Differences between 76 and 77?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From: winnipeg MB
Differences between 76 and 77?
I used to have a 75, and I know the differences between and 75 and 76, (corvette lettering on rear end becomes one piece in 76, also the grills behind the back window are gone) but other than the corvette rims in 77 whats the difference between 76 and 77.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From: winnipeg MB
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (75 Stingray!)
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.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (bloodvette80)
New shortened column w/ new st. wh. & dimmer, new console, upgraded interior. Factory mounted dual sport mirrors available, etc. Overall a nice
sophisticated end of the original 68 design.
See my website.
:cool:
sophisticated end of the original 68 design.
See my website.
:cool:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (bloodvette80)
76 says Stingray on the fender. 77 has either a crossed flag or no fender decoration.
76 has an orange engine. 77 has a blue one.
77 center console is easier to fit a modern stereo in. (Been there, done that.)
76 has a 4 spoke steering wheel. 77 has a 3 spoke steering wheel.
76 has an orange engine. 77 has a blue one.
77 center console is easier to fit a modern stereo in. (Been there, done that.)
76 has a 4 spoke steering wheel. 77 has a 3 spoke steering wheel.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (SanDiegoPaul)
Wasn't the alarm switch on the fender on a 76? I know it's incorporated into the door lock on the 77s.
77 was the first year a standard radio could be used, as mentioned earlier.
77 was the first year a standard radio could be used, as mentioned earlier.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (Kingt)
Wasn't the alarm switch on the fender on a 76? I know it's incorporated into the door lock on the 77s.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia 1985 Coupe
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (Ganey)
New shortened column w/ new st. wh. & dimmer, new console, upgraded interior. Factory mounted dual sport mirrors available, etc. Overall a nice
sophisticated end of the original 68 design.
See my website.
:cool:
sophisticated end of the original 68 design.
See my website.
:cool:
Forgot to mention is the only year with wiper/washer on steering col. Alarm is on the fender for early models, in the door for later ones. Early models had no flags on fender, crossed flags after. Leather seats standard.
About a 10%+ :cool: factor over a '76! :jester
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: nashville TN
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (bloodvette80)
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.
Externally, the quickest noticeable difference between a 76 and 77 is the availability of the sport mirrors, but more importantly (on all 77s) the trim around the front windshield is painted flat black, go figure. After 77, the demise of the interior being Vette specific continued it's down spiral, culminating in the appearance and poor construction of the 82. Late 70s and early 80s were not the best years for quality control in GM as most of can tell from the vehicles we have all owned and loved. BUT, it is still a Vette and nothing compares or looks like the Vette, nothing (except the Opel GT)!
Externally, the quickest noticeable difference between a 76 and 77 is the availability of the sport mirrors, but more importantly (on all 77s) the trim around the front windshield is painted flat black, go figure. After 77, the demise of the interior being Vette specific continued it's down spiral, culminating in the appearance and poor construction of the 82. Late 70s and early 80s were not the best years for quality control in GM as most of can tell from the vehicles we have all owned and loved. BUT, it is still a Vette and nothing compares or looks like the Vette, nothing (except the Opel GT)!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: Montreal QC
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (Dwayne 76)
Also the '76's emblem is different from any other model year. As the one in my Avatar.
I've also heard that early -77 had orange engine blocks. We've been discussing about this topic also earlier. -77 seems to be interesting year in the middle of changes. Early cars had lot of small stuff from -76 and then along the year when stocks run out they changed them to new ones...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: nashville TN
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (Chris O')
I am not jealous. I absolutely loved my 76 and the only reason I sold it was I couldn't afford a quality paint job. After I sold it, I bought my current love, my chrome bumper 71 coupe. There isn't a Vette out there I don't love except the one I haven't seen yet!!! :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
Re: Differences between 76 and 77? (Chris O')
I think Paso(?) has the earliest one on the forum and has an orange block. Mine is early 4000 run and had a blue block.
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.