Finally Got One!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Stephens City VA
Finally Got One!
I finally got my 1st Corvette last week.
It is a 1976 L46, automatic, silver, loaded, all original, 65,000 mile car. I've been looking for a '76 for a while because that is the year I was born and this one popped up locally. Couldn't pass it up. It only needs a few very minor things done to it and it will be perfect.
First question I have as a new Vette owner:
The drivers side power window gets about 3/4 of the way up and then it starts clicking and I have to manually push the window the rest of the way up. It goes down fine. Do I just need to replace the gear in there? Are the door panels hard to remove and get back on properly?
Second Question:
I have a radio (Kenwood) that is supposed to be for a 68-76. It looks like it will require a little cutting though. Do I really want to do this? Will it hurt the value of the car? Are there any diagrams around showing how to install a head unit on a C3?
Thanks for your help! I'm sure I will post more questions as things pop up.
[Modified by iveka, 4:30 AM 8/12/2003]
It is a 1976 L46, automatic, silver, loaded, all original, 65,000 mile car. I've been looking for a '76 for a while because that is the year I was born and this one popped up locally. Couldn't pass it up. It only needs a few very minor things done to it and it will be perfect.
First question I have as a new Vette owner:
The drivers side power window gets about 3/4 of the way up and then it starts clicking and I have to manually push the window the rest of the way up. It goes down fine. Do I just need to replace the gear in there? Are the door panels hard to remove and get back on properly?
Second Question:
I have a radio (Kenwood) that is supposed to be for a 68-76. It looks like it will require a little cutting though. Do I really want to do this? Will it hurt the value of the car? Are there any diagrams around showing how to install a head unit on a C3?
Thanks for your help! I'm sure I will post more questions as things pop up.
[Modified by iveka, 4:30 AM 8/12/2003]
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 385
Likes: 80
From: Old Monroe, Mo
Re: Finally Got One! (iveka)
Congratulations, You're lucky, I just got one a few months ago and
I'm 47. Not sure about the gear but the door panels are not a problem
especially with power windows (no window crank to remove). 3 screws
holding the armrest on and then a screw at the top of the door panel and
remove the door opener frame on the inside (1 screw). I personally would think twice about cutting the dash.
I'm 47. Not sure about the gear but the door panels are not a problem
especially with power windows (no window crank to remove). 3 screws
holding the armrest on and then a screw at the top of the door panel and
remove the door opener frame on the inside (1 screw). I personally would think twice about cutting the dash.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Finally Got One! (iveka)
Nice looking '76 indeed. As was stated above... the door panels on a vette with electric windows is not hard to pull. The '74 I have has had the driver's side door panel off numerous times and alot easier than the '71 door panel I just pulled & reinstalled with manual window cranks. Take the panel off and see where the binding is coming in.
As far as the radio... it the Kenwood you have is vette specific it takes no cutting of the bezel. But either way, bezels are readilty available at all of the C-3 vendors on Corvette Forum.
Hang around this forum long enough and 2:1 odds says you will have it in pieces before it's over with. Just a fair warning! This group loves to spend other peoples' money. You look like you could use a ZZ-4.... oooops!
As far as the radio... it the Kenwood you have is vette specific it takes no cutting of the bezel. But either way, bezels are readilty available at all of the C-3 vendors on Corvette Forum.
Hang around this forum long enough and 2:1 odds says you will have it in pieces before it's over with. Just a fair warning! This group loves to spend other peoples' money. You look like you could use a ZZ-4.... oooops!
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Re: Finally Got One! (iveka)
Congratulations! I got my first Vette (a 76 too) back in Feb. 2000.
On your window, it does sound like a stripped gear to me. The door panel is not especially hard to remove, unless for some reason you can't open the door. (Don't laugh, it happens once in a while :banghead: )
As to your radio, well, you might look at the price of new guage consoles before you do any serious cutting. Alternately, you can check a few Vette junkyards for a second hand console, cut into that, and save your original console for in case you want to sell the car later.
