Pity the mid-’70s C3 Chevrolet Corvette, such as this 1976 example. They got the soft plastic bumper treatment, front and back, a less than desirable feature to ‘Vette aficionados and a value departure from the ’68-’72 steel bumpered variant. But the real disappointment was under the hood – federally mandated emission controls, especially in the carburetor era, just disemboweled Chevy’s plastic fantastic, a two-seater that just five years earlier could lay down some heavy performance. Regardless of all of that, this ’76 ‘Vette shows as being in sound and original condition so let’s take a trip back to that awkward Corvette period and see what this one is all about. North Port, Florida is where this C3 calls home and it’s available, here on craigslist for $8,750. Thanks are due to Tony P. for this tip!
The aforementioned mid-seventies Corvette features did nothing to harm sales as ’76 set a record with 46K copies hitting the street. All were coupes as the convertible had been dropped in ’75. The seller tells us that this example is “untouched and completely stock“. This car is finished in “Buckskin” which was a decidedly unpopular color and had the second-lowest production number in our bicentennial year with just 2,954 takers. This car wears it well but the seller suggests, “The car needs paint w/ minor bodywork“.
The buckskin leather interior is fair but it too is claimed to need some rejuvenation. The side bolster of the driver’s seat back, and its piping, are coming undone but that’s a common problem that was caused simply by ingress and egress over this car’s 47-year life span and claimed 81K miles of experience. It’s a minor nit, but this generation of the ‘Vette used a cheesy four-spoke plastic steering wheel, a piece more appropriate in a Vega or a Chevette than in Chevrolet’s star car. Fortunately, this is an A/C equipped car but there’s no word as to operational capability.
Said to “run and drive great” this two-seater makes do with a 180 net HP, 350 CI V8 engine – hardly the stuff of Corvette legend. It could have been worse, the ’75 edition only eeked out a miserly 165 net horses. Fortunately, a four-speed manual gearbox is on the job and that will help give this car some sporting driving attributes. BTW, being a ’76 model means that this Chevrolet small block V8 is one of the last to be painted in traditional Chevrolet orange. For whatever reason, the Bowtie went with boring blue in the ’77 model year.
I would never suggest that this is an undesirable Corvette! It’s just not a real popular vintage though it does have one overriding attribute, and that’s the price. At $8,750, and considering its untouched originality, it’s a good start into Corvette world for a first-time buyer, wouldn’t you agree?
P.S. Happy New Year everyone, I hope you all have a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous 2024!
Happy New Year to you, Jim!
Yes, this is about as slow a ‘Vette as ever came off the assembly line, looks rather shopworn and has those wavy, flimsy bumper covers, but at least the 350 is an engine that could be perked up a bit (or a LOT) with a rebuild and some aftermarket hardware, so it has that going for it. A color change would help to, at least IMO.
I’ve seen quite a few grungy examples of this vintage of Corvette, and some that have been “personalized” to deliver extra performance. For once, my usual feelings of “leave it stock” are quiet. This could be very nice with some jazzing-up.
No, the slowest C3 Corvettes were the California emissions models with the 305 V8. I know someone who has one.
Perfect color for Arizona – hides the dust!
I knew a Vette of the same year and color back in the late 90’s. This one is in better condition but what I remember most about that car is it’s really the only Vette I’ve come across that I didn’t find appealing. I agree that a color change would do this car some good, maybe an engine and wheel change also.
Due to government regulations, paint and body work are one of the most expensive aspects of vehicle restoration. I would prioritize finding a colour that you enjoy over a car that needs mechanical work.
today after so good body work a lot of money could be saved by applying a wrap instead of paint.
Engines went “Corporate “blue in ’77 in the wake of the Chevymobile engine scandal. My brother had a Delta 88 with the chebbie lump.
Happy New Year Jim O.
Question for the readership.
Why is it that just the ‘Vettes feature ignition shrouds? Am I not seeing them on other makes and models?
It’s because of the fiberglass body interfering with the radio.
Well, not quite accurate. It’s actually there because there is no metal firewall and hood to shield the radio from the static and RFI (radio frequency interference) generated by the ignition and charging systems.
Agreed Jack M. Often times writers on this site under appreciate the skill set required to hammer panels straight, to cut and patch, and to prep and paint a car. Amateurs can have at it. The results often speak for themselves.
I think I would rather have a 1984 than this one (shudder).
My Dad had a 77 1 ton Chevy in Buckskin. It was a plain Custom Deluxe. I think that teuck wore that color better with the white bumper white rims and white hub caps better than the Vette did. Just my humble opinion.
Happy New Year
Being someone who has painted a lot of cars with both automotive paint and rattle cans this car looks a lot like it was painted with a rattle can. I could be wrong just my opinion but with that being said it’s still a Corvette and although one of the Lesser models it would still be really easy to bring it up to Corvette standards. I also really like the back window before they turned it into what looks like a 65 Barracuda. A darker brown metallic and a lot more power and this car would be a fun car to drive. Would never become a show car but that isn’t its purpose. It’s purpose is to go out Burn Rubber and have a good time. And The Price is Right too. So I hope whoever gets a hold of this one does that. Changes the paint color, and adds a ton more horsepower, and does whatever they want with the interior. Would be a nice one to do that to.
I agree on the dark brown metallic. I think Vettes of this vintage look sharp in root beer brown.
Ron from NY.Bought one new in 76 .same color and leather interior. But with auto.9400$ out the door.
Another complaint that ‘76 owners had was the Vega steering wheel. I had a ‘76 in bright yellow with dark brown leather and that color definitely stood out. This is, well, bland. But it IS a Corvette. The fastest I ever had mine up to was 105mph and even then wind was getting under it creating a floating feeling of the front end.
I always get a kick out of folks bothered by the Vega wheel. Did they not notice it before buying the car? I guess folks just need something to be unhappy about.
I understand but to be clear I wasn’t unhappy. Heck, I didn’t even know about it until I started going to Corvette shows and someone told me about it. I liked my car. A lot!
@Bamapoppy- Sorry if I sounded like I was picking on you. I was fine with the Vega wheel on my 1976 Corvette and where ever else GM used it. I was thinking more along the lines of it wasn’t like GM was trying to hide the fact. Happy New Year!
If you love this Corvette, buy it. It looks as if it has ‘good bones”. Keep in mind it won’t take much to get upside down on the price if a restoration is started. I would haggle to the best of my ability and drive it a couple of years to make sure it’s a long-term relationship. My first Corvette was a 1976 purchased in 1990. The paint was fried. Interior was nice. Along the way, I did the stainless steel -sleeved brake upgrade, shift kit , engine re-build and had the car painted. I lost money when I sold it and I also learned a lot about C3’s and NCRS.