My First C3 | Build Project
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
My First C3 | Build Project
I picked up my first C3 Corvette (1976 L48) a few weeks ago. I've always wanted one since I was a kid so finally pulled the trigger. I picked it up as a weekend project car with no real timeline for completion. I'm 27 and this will be my first project of this nature.
Overall, the car is in pretty decent shape and it runs. The odometer shows around 90k miles but I'm not too sure how accurate it is. I registered the car as mileage except anyways.
The car was originally bright blue but it received one repaint at some point and the car was converted to yellow. The paint job wasn't done well. There's a few paint peels which shows the original blue paint underneath...
Anyways, here's some pictures of the car on the trailer coming home.
Overall, the car is in pretty decent shape and it runs. The odometer shows around 90k miles but I'm not too sure how accurate it is. I registered the car as mileage except anyways.
The car was originally bright blue but it received one repaint at some point and the car was converted to yellow. The paint job wasn't done well. There's a few paint peels which shows the original blue paint underneath...
Anyways, here's some pictures of the car on the trailer coming home.
Last edited by aoz06; 09-24-2016 at 04:54 PM.
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2000
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Looks like a nice car. Congrats.
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aoz06 (09-23-2016)
#4
Intermediate
Thread Starter
The factory tail lights looked pretty gnarley when I got the car so I ordered some new ones and swapped them out.
Comparison of old vs new.
New ones on.
The rear "corvette" emblem was half missing and looked horrible so I replaced that as well.
New rear emblem with new tail lights.
Comparison of old vs new.
New ones on.
The rear "corvette" emblem was half missing and looked horrible so I replaced that as well.
New rear emblem with new tail lights.
Last edited by aoz06; 09-23-2016 at 10:19 AM.
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2006
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Hi a,
Welcome!
New member and new old car!!!
The car looks quite nice in the pictures!
I hope you have good luck with it and it gives you a lot of pleasure!!!!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
New member and new old car!!!
The car looks quite nice in the pictures!
I hope you have good luck with it and it gives you a lot of pleasure!!!!
Regards,
Alan
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aoz06 (09-23-2016)
#6
Racer
Just picked up my first project too. Also a '76. Good luck and have fun!
I'm trying to determine the correct location to for my hood badge placement (mine were removed). Could you possibly take a photo of a tape measure from the edge of your hood near the windshield past your L82 badges for me please? Assuming your badges are in the original location, it may help. I'd appreciate it. Thank you!
I'm trying to determine the correct location to for my hood badge placement (mine were removed). Could you possibly take a photo of a tape measure from the edge of your hood near the windshield past your L82 badges for me please? Assuming your badges are in the original location, it may help. I'd appreciate it. Thank you!
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Just picked up my first project too. Also a '76. Good luck and have fun!
I'm trying to determine the correct location to for my hood badge placement (mine were removed). Could you possibly take a photo of a tape measure from the edge of your hood near the windshield past your L82 badges for me please? Assuming your badges are in the original location, it may help. I'd appreciate it. Thank you!
I'm trying to determine the correct location to for my hood badge placement (mine were removed). Could you possibly take a photo of a tape measure from the edge of your hood near the windshield past your L82 badges for me please? Assuming your badges are in the original location, it may help. I'd appreciate it. Thank you!
Last edited by aoz06; 09-23-2016 at 12:41 PM.
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SpiritOf76 (09-23-2016)
#9
Intermediate
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I had some free time today and decided to attack the the underside of the hood, which was pretty bad when I got the car. The hood insulation was pretty nasty and the visible parts of the hood were nicked up.
I prepped the underside of the hood and then sprayed it with some high heat resistant satin black paint. I also threw on some fresh hood insulation. I'm pretty happy with the results.
I prepped the underside of the hood and then sprayed it with some high heat resistant satin black paint. I also threw on some fresh hood insulation. I'm pretty happy with the results.
#11
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
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Welcome to the Forum......sharp looking car/you made some good improvements already......get the car road-safe.....the paint can wait.
Put some miles on it.....and bring the camera!
Put some miles on it.....and bring the camera!
#13
Safety Car
Welcome to the forum! Looks like a really good start for a "project"! I`m in Orlando too, and would love to see your car!
I sent you a private message.
I sent you a private message.
#14
Racer
Are U sure it's an L-82? Maybe it's different than my '79....but in '79, on the L-82, the valve covers are cast w/ ribs running the length of them....the L-48 has stamped valve covers like yours....did U verify the VIN to be SURE it's a true L-82??
#15
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I never checked the vin but I sure as hell hope so I'll double check today.
#16
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Last edited by aoz06; 03-29-2020 at 12:56 AM.
#18
Melting Slicks
you do know to check the run out on those new rotors, don't you?? you will have trouble not setting the run out. I have the medium blue 76, just been repainted. I have the chrome spark plug covers still on , with a chrome air cleaner top, and the finned valve covers, just enough bling, but, not too much bling, to each their own on bling. factory alum wheels do help with looks, and the luggage rack adds a little chrome on the outside. 77 sport mirrors add a little sportyness, but you still can't see much out of them. I just added a removable rear window this summer, lets more flow thru the car.
have fun with your 76!!!
have fun with your 76!!!
#20
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Welcome to the forum, aoz06! From the pics, it looks like a nice car. Congrats!
I also have a '76 and live in Orange City (between DeLand and Sanford) so send me a PM if you ever want to meet at a Central Florida cruise or show. Lots of events coming up, including the Eckler's Corvette Reunion October 8th and the Turkey Run in November.
I also have a '76 and live in Orange City (between DeLand and Sanford) so send me a PM if you ever want to meet at a Central Florida cruise or show. Lots of events coming up, including the Eckler's Corvette Reunion October 8th and the Turkey Run in November.
you do know to check the run out on those new rotors, don't you?? you will have trouble not setting the run out. I have the medium blue 76, just been repainted. I have the chrome spark plug covers still on , with a chrome air cleaner top, and the finned valve covers, just enough bling, but, not too much bling, to each their own on bling. factory alum wheels do help with looks, and the luggage rack adds a little chrome on the outside. 77 sport mirrors add a little sportyness, but you still can't see much out of them. I just added a removable rear window this summer, lets more flow thru the car.
have fun with your 76!!!
have fun with your 76!!!
Thanks! I got a pretty good deal on it. I bought the car with the intentions on swapping out the motor. I started learning more about these cars though and was leaning towards keeping the L82 and modifying it. Now I'm not too sure what to do - is it worthwhile to modify the L42? What type of gains are expected from the typical exhaust, headers, cam, etc?
Last edited by aoz06; 09-26-2016 at 12:29 AM.