1976 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Before you dismiss this 1976 Corvette as an average '70s 'Vette, take a look at the long list of new stuff, including a 300 horsepower small block and fresh red paint. For affordable horsepower, it's pretty darned tough to beat a C3.

All the usual faults that these cars have after almost forty years were corrected when this one was repainted a few years ago. New fiberglass bumpers front and rear make for a seamless transition to the bodywork, free of the usual cracks and waves you find in the original pieces. The headlight mechanisms were rebuilt, so the doors sit flush with the bodywork like they should, and all the original fiberglass was sanded and smoothed in preparation for the fresh paint. It's modern urethane, so the finish looks deep and lustrous, and the color is exactly right. Fit and finish are good, particularly for a Corvette of this vintage and there really is nothing like a bright red Corvette to attract a crowd. Of interest, there's a chrome luggage rack on the rear deck, a new windshield, and it's kind of cool to see only one side mirror, which is how they were delivered back in the day. And if you like the open-air feel, pulling the T-tops is a no-hassles job thanks to fresh weather-stripping throughout the car.

Tan is a wonderful complement to the red, elegant and sporty at the same time. Most all the soft parts were replaced during the renovation, including new seat covers over rebuilt frames, fresh door panels, and handsome brown carpets that add some much-appreciated contrast. It also appears that the dash and console were repainted to give everything a uniformly finished look, and the gauges themselves are in excellent condition. You'll note that there's no radio, but it hasn't had one for years and nobody seems to mind, but finding an original style AM/FM unit isn't difficult and there are many affordable modern replacements. Options include a tilt column, and power windows, all of which make this Corvette a great no-compromises cruiser. The cargo area was freshened with new carpets as well and there are new Corvette-logo floor mats to protect the floor.

The engine is the original L48 350 cubic inch V8, but it was recently rebuilt with a bunch of improvements. The block was stuffed with a Summit cam, Speed Pro flat top pistons with pump-gas-friendly 9:1 compression, and a set of reconditioned GM rods with ARP fasteners. Up top, GM 487 heads were treated to a modest port and polish, as well as new valves, guides, and hardware. Bright Chevy Orange paint looks great in the satin black engine bay, along with chrome valve covers and a big open-element air cleaner to really let it breathe. The front suspension was rebuilt, the brakes were upgraded with stainless caliper sleeves, and there's a recent dual exhaust system to give it a great sound. The original TH350 3-speed automatic still hands out the torque and original style Rally wheels carry new 15-inch BFGoodrich T/A radials.

This is already a great Corvette at an appealing price, and with a few easy upgrades, it could be truly exceptional. Call today!