Vehicle Description
We probably sell more C3 Corvettes than anyone else, but in the
midst of all the Special Editions and Anniversary models and pace
cars, this red-hot Orange Flame 1976 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
really stands out. Beautifully preserved and featuring a
believed-original 35,947 actual miles, it's a real head-turner,
with a strong 350 V8 under the hood matched up with a
quick-shifting 4-speed manual transmission. It's a blast to drive,
looks amazing, and is running up in value every year, making this
Orange Crush a hot commodity.
Originally Code 70 Orange Flame, this slick Corvette was repainted
back to its original red-hot livery not long ago, and it still look
great today. That vivid shade pops as brilliantly in person as it
does in our pictures, and it will never go out of style on the
Corvette's timeless fantastic plastic. The extensive repaint
covered every noteworthy surface of the car with the modern
urethane, which, once cured, was buffed to the kind of shine only a
professionally finished car can really carry. It's not a perfect
show winner, and a few minor imperfections can be seen upon very
close examination, but it's still a very impressive, driver-quality
finish with unreal curb appeal. Fit and finish are quite good and
particularly impressive for the price range, and you'll note they
took no liberties with the classic shape and just put it back
together the way the factory might have wanted it. You can see in
the photos that the surfaces are smooth and glossy, and it's
probably true that bright paint makes any car look like a million
bucks. All the shiny trim was restored and chromed while the car
was apart, including the rocker moldings, and all the glass and
rubber seals looked to have been replaced during the repaint as
well. Man, this Corvette looks great!
The Code 642 Buckskin interior is how this Corvette came from the
factory as well, featuring a combination of restored and original
parts inside, and it really looks incredible against that orange
paint. Bucket seats are every bit as comfortable as they look, with
nary any signs of use since the work was completed, with only a few
wrinkles to report in the bolsters. Plush carpets and matching door
panels accented with woodgrain appliques enhance a very polished
presentation, and it even the dash is in great shape and full of
clear OEM gauges. By 1976, the Corvette was as much grand tourer as
sports car, so things like power steering and brakes, and a
tilt/telescoping steering column are pretty much expected and
there's an original AM/FM stereo radio in the center of the dash.
You'd think that it might be tan overload inside, but the overall
effect is quite elegant and polished, and it's part of why this
Corvette attracts so much attention on the showroom floor. It's a
combination that will simply never go out of style, especially with
the 4-speed shifter dominating the center of the cabin, practically
begging each passer-by to hop in and have a quick spin. And if it's
open-air cruising you're after, the T-Tops come of in a flash and
are stored in original-style bags behind the bucket seats.
The "L" in the VIN means this is an L48 350 cubic inch V8, rated at
180 horsepower. Verified as the original, numbers matching block,
it's believed to only have 35,947 miles on the block, and because
of that low count it's running great today. Turn the key and it
fires quickly and while 180 horsepower doesn't seem like a lot
today, the overall low curb weight and fat torque curve helps this
C3 feel quick around town and makes it easy to dispatch lesser
cars. The presentation under the hood is gorgeous, with a chrome
air cleaner and distributor cover adding some pop, while the Chevy
Orange enamel on the block and valve covers is yet another
traditional touch that looks great. You can see that there are
quite a few newer components under the hood, so someone's been
taking care of this 'Vette, so you shouldn't think twice about
heading out on the road with it. Underneath, it's quite impressive
as well and again shows signs of conscientious ownership over the
years, and the quick-shifting 4-speed manual transmission gives it
great point-and-shoot capabilities. Power steering and power
4-wheel disc brakes make driving this C3 an absolute delight, and
the original exhaust system sounds fantastic when the throttle is
down. Rallye wheels with bright center caps and beauty rings were
standard and wear fat 225/70/15 Goodyear Eagle GTII white-letter
radials that totally fill the fenders.
Where else are you going to be able to own an icon with fresh paint
and interior, great V8 performance, and an awesome color
combination for so little cash? Don't expect this one to stick
around, call today!
