I purchased a 1976 stingray a few months ago. I have since found out a early and a late model were made. How do I figure out which one I have!

 

Jim, I also have a 76 and there is no set date that divides early from late. It depends on the specific part as to whether it is early or late.

Just depends on when the change was made during that production model year.

 

The only part I know of is early mdl has smaller Corvette emblem on the rear bumper.Your trim tag will tell you when it was built that yr.

 

+1

The early/late thing doesn't apply to the entire car, it's by individual component. Some where changed at the beginning of the production year, some in the middle, some at the end.

The terminology is misleading.

 

GM never referred to parts as early or late. Look at any GM parts book, and you will see numerous parts listed as 1st, 2nd and even 3rd design. This was how GM designated parts that were changed during a model year. Changes to parts, what GM called a Running Model Change, were constantly being made. There never was a set date when these changes were made, instead as a new or updated part became available, it was just fazed into production. The date(s) of some changes are known, because the change is noted in Assembly Manuals, and others are known from years of research by people in the Corvette hobby. In some very rare instances, the date of the change is listed in the Corvette Parts Book. Unfortunately, the exact date or VIN, when most changes took place, are unknown.

From what I've learned over the years, I'd say that the "early" rear bumper and small (6" wide) rear emblem, may have only been used for the first couple months of production. I think the wider (8") rear emblem was in production by around October or November. It appears that the radiator core support and fan shroud, were changed around January. The switch from the old long A6 style AC compressor, to the short R4 compressor, took place much later in the production run. I know a fairly original, May built 76, that has the A6 compressor. One car doesn't prove anything, but I'd guess that the R4 compressor, didn't see production until sometime after May 76?

 

I have number 54 off the 76 year line. Every part I have replaced on mine has been "early". I even have the individual lettering on the rear bumper.

The last digits of your VIN can give you a clue but nothing is definative.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Just adding to the discussion, my car rolled out on Nov. 4, 1975.

I have the 'late style' 8" 1-piece rear lettering/emblem
I have the early-style radiator core support
I have the early-style t-bar trim with no light (my light is on the rear bulkhead)
I cant comment on the AC compressor, unfortunately: mine is missing.

As has been said, you'll probably never know for sure on a lot of things. Best case is to get an AIM and see if you can tell when the change went into effect. If your trim tag dates the car to before that change, then you know the change does not apply to your car. If after, you know it does. It's going to take a lot of research on your part if you want to get it as close to factory as possible.

 

The original (early) was the A6. The running change to the R4 did not occur until the spring of 76.