Christopher Hogg

OK so I'm going to pick up my new to me c3 vette this week. it will be my first c3 so I have been doing as much research as i can and now I am confused. based on what i could find the exterior is 1976 which is what the seller says it is. however; the pictures of the interior look like a 77 to me based on he steering wheel and air controls could this be a late model 76 or has some one just redone the interior most likely? any opinion would be appreciated thanks

vettebuyer6369

Car looks like a '77 to me. A '76 would have the "Stingray" script instead of that alarm bezel over the side gill.

No grille in the hood either = '77. Definitely '77 interior, including '77 design crossed flags on horn button.

What does the VIN say?

Christopher Hogg

Haven't picked it up yet so i don't know about the vin. I was thinking 77 also but i read somewhere the in 77 they moved the alarm from the fender to the door that's where i got confused. I'll update once I pick up and check the vin. Thanks

John 65

They did move it to the door in 77, but the early cars still had the switch in the fender. My April built 77 has it in the door. Looks like you have your work cut out for you, but the 77 is a great year. Good luck with it.

TRK1976

I would go by the VIN number. With that said looking at the pics I would say it is a 76 with the center console being from a 77. Also the center gauges and steering wheel are from a later model.

derekderek

High beam in column or on floor. That was a change in 77, makes it a 1 year only column. Seats are thicker too.

revitup

Sure looks like a '77 to me from what I can see. Other than the unpainted windshield trim. '77 was blacked out but the paint on that one could very well be gone.

'75

The vin will tell, but I think it's an early 77.

gbvette62

Welcome to the Forum.

From what I see, the car looks like a 77, though it appears that it may have an 80-82 rear bumper cover on it. Does the car have simple crossed flags emblems on the nose and gas door, or a larger round emblem, like the one in your avatar? The emblem in your avatar is the 76 emblem, while a pair of crossed flags were used on 77's.

Before buying the car, you need find out what year it is. If the VIN says this car is a 76, I'd check it out more carefully, or better yet, find someone familiar with 76-77's, to check it out for you. If it is a 77, and it has a 76 VIN and/or title, the car could cause you all kinds of headaches, and even possible legal issues.

blue67ragtop

I don't know what you are paying for that car but it's condition would give me pause. There are many available and I know when buying your first it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting a car. Many of us have made that mistake on our first Vette. If you haven't looked at the sticky on this forum regarding the rules for buying your C3 please do. Good luck but I would be very careful regarding this car.

danh77

Looks like a 77 dash top. If I remember correctly doesn’t the 76 have a row of stitching across the edge and on to the door panels and the 77 is smooth.

mardyn

^^ This x eleventy billion...

mardyn

scrappy76

My 76 has the alarm on the fender along with the stingray script.
I would bet your discrepancy is with the vin number. To change all the interior from 76 to 77, just do not see it. I pulled up about a dozen pictures showing the key alarm in the fender of the 77 also. Plus the hood is 77. Changing the rear bumper to the 80-82 spoiler style is done alot. I have a shiny dime to bet that your looking at an early 77.

The Hot Rod Grille

As some others have said "be afraid.....be very afraid" (of this car). Don't let the excitement of your first C3 purchase cloud your judgement and leave you with a potentially bad experience later on as you delve into the car.

carriljc

That thing looks really rough. I'm pretty sure I would NOT take it even if it was given to me.....not that I'm terribly lazy or whatnot, but that looks like a LOT of work.
Please take a moment to reflect on that.... I would suggest that you'd be better off paying a bit to get a vehicle in better condition.

John 65

Any news on the car?

60 SHARK

Wow, what a mess! I'm not positive, but I'm thinking, if it's a 77, wouldn't the factory engine color be BLUE? but engine could be from any donor,,,, check engine numbers too

lvmyvt76

its a 77, unless someone changed all the interior over to a77, the carb is wrong, the a/c compressor is after a late 76 model or 77, the steering column & wheel is 77, so is the console. I think I would stay away from this one, JMO>

Christopher Hogg

turns out it's a 77 the p.o. just posted in the add wrong. According to my research early 77 had Chevy orange the color was switched to blue mid year.

Christopher Hogg

Turns out it is a 1977, just as we all expected. It is in sad shape for sure but it is completely rust free with a very strong original engine and transmission. It came with the It original tail bumper cover as well as an aftermarket tail with spoiler, two sets of door panals, two seats of seats and a spare starring tilt column, new duel pump fuel lines and gas sending unit. All the gases work perfect except of course for the clock. It needs the interior redone as well as paint, brake pads and A LOT of cleanup and de bubbling. A lot of work ahead of me but I've never been afraid of work. And at the price I paid for her I couldn't pass it up.