The ultimate c3 sin
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Several differences in a 76 and a 77. starting with the steering wheel and the radio and gauge part of the dash.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Lansdale PA
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 4
From: Wichita Kansas
Recent conversation with a guy about my 68;
Me: It's a 68
Him: Is it a Stingray?
Me: Well actually no.
Him: To bad because I knew a guy who had a Stingray, and it was bad ***!
Me: Well, never mind it's a 327 350HP.
Him: Yea those Stingrays where all big blocks.
Me:
So if you put Stingray on your car.. it must be bad ***!
Me: It's a 68
Him: Is it a Stingray?
Me: Well actually no.
Him: To bad because I knew a guy who had a Stingray, and it was bad ***!
Me: Well, never mind it's a 327 350HP.
Him: Yea those Stingrays where all big blocks.
Me:
So if you put Stingray on your car.. it must be bad ***!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Lansdale PA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Recent conversation with a guy about my 68;
Me: It's a 68
Him: Is it a Stingray?
Me: Well actually no.
Him: To bad because I knew a guy who had a Stingray, and it was bad ***!
Me: Well, never mind it's a 327 350HP.
Him: Yea those Stingrays where all big blocks.
Me:
So if you put Stingray on your car.. it must be bad ***!
Me: It's a 68
Him: Is it a Stingray?
Me: Well actually no.
Him: To bad because I knew a guy who had a Stingray, and it was bad ***!
Me: Well, never mind it's a 327 350HP.
Him: Yea those Stingrays where all big blocks.
Me:
So if you put Stingray on your car.. it must be bad ***!
I have been asked if our car is a Stingray. Since the people that ask that question are obviously not serious car people (or at least not somewhat Vette knowledgeable) I just reply yes to simplify the conversation. If they seem interested, I'm happy to explain that only '69 - '76 C3 cars used that emblem from the factory.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Lansdale PA
Recent conversation with a guy about my 68;
Me: It's a 68
Him: Is it a Stingray?
Me: Well actually no.
Him: To bad because I knew a guy who had a Stingray, and it was bad ***!
Me: Well, never mind it's a 327 350HP.
Him: Yea those Stingrays where all big blocks.
Me:
So if you put Stingray on your car.. it must be bad ***!
Me: It's a 68
Him: Is it a Stingray?
Me: Well actually no.
Him: To bad because I knew a guy who had a Stingray, and it was bad ***!
Me: Well, never mind it's a 327 350HP.
Him: Yea those Stingrays where all big blocks.
Me:
So if you put Stingray on your car.. it must be bad ***!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Normally, I would agree with you, but I'm sorry, I can't with this particular badge issue.
You are comparing two cars which use the same platform - yes. BUT, they were offered as different MODELS. You didn't buy a Tempest GTO or GTO Tempest, you got one or other other. The Chevelle base and Chevelle SS were the same model car - yes, but very different under the skin (small cosmetic changes as well). They had performance upgrades, better brakes, suspension, sway bars, shocks, cooling systems, etc. Same with a Challenger and a Challenger R/T, or Mustang and Mustang GT.
Stingray isn't a unique model or even an optional package. It's just an emblem which in no way affected the options on the car, performance levels etc. The designers at GM one year said, nah.. we're not using Stingray emblems, and there you have it. So, in what way is the '76 "Stingray" different from the '77 (or later) with flags on the fender instead?
If it's a resto car, then by all means, keep it original (wish I had one!). But if it's not, what difference does it make. It's an emblem associated with a year, not a change in vehicle specifications.
Adam
You are comparing two cars which use the same platform - yes. BUT, they were offered as different MODELS. You didn't buy a Tempest GTO or GTO Tempest, you got one or other other. The Chevelle base and Chevelle SS were the same model car - yes, but very different under the skin (small cosmetic changes as well). They had performance upgrades, better brakes, suspension, sway bars, shocks, cooling systems, etc. Same with a Challenger and a Challenger R/T, or Mustang and Mustang GT.
Stingray isn't a unique model or even an optional package. It's just an emblem which in no way affected the options on the car, performance levels etc. The designers at GM one year said, nah.. we're not using Stingray emblems, and there you have it. So, in what way is the '76 "Stingray" different from the '77 (or later) with flags on the fender instead?
If it's a resto car, then by all means, keep it original (wish I had one!). But if it's not, what difference does it make. It's an emblem associated with a year, not a change in vehicle specifications.
Adam
+++1
Oh and what's up with those bogus "Sting Ray"s, huh?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
IMO.That's why I chose my 77 over other years that I was looking at. Just like oldsarge said, some like it, some don't. It's all about personal preference.
I personally love the 77/78/79 flags on the fenders more than the "Stingray" emblems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
It took me a minute to make the connection here, but I'm glad I hung in there, 'cause once I did, I had a pretty good laugh!
I just want to say that the whole Stingray badge argument is utterly meaningless, unless it's a restoration. What really pisses me off is these people who put a '80-'82 rear bumper cover on their '74-'79 'vettes! It's just wrong! If your 'vette isn't a '80-'82, it shouldn't have a '80-'82 bumper on it, because it's not a real '80-'82 'vette!*
*Attention! This statement is not the author's actual opinion. It is presented purely as a form of complex irony. WARNING! If you are unable to appreciate complex irony, please disregard this statement. It is not meant for you. Exposure to complex irony, for those unable to appreciate it, has been determined by the Surgeon General to be hazardous to your sense of humor.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
I just want to say that the whole Stingray badge argument is utterly meaningless, unless it's a restoration. What really pisses me off is these people who put a '80-'82 rear bumper cover on their '74-'79 'vettes! It's just wrong! If your 'vette isn't a '80-'82, it shouldn't have a '80-'82 bumper on it, because it's not a real '80-'82 'vette!*
*Attention! This statement is not the author's actual opinion. It is presented purely as a form of complex irony. WARNING! If you are unable to appreciate complex irony, please disregard this statement. It is not meant for you. Exposure to complex irony, for those unable to appreciate it, has been determined by the Surgeon General to be hazardous to your sense of humor.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 41
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
lol, i wanna do this one day so i can have the spoiler i like, thats funny
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Gm did not want to badge the new 68 as a stingray. I wish that they would have left it that way. To me, a sting ray is a 63-67 corvette. My 68 is a SHARK! Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Nov 28, 2012 at 07:42 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
You are comparing two cars which use the same platform - yes. BUT, they were offered as different MODELS...... The Chevelle base and Chevelle SS were the same model car - yes, but very different under the skin (small cosmetic changes as well). They had performance upgrades, better brakes, suspension, sway bars, shocks, cooling systems, etc. Same with a Challenger and a Challenger R/T, or Mustang and Mustang GT.
Stingray isn't a unique model or even an optional package. It's just an emblem which in no way affected the options on the car, performance levels etc. ...... It's an emblem associated with a year, not a change in vehicle specifications.
Stingray isn't a unique model or even an optional package. It's just an emblem which in no way affected the options on the car, performance levels etc. ...... It's an emblem associated with a year, not a change in vehicle specifications.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Funny (kind of) side story. I was gassing up my '75 today and some older gent, never met him before, came up and said..." you know those things aren't bringing anything at auction these days". I just smiled and said that's OK, I have no intention of selling mine.
Last edited by stingraymyway; Nov 19, 2012 at 08:14 PM.