I've got a 1976 L48 Vette, the sequence number in the VIN is 442043 and I would like to find out if this a 1976E or 1976L. I just had to buy a radiator and was told it has a 1977 radiator in it. Seems there are a number of parts differences between early and late production.
Any help would be appreciated, I am a newbie at Vettes yet. Tx

76. VIN's for 76: 1Z37L6S400001 thru 446558

(L) designates 180 HP - 350.

Now this: Corvette Black Book by Michael Antonick, states that "A significant number of late-build 1976 Corvettes received parts normally associated with 1977 production, especially interior components".
And added this on the interior: The radios in the 76 Corvetes only fit Corvettes. A console design the following year permitted the use of a standard Delco radio.
Your Corvette was manufactured in July of 1976.
Air Conditioning was an option. I cannot comment on the radiator situation, but probably checks out OK as to what the mechanic told you.
Boatman

You will find that production changes occured when they were available. There is no official 'early-late' date. My '76 has features of both.

I have an early 76.

Here are some differances i've been told:

1. Early 76 have the smaller (6.25") rear bumper emblem, and the later cars have the larger (about 8") like the 77's.

2. 76E have no interior map light on the center t-bar (but available as an option on the mirror) the later cars did.

3. Many later 76's have garment hooks to hang clothes hangers but the early cars didn't.

4. Chrome mirrors were used on early models but many later ones left the factory with sport mirrors as on the 77's.

5. The optional luggage rack was a dealer installed option. The very early 76's usually had the 6 bolt rack installed as on the prior cars, but the later 76's had the newer 8 bolt version installed.

There's probebly more but that's all I can think of.
It's important to know the early parts from the old otherwise it can be a nightmare ordering.

Kirk

Very interesting post. My 76 doesn't have the center t bar interior light, has chrome side mirrors, but has the 8 bolt luggage carrier.It also has an after market kenwood radio cd player so I don't know if the console was cutout or replaced. I have to think just cutout because there are no knobholes. I believe the build date was July but will have to recheck.

|UPDATED|10/17/2004 6:22:47 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Your Corvette rolled off the assembly line in St.Louis on Monday July 12, 1976. This would have been the 88th Corvette produced that day out of a total 187 produced that day. (All info from the Corvette Birthday Book-5th Edition)

Last date of production for the 1976 model year was August 13 so yours was very near the end of production for 1976 Corvettes.

Barry, this is the first I've heard of a birthday BOOK. I've checked the NCRS birthday calculater in the past. What does it say for first day of 78 Pace Car production? I have heard it was March 1,78 but my trim tag and build sheet say March 18,78. Been trying to track down this answer for awhile. Even NCRS hasn't responded.
Mike

Thanks to everybody for their responses , looks like 76 was a hodgepodge year .

Another DAMN GOOD reason to invest in an assembly manuel...

I just walked out to the garage and pulled mine off the shelf.... and looked at the section which contained info on the Radiator & support...

Looking at the diagrams you will notice that all changes are dated at the bottom of the page...

A rolling Model year change was made on February 25th
which means that any car manufactured after that date would be a LATE model car (as far as that change was concerned...)

My own 76 (vin 20671 I think) was a Early 76 in this respect..

No matter what year your Corvette is do yourself a BIG favor and spent the ten bucks or so for a Assembly Manuel

Bob Griffiths
64 72 76 79 & 95 Corvettes
68 SS 396 Chevelle (an yes you can buy assembly manuels for Chevelles also...)...