Chronology of Chevrolet Corvettes

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.

1976

July 10

• At the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Circuit, in Watkins Glen, New York, the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen World Championship of Makes and Round 4 of the SCCA Trans-American Challenge series race is held.
  • Finishing 2nd in category I and 12th overall is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley and Sam Feinstein.
  • Finishing 3rd in category I and 17th overall is the #93 Corvette 427, driven by Michael Oleyar and Richard Weiss.
  • Finishing 5th in category I and 20th overall is the Sherrill Arco #92 Corvette 454, driven by John Orr and Craig Carter.
  • Finishing 6th in category I and 21st overall is the Bandag #22 Corvette 460, driven by Denny Long and Bill Jobe.
  • In 8th place in category I and 23rd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the #90 Corvette 427, driven by Tom Rynone, Michael Wiernicki, and Neil Wiernicki.
  • In 9th place in category I and 26th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Brandt's Moving & Storage Co. #60 Corvette 350, driven by John Brandt Jr. and Doug Mills.
  • In 10th place in category I and 27th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Yankee Silicones #7 Corvette 350, driven by Allan Anderson and Bernie DeGraff.
  • In 11th place in category I and 30th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Hager Racing #28 Corvette 427, driven by Joe Pirrotta and Don Hager.
  • In 12th place in category I and 31st place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Creative Racing / Jreck Subs #40 Corvette 350, driven by David Kicak and Ralph Manaker.
  [248] [423]

July 24

• At the Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the SCCA Trans-Am Championship - Round 5 race is held.
  • Finishing 1st in category I and 6th overall is the Craig Car Stereo #98 Corvette 427, driven by Don Hager.
  • Finishing 3rd in category I and 8th overall is the Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette 433, driven by Rick Stark.
  • Finishing 4th in category I and 10th overall is the DePirro Racing #73 Corvette 350, driven by Paul DePirro.
  • Finishing 5th in category I and 11th overall is the King Engine #80 Corvette 454, driven by Nick Engels.
  • Finishing 7th in category I and 14th overall is the Richard Rosenmerkel #84 Corvette 350, driven by Ron Rosenmerkel.
  • Finishing 8th in category I and 15th overall is the Schott Racing #20 Corvette 460, driven by Dan Schott.
  • Finishing 9th in category I and 17th overall is the Bresee #30 Corvette 460, driven by Alex Davidson.
  • Finishing 10th in category I and 18th overall is the Danielson #99 Corvette 350, driven by Dick Danielson.
  • Finishing 12th in category I and 20th overall is the Spirit of Grand Haven #65 Corvette 454, driven by Mike Alles.
  • Finishing 13th in category I and 22nd overall is the Gross #38 Corvette 350, driven by Larry Gross.
  • In 15th place in category I and 26th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Mitchell #12 Corvette 350, driven by D.T. Mitchell.
  • Finishing 16th in category I and 27th overall is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
  • In 17th place in category I and 28th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Moly Black Gold #93 Corvette 427, driven by Michael Oleyar.
  • In 19th place in category I and 30th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Brandt's Moving & Storage Co. #60 Corvette 350, driven by John Brandt Jr.
  • In 12th place in category II and 31st place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Moyer #2 Corvette 350, driven by James Moyer.
  • In 20th place in category I and 32nd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Motor Sport Research #33 Corvette 427, driven by Buzz Fyhrie.
  • In 13th place in category II and 36th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the L&L Racing Enterprises #64 Corvette 350, driven by Jerry Lancaster.
  • In 24th place in category I and 37th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Henderson's Chev-Olds #86 Corvette 427, driven by Robert Adams.
  • In 25th place in category I and 38th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Vettemotion Racing #23 Corvette 350, driven by Vernon Brown.
  • In 26th place in category I and 39th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Bad News Racing Team #41 Corvette 350, driven by Rusty Schmidt.
  [248] [423]

(month unknown)

• Martyn Schorr founds VETTE Quarterly magazine. [630.26]

August 7

• In Talladega, Alabama, an IMSA 120-mile race is held.
  • Finishing 2nd in GTO class and 2nd overall is the Corvette driven by Phil Currin.
  • Placing 10th in GTO class and 16th overall is the Corvette driven by Rick Hay.
  • Placing 12th in GTO class and 19th overall is the Corvette driven by Juan Olivera.
  • Placing 16th in GTO class and 23rd overall is the Corvette driven by Javier Garcia.
  [423] (1978 [329.66])

August 15

• At the Brainerd International Raceway, in Brainerd, Minnesota, the 7-Up SCCA Trans-American Championship - Round 6 race is held.
  • Finishing 1st in category I and 5th overall is the Weaver Racing #10 Corvette 454, driven by Ron Weaver.
  • Finishing 5th in category I and 9th overall is the Stark Enterprises #17 Corvette 433, driven by Rick Stark.
  • Finishing 6th in category I and 12th overall is the Rosenmerkel #84 Corvette 350, driven by Richard Rosenmerkel.
  • Finishing 7th in category I and 13th overall is the Suburban Camera Stores #33 Corvette 427, driven by Buzz Fyhrie.
  • Finishing 8th in category I and 14th overall is the Rippie Corvette, driven by Doug Rippie.
  • Finishing 9th in category I and 15th overall is the Blue Sky Special #71 Corvette, driven by Steve Kline.
  • Finishing 10th in category I and 16th overall is the Biza #72 Corvette 327, driven by John Biza.
  • Finishing 11th in category I and 17th overall is the Dulski Racing #73 Corvette, driven by Jerry Dulski.
  • In 13th place in category I and 20th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Phantom Racing #12 Corvette 454, driven by Dr. Frank Joyce.
  • In 15th place in category I and 22nd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Bad News Racing Team #4 Corvette 350, driven by Gary Glojek.
  • In 17th place in category I and 25th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Vettemotion Racing Enterprises #83 Corvette 350, driven by Vernon Brown.
  • In 18th place in category I and 26th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Automotive Interests #77 Corvette 454, driven by Charles West.
  • In 19th place in category I and 28th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Craig Car Stereo #43 Corvette 427, driven by Don Hager.
  • In 20th place in category I and 29th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Music Stores / Kline Chevrolet #93 Corvette 350, driven by Tim Bird.
  • In 21st place in category I and 31st place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Midwest Corvette Center #23 Corvette 433, driven by Steve Strandemo.
  • In 23rd place in category I and 33rd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
  [248] [423]
• At the raceway in Pocono, Pennsylvania, an IMSA 100-mile race is held.
  • Finishing 5th in GTO class and 7th overall is the Corvette driven by Mike Brockman.
  • Finishing 6th in GTO class and 8th overall is the Corvette driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 7th in GTO class and 10th overall is the Corvette driven by Rick Hay.
  • Finishing 13th in GTO class and 22nd overall is the Corvette driven by Richard Valentine.
  • Placing 17th in GTO class and 26th overall is the Corvette driven by Joe Scheckel.
  [423] (1978 [329.66])

August

• Production of 1976 model Corvettes ends. [148.66]
• Production of 1977 model Corvettes begins. [148.68]

August 21

• At the Mosport Park raceway, in Ontario, Canada, the Player's SCCA