'76...early or late?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
'76...early or late?
Howdy folks. Ok, I've researched to no avail. I now know what a 'birdcage' is. I know why my '76 doesn't have the vents on the deck. I even know how to tell hand laminated 'glass from SMC, and why it matters. BUT, I can't find a way to tell an early '76 from a late '76. There are a few parts I need to start looking for where this matters. Is there an easy, sure-fire way to tell? Serial number, or special trim, seat style, anything?!? I'd sure appreicate any hints or suggestions.
Thanks! John
Thanks! John
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
I've got a 76. Don't know what the difference between early and late is.
But I'll be watching this thread to find out.
Don't know if this helps:
Serial Numbers: 1Z37L6S400001 through 1Z37L6S446558
http://www.idavette.net/facts/76.htm
But I'll be watching this thread to find out.
Don't know if this helps:
Serial Numbers: 1Z37L6S400001 through 1Z37L6S446558
http://www.idavette.net/facts/76.htm
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I know there is a difference between the upper radiator hoses on early and late 76's
you could go to the parts house, ask for a hose for early and late 76 and compare it to the hose shape yours has
I believe late refers to a production date from July on but I'm not sure.
I know this helps very little but it's all I know
you could go to the parts house, ask for a hose for early and late 76 and compare it to the hose shape yours has
I believe late refers to a production date from July on but I'm not sure.
I know this helps very little but it's all I know
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Grand Forks North Dakota
Also different rear badges, either 6" or the larger 8" ones used through '82 I believe. I thought I heard once that there is a difference between the early and late rad shrouds, and I wonder if the overhead dome light wasn't added sometime during the year, not sure on that one though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Originally Posted by JustinGJ
Also different rear badges, either 6" or the larger 8" ones used through '82 I believe. I thought I heard once that there is a difference between the early and late rad shrouds, and I wonder if the overhead dome light wasn't added sometime during the year, not sure on that one though.
On a different note, sorry, I don't know how I ended up with two threads on this issue. I went in to edit the original, and ended up with two completely different posts of the same thing.
Don't know what I did, sorry......John
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Post a pic of your radiator/shroud brackets. late 76 had the shroud bracket incorporated with teh radiator support bracket. early 76 had separate brackets closer to the center to support the shroud - or at least that's what I've been told.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Originally Posted by Kilroy1024
Don't know if this helps:
Serial Numbers: 1Z37L6S400001 through 1Z37L6S446558
Last 5 digits are the sequential production number.
If its 40,000+, your probably late.
Less than 10000, your probably early.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by Kilroy1024
Doesn't that help?
Last 5 digits are the sequential production number.
If its 40,000+, your probably late.
Less than 10000, your probably early.
Last 5 digits are the sequential production number.
If its 40,000+, your probably late.
Less than 10000, your probably early.
not me, mine is late, high 40,000 for my vin.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Thanks for all your posts. My #s are 413,299 or 13,299. I guess I have a late-early, or a very early-late (heh, heh) I'm findin' more late/early mix in other areas. It looks like former owners stuck on what they could find, or the production line simply used what parts was in the feeder bins before starting on the newer 'late year items'. Thanks again. John
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati oh
There are a couple of ways to check to see if you have an early or late '76. Although, since the following changes were RMC's (rolling model changes), you could have a combo of them.
1. Radiator support: the early has two supports on the botton that the radiator rests on. The late has one long one about 4" wide that supports the radiator. The early is the same as 73-75, and the late is the same as 77-82.
2. Rear emblem: The early emblem is 6.25" long and the late is 8.25" long.
3. Rear bumper: the early bumper cover has the indentation for the smaller emblem, the late does not.
4. AC compressor: the early has the longer A6 compressor (about 14" long) and the late has the shorter radial compressor
My VIN is 35817 and most people would consider it a late car. It does have a late radiator support, and the brackets for the longer compressor (compressor was long gone), BUT it has the early rear bumper cover and emblem. I guess mine is more of a bastard child than I thought!
EITHER WAY POST SOME PICS OF YOURS!
1. Radiator support: the early has two supports on the botton that the radiator rests on. The late has one long one about 4" wide that supports the radiator. The early is the same as 73-75, and the late is the same as 77-82.
2. Rear emblem: The early emblem is 6.25" long and the late is 8.25" long.
3. Rear bumper: the early bumper cover has the indentation for the smaller emblem, the late does not.
4. AC compressor: the early has the longer A6 compressor (about 14" long) and the late has the shorter radial compressor
My VIN is 35817 and most people would consider it a late car. It does have a late radiator support, and the brackets for the longer compressor (compressor was long gone), BUT it has the early rear bumper cover and emblem. I guess mine is more of a bastard child than I thought!
