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SPEC means the car was ordered in a non standard color or primer. Most of these cars were painted black during the years it wasn’t available. Definitely a cool find!
SPEC means the car was ordered in a non standard color or primer. Most of these cars were painted black during the years it wasn’t available. Definitely a cool find!
...sounds like a really cool car and with a "SPEC" tag and the two tone interior, your '76 Corvette certainly would be one of the "rarest of the rare" for 1976. Does it also have an L-82 with 4spd? That'd be the ultimate icing on the cake for this car. Even if it doesn't, still a super neat '76. Need to post more pics!!!
Well this is an interesting Trim Tag. OP says the car is a 1976
Originally Posted by krusch
Does anyone who what these symbols mean regarding exterior and interior colors on my Corvette manufacture date 11/76?
As previously stated, the paint code "SPEC" to a non-standard paint color or primer. Usually cars with this paint code were painted black.
Also previously stated, the "ZJ1" code in the upper left corner of the trim tag refers to a 2-tone interior for 1976 and 1977 consisting of white seats, white door panels, and a contrasting color of firethorn, smoke gray, dark brown, and others, for the carpet, dash pads, console, seat belts, headliner, and other trim pieces.
What is puzzling to me about this trim tag is the interior trim code of "272". No trim code of "272" is listed in any of my resources for 1976. However, 272 is listed for 1977 Corvettes as dark blue leather. The OP states the car is a 1976. According to the trim tag the Body build date is D11 or November 11 1975, an early car.
Below is a pic of a 1977 ZJ1 272 interior.
Or maybe the title to this thread is wrong and the OP has a 1977.
OP please post pictures of your car!
Last edited by '73and'75; Oct 17, 2025 at 12:09 PM.
...this is a super clean, pretty original 1977. I thought it was odd to see an A.I.R(smog)on an L-48 automatic car then viewed the original window sticker and it does show the "High Altitude" equipment, so that's pretty cool too. Those aren't the original tires but they are very close and probably just as close in age except for maybe a few years or so. Hope the next owner changes them out pronto or puts other newer tires & wheels on it.
...to the original poster and your "77" vs a 76, you still have one of the "rarest of the rare" 1977's. Seems there are several years around those mid '70s C3s that the Corvette Black Book or GM doesn't even know in that time period how many "Spec" paint cars were painted, let alone with your ZJ1 code tag on your car. You still have one of a very small handful of ones built this way.
Need more pics!!!
What is the "ZJI" in the upper left corner? I don't believe earlier C3s have anything stamped up there.
I missed that the first time around...but yes, as noted above a custom two-tone interior. These were seen as real oddities but it was a method for buyers to "customize" their 76-77 Corvette. See recent article in NCRS Corvette Restorer.
I missed that the first time around...but yes, as noted above a custom two-tone interior. These were seen as real oddities but it was a method for buyers to "customize" their 76-77 Corvette. See recent article in NCRS Corvette Restorer.
...what's pretty interesting and I learned by that Red 1977 ad that someone posted that on it's original window sticker it showed this as a "no cost" option??? Learn something everyday.
Post a picture of the VIN Tag, located on the driver's side windshield pillar.
Picture shows a 1978 hood with dual tear-drop mirrors and glass t-tops...78 options?
...no '78-'82 back window, but has '78 front badge above the front bumper, no "Stingray" badges on the side. Kind of a mysterious car all around so far? Maybe some kind of GM test mule car or pre-production '78 pilot car? Verrrrrrrrrrry interesting.
1977 corvette colors?
