By 1976, the United States economy was on the mend from the 1973–1975 global economic recession. The recession, which had been caused in part by the 1973 oil crisis, had caused gas prices to soar which, in turn, had made automotive manufacturers begin re-evaluating the types of vehicles they were manufacturing.
Read More: 1976 Chevrolet Corvette Research Center
1976 Corvette Specifications
1976 Corvette Main Specs
| MODEL: | 1976 Chevrolet Corvette |
| BODY STYLE: | Two-door convertible/coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive |
| MANUFACTURING LOCATION: | St. Louis, Missouri |
| CONSTRUCTION: | Uniconstruction: fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, backboned by a steel cage outlining the passenger compartment. Principal members – underbody, front and rear end assemblies, dash panel and hinge pillars are bonded, riveted, or bolted together and to each other. Hood is plastic with bonded plastic reinforcement. Coupe: two removable roof panels and removable rear window. Frame: all welded, full length, ladder construction with 5 crossmembers. Side Rails and intermediate crossmembers box section; front crossmember box girder section. Eight body-mounting points. |
| VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): |
1Z37J5S400001 – 1Z37J5S438465
|
| ENGINE SUFFIX: | CHC: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CKC: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CKW: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CKX: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CLS: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS |
| ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: | 3970010: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180 HP, 210HP |
| HEAD NUMBER: | 333882: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, 210HP |
| CARBURETOR NUMBERS: |
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17056206: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17056207: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17056210: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17056211: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17056226: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17056506: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17056507: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
|
| DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: |
1103200: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1112888: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP
1112905: 350 CUBIC INCH, 180HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS
1112979: 350 CUBIC INCH, 210HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
|
| ALTERNATOR NUMBER: |
1102474: 350 CUBIC INCH, AIR CONDITIONING
1102484: 350 CUBIC INCH, WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING
|
| AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER |
OA: 3.08:1 RATIO
OD: 3.36:1 RATIO
LR: 3.36:1 RATIO
OB: 3.55:1 RATIO
OC: 3.70:1 RATIO
|
| PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: | AUG., 1975: 401602, DEC., 1975: 416696, APR., 1976: 432805, AUG., 1976: 446558, SEP.. 1975: 405693, JAN., 1976: 420568, MAY, 1976: 436656, OCT., 1975: 409982, FEB., 1976: 424370, JUN., 1976: 440830, NOV., 1975: 413481, MAR., 1976: 428760, JUL., 1976: 444767 |
1976 Corvette Powertrain Specifications
| Order Code | Standard | L82 |
| Manufacturing Location | Flint, Michigan | Flint, Michigan |
| Type | 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head | 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head |
| Cylinders | 8 | 8 |
| Displacement (cid) | 350 | 350 |
| Fuel Induction System | 4-Barrel Carburetor | 4-Barrel Carburetor |
| Horsepower | 180 @ 4,000 | 210 @ 5,200 |
| Torque | 270 @ 2,400 | 255 @ 3,600 |
| Bore x Stroke (in.) | 4.00 x 3.48 | 4.00 x 3.48 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 | 9.0:1 |
| Valve Lifters | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Firing Order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Cylinder Number System (Left) | 1-3-5-7 | 1-3-5-7 |
| Cylinder Number System (Right) | 2-4-6-8 | 2-4-6-8 |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium | Premium |
1976 Corvette Manual Transmission/Gear Ratios
Manual Transmission
| Gear Ratios |
4-Speed (RPO M20)
|
4-Speed Close Ratio (RPO M21)
|
|
1st Gear:
|
2.64:1
|
2.43:1
|
|
2nd Gear:
|
1.75:1
|
1.61:1
|
|
3rd Gear:
|
1.34:1
|
1.23:1
|
|
4th Gear:
|
1.00:1
|
1.00:1
|
|
Reverse:
|
2.55:1
|
2.35:1
|
Clutch
| Clutch | Stats |
| Type | Single Dry Disk Centrifugal (Dual Dry Disk for LT1) |
| Spring Pressure (lbs) | 2450 – 2750 |
| Lining area (sq. in.) | 123.7 |
Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission RPO M40/ Gear Ratios
| Gear | Drive | L2 | L1 | Reverse |
| 1st Gear | 2.48:1 | 2.48:1 | 2.48:1 | N/A |
| 2nd Gear | 1.48:1 | 1.48:1 | N/A | N/A |
| 3rd Gear | 1.00:1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reverse | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2.08 |
1976 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Brakes
Suspension – Front
Type and Description: Independent, SLA type, coil springs with center mounted shock absorbers, spherical joint steering knuckle pivots.
