For Sale: 1976 Chevrolet Corvette in Ft Worth, Texas

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!