Rare '76?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Gotham City CA
Rare '76?
A friend of mine has a low-mileage '76 with an L48 that he bought from the original owner about 15 yrs ago. Supposedly, the engine was untouched. It has no catalytic converter or smog pump. He says that when he did get the exhaust system replaced a few years ago, it had original GM equipment. It also has the finned black valve covers. He says he thinks it is because it is a federal car rather than a CA car. My books don't have anything about no converter the black finned valve covers. Anyone ever hear of this?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,008
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Gotham City CA
His claim was that when the exhaust changed the guy told him he took off original GM exhaust. Also the valve covers were supposed to have been original. It sounded hinkey to me, but I wanted to check.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Can't tell you for sure if any 76s came with black finned valve covers but my 76 L-48 Florida car (since new) has the stamped steel orange valve covers same as the picture in the previous post.
Maybe the original owner upgraded the valve covers at some point.
Maybe the original owner upgraded the valve covers at some point.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Black finned valve covers were introduced in the 78-L-82. 76 L-82's had aluminum covers. Yours are not original. The exhaust could have been original when replaced and the replaced exhaust didn't have the C.C. replaced.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
The exhaust was a '74 system most likely. They were available from GM for many years, especially for guys who wanted to ditch their cats.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
It had a catcon when it was assembled and probably an AIR pump.
Those are for the L-82. The L-48 got painted stamped steel valve covers. Easy to swap.
All '76s were federally emissions certified and that included the cat con. The California cars got an additional test and certification before they were shipped west.
...it also has the finned black valve covers...
...He says he thinks it is because it is a federal car rather than a CA car...