| Front Coil Springs | |
| Make & Type | Coil |
| Material | Steel Alloy |
| Size | 10.27 x 3.80; 130.84 x 0.606 |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | |
| Type | Link |
| Material | Hot rolled steel |
| Diameter | .875 |
Suspension – Back
Type and Description: Full Independent rear suspension with frame-anchored differential unit. Position of each wheel established by three links: tubular axle drive shafts, transverse strut rods, torque control arms. Vertical suspension loads taken by transverse leaf springs. Built-in camber adjustment at strut rod inner ends.
| Rear Leaf Springs | |
| Number of Leaves | Variable rate 9-leaf |
| Material | Chrome carbon steel |
| Length, width, height | 48.60 x 2.25 x 2.121 |
| Rear Strut | |
| Material | Forged Steel |
| Diameter | 0.75 |
Brakes
| Brake Specs | |
| Type: | – |
| – Standard | Caliper Disk – 4 Wheel Dual Hydraulic with Pressure Differential and Warning Light |
| – J50 | Delco Moraine, vacuum power unit; integral |
| Drum diameter, front (in.): | 11.75 x 1.25 |
| Drum diameter, rear (in.): | 11.75 x 1.25 |
| Swept Drum Area Effective area: | 249.14 |
Wheels & Tires
| Wheels & Tires Specs | |
| Wheel Type: | |
| – Standard | Short spoke spider, welded steel |
| – Optional | Cast Aluminum |
| Wheels, size: | |
| – Standard | 15″ x 8.00 |
| – Standard | 15″ x 8.00 |
| Tire, size: | |
| – Standard | GR70 x 15B — Blackwall Steel Belted Radial |
| – QRM | GR70 x 15B — White Stripe Steel Belted Radial |
| – QRZ | GR70 x 15B — White Letter Steel Belted Radial |
| Inflation | |
| – Front | 20 psi (cold), 30 psi (hot) |
| – Rear | 20 psi (cold), 30 psi (hot) |
Steering
| Steering Specs – Manual Steering | |
| Type | |
| – Manual | Recirculating ball nut |
| – Power | Integral, recirculating ball nut with hydraulic pressure provided from a vane type pump. |
| Make | Saginaw |
| Steering Gear | |
| – Manual | 16:1 |
| – Power | 16:1 |
| Overall Ratio | |
| – Manual | 20.2:1 |
| – Power | 20.2:1 |
| Wheel Diameter (in.) | 15 |
| Turns, Stop to Stop | |
| – Manual | 3.4 |
| – Power | 2.92 |
| Turning Diameter | 37 ft. (outside front), 38.6 ft. (outside front) |
1976 Corvette Exterior Dimensions
Coupe Dimensions
| Exterior Dimensions (Coupe) | Interior Dimensions (Coupe) | ||
| Wheelbase: | 98.0 Inches | Headroom: | 36.2 Inches |
| Overall Length: | 185.2 Inches | Shoulder Room: | 47.9 Inches |
| Total Body Width: | 69.0 Inches | Hip Room: | 48.8 Inches |
| Overall Height: | 48.0 Inches | Leg Room: | 42.1 Inches |
| Front Track Width: | 58.7 Inches | ||
| Rear Track Width: | 59.5 Inches | ||
| Min. Ground Clearance | 4.3 Inches | ||
Capacities
| Capacities | |
| Passenger Capacity | 2 – Driver & Passenger |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 3,541 |
| Interior Passenger Volume (cu. ft) | 6.5 |
| Interior Trunk Volume (cu. ft) | 18 |
| Fuel Capacity (gallons): | 4.0 (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill) 4.5 (capacity of crankcase refill with filter change) |
| Coolant capacity without heater (qts.) | 20.7 |
| Battery: | 12 Volt, 78 Plates, 3,500 Watts for Standard 12 Volt, 90 Plates, 4,000 Watts for Heavy Duty |
1976 Corvette Performance Results
|
4-Speed Transmission
|
Base | L82 |
|
Performance weight (lbs.)
|
3841 | 3845 |
|
Pounds/net horsepower
|
21.34 | 18.31 |
|
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement
|
10.97 | 10.98 |
|
Net horsepower/cu.in. displacement
|
.514
|
.600 |
|
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)
|
258.61 | 273.23 |
|
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)
|
132.62 | 142.31 |
|
0 – 60 mph (seconds)
|
—
|
—
|
|
Top Speed (mph)
|
—
|
— |
|
Quarter Mile (secs @ mph)
|
—
|
— |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic | Base | L82 |
|
Performance weight (lbs.)
|
3895 | 3899 |
| Pounds/net horsepower | 21.63 | 18.57 |
|
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement
|
11.13 | 11.14 |
|
Net horsepower/cu.in. displacement
|
.514 | .600 |
|
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)
|
237.06 | 258.61 |
|
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)
|
123.47 | 182.62 |
|
0 – 60 mph (seconds)
|
— | 7.4 |
|
Top Speed (mph)
|
—
|
121 |
|
Quarter Mile (secs @ mph)
|
— |
15.2 @ 92.4
|
