Corvette Ability

How do you define “Corvette-ability?”

Is it the combination of styling, handling, and power that makes it America’s Only True Sports Car?

Tom McCleary’s ’77 is not only a rolling example of it, but it’s one that’s turned mid-12s in the quarter-mile with more than twice the factory horsepower on tap. It wasn’t the beauty seen here when Tom got it. “It was all original, but it needed a lot of work,” he remembers.

The engine in Tom’s C3 was a non-original, none-of-the-above 350 that had seen better days and was the first thing to go. Rich Powell built a new small-block based on a 0.060 over four bolt main block filled with a Callies stroker kit with I-beam rods and 10.5:1 pistons that bumped it up to 392 cubic inches. Also going in and on: a Howards Cams solid roller camshaft, a pair of Dart Sportsman heads, an Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake, a 750-cfm Demon double-pumper, an MSD ignition system, plus
Hooker shorty headers feeding a 2 1/2-inch Pypes exhaust system.

When the old 350 came out, so did the four-speed behind it, replaced with a 700-R4 overdrive automatic with a Perfect shift kit 2,600-stall converter and a B&M Mega shifter.

Out back, the original Posi rearend was rebuilt by Ernie’s Transmission in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania. They also swapped in a 4.11:1 gearset.

Tom updated the ’77s chassis with VBP monoleaf springs, which he got in a kit from Eckler’s. “The suspension in the car now is completely adjustable,” says Tom, noting the big weight savings over the OEM steel springs.

He also added Monroe shocks, plus he replaced bushings and other age worn chassis parts while rebuilding the factory four wheel disc brakes. Outboard of them, chrome factory RPO YJ8 wheels wore 255/60R14 BFGs when these photos were shot.

When he got it, the ’77’s body needed help, which he entrusted to David Kiser Autobody in his hometown of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. “It’s got new door skins on it,” says Tom, who adds that the rear quarters were also replaced. A pre-’73 removable rear window and a three-piece “ducktail” rear spoiler also went on before the two-stage Deltron Burnt Orange paint.

Inside, Tom replaced the worn OEM soft trim with repro Buckskin leather seat, door, and other pieces, while adding a Pioneer-based sound system. He kept the new-for-’77 steering column, which put the steering wheel closer to the dash for easier entry and exit and a more “hands-out”  driving position.

Since these photos were taken, Tom’s  continued revising and upgrading his Shark. “It’s got a new hood on it now,” says Tom. “And there’s now a 1,000hp aluminum BeCool radiator under it to better cool down that  stroker small-block, which puts out 550 hp  to the tires.”

That power enhanced by a 150-shot of nitrous from an NOS cheater system led to more upgrades. “I just put new Mickey Thompson Drag Radials on the back,” says Tom. “I had problems hooking the car up because it was so light in the back. Now, with the new tires on I’m hoping for high 11s.”

One thing that will help Tom get there: Higher-octane gasoline than pump premium. “When I went to the track last year, I put in CAM2 (racing gasoline), and the car ran totally different,” he recalls.

Also going on is a new set of exhaust cutouts. “I didn’t really like the look of the ones you see sticking out the side of the car,” Tom says. “I’ve actually tucked all of that underneath the car. I also lowered the car, so it’s right to the ground now.”

What’s it like to drive? “It ran a 12.53 e.t. at 113 mph the first pass down the track,” says Tom. “I now fuel it with Avgas, which really helps its street driveability. Prior to that, it would idle very rough while sitting at a stoplight. I would have to keep my feet on the brake and gas pedal to keep it running. Now, it’s like a regular everyday car again. The ethanol in the gas was just killing that car.”

All the while, Tom’s ’77’s been a consistent show-winner. “I’ve got a pretty good collection of trophies, plaques, and stuff like that,” he says. “I was at a show recently and got First place with it. I also took it to a Long Island Corvette show and the car took First place in its division there, too.”

The late-’70s Vettes were maligned by Corvette purists for their lack of factory horse power and their perceived lack of “Corvette ability,” but that didn’t stop 49,213 people from buying one. A new Corvette production record, only topped by the ’79’s 53,000 plus. Nowadays, their “grand touring” nature is enhanced by builders like Tom, who has this advice for anyone thinking of similar project: “If you’re getting ready to do it, be ready to bust your knuckles, because they’re one of the tightest cars that I’ve ever worked on.” He adds, with a huge laugh, “Give me a call I have a lot of extra parts!”