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Topic: 1976 Early or Late Model?

in Forum: C3 General Discussion

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1976 Early or Late Model? (1/10)
2/18/08 2:26pm

Aaron1976
Former Member
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

How can I tell if my 1976 L-48 is an early or late model? My VIN # is 1Z37L6S443743 and the tag in the driver's door jam reads CHEVROLET L23 TRIM 642 70L PAINT. Is there anything else I need to look for to figure out early or late? THANKS! Big%20smile

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1976 Early or Late Model? (2/10)
2/18/08 3:30pm

Jeffm
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.

Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

From what the C3 Buyers Guide says- "L" is July and "23" must be the 23rd day. Also, the final Vin of June '76 was 40830 and for July was 44767, so it looks like your Vin # 43743 matches up with the L23.
I would say late model with only one more month to go.

The "70" is Orange Flame paint and "642" Light Buckskin Leather.
Black isn't even listed. I guess no black Vettes in '76. Ermm

Jeffm2008-02-18 15:37:50

1976 Early or Late Model? (3/10)
2/18/08 4:27pm

suncountry

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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

There are a couple of other ways to tell. The radiator on an early 76 had a 90 degree elbow coming out of the left tank on top for the return coolant return. The late 76 had a straight neck coming out of the tank. Also the A/C compressor on the early 76 was the long cylindrical style while the late was the short pancake style. I think these were running changes so they did not happen at the same time.

1976 Early or Late Model? (4/10)
2/18/08 6:39pm

Aaron1976
Former Member
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

The A/C compressor is the short stocky version like me. I'll have to check out the radiator to see what is actually there. So far it looks to be a Late model. Thanks!

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Aaron

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1976 Early or Late Model? (5/10)
2/18/08 7:29pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20201

Glen is right on the A/C compressor.

And Jeff is correct on the trim codes.

The VIN on your car puts it firmly in the "Late" category.(L23=July 23rd, 1976)

And no, there were NO black Corvettes after '69 until '77.

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1976 Early or Late Model? (6/10)
2/18/08 8:46pm

Aaron1976
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

So it is a late model. Yes I have found that Chevy did not offer the color black in 1976. The original color was flame orange on my Vette. This info will help me when I need to order some parts that require early or late 1976 model specs. It seems to be the only C3 year with this early / late thing going on, or is it? Thanks GUYS! Big%20smile

Aaron19762008-02-18 20:49:39

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Aaron

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1976 Early or Late Model? (7/10)
2/18/08 8:54pm

Adams' Apple

[QUOTE=Aaron1976]It seems to be the only C3 year with this early / late thing going on, or is it? Thanks GUYS! Big%20smile

[/QUOTE]

Nope...there are a couple other years with this fantastic issue...'69 being one of the other years. I think '71 had some "early/late" stuff too. '75 had some...so they didn't just pick on the '76 guys!

btw...the lettering on the rear bumpers("Corvette") was different on the early/late '76 cars, too...Adams' Apple2008-02-18 20:55:45

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1976 Early or Late Model? (8/10)
2/18/08 8:55pm

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
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According to Black Book, "A significant number of late-build 1976 Corvettes received parts normally associated with 1977 production, especially interior components."

Not sure what those parts might be.

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1976 Early or Late Model? (9/10)
2/18/08 11:11pm

Aaron1976
Former Member
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Corvette Stingray L-48 Automatic Black

Joined: 11/17/2007
Posts: 830

I wonder if anyone knows if a '77 speedometer would match up with the late '76? My ODO/& trip is stuck and plan on having it rebuilt maybe next winter. I can't find any parts places that sell a new or rebuilt one for a '76, so if a '77 is inter-changable it could maybe be used? Aaron19762008-02-18 23:12:37

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1976 Early or Late Model? (10/10)
2/19/08 5:54am

6880Mike
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Horse Cave, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible; 1980 L-82

Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

"Early" and "late" usually refers only to the specific running change in question. As an example, early 76 models had the older A6 AC compressor and related plumbing; later models got the newer R4 compressor and the changes associated with that. The best way to check whether something is "early" or "late" is to refer to the revision dates in the assembly instruction manual (AIM) and compare the revised AIM pages with the equipment on your car.

"Early" and "late" can also apply to the actual production date of the car. Your car could be considered "late" since it was assembled near the end of July 76 when model year production was winding down.

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