1976 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
By 1976, the United States economy was on the mend from the 1973"1975 global economic recession. The recession, which had been caused in part by the 1973 oil crisis, had caused gas prices to soar which, in turn, had made automotive manufacturers begin re-evaluating the types of vehicles they were manufacturing. Over 540,000 third generation Corvettes were built between 1968 and 1982 making the C3 generation the highest production Corvette ever and the most popular for the collector.
This would be the last year, since its 1968 inception where a C3 generation car would have had the Stingray moniker on its body. Maintaining the classic Stingray shape, although much smoother styling with its undulating hood, lying buttress B pillars and rounded rear, this consignment presents itself in beautiful lightning Silver Metallic. The definition of Coke bottle design, this very sexy undulatory design is like a centerfold lying on her side, has an all numbers matching drivetrain, leather interior, and of course my favorite corvette backside with the round over look. The stance is worth the price of admission!
Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.*
Exterior
Deep end of the pool, very nice Silver Metallic coats pristine fiberglass and neoprene on this garage kept curvaceous example. The iconic Sting Ray "gills" if you will, vent cool air into the engine bay from directly behind the front wheel wells. Brightwork is minimal but in good condition and shows up on the door handles, front glass frame, side view mirrors and rockers, which appears as a wide strip and is the next best thing to having side pipes. The long long hood leads the way and it sports hidden headlights, as well as a rear vented scoop. The roof panels are removable and in lieu of being smoked, they are body matching silver. You gotta love the flying buttress-esque B pillars framing the near vertical rear glass and we also note the rounded rear look with the circular tail lights are iconic in their design almost expected in a Corvette. 15-inch GM rally wheels with Dixie coupe shaped ribbed center hubs and deep dish trim rings are wrapped by 225/60R15's all around.
Interior
Some smoke gray and wood appliqu© along with minimal chrome trimmings cover the door panels. Sleek thin styled high backed leather buckets show some very slight folds, as leather tends to do with age, however these are in fine condition. The center console has a nicely padded leather armrest/storage lid, and this drives the eye forward to the shift lever lighter and temp wheels. The deep set gauges in the swooping upward and outward dash are original, and appear as very clean. Next to this driver's panel is a group of 5 instruments to help keep the pulse, and just below the center dash of this car is a C O R V E T T E AM/FM radio. Behind the seats is the rear storage area folded in clean gray carpeting, as are all the floors where the seats are and under the dash. I have to comment on all the chromed surrounds, lettering on dials and levers and all over, I see none of it is chipped off. This is a rare detail not often experienced on these cars of this year, so it WAS well taken care of.
Drivetrain
A lift forward of the scooped hood, and we see a numbers matching 350ci V8 in L48 form. It has a 4-barrel carburetor feeding it and a numbers matching TH350 3-speed automatic transmission on back. A 3.08 Positraction rear axle is on spinning the rear tires. The condition, as our consignor states, is unmolested, unrestored and all original...a real breath of fresh air. (Which it mixes with the fossils and kicks you in the butt!)
Undercarriage
A surface rust only underside that has good structural stability, a stainless X pipe exhaust with headers and Pypes Mufflers. Power disk braking is all around and the fully independent C3 suspension provides the ride and rail like handling.
Drive-Ability
The car started right up, and ran well. Good handling, and nice overall ride with power steering and power brakes. When you go full throttle, you notice a nice kick in your pants, as well as a smile on your face! During our drive we noted that the headlights would not rotate up and the AC has been removed.
A looker and a definite cooker, this "unmolested" original will allow your neighbors to be able to hear and if close enough feel the rumble from this racer, and there they will notice the sculpted looks of this 1976 last year of the Stingray Corvette. Remember Corvette means a small nimble warship, so I-declare-WAR!
1Z37L6S410404
1-Chevrolet
Z-Corvette
37-Coupe
L-350ci L48 V8 180hp 4bbl
6-1976
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
410404-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
D04-November 4th
TRIM 152-Smoke Gray Leather
PAINT 13L-Silver Metallic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
