Help! 76 Stingray

[Dabeav]

Can someone help me out? I have a 1976 Corvette that I bought as a project car. As everyone knows, the steering column is based on the Vega GT of the same year which everyone says that to change the ugly steering wheel you need to change the entire column. After reading the service manual and comparing the various replacement parts, it seems to me that I could replace the steering wheel hub with any C3 hub and since it is a tilt/telescope column, the lock ring could be from any C3 model. What am I missing? HELP!;help

 

[duke94]

You are correct. I bought 2 junk 76' TT columes off ebay to make one good one for my 71' vert. You need to find a hub (not easy) and the shroud that fits behind the steering wheel. Also used a smaller diameter steering wheel off of a 78' to give me a little more room. There are a ton of tech papers by Jim Shea.

http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

 

[Dabeav]

Many thanks

I appreciate your input. Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I can now proceed with my plans to give this car the TLC that it so richly deserves.

 

[jjarrett]

steering

i saw on the forum somewhere that a c-4 steering will bolt right up.---john

 

[76okievette]

From another 76 owner, my two cents, why change the one main thing that seperates the 76 from all the other mid 70's vets, we have the last Stringray and the steering wheel makes it unique, just clean it up repaint it and keep it. Mine looks great after a clean and paint and a wheelskins cover, it's a shame to take away the one unique thing, even if its not as "pretty" as the other wheels, remeber beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Keep the orginal wheel. I am done.

 

[6880 Mike]

...From another 76 owner, my two cents, why change the one main thing that seperates the 76 from all the other mid 70's vets...

Don't look now, but you're not alone. '77s without tilt/tele also got the Vega wheel.

 

[pbcanney]

From another 76 owner, my two cents, why change the one main thing that seperates the 76 from all the other mid 70's vets, we have the last Stringray and the steering wheel makes it unique, just clean it up repaint it and keep it. Mine looks great after a clean and paint and a wheelskins cover, it's a shame to take away the one unique thing, even if its not as "pretty" as the other wheels, remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Keep the orginal wheel. I am done.

I agree.

It sets your car apart from the rest, and you shouldnt be staring at your wheel when you're driving

 

[~JL]

1976 Steering Wheel

I agree with the fellow who stated to leave the current steering wheel on the car because for one thing it sets the year of Corvette apart from other's.....Even if its not the best looking Corvette out there you have to admit, there's no other year with this type of steering wheel on it. Thats what seperates it from the others....From what I understand, alot of Corvette owner's do not prefer this particular year just because of the difference in the steering wheel. Well, I to own a 76' and actually think it looks just fine. Its all just what was said earlier. Looks are in the eye of the beholder...I bought my Corvette for me to enjoy, not someone else. ~John L.

 

[fm1]

..I bought my Corvette for me to enjoy, not someone else.

I like the way you think. Welcome to the forums.

 

[92BlackVette]

I have a 76 too. The first chance I get, that steering wheel column is getting removed and swapped with an earlier year model. I can't even start to explain the headaches I have had with it.

 

[THORIN]

From another 76 owner, my two cents, why change the one main thing that seperates the 76 from all the other mid 70's vets, we have the last Stringray and the steering wheel makes it unique, just clean it up repaint it and keep it. Mine looks great after a clean and paint and a wheelskins cover, it's a shame to take away the one unique thing, even if its not as "pretty" as the other wheels, remeber beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Keep the orginal wheel. I am done.

I want to replace the wheel on my 76 for one reason only. The crossbars cover the speedometer from 0 to 50 when I have the seat and steering wheel in a comfortable position for me. I wish I had the foresight that when I removed the Tack and speedometer I had switched their positions, then it would not have been an issue.