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Differences between 76 and 77?

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Old Mar 27, 2012 | 11:11 PM
  #21  
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My 76 has a blue engine and 3 spoke steering wheel. Apparently those are only 77 features. Yet I was told my 76 was all original. Could it still be?
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Old Mar 28, 2012 | 07:21 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by bloodvette80
anything exterior? i can usually identify 73-79 corvette in a split second, but a 77-76 is hard unless you know he's got the factory rims.
The quicky is that 76 had a circle front emblem. 77 has crossed flags on the nose.
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Old Mar 28, 2012 | 09:42 AM
  #23  
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Some 76 definitely came with crossed flags. I've seen original advertisements with crossed flag fronts
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Old Mar 28, 2012 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 77Dream
I think it depends on where your car was made. I have the alarm switch in the door lock, suggesting late production. And by original block is orange, suggesting early. My vin says my car is # 31,251.

Oh, Rick... I have chrome trim around my windshield. I suppose it could have been changed but I doubt it. The previous owners didnt take care of anything, so I dont know why they would touch the trim.

The black may have just worn off the window trim as it has on my 77....

the rear bumper "corvette" script is different as well between the years and I also think between early 77 and late....
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Old Mar 28, 2012 | 11:08 PM
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Black was once again available for exterior color.
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Old Mar 28, 2012 | 11:22 PM
  #26  
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The coolest thing about 76 is the year I graduated from HS.Told myself I would get me a Vette and finally did 30 years later!
[IMG][/IMG]
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 01:21 AM
  #27  
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Some late 1976 had the interior light above on the bar that supports the tops.

I seem to recall that late 76 with the above change also had the mirror on the windshield instead of frame around it. I could be wrong on that one though.

AC compressor changed late in 76.

I believe that emissions were the same or very similar between the two years.

I have read that the hood on the 76 was specific to that year.

I do believe that my 1976 is faster and handles better than a 77
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 02:03 AM
  #28  
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76 hood has a metal insert at the back of the cowl hood.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 07:12 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by 7vette6
Some 76 definitely came with crossed flags. I've seen original advertisements with crossed flag fronts
Really?
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 07:15 AM
  #30  
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No my bad I was wrong on that one haha. They had a 77 right next to 76 and I musta saw it and not read
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 09:44 AM
  #31  
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This was taken from RoadandTrack, regarding the 1977 corvette: For those detractors of the fiberglass Chevy who to this day seem to ask, “But is it really a sports car?” here’s still more proof: The L82 had the fastest time we’ve ever recorded through our slalom test, 63.6 mph. As a comparison, the Porsche Turbo Carrera managed 62.8. On the skid pad the Corvette generated 0.726g (the Porsche did 0.811)
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 10:34 AM
  #32  
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76'S has wood trim on door panels, 77'S only year for black trim inserts on door panels.
77's has same tack and speedo as 76's, But center console up dated with aircraft style guages.
Senter arm rest changed in 77's
77's standerd steering colum got Vege steering wheel, T & T colums got 3 spoke leather wraped wheels
Standard mirrior in 77 was drivers side only steel, Optional was duel sport mirriors
Mine came with black painted windshild trim. But it was so weathered out that when I was at car chow last Laborday I took steel wool and buffed it off.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 10:50 AM
  #33  
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Almost any of the coffee table Corvette history books will have pics of the 76s and 77s.

These are good:




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Old Aug 16, 2015 | 06:01 PM
  #34  
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1977 L48
4000 serial - all the interior matches 77, crossed flags on fender with switch in fender. 3 spoke leather steering but brakes have 1976 booster and master cylinder.
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Old Aug 16, 2015 | 09:53 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by nada
77 was the year the C3 Corvette began it's slide into mediocrity. They brought back the Corvette specific steering wheel (Vega wheel gone) but switched to many generic GM parts in the interior. It was kind of sad. The changes in the dash and console cheapened the car and ended the purity of the breed. Common components shared with Chevelles, Impalas and even the trucks, ie, the A/C controls. Plastic was the word in 77 and it really hurt the Vette in my opinion.
The early interior is what kept me from buying a 69 when I was looking for my first Corvette. I strongly dislike the early interior and LOVE the 78 and later interiors.
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