How can I tell if my 1976 L-48 is an early or late model? My VIN # is 1Z37L6S443743 and the tag in the driver's door jam reads CHEVROLET L23 TRIM 642 70L PAINT. Is there anything else I need to look for to figure out early or late? THANKS!

From what the C3 Buyers Guide says- "L" is July and "23" must be the 23rd day. Also, the final Vin of June '76 was 40830 and for July was 44767, so it looks like your Vin # 43743 matches up with the L23.
I would say late model with only one more month to go.

The "70" is Orange Flame paint and "642" Light Buckskin Leather.
Black isn't even listed. I guess no black Vettes in '76.
Jeffm2008-02-18 15:37:50

The A/C compressor is the short stocky version like me. I'll have to check out the radiator to see what is actually there. So far it looks to be a Late model. Thanks!

Glen is right on the A/C compressor. And Jeff is correct on the trim codes.
The VIN on your car puts it firmly in the "Late" category.(L23=July 23rd, 1976)

And no, there were NO black Corvettes after '69 until '77.

So it is a late model. Yes I have found that Chevy did not offer the color black in 1976. The original color was flame orange on my Vette. This info will help me when I need to order some parts that require early or late 1976 model specs. It seems to be the only C3 year with this early / late thing going on, or is it? Thanks GUYS! Aaron19762008-02-18 20:49:39

[QUOTE=Aaron1976]It seems to be the only C3 year with this early / late thing going on, or is it? Thanks GUYS! [/QUOTE]

Nope...there are a couple other years with this fantastic issue...'69 being one of the other years. I think '71 had some "early/late" stuff too. '75 had some...so they didn't just pick on the '76 guys!


btw...the lettering on the rear bumpers("Corvette") was different on the early/late '76 cars, too...Adams' Apple2008-02-18 20:55:45

According to Black Book, "A significant number of late-build 1976 Corvettes received parts normally associated with 1977 production, especially interior components."

I wonder if anyone knows if a '77 speedometer would match up with the late '76? My ODO/& trip is stuck and plan on having it rebuilt maybe next winter. I can't find any parts places that sell a new or rebuilt one for a '76, so if a '77 is inter-changable it could maybe be used? Aaron19762008-02-18 23:12:37

"Early" and "late" usually refers only to the specific running change in question.  As an example, early 76 models had the older A6 AC compressor and related plumbing; later models got the newer R4 compressor and the changes associated with that.  The best way to check whether something is "early" or "late" is to refer to the revision dates in the assembly instruction manual (AIM) and compare the revised AIM pages with the equipment on your car.