Is this Corvette Blasphemy?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Is this Corvette Blasphemy?
I am restoring a 1976 Corvette from the frame up. I have always liked the interior and rear windows of the 74-77. However, I always like the nose of the 80-82. Would it be blasphemy to build my Vette with a 80-82 nose? Other than the nose, are the fenders and hoods the same for all these years? Is this just a matter of putting an 80-82 nose on my car? If anybody has any pictures of someone who did this I would love to see. I was considering painting my current 76 nose along with an 80-82 so I could put the original on if I ever sold the car. Interested in thoughts?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I am restoring a 1976 Corvette from the frame up. I have always liked the interior and rear windows of the 74-77. However, I always like the nose of the 80-82. Would it be blasphemy to build my Vette with a 80-82 nose? Other than the nose, are the fenders and hoods the same for all these years? Is this just a matter of putting an 80-82 nose on my car? If anybody has any pictures of someone who did this I would love to see. I was considering painting my current 76 nose along with an 80-82 so I could put the original on if I ever sold the car. Interested in thoughts?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
I spotted this one at a small show in SC several years ago. I didn't find the owners of this one, but I would bet the original fiberglass was destroyed at some point in its life and replaced with the later version. Personally, I can't imagine going through the effort of replacing a non-damaged front end.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Ponoka Alberta
Blasphemy... lol
A purist in the making.
any modification will take some planning and extra work. never assume that a part from one car to another will fit like lego. its not gonna happen. that being said the fun is the adventure of making it fit.
My Girlfriend and I have a saying for this
"you can't make this S#$% up"
Usually uttered after the fact.
A purist in the making.
any modification will take some planning and extra work. never assume that a part from one car to another will fit like lego. its not gonna happen. that being said the fun is the adventure of making it fit.
My Girlfriend and I have a saying for this
"you can't make this S#$% up"
Usually uttered after the fact.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Up to you. Do you feel blasphemous?
No.
No.
I think you want an 80-82 replacement bumper cover for your 76 in place of an entire clip.
...Other than the nose, are the fenders and hoods the same for all these years?...
...Is this just a matter of putting an 80-82 nose on my car?...
I think you want an 80-82 replacement bumper cover for your 76 in place of an entire clip.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
You can go thru ACI or some other vendors and get a fiberglass 80 style front bumper to fit the 74 thru 79 which eliminates the front bumperettes and uses your existing grill or you can get one that requires the 80 grill but does not add the side marker lights as seen on the 80 vette. This is the least amount of work, requires the same fitting as putting on a new fiberglass replacement for your car.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 88
From: Easton Pennsylvania
It can be a lot of work depending on the look you are going for. If you also like the 80-82 side scoops(which I don't) then you can just replace the fenders instead of the whole nose with 80-82 fenders. Or do the same that I am currently doing to my 77. Which is replace the front sections of the front fenders to the later 80-82 style and then you can bolt a fiberglass or urethane bumper on. The easiest way that you can go is to get a 80-82 style bumper that will bolt up to your 76 without modifying the car outside of making any adjustments to fit. But it is not an exact copy of the 80-82 bumper and does not in my opinion copy the look well enough. Here is a picture of my project.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
It can be a lot of work depending on the look you are going for. If you also like the 80-82 side scoops(which I don't) then you can just replace the fenders instead of the whole nose with 80-82 fenders. Or do the same that I am currently doing to my 77. Which is replace the front sections of the front fenders to the later 80-82 style and then you can bolt a fiberglass or urethane bumper on.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
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From: Easton Pennsylvania
Safety Car
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From: NorCal
Hans
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
This was a huge popular mod in the 80's people would put the Daytona nose on which is a version of the 80 nose modded on all kinds of 73-79's
The 80 style nose for 73-79 bolt on is a poor version to the real deal of the 80-82 nose,
So if you want the 80 nose do it right and mod the car so the cool stock or the daytona fits....
But geez this is YOUR car who cares who likes it besides you liking it....
The 80 style nose for 73-79 bolt on is a poor version to the real deal of the 80-82 nose,
So if you want the 80 nose do it right and mod the car so the cool stock or the daytona fits....
But geez this is YOUR car who cares who likes it besides you liking it....
Last edited by The13Bats; Mar 25, 2014 at 08:17 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl