1976 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray �€" Silver over Black, L-48 350
V8, Solid Driver with a Clean Undercarriage Why This Car Is Special
The 1976 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray sits at an interesting
crossroads in the model's history. It was the last year the
Corvette carried the Stingray name before Chevrolet dropped it for
1977. It was also the first year since 1968 that a Corvette could
not be ordered as a convertible �€" GM had permanently closed the
open-top option after 1975, making the 1976 a T-top coupe
exclusively. For collectors who want the classic C3 Coke-bottle
shape without the complication of a ragtop, 1976 hits a sweet spot.
Production that year totaled 46,558 units, all built at GM's
Bowling Green-predecessor plant in St. Louis, Missouri. Of those,
GM records show 6,934 were finished in silver �€" a color that was
popular but well short of dominant in that year's mix. This car is
one of them. The combination of silver exterior and black vinyl
interior was a clean, straightforward pairing that has aged well
and reads correctly to anyone familiar with the C3 generation. The
VIN on this car decodes to confirm it was built in St. Louis in the
1976 model year with the L-48 350ci V8, and the engine
identification plaque still present on the dashboard confirms the
same �€" 350 cubic inches, 8.5:1 compression ratio, with the
Corvette crossed-flags emblem intact. That plaque is a small but
meaningful detail that many cars have lost over the years. What
makes this particular 1976 Chevrolet Corvette worth your attention
is the combination of a solid, rust-free undercarriage, an honest
and well-preserved interior, and a powertrain that has been given
some thoughtful upgrades without being turned into something it was
never meant to be. Features List - L-48 350ci V8, 8.5:1 compression
ratio (confirmed by original dashboard plaque) - TH350 3-speed
automatic transmission with factory console shifter - Edelbrock
polished chrome air cleaner - Polished aluminum intake manifold -
Factory Delco Air air conditioning compressor - Dual exhaust with
dual rear outlets - Power brake booster - Power steering pump and
reservoir - Corvette Rally Wheels - Goodyear Eagle ST tires, all
four corners - Factory full gauge cluster including tachometer,
speedometer, fuel, water temperature, oil pressure, battery, and
clock - Original Corvette 4-spoke steering wheel with Corvette
emblem horn cap - Black vinyl bucket seats, driver and passenger -
Wood grain trim on center console and door panel inserts - Matching
chrome trim on door panels - Corvette logo floor mats, driver and
passenger - AM radio - Air conditioning - Solid undercarriage
confirmed on lift Mechanical The engine in this 1976 Chevrolet
Corvette is the L-48 350ci V8, which was the standard powertrain
for the model year. By 1976, emission controls had taken a real
toll on output across the industry, and the L-48 was rated at 180
horsepower �€" a number that looks modest on paper but reflects the
net measurement standards that GM adopted in 1972, which calculated
power with all accessories installed and running. The engine itself
is fundamentally the same small-block architecture that had been
powering Corvettes for years, and it remains one of the most
parts-supported engines in existence. On this car, the original air
cleaner has been replaced with a polished Edelbrock chrome unit
sitting on a polished aluminum intake manifold. These are common
and well-regarded upgrades that improve airflow presentation in the
engine bay without altering the fundamental character of the
drivetrain. The valve covers remain in the correct Corvette red,
and the engine bay overall is tidy and correct-looking. The factory
Delco Air AC compressor is present and in its correct location, as
is the power brake booster and power steering pump with reservoir
�€" all items that are often missing or replaced on cars that have
been through multiple owners. The TH350 3-speed automatic
transmission is the cor
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