I have a chance to buy a 1976 Corvette really cheap. About $1200. The car has Auto Trans same as mine.
I have a 1974. Mostly I am interested in the frame. A few other parts too, tail lights, etc. Has the same color interior too. But my frame has a lot of rust so mostly it's the frame I'm after.
My question is will the 1976 frame work for my 1974. If it needs some minor modifications I am ok with that.

Any thoughts?

 

It will work,
My 69 has a 68 frame,
In many cases a parts car is a great way to go, take what you need then sell or just give away the rest...

 

Here you go,

c3 frames

 

A frame alone will run you that much! So if you can get the whole parts car for that, I`d jump on it! I still can`t believe my kid bought a 79 Camaro parts car for $300.... took the rear spoiler, the front clip AND sub-frame off.... then sold off the body & remaining parts for $700!!

 

The 76 rear crossmember will be different, because of the bumper impact "shocks" used (compared to the 74 slide bolts), and the location of the holes for mounting the front frame extensions, may be different. All you should need to do is transfer the rear cross member from your 74 frame, and maybe drill a couple holes in the front frame horns.

 

FWIW: 74 tail lights and they way they mounted were one year only.

 

you can put a 75-77 rear bumper cover on a 74? then may as well use the 75-77 bumper shocks and taillights instead of converting to 74 stuff.

 

Thanks everyone. It sounds like it will all work. My 74 has a 1980 style fiberglass bumper. The previous owner installed it along with bullet style tail lights without backup lights. I would rather have the original style tail lights. I suppose the 76 lights would work on my 80's bumper cover which I would prefer to keep. I like the look. At almost $200 a set new think it would be ok. I see in the specs the transmission cross member is missing the passenger side exhaust mount but the cross member is a bolt on so I should be able to swap that out. I just talked to the owner, the frame is supposed to be rust free. This car will never be a factory spec restore anyway so these differences won't matter much. I can't tell if the motor is original because the block was decked when the PO rebuilt the engine and the VIN was not re stamped.

 

And 80 cover will go on 76 bumper understuff as well as 74. Take cover off before removing body. Leave off til on new frame. And where are you?

 

I am in McEwen, TN. About 60 miles west of Nashville. I am doing things a little backwards. Make that a lot backwards, LOL. All I expected to do with this Corvette was a paint job. I am getting ready to do that now. Sometime in the next couple weeks. Everything is bought, Paint and supplies. I just wanted to be able to drive it this year. It's been sitting for 5 years. I started on it 5 years ago and ran into a couple life issues that put the project on hold. My frame has rust mostly in the cross member in front of the differential, The side rails seem ok. Even the Frame that rises up in the rear seems ok. But I am sure if I remove the body I'll find more rust. I bought the car in 2002 when I was still living in Michigan and paid more for it than I should but as I recall it seemed the C3 Corvettes were costing a little more then than they are now. I looked for one for a few months that was in my price range. It runs good and is fun to drive. I am 74 years old and would like to drive it while I still can. I'm not sure I even need to replace the frame but if I do this would be a cheap way to do it.

 

And if you don't, it's a whole bunch of little stuff that'll get the car put together. Plus ripping another one apart that you don't value so much is a nice way to figure out how to put it back together.