C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

'76 Time Capsule

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 04:47 PM
  #1  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default '76 Time Capsule

Cars like this drive me nuts. What would you do with it? Drive or preserve?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...t-corvette-52/
Reply

Popular Reply

Mar 20, 2023, 01:09 AM
Greg's Avatar
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Default

I always get a laugh out of the "chrome bumper cars were better than the rubber bumper cars" nonsense. I've owned many of both and they've all been great cars. But if anyone really wants to push the point, do your homework first. The rubber bumper cars outsold the chrome bumper cars at a rate of 2 to 1 and even up to 3 to 1 on any given year. American, new car buyers LOVED the rubber bumper cars and there's just no arguing with the sales figures.
So, enjoy your Vette, no matter what year it is, but don't disparage other years just because you believe yours is "better". In my way of thinking, I would take any year of Corvette, from 1953 all the way to 2023, over anything Ford or Chrysler had to offer against it.
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 05:01 PM
  #2  
capevettes's Avatar
capevettes
CF Community Team
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Active Streak: 120 Days
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,371
Likes: 5,250
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

You have to pay a premium for these ultra low mile vehicles. Then, if you drive them, the value diminishes.
One thing for sure, there will be a fair amount of sorting to make it road worthy.
I recently bought an 82 Collector Edition with 8,800 miles. It's taken me 6 months to sort it out. Worth it though. It drives and looks like a new 82. I'm driving it.
Sitting just isn't good for cars.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 06:36 PM
  #3  
Bikespace's Avatar
Bikespace
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,960
Likes: 4,518
From: Virginia
Default

Well, I wouldn't buy it, and if someone gave it to me, I'd just sell it.

I have zero interest in a car that I can't drive.

Does that answer your question?
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 07:21 PM
  #4  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I'll take it further. If I couldn't drive my Vette I would have to sell it. The pain of only being able to look at it...
The chassis on this is incredible, the markings....everything. How could you get that dirty for the 1st time?
Not my thing. To be at $25k already though.....could be a world-record '76 when it's all said & done.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 07:53 PM
  #5  
carriljc's Avatar
carriljc
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,746
Likes: 1,387
Default

Yep. I agree. And the same b.s. about the a/c only needing charging. If it was true they'd charge the dang thing and say that it works. Wouldn't even want the thing. It's a dumb buy to spend that much on a 76 rubber car. Can't drive it, and if you do then it's just another old car ............


Originally Posted by Bikespace
Well, I wouldn't buy it, and if someone gave it to me, I'd just sell it.

I have zero interest in a car that I can't drive.

Does that answer your question?
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 08:18 PM
  #6  
KingRat's Avatar
KingRat
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 1,192
Default

Originally Posted by SEVNT6
Cars like this drive me nuts. What would you do with it? Drive or preserve?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...t-corvette-52/
Preserve. There are plenty of driver '76s.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 08:24 PM
  #7  
AKjeff's Avatar
AKjeff
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 249
From: Carson Valley
Default

If I had a car museum I'd buy it and preserve it.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 08:59 PM
  #8  
Shovels and Vettes's Avatar
Shovels and Vettes
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

I would drive it. Cars, motorcycles and airplanes are not museum art.....they are machines that need to be experienced for what they were designed for. Screw the monetary value, or originality. Finding a car like this means its got lot of life in it.....and it should be experienced. I feel sorry for people who cannot find the soul in the machine......my life would have been far less meaningful without it. A car like this ESPECIALLY needs to be driven.... moreso than others.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 09:01 PM
  #9  
CorvetteMike2024's Avatar
CorvetteMike2024
Corvette Enthusiast
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,797
Likes: 2,721
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

It will be interesting to see what this bids to. BAT sometimes brings in some crazy money. If I owned it I would drive and enjoy it.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 09:30 PM
  #10  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
BAT sometimes brings in some crazy money.
Like last week...
An '86 K-10 Silverado stepside with 998 original miles sold for $147,500...
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 09:43 AM
  #11  
CorvetteMike2024's Avatar
CorvetteMike2024
Corvette Enthusiast
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,797
Likes: 2,721
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

