I have a '78 C3 and I have a chance to buy lower rocker panels that fit a '76. Although there may be a 1/4 inch difference in length, do you think I will have a problem or should I take a pass? Thanks in advance!

I can't answer your question..

.BUT I can tell you I used the Rocker Panels off my 79 after I put ground effects on the car (20+ years ago) on my 76 which were a little scratched up....

IF there was a 1/4 inch difference in length I sure never noticed it..

Bob G

Suggestion for you, I would go look at a vendor catalog, Corvette America, Ecklers, Mid America and see what year interchangeability is the 76 rocker panel. I think the 76 rocker panel interchanges with a number of years. but maybe not.

70-79 rocker panels are BASICALLY the same and are pretty much interchangeable with the exception of 78/79 being painted and the earlier ones polished.

The slight difference in length occured in 78 because of the optional larger 255 tires.
In 78 there were 3 different part numbers for them.

No. 1 was for use with the standard 225/70X15 tires and is the slightly longer one like used from 70-77, BUT with the painted finish.

No. 2 & 3 were for use with the 255/60X15 tires and were slightly shorter to accomodate the fender/rocker trimming that took place for the larger tires. Let's say no. 2 was for regular production and painted while no. 3 was for the Pace Car only and polished.

80-82 are about 1" shorter.

70-77 were the same. I think the length of the 78-82 panels is the same (shorter than the earlier units, but the bolt pattern is the same), but different years are painted differently.

KapsSA and 7T1vette,
THANK YOU very much for the feedback! I appreciate your knowledge and will go ahead with the purchase.

Maybe you've looked at this thread, but I thought I'd post it anyways. He was doing a '71, but you may have the same problem with your year fitting.