-tops outperformed the convertible option, which was ultimately retired in 1976.
If you're thinking of buying a Corvette, whether new, classic, or somewhere in between, you'll want to make sure to protect it with the right car insurance.