It's up to 35K now with 6 days to go.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 11:34 AM
  #12  
509 rat's Avatar
509 rat
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 673
Default

Not a chrome bumper car so to me a dime a dozen, no power just plain fugly .
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 02:42 PM
  #13  
Greg's Avatar
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Default

"fog lights"
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 03:13 PM
  #14  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Greg
"fog lights"
And/or parking lights?...
I had to bust BaT twice for saying '76s came with a cowl induction hood...
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 04:30 PM
  #15  
Shovels and Vettes's Avatar
Shovels and Vettes
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by 509 rat
Not a chrome bumper car so to me a dime a dozen, no power just plain fugly .
Yeah....some say that.....others like me thing the rubber bumper Corvettes have the styling lines the car was meant to have......especially 80-82 when the length and aerodynamic styling was as sleek as a jet.

The whole "chrome bumper" nonsense and fanaticism is made up by people who own chrome bumper Corvettes who just love to hate the others. Not everyone sees it that way.

For me....I like them all, and don't exclude a group of cars over the nonsense about bumpers. As I say all the time.....the entire C3 generation is 90% the same car, with very minor cosmetic differences, and some power differences as a result of the federal government and their EPA nonsense.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 06:30 PM
  #16  
509 rat's Avatar
509 rat
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 673
Default Maybe

Originally Posted by CorvettePassion
Yeah....some say that.....others like me thing the rubber bumper Corvettes have the styling lines the car was meant to have......especially 80-82 when the length and aerodynamic styling was as sleek as a jet.

The whole "chrome bumper" nonsense and fanaticism is made up by people who own chrome bumper Corvettes who just love to hate the others. Not everyone sees it that way.

For me....I like them all, and don't exclude a group of cars over the nonsense about bumpers. As I say all the time.....the entire C3 generation is 90% the same car, with very minor cosmetic differences, and some power differences as a result of the federal government and their EPA nonsense.
Kinda like saying you have the best ever bell housing .
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 06:34 PM
  #17  
avalonjohn's Avatar
avalonjohn
CF Community Team
15 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 360
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Default

Originally Posted by CorvettePassion
Yeah....some say that.....others like me thing the rubber bumper Corvettes have the styling lines the car was meant to have......especially 80-82 when the length and aerodynamic styling was as sleek as a jet.

The whole "chrome bumper" nonsense and fanaticism is made up by people who own chrome bumper Corvettes who just love to hate the others. Not everyone sees it that way.

For me....I like them all, and don't exclude a group of cars over the nonsense about bumpers. As I say all the time.....the entire C3 generation is 90% the same car, with very minor cosmetic differences, and some power differences as a result of the federal government and their EPA nonsense.
I agree and I am a 68-69 owner. I really like this car. Yes, I get the whole 'meant to be driven' part. I drive mine and never care about miles. With that, I appreciate seeing a pristine example of how they looked in the day.
I have owned my 68 since 1985. Back then nobody gave a rat's *** about C3s. The rage was all C2. I see the rubber bumpers going up. My favorite is the 78 SA.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To '76 Time Capsule

Old Mar 18, 2023 | 06:37 PM
  #18  
Shovels and Vettes's Avatar
Shovels and Vettes
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by 509 rat
Kinda like saying you have the best ever bell housing .
What exactly does that mean? Not following the point you are trying to make.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 07:13 PM
  #19  
509 rat's Avatar
509 rat
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 673
Default

It's not a fantasy about the power chrome bumper corvettes had back in the day no more than when the corvettes came out with fiberglass bumpers and had a whopping 220 hp I can be off a little there but their were no power options on those cars and were gutless wonders so that's why I like chrome bumper corvettes and I don't hate the others it's just not my cup of tea hell it takes at least 650 hp to even get me remotely excited .
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 10:42 PM
  #20  
calwldlife's Avatar
calwldlife
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Default

yup, priced to park it.
for that price you can get a good driver
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:32 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE