I read that the 1976 was one of the least desirable corvettes and I would like to know the reasons as I think they look and perform well. Not the big blocks but anything else? Thanks.

 

Being the "least" desirable corvette is still a "CORVETTE"

I was at the tavern where we do our shows and car talk popped up, I replied I was working on my 69 vette a bb car, this one fellow yells at me he hates vettes biggest POS ever I asked did he ever own one even drive one...of course not.....he loved pony 'stangs.
Many times people bash things they are jealous of.

I had a 76 I didn't see any difference in it than any 74,75,77, all cove back all look and are built the same, in fact I thought the centennial year of "76" was pretty darn cool,

I planned to keep it but I found my 69 convert and that was my personal dream car.

So for me if I had to say there was a least desirable vette and this is only my personal tastes it would be any vette made after 82 with the c4's being the worse.

 

The ONLY thing I can come up with, They put the damn camaro steering wheel in it. Other then that, I can't come up with anything. I happen to like all c3 vettes.!

 

You're into the low horsepower years of the corvette. The 1975 corvette, though, was the lowest for the C3s.

I prefer the spread letters of the '75 rear bumper, and despise the steering wheel of the '76.

 

First, some caveats:

I'm new to 'Vettes and to this forum, but not new to owning 'classics.' I just purchased a '76 last month. Therefore, take what I say with a grain of salt:

The main reasons '76 cars are least desirable is because they have:

1. Rubber bumpers
2. Smog gear
3. Less HP than earlier years, but slightly more than the previous year.
4. More of them exist, so - being less rare - are therefore less valuable.

Now, one would think that - because '76 was the last year of the 'Stingray' reference - this year would be desirable, collectible, valuable, etc etc. Apparently not, probably because of reasons #1 & 2 and #4. But who knows? Maybe in 2025, a '76 Stingray coupe will fetch $20K. Or not.

That said, here's my opinion:

I don't care. I had a chance to buy a '72 chromie, inarguably a more valuable car. I passed on it. Not because it didn't look good, (on the surface) but because by the time I got done making most of what was wrong with it right, it wouldn't be worth it to me. So, when I found my '76 (and by the way, I happen to think the rubber bumper/boat tail is more esthetically pleasing than the sharp cutoff of the previous cars) - and for WAY less money - I jumped at it.

Bottom line: it doesn't matter what others think. Chrome is nice; vintage is cool. A 'Vette is a 'Vette.

Flame suit on.

Dan G>

 

Nothing wrong with 76 at all. They are almost the same as the 74-77. The 74 was the last year for the bb and true dual exhaust but otherwise not much difference. Some people use to complain about the "Vega" steering wheel but have you ever noticed the C-6 has a "Cobalt" steering wheel. They are definitely not the least desirable Corvette or even C-3. Everyone has their favorite years but I like the 68-77 models better than 78-82 but others would disagree. Enjoy your 76!

 

It IS all about personal tastes I so disliked the fast back tail on the 74-79 when I thought about keeping the 76 we had the parts to make it "look" like a 68-72.....but I owned 2 81's put over 100K on one and loved them....it's all about what you like forget what "year" it is that is just a number.....

 

I agree, sugar scoops look better to me. But we all have our own opinions. Each and every vette has it's merit.

 

Bravo!
Here here!

 

despise the steering wheel of the '76.


Not one of that year's high points. I wonder what The General was thinking. Was it cost control? Logistics? Or, perhaps, the result of some design committee satisfying economic demands of management?

"Hey boys! We had to invest an additional $12 mil into that f**kin' catalyst upgrade! How 'bout we use those 44,000 extra Vega wheels in Warehouse #15?"

My cousin used to work as an engineer for GM - Cadillac Division, if memory serves. From what I recall of his rants, even ashtray dimensions would get Management all roiled up if it meant $$. But, that's how the cookie crumbled. And a big cookie it was, eh?

Dan G>

 

Desirable is in the eye of the beholder... I've never desired ANYTHING more or less based on what I read somewhere.

 

It wasn't just Corvettes. The mid 70s was a pretty bleak period for all cars and bikes.

 

Thanks for the info. I like the 76 and could not figure why one of the least desirable.

 

How can you not love something that looks as great as a 76..
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I get lots of compliments whenever I take the 76 out for a cruise.All that matters is how you like your car.....

 

Funny thing, guys on this thread, (and on any forum), fall all over themselves to tell you how each individual year of C3's from 1968 thru 1973 are the MOST desire of all years. (68 being 1st year with unique parts, 69 being the one factory side pipe year and last year without wheel flares, 70, 71, 72 different gills, 73 being one year design unique, etc, etc, etc....) ZZzzzz

BUT they will also go out of there way to tell you how each year of the 74 thru 82 are the LEAST desirable. (74 1st year of rubber bumpers, 75 lowest HP, 76 Vega Steering wheel, 77 no longer true Stingray, 78 lost old sugar scoop rear window, 79 too high production/ too many, 80 new body tweaks becoming more if a blvd cruiser, 81 intro of computer and California 305 engines, 82 Crossfire Injection).

Regardless which year, (74 thru 82), you say you have,... Some dip wad on a forum is going to jump in and tell you why YOUR specific year is the LEAST desireable model.

Don't pay them any attention.

I currently drive a 75, (least desirable model due to lowest horse power ), and. Everywhere I go, people love it!! And most people ask, is that a 72? Is that a 68? Is that a 78? The average person only knows it's an old Vette and they wish it was theirs!

I have been owning, driving, restoring and buying & selling C3's for over 35 years. I passed up on a very decent 1971 to purchase my current 1975 L82 because of the condition, ( and it WAS cheaper) LOL!!!

True, certain year models are more "expensive",..but that deosn't nessecarily make them less "desireable". Heck, I would rather have a cold beer and some "cheap" Mexican food over an over priced high-end fancy restaurant any day. Cheaper,..but not less desireable.

In reality,....just get a good condition Vette that you can afford and enjoy it!!!

 

AMEN besides when you mod the crap out of it you don't get the lecture on ruining it

 

Don't believe everything you read. Almost all the pooh-pooh surrounding the 76 model concerns the "sport" steering wheel.

 

I LOVE my 76, yes no chrome bumper to have to shine, no high hp motor to put high price gas in the tank, no worry about someone trying to steal it because of it being a high price car, and also the best part is the VEGA steering wheel(not a camaro wheel), even the optional removable rear window fits it! You can buy them reasonable priced and put any motor(even BBC) or trans in them. They don't have a computer to mess with. SOOOOO, yes the 76 is the best year going, IMO>


Also, they made of fiberglass!

 

I would rather own both my '76 AND my '74 than any ONE of the more "desirable" years for the same amount of money.

 

a rose by any other name is still a rose. Meh its a corvette. only a corvette snob is going to say its less desirable. I dont listen to corvette snobs.

would you call a diamond in the rough "less desirable", sure some would...diamond snobs.