EITHER WAY POST SOME PICS OF YOURS!
Last edited by vetteboy1976kr; Oct 18, 2005 at 02:50 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Originally Posted by vetteboy1976kr
There are a couple of ways to check to see if you have an early or late '76. Although, since the following changes were RMC's (rolling model changes), you could have a combo of them.
There is no definitive VIN that says early < > late.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by vetteboy1976kr
There are a couple of ways to check to see if you have an early or late '76. Although, since the following changes were RMC's (rolling model changes), you could have a combo of them.
1. Radiator support: the early has two supports on the botton that the radiator rests on. The late has one long one about 4" wide that supports the radiator. The early is the same as 73-75, and the late is the same as 77-82.
2. Rear emblem: The early emblem is 6.25" long and the late is 8.25" long.
3. Rear bumper: the early bumper cover has the indentation for the smaller emblem, the late does not.
4. AC compressor: the early has the longer A6 compressor (about 14" long) and the late has the shorter radial compressor
1. Radiator support: the early has two supports on the botton that the radiator rests on. The late has one long one about 4" wide that supports the radiator. The early is the same as 73-75, and the late is the same as 77-82.
2. Rear emblem: The early emblem is 6.25" long and the late is 8.25" long.
3. Rear bumper: the early bumper cover has the indentation for the smaller emblem, the late does not.
4. AC compressor: the early has the longer A6 compressor (about 14" long) and the late has the shorter radial compressor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Originally Posted by vetteboy1976kr
There are a couple of ways to check to see if you have an early or late '76. Although, since the following changes were RMC's (rolling model changes), you could have a combo of them.
1. Radiator support: the early has two supports on the botton that the radiator rests on. The late has one long one about 4" wide that supports the radiator. The early is the same as 73-75, and the late is the same as 77-82.
2. Rear emblem: The early emblem is 6.25" long and the late is 8.25" long.
3. Rear bumper: the early bumper cover has the indentation for the smaller emblem, the late does not.
4. AC compressor: the early has the longer A6 compressor (about 14" long) and the late has the shorter radial compressor
My VIN is 35817 and most people would consider it a late car. It does have a late radiator support, and the brackets for the longer compressor (compressor was long gone), BUT it has the early rear bumper cover and emblem. I guess mine is more of a bastard child than I thought!
EITHER WAY POST SOME PICS OF YOURS!
1. Radiator support: the early has two supports on the botton that the radiator rests on. The late has one long one about 4" wide that supports the radiator. The early is the same as 73-75, and the late is the same as 77-82.
2. Rear emblem: The early emblem is 6.25" long and the late is 8.25" long.
3. Rear bumper: the early bumper cover has the indentation for the smaller emblem, the late does not.
4. AC compressor: the early has the longer A6 compressor (about 14" long) and the late has the shorter radial compressor
My VIN is 35817 and most people would consider it a late car. It does have a late radiator support, and the brackets for the longer compressor (compressor was long gone), BUT it has the early rear bumper cover and emblem. I guess mine is more of a bastard child than I thought!
EITHER WAY POST SOME PICS OF YOURS!
Hmmm, everything on mine points to early with one odd-ball. I have: the early interior light, the early long A.C. compressor, the two seperate supports under my radiator. Some one must have modified my upper radiator mount, 'cause I have a plastic/fiberglass fan shroud. Whoever done the dirty deed must have been real good, because it looks straight stock. Not cobbled or shade tree engineered at all. Live and learn. You all have given some real pearls of information in this thread.
>>EITHER WAY POST SOME PICS OF YOURS!<<
Lordy! It looks like a real mess right now! Interior tore completely out, 1/2 of the body sanded and all of it de-chromed and de-emblemed. Both of my headlight assemblys are out and on the work bench for rebuilding and touching up this winter. I've got the front bumper and spoiler bolted on for final fitting and tweaking (both are bone white with shots of red and grey primer in odd places and look really out of place).
NO, WAIT! It's that time of year for horrible things to scare you right out of your skin. Maybe I SHOULD post a pic....(low, evil laugh...) John and his Frankenvette
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Originally Posted by JustinGJ
So does that mean you don't have the overhead light, just the rear compartment one?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by seventysixvette
Exactly. Mine has three lights. Left floor (under the dash), right floor. and on the rear wall behind the seats.... John
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Originally Posted by ruby76
same with my LATE LATE 76 - born on date 7/6/76
John.....live and learn
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral Fl
Originally Posted by seventysixvette
Exactly. Mine has three lights. Left floor (under the dash), right floor. and on the rear wall behind the seats.... John