77 interior in a 76???
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 13
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77 interior in a 76???
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
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
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?
No grille in the hood either = '77. Definitely '77 interior, including '77 design crossed flags on horn button.
What does the VIN say?
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Feb 19, 2018 at 03:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 13
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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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
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.
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Richland Michigan
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.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Shamong, NJ
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.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
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2018 C2 of Year Finalist
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
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From: Beautiful East Texas
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.
mardyn
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
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From: Hamilton Virginia
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.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 329
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From: Winfield West Virginia
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
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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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
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From: Springfield Missouri
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>
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2018
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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.
Thread Starter
Cruising
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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.