1976 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe – L82 350 V8 – Automatic

Vehicle Location: GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Auction Type: Reserve
Mileage: 63079
Engine:  L82 350 V8
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior: Blue
Interior: Black
VIN: 1Z37X6S409220
Party: Dealer

1976 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

– L82 350 V8
– Automatic Transmission
– Gorgeous Blue Paint
– Side Pipes
– T Tops

“”The 1976 Corvette without a doubt, was an up year for Corvette.”” – hobbycarcorvettes.net, September 2018

“”It is popular opinion that the 1976 Corvette Stingray was the best-looking Corvette to date up to this point. Though there were few changes made, their impact was great. This is true design talent. The air-extractor vents were removed from the rear deck, along with the astro-ventilation system. The cowl flap was also removed, as complaints had been heard that the assembly whistled loudly while driving, taking away from a positive Corvette driving experience. In its place was a new modified cowl induction, which improved both aesthetics and function. This is a perfect example of one of the many changes in Corvette history that gave them the reputation for innovative design addressing form and function simultaneously.””

After a 4,000-mile road trip to Alaska, Car and Driver delivered their verdict on the reliability and road manners of ’76 model: “”The Corvette was a big hit–we expected and thoroughly enjoyed that–but we were surprised at how well it withstood the ordeal…once we recovered from the trip we conceded that we’d developed new respect for a car we’d long regarded as something of a put on. In every sense of the word, our Yukon Corvette proved to be tough and we’d have to say that even the production versions impressed us as coming closer to being real touring cars than we might ever have thought.””

Offered here, resprayed in a medium-blue metallic shade similar to today’s Elkhart Lake blue, over black is a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe. Currently showing 63,079 miles on its odometer, the car has traveled roughly 1,400 miles per-year on average since new. That very conservative mileage coupled with obvious owner care is responsible for the Corvette’s superb condition.

The exterior medium-blue-metallic color is a beautiful shade well-suited to the car’s curvaceous body lines. Reflective highlights from the paint emphasize key design aspects including the cowl-induction hood bulge, the slightly rounded shape of the removable roof panels, and the flowing fenders. Subtle gray-and-white fender pinstriping adds to the effect. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, please be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) Tasteful chrome trim is limited to the rocker-panel trim, windshield surround, the added side pipes, and rear-deck luggage carrier, all of which display beautifully maintained finishes.

Tinted cabin glass and all lighting lenses-including on the pop-up headlights-are clear and unmarred. Factory badging is all in place, including the round crossed-flags emblem in front and another in back, “”Stingray”” script on the front fenders, “”L82″” engine-identification badge on the hood, and the angled “”Corvette”” lettering between the taillights. Beautifully pristine, bright-finish AmericanRacing® 5-spoke, 15-inch wheels are mounted with BFGoodrich® Radial T/A raised-white-letter 225/70 tires.

Inside, the color theme is black. Black leather covering the contoured bucket seats has been properly maintained and shows only expected age-related creasing, but no damage. Hard-plastic black door panels include woodgrain trim and lower carpet panels. Black cabin carpeting is protected by matching carpet mats embroidered with the Stingray logo. The 4-spoke, black, sport steering wheel with crossed-flags center emblem frames the large 160-mph speedometer and 5,250-rpm-redline tachometer deeply set in the black padded dash.

The analog clock and four engine-monitoring gauges located on the center stack just above the Pioneer® audio head unit in the factory-radio location. Extending rearward from the center stack, the woodgrain trimmed console includes aftermarket audio controls, the shift lever for the automatic transmission, an engine data-plate, and the handbrake lever. A custom stereo-speaker array is located behind the seats.

Under the front-hinged hood, the 350-cubic-inch, L82 V8 commands a very clean and properly ordered engine bay. Surfaces are original and no performance modifications are noted. Viewed from below, the chassis is complete, straight, and undamaged. The re-routed, side-exiting exhaust system is an obvious visual focal point. Very light surface rust is present on some untreated metal.

The car’s factory-applied identification and data tags remain mounted. The original owner’s manual is included in the sale.

This beautiful blue ’76 Corvette Coupe is sure to draw compliments from neighbors, friends, and from fellow Corvette enthusiasts of all stripes. It’s just as certain to be a satisfying partner on road trips, short and long, for years to come.