1976 CORVETTE

Corvette was advertised as "America's only true production sports car."

• After the demise of the big-block 454-cid, the 350-cid (5.7-liter) small-block engine remained alone to power all corvettes for the next ten years.
• Two V-8s were offered this year
  • The L48 (base engine) had 180 hp (up 9% from 1975).
  • The L82 (optional engine) produced 210 hp. It had special heads with larger valves, impact-extruded pistons, and finned aluminum rocker covers
• The standard V-8 was linked to a lighter automatic transmission: the Turbo Hydra-Matic 350, which was supposed to improve shifting at wide-open throttle.
• The optional V-8 kept the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, but with a revised torque converter
• A wide-range four-speed manual gearbox (with 2.64:1 first gear ratio) was standard and a close-ratio version was available at no extra cost.
• A new Carburetor Outside Air Induction system moved intake from the cowl to above the radiator.
• The convertible was dropped this year, so only the Stingray coupe remained.
• It had the removable roof panels.
• A partial steel underbody replaced the customary fiberglass, to add strength and improve shielding from exhaust system heat.
• A new one-piece bar Corvette nameplate was on the rear, between twin-unit tail lamps (which were inset in the bumper cover).
• Of the 10 body colors, eight were Corvette exclusives:
  • White
  • Silver
  • Bright Blue
  • Dark Green
  • Mahogany
  • Bright Yellow
  • Buckskin
  • Dark Brown
  • Orange Flame
  • Red
• Corvettes had side marker lights with reflectors, parking lamps that went on with the head lamps, lane-change turn signals and two-speed wiper/washers.
• Inside was a new, smaller-diameter four-spoke sport steering wheel with crossed-flags medallion, which actually came from the Chevrolet Vega subcompact.
• Not everyone appreciated its lowly origin, so it lasted only this year.
• A grained vinyl-trimmed instrument panel (with stitched seams) held a 160-mph speedometer with trip odometer and 7,000-rpm electronic tachometer.
• A key lock in the left front fender set the anti-theft alarm.
• Corvettes had fully-independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.
• Wide GR7O SBR tires rode 15 x 8-inch wheels.
• A total of 5,368 Corvettes had the FE7 Gymkhana suspension installed; 5,720 came with the L82 V-8; and 2,088 had the M21 four-speed close ratio manual gearbox.
• Cast-aluminum wheels were a new option, and were installed on 6,253 cars.
• Standard equipment included
  • bumper guards
  • flush retracting headlamps
  • Soft-Ray tinted glass
  • Hide-A-Way wipers
  • wide-view day/night mirror
  • center console with lighter and ashtray.
• Behind the seat-backs were three carpeted storage compartments.
• Bucket seats had textured-vinyl or leather upholstery and deep-pleated saddle-stitching.
• Interior leather trim was now available in seven colors, while vinyl was available in four colors.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• Serial numbers ranged from 1Z37*6S400001 to 1Z37*6S446558

• Engine serial number began 0001001
• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
• Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
  • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
  • The one or two numbers shows the month
  • The last digit shows the year
• Engine suffixes:

• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 76-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The ten 1976 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 10 = Classic White
  • 13 = Silver
  • 22 = Bright Blue
  • 33 = Dark Green (however Dark Green was originally supposed to be code 39)
  • 37 = Mahogany
  • 56 = Bright Yellow
  • 64 = Buckskin
  • 69 = Dark Brown
  • 70 = Orange Flame
  • 72 = Red
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
1Y	Z37	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$7605	3445	46,558

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission
  • four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.64:1
    • 2nd = 1.75:1
    • 3rd = 1.34:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.55:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1 with L48 and 3.55:1 with L82
• Optional Manual Transmission
  • close ratio four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.43:1
    • 2nd = 1.61:1
    • 3rd = 1.23:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.35:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.55:1 or 3.70:1
• Automatic Transmission
  • Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.48:1
    • 2nd = 1.48:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.08:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.08:1 with L48 and 3.36:1 with L82

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES