1976 Corvette

1968	1969	1970	1971	1972
1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
1978	1979	1980	1981	1982

A modified hood changed the air induction to pull air from over the radiator instead of the old location of next to the windshield; this eliminated the howl often heard inside the cabin. Aluminum wheels were finally an option in 1976 and were made by Kelsey Hayes in Mexico but the spare wheel was a conventional steel wheel. The convertible body style was no longer available and all 1976 Corvettes were T-top coupes. The sport steering wheel used was the same steering wheel used in the Vega and many Corvette owners complained causing the steering wheel to be one-year only unit for the Corvette. As in 1975, the base price of the Corvette took another dramatic upswing from $6,797.10 to $7,604.85 for the coupe.

A significant number of late-build 1976 Corvettes received parts normally associated with the 1977 production year, especially interior components. Two styles of rear bumpers were used. The first had smaller, recessed "Corvette" letters, the second style had larger letters and were not recessed.

1976 total Corvettes built - 46,558

Serial Numbers
Corvette	1Z37y6S400001-1Z37y6S446558
Engine code is either "L" for the base 350-cid engine or "X" for the RPO L82 350-cid engine in the "y" position.

Engine Identification

Position	Character(s)	Description
1	V	Flint, MI. engine assembly plant
2 to 5	1025	Engine assembly date (month/day)
6 and 7	Code	CKW - 350-cid 180-hp, manual transmission CKX - 350-cid 180-hp, automatic transmission CHC - 350-cid 210-hp, manual transmission CKC - 350-cid 210-hp, automatic transmission
All engines were equipped with a single 4-bbl carburetor. Data are from GM's own Information Kit and some engines may or may not have made production.

Engine Specifications - 350 engines

Item	Base L48	RPO L82
Displacement	350 cid	350 cid
Bore & Stroke	4.00" x 3.48"	4.00" x 3.48"
Compression Ratio	8.5:1	9.0:1
Advertised Horsepower	180 hp @ 4000 rpm	210 hp @ 5200
Torque	270 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm	255 Lb-ft @ 3600
Valve lifter type	Hydraulic	Hydraulic
Fuel system	Rochester 4-bbl 17056207 - Manual 17056206 - Automatic 17056506 - Manual * 17056507 - Automatic *	Rochester 4-bbl 17056211 - Manual 17046210 - Automatic 17046226 - Automatic *
* California emissions

Regular Production Options

RPO	Description	Cost	Units	% ⁽¹⁾
1YZ37	Coupe	$7,604.85	46,558	100
---	Custom interior trim	$164.00	36,762	79.0
A31	Power windows	$107.00	38,700	83.1
C49	Rear window defogger	$78.00	24,960	53.6
C60	Air conditioning	$523.00	40,787	87.6
FE7	Gymkhana suspension	$35.00	5,368	11.5
---	Optional rear axle	$13.00	1,371	2.9
J50	Power brakes ⁽⁴⁾	$59.00	46,558	100
L82	350-cid, 210-hp	$481.00	5,720	12.3
M21	Close ratio 4-speed transmission ⁽²⁾	$0.00	2,088	4.5
M40	Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission ⁽³⁾	$0.00	36,625	78.7
N37	Tilt-telescopic steering column	$95.00	41,797	89.8
N41	Power steering ⁽⁴⁾	$151.00	46,385	99.6
QRM	GR70 x 15 white stripe belted tires	$37.00	3,992	8.6
QRZ	GR70 x 15 white letter belted tired	$51.00	39,923	85.7
U58	AM/FM stereo radio	$281.00	34,272	73.6
U69	AM/FM radio	$187.00	11,083	23.8
UA1	Heavy duty battery	$16.00	25,909	55.6
UF1	Rearview mirror map light	$10.00	35,361	76.0
YF5	California emission test	$50.00	3,527	7.6
YJ8	Aluminum wheels	$299.00	6,253	13.4
⁽¹⁾ Percentages are calculated on the number of options sold vs. the number possible. ⁽²⁾ The M21 was standard and only available with the RPO L82 engine while the M20 was standard with the base 350-cid, 180-hp engine. ⁽³⁾ The M40 was no cost with the base 350-cid, 180-hp engine but $134 with the RPO L82 engine. The only engine-transmission combination available in California was the base 350-cid, 180-hp engine with RPO M40 automatic transmission. ⁽⁴⁾ Initially listed as separate options these were included in an increased price for 1976. All 1976 Corvettes had power brakes and all but 173 had power steering. >> RPO C08 was only available in black. RPO FE7 was included with RPO Z07 but could be ordered separately with either 350-cid engine.

1976 Exterior/Interior Colors

Paint Code	Color (Quantity)	Interior Color Choices
10	Classic White (10,674)	Black - Blue Green - Buckskin - Dark Blue - Firethorn - Smoked Gray - White
13	Silver Mist (6,934)	Black - Blue Green - Buckskin - Firethorn - Smoked Gray - White
22	Bright Blue (3,268)	Black - Smoked Gray
33	Dark Green (2,038) *	Black - Blue Green - Buckskin - Smoked Gray - White
37	Mahogany (4,182)	Black - Blue Green - Smoked Gray - White
56	Bright Yellow (3,389)	Black - Dark Brown
64	Buckskin (2,954)	Black - Buckskin - Dark Brown - Firethorn - White
69	Dark Brown (4,447)	Black - Buckskin - Dark Brown - White
70	Orange Flame (4,073)	Black - Buckskin - Dark Brown
72	Red (4,590)	Black - Buckskin - Firethorn - Smoked Gray - White
* Early order guides show an exterior code 39 for Dark Green Metallic. This code was changed to code 33, but production records indicate one code 39 Corvette was built. The exterior/interior combinations are suggested combinations that would be attractive to the average customer. Orders for non-recommended combinations for the coupe models may be submitted provided the dealer initials the appropriate order form block as verification. Color quantities (46,549) do not add to total production because additional units had non-standard paint or primer only.

Interior Trim Codes

RPO	Color/Material
112	White leather *
11V	White vinyl
152	Smoked Gray leather *
15V	Smoked Gray vinyl
19V	Black vinyl
192	Black leather *
322	Blue-Green leather *
64V	Buckskin vinyl
642	Buckskin leather *
692	Dark Brown leather *
71V	Firethorn vinyl
712	Firethorn leather *

* Deluxe interior in white, smoked gray, black, blue-green, buckskin, dark brown, or firethorn leather. Includes leather seat trim, wood-grain accents and lower carpet trim on interior door panels, wood-grain accents on console and special cut-pile carpeting.

1976 OEM Supplier Paint Colors

Color	Valspar Code	PPG Code	DuPont Code	RM Code	SW Code	WA Code
10 - Classic White	W041	8631	5040	1802	2517	3465
13 - Silver	S126	2518	43537	2618	n/a	4322
22 - Bright Blue	L1968	2744	43467	2797	n/a	4672
33 - Dark Green	G2559	2877	44171	2993	n/a	4888
37 - Mahogany	B418	2864	44131	2931G	n/a	4759
56 - Bright Yellow	Y298	2756	43464	n/a	n/a	n/a
64 - Buckskin	B1431	5839	44180	2938	n/a	4891
69 - Dark Brown	B630	2656	42804	2716	n/a	4518
70 - Orange Flame	A317	2764	43462	2817R	n/a	4667
72 - Red	R2185	2544	44177	2648F	n/a	n/a

GM Heritage PDF file of specifications/options/etc.

1968	1969	1970	1971	1972
1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
1978	1979	1980	1981	1982