Again, congratulations on the 76! Just be careful about the blind spots from the rear window buttresses. :cool:
:seeya
On your window, it does sound like a stripped gear to me. The door panel is not especially hard to remove, unless for some reason you can't open the door. (Don't laugh, it happens once in a while :banghead: )
As to your radio, well, you might look at the price of new guage consoles before you do any serious cutting. Alternately, you can check a few Vette junkyards for a second hand console, cut into that, and save your original console for in case you want to sell the car later.
Again, congratulations on the 76! Just be careful about the blind spots from the rear window buttresses. :cool:
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 28,982
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Re: Finally Got One! (iveka)
First off, congrats on the '76. Hopefully I will be in your shoes soon. I cant help you with the door but with the radio: if you have to cut the dash, dont do it. I personally would never buy a vette with a cut up dash. Im just too much of a freak for originality. You said the one you got is made specially for 68-76 so you will probably not have to do any cutting but I am not sure. I believe Ecklers and/or Corvette Central sell specialized radios for just about each year. COngrats on the vette and happy :auto: !
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX.
Re: Finally Got One! (THawkbh)
I'm with THawkbh on this one. I too am a originality freak and would never buy a ride all hacked up. If you can do what Trevelisek suggested and find another console, I'd go that route, may be a bit more expensive, but you would have a hard time selling it to us no hacks freaks.
:conehead
[Modified by C3RC, 6:13 AM 8/12/2003]
:conehead
[Modified by C3RC, 6:13 AM 8/12/2003]
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Re: Finally Got One! (Greg)
Congrats on the new baby. The window shouldn't be a problem, and will probably be one of the cheapest fixes you'll come across.
As for the dash, there is a fundamental line here that you need to establish. Do you plan to keep the car original? The mileage isn't bad, so if you make sure that EVERY repair you do is to original standards (or keep the original parts), and keep the mileage down you might end up with something that would pull high-end prices. If your not going to take this approach with all future repairs though, what's the point. Whether you stay original or go custom, she'll serve you well and you'll have a blast.
My problem was that I couldn't decide which side of the fence I wanted to be on. Good luck and see you around the forum. :cheers:
As for the dash, there is a fundamental line here that you need to establish. Do you plan to keep the car original? The mileage isn't bad, so if you make sure that EVERY repair you do is to original standards (or keep the original parts), and keep the mileage down you might end up with something that would pull high-end prices. If your not going to take this approach with all future repairs though, what's the point. Whether you stay original or go custom, she'll serve you well and you'll have a blast.
My problem was that I couldn't decide which side of the fence I wanted to be on. Good luck and see you around the forum. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: Montreal QC
Re: Finally Got One! (iveka)
Welcome to the forum! It seems that your guestions are already answered... Original is always original, but there is a lot of -76's hanging around so my opinion is that unless it's a low milage excellent survivor there is no need to keep it all original... :cheers:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Stephens City VA
Re: Finally Got One! (FinnShark)
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! The instructions on the install sheet from Crutchfield on the radio have a diagram of the cutting, and that makes me quite nervous. I plan on keeping this car as original as possible. I think the only thing that is not original or factory correct is the starter.
Maybe I can find a truly authentic radio at Carlisle in a couple weeks.
One more question:
On the tail lights - The passenger side brake light is missing that chrome ring around the outside of the light. It has the little ring at the center, but the bigger outside one is missing.
Does anyone know where I can get one? It is a very minor flaw....but it BUGS me!
Thanks!
Maybe I can find a truly authentic radio at Carlisle in a couple weeks.
One more question:
On the tail lights - The passenger side brake light is missing that chrome ring around the outside of the light. It has the little ring at the center, but the bigger outside one is missing.
Does anyone know where I can get one? It is a very minor flaw....but it BUGS me!
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Re: Finally Got One! (iveka)
Congrats on the new Vette. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. As for finding weird little parts, such as the ring you are describing, I would go here.
http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/GruhalaEnterprises/
Gary got me a bezel that I looked and looked for and at a fair price. He was recommended by many on the forum and is really a good guy to talk to on the phone.
CVT4ME :cheers:
http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/GruhalaEnterprises/
Gary got me a bezel that I looked and looked for and at a fair price. He was recommended by many on the forum and is really a good guy to talk to on the phone.
CVT4ME :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Finally Got One! (75Rag)
:thumbs: Congrats on the purchase ...... welcome to the greatest forum around!!
