When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Anyone hear of a '76 special edition,maybe for the Bi-Centennial? I heard of two special edition '76s in CT & MA but haven't seen them. The person telling me about them couldn't specify what was so special about a "76 either?
Thanks
Gary
There may have been some dealers that added decals or something different to a 1976 model and called it a special edition. Chevrolet did not have a special edition that year.
Thanks Jim, I wasn't aware of a special 76 but that doesn't mean much. I don't even know if these are 76's could be 78 pace cars for all I know. It is the second time I heard of this though so there might be some trueth to it?
Gary
'76 was the year they released a limited number of steel-bodies Vettes to select dealers for a test market.
In other words, Hang around here long enough and you'll hear all sorts of weird tales that the unknowledgeable (generally non-Vette owners) manage to come up with!
There may have been some dealers that added decals or something different to a 1976 model and called it a special edition. Chevrolet did not have a special edition that year.
But there's nothing special about the '76s at all. That's why I bought one.
'76 was the year they released a limited number of steel-bodies Vettes to select dealers for a test market.
In other words, Hang around here long enough and you'll hear all sorts of weird tales that the unknowledgeable (generally non-Vette owners) manage to come up with!
Correcto-mundo. Like the 354 1953 Corvettes produced, factory Corvette station-wagons and/or four door models (you pick), opening rear hatches from the factory prior to 82, 3 (or more) factory ZL-1s, '74 Pace Car, stock disc brakes prior to '65, yadda yadda yadda.
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Re: 1976 special edition? (Easy Mike)
In 1976 Chevy built Bicentenial edition Impalas, Vegas, Novas, and Lagunas they were white with white interiors.
They never built any Corvettes.
I did see on E-bay about six months ago someone was selling a 1975 Corvette convertible Bright Blue with a White top and red interior. They said that a dealer ordered the car that way for the 1976 bicentenial.
Anyone hear of a '76 special edition,maybe for the Bi-Centennial? I heard of two special edition '76s in CT & MA but haven't seen them. The person telling me about them couldn't specify what was so special about a "76 either?
About as special as they got was the buyer's option to order a two-tone interior...seats and door panels were white with a contrasting color for dash, carpet and console but had nothing to with bicentennial.
Yes. I purchased one in 1979. It was a Special Bicentennial edition. It had crossed American flags on the rear trunk and inside the doors. It wasn't dealer add-ons. The exterior was white with side pipes, with a tan leather interior.
This 21 year old thread was an interesting read, but still, there’s no such thing. There is no RPO code in the production numbers, and side pipes certainly don’t meet the federal emission standards of 1976. The car you owned had to have been a custom, dealership or otherwise.
I do like the look of a white ‘76 with side pipes though, and I’m also planning on getting a bicentennial license plate.
Last edited by Piersonpie; Aug 13, 2025 at 07:18 PM.
Yes. I purchased one in 1979. It was a Special Bicentennial edition. It had crossed American flags on the rear trunk and inside the doors. It wasn't dealer add-ons. The exterior was white with side pipes, with a tan leather interior.
Pics or it didn't happen!
Why would Chevrolet sell a bicentennial edition that was just white with tan interior? GM marketing just doesn't work that way. Maybe the dealer didn't add-on, but the owner certainly did.
(Yes I know this thread is 21 years old!)
Yes. I purchased one in 1979. It was a Special Bicentennial edition. It had crossed American flags on the rear trunk and inside the doors. It wasn't dealer add-ons. The exterior was white with side pipes, with a tan leather interior.
It was absolutely impossible for GM to sell a car with side pipes in 1976. Every 76 car sold in the US had a catalytic converter on it to meet the 1976 Federal emission regulations, something not possible with side pipes. Additionally, side pipes would have a had hard time meeting the sound limits that I think were in place by 76. If I remember correctly, the optional side pipes on 69 Corvette's made them difficult to sell in at least one state in 69 (Connecticut???) because of their position near the car's side windows.
Yes. I purchased one in 1979. It was a Special Bicentennial edition. It had crossed American flags on the rear trunk and inside the doors. It wasn't dealer add-ons. The exterior was white with side pipes, with a tan leather interior.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by Bcarroll
Yes. I purchased one in 1979. It was a Special Bicentennial edition. It had crossed American flags on the rear trunk and inside the doors. It wasn't dealer add-ons. The exterior was white with side pipes, with a tan leather interior.
I ordered my '76. Believe me, there was no Special Bicentennial edition. And no Corvette ever came from the factory with crossed American flags, only the Fleur-de-lis & checkered flags.
Wow, I vaguely remember this thread. Talk about pulling it from a tomb. If I recall correctly, 21 years ago at a car show or something I was told about it but nothing ever came of it. Mid 70's, customizing era, possibly some level of this was in Popular Hot Rodding, Super Chevy, etc. I still have mags from that period but I am sure not going through them.
1976 special edition?
Hang around here long enough and you'll hear all sorts of weird tales that the unknowledgeable (generally non-Vette owners) manage to come up with! 
..