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Might be a dumb question but are all 76 corvette’s considered stingrays? From all the research I’ve done it say it was the last year GM put stingray badges on ever model even the L48 bas model I have. Just wondering out of curiosity thank you in advance.
Yes, the term “stingray” is nothing more than a marketing term and has no indication of the cars performance (until the C7). 1976 was the last year they had stingray badges before being replaced by the “crossed flags” badge for 1977.
The real debate is for 1968s. No stingray badges on the car but the marketing called them one. Which is it?
I bought a brand new 1977 L82 in December 1976. I don't recall it having any "Stingray" badging. Crossed Flags on the nose, and, Crossed Flags on the fuel door. The word Corvette was on the middle of the rear body. That's it.
I have a an Early 1968 C3 and I have never thought of my Corvette being anything BUT a "Corvette"! I am lucky to have less badging on the exterior and I don't miss not having the "Stingray" emblems. I have never referred to my Corvette as a "Stingray" and I likely never will. It is either a "C3" or a "Corvette" in my world.
I also have a 1988 Corvette and it has very little in common with the earlier C3's. There is little "Stingray design" in that generation but it is back now on the C7's and i suspect the C8's. If I am not mistaken wasn't the early Corvette design project called a "Manta Ray" from one of their one off builds at GM. I guess they would prefer the simple Stingray emblem over a emblem showing the shape of a Manta Ray since they are very different.
..............It is either a "C3" or a "Corvette" in my world.
I also have a 1988 Corvetteand it has very little in common with the earlier C3's. There is little "Stingray design" in that generation but it is back now on the C7's.......
That's precisely WHY I'm so jazzed owning and buying my new C7 7-years ago! The C3 IS back in body lines, and I just L♡VE it!