I picked up my 1976 Stingray L-48 in San Diego over Thanksgiving weekend! I got my first Stingray (1974) back when I turned 18, loved that car, but couldn't afford it while I was a poor college student, and had to sell it for a more cost efficient ride. I made a promise to myself that when I graduated and paid off all my student loans, i'd get my Vette back. Well a few weeks ago I made my last student loan payment and took a look through Craigslist as we went to San Diego for Turkey Day at my girlfriends parents house. I found the '76 for sale and called the guy, thinking I'd just start looking for a replacement, well the Saturday after T-Day, I had the Vette in the driveway, and couldn't wait to drive it home and start my resto-mod into weekend cruiser!

It is a California car, rust on the drivers floor, but the birdcage and frame had a minimal surface rust and it looked good. The interior was beat (turns out it was all original) and showed its age, especially the carpet. Bubba had gone through this car before, the horn had additional wires run to a modern relay hooked up to a doorbell he screwed into the center console vinyl, extra wires spliced into everything, power taps on exposed hot leads with no tape, two aftermarket stereos, the front speakers were shot (but kept the wiring on the two separate crossovers, going to to different front speakers, none were attached, but instead the aftermarket radio powered two speakers in mini-boxes rolling around the cargo area) exposed wiring grounding out under the passenger dash, and more miscellaneous screws and hardware as I go through the cabin.

I've corrected most all of these, and within the first week had the interior down to floorboards and firewall. Slowly working my way through and getting everything to work as it should, while suffering from the "while-I'm-at-it" syndrome. I'll keep it updated as I move along, and I'm sure you'll be getting some questions and other bubba stories as I uncover them!

Thanks for adding me, so glad to be back in the C3 Club!!

 

I tweaked my back trying to do that.

Congrats on the 76.

 

Remember Mike,. Lift with your legs!

 

You guys.....always clowning around (I think).

Welcome to the Forum RocketNerd. Have much fun with that soon-to-be-new car! And remember the #1 Forum Rule: Lotsa' pictures.

 

Welcome aboard!
How about some pics?

 

After being told I'd be able to drive it back from San Diego (180 mile trip) I broke down about halfway. I threw all my belts when the alternator belt broke apart. So after my buddy came with his Jeep, and loaned me it while i slept overnight at a rest stop, I did what i should have done in the first place. rented a car trailer and brought it back home.

 

Great project!

 

"best of luck on the restoration.1976 was the best year of the Corvette,cus is say so!"
uploadphotos

 

Lemme guess.......?