1976 Chevrolet Corvette

1976 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray — Silver over Black, L-48 350 V8, Solid Driver with a Clean Undercarriage

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.

Key details
Transmission: TH350 3-Speed Automatic
VIN / chassis: 1Z37L6S436852

Offered by Skyway Classics, 10420 Portal Crossing, Bradenton, FL 34212. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of Skyway Classics.