When someone mentions the word “Corvette”, not many of us picture an Orange Flame (or Flame Red, depending on who describes color #70) 1976 model year car with the Tan deluxe interior like this one, which is for sale here on Craigslist in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Does this intrigue you? Read on to learn more…
Having traveled only 38,000 miles or so, this well-optioned original example looks impressive. Anyone who knows Corvettes (I had a black 4-speed L48 with reproduction 1969 side pipes in my younger days) can rattle off a list of things that could and/or did go wrong with the non-chrome-bumper C3s. The 350-ci V8 (305 in California) had to breathe through a Rochester Quadrajet (or “Quadra-Bog” as they became known) carburetor and only gave between 180 and 210 horsepower, being choked by emissions and a single-catalyst exhaust. For what it’s worth: 1976 was the last year for the “Stingray” moniker until 2014.
Shortcomings aside, the up-and-coming middle- and later-year C3s (1974-1981) are finally beginning to be worth the trouble. This one is up for an asking price of $14k, but one can expect to spend around $10k to get into a lower-quality driver example nowadays. As recently as 10 years ago, one could barely give one of these away (myself included), but the entire vintage-car market is constantly shifting and evolving.
We have no idea who “Bugs” is, but apparently this ‘Vette was made just for them. So, would you consider owning one of these? If you have one currently, let us know in the comments below.
Not everybody’s dream ‘Vette but a nice example in a striking color combination. Yes, there are newer, faster cars that handle better. That’s what Autotrader is for.
What shown looks good on first view. There was a 73 where I used to live in that color, preferred the concaved rear end better. Big thing would be what condition the frame and birdcage are in. If you’re into handling, the C4 would be a better choice IMO especially if you add the Banski suspension to it.
For a cruiser this one looks to have much potential.
Obviously you are a C-4 fan as you own one! My uncle had this very car in White ,tan interior auto trans T-Top , L-82 motor. It had luggage rack on the trunk. With 3:42 gear axel it could move even then. With me taking auto shop in high school & being a Drag racing fan, ( who wasn’t lol )!!, I tuned the Q – Jet & took out bean pancake in the exhaust , spaced out the air cleaner lid so it had about a half inch opening. Needless to say changing the shocks for better handling.
If this were my car I would do the same thing along with better swap bars & bushings & a cam swap. I’ll take in your C-4 all day & have a better looking car to boot!!
People use to just flip the air cleaner upside down, and thought they had created a street terror.
A lot of people just like the way a Vette looks and really don’t care that much about a stick or lots of horse power. They just want to “drive around and look cool” so cars like this are just what they want. I agree that now is the time to buy as prices are on the rise. Remember what you could get a air cooled 911 for ten years ago? You real Vette lovers have probably seen this but it is worth checking out as the long awaited mid engine car is supposedly on the way.
https://autoweek.com/article/car-news/why-are-there-9000-corvettes-sitting-dealer-lots
Agreed!! However even if I had the money for a new Vette especially this new new mid engine car I would new by one! I’d get a new 911 all day long & still have classic looks!! New old school all the way!
It’s priced a tad high. It’s worth between 8 and 10k.
Low balled!! Especially for an original paint unmodified car !! Color as well Orange flame!
Dirk diggler’s vette?
I had the same car, 1976 orange w black leather, 350 auto in 1978. Fun to drive, loved the lines of the car when washing / waxing. Parked in garage in Minnesota winter. Babied that car and it was still expensive to keep up. Must have been a memorable car because even to this day people ask if I was the guy that had the orange Corvette Sting Ray.
You should of kept it! Other than insurance I don’t see what was more expensive to keep up with more than any other car??
I have a 74 corvette very nice car
L82 automatic @ air owned for 35 years no plan to ever sell it David
Good for you! What color?