In pure stock form, the 1976 Chevrolet Corvette is considered one of the more mundane performers from the C3 era, and it’s not one of the years that’s particularly sought after by collectors. However, there’s not much left mechanically on this 1976 Chevrolet Corvette that’s as it was when it left the factory 50 years ago! In its day, only two engines were available here, and both were 350-cubic-inch small blocks. The entry-level was the L48, rated at 180 HP. Choosing the L82 got you a bit more, but it was only delivering 210 at the time. This one’s now equipped with a 434 SBC and tuned to provide the driver with a satisfying 800 HP. This wild ‘Vette is in Columbus, Ohio, and can be seen here on Craigslist. It’s not cheap, with the seller posting an asking price of $60,000. Great tip, Rocco B., and thanks for sending it to us!
It’s not revealed which of the L-Code engines this one began life with, but it really doesn’t matter anymore, as it’s long gone and this Corvette now features a small-block Chevy powerplant that produces roughly 4 times as much horsepower as whatever 350 was originally housed in the bay. The 434 was built by Nelson Competition, and while it appears capable of delivering even more, the seller says it’s currently producing 800 HP. It’s topped with a supercharger from Blower Drive Service and also features Hooker headers and a Borla exhaust system, with a built Turbo 400 automatic transmission handling the shifting for you. A 4-core aluminum radiator with 13-inch electric fans is also in place, ensuring things stay cool no matter how much heat is generated under the hood.
When a vehicle has had this much effort put into the performance department, it’s not unusual for the cosmetics to often receive less attention. Fortunately, that’s not the case at all here, as this one looks about as sweet as it performs. The body appears to be in excellent condition, with the only noticeable gap that doesn’t fit quite right being on the far end of the custom hood, and it’s not bad at all. Velocity Yellow was selected to cover the fiberglass, a later color used on the C6 and early C7 cars, but it also looks beautiful on this C3!
Only two interior photos are provided, but they’re enough to show that the inside components blend well with the overall theme here. Those instruments are thoughtfully placed, and I love the red hues illuminating them. We also get a couple of shots from down under, with the stiffened platform looking almost like a work of fine art, and the entire undercarriage is just as clean and detailed as the rest of this car. I realize sixty grand is a lot of cash for a 1976 Corvette, but this one wasn’t cheap to build, as it appears to be a no-expense-spared racer in all areas. What are your thoughts on this one?
good luck on that price.
Wow, that undercarriage is so sparkly you could eat off it. If I bought it I wouldn’t drive it, just to keep it clean. I’m wondering since this car is so heavily “massaged”, would it be a good daily driver? Drive the “Screamin’ Yellow Zonker” to shows maybe.
Yeah the undercarriage looks like it should be like on the cover of a 80s rock album! It’s like art!
I think what they meant to say was, “we have over 60k in it”, not that they want 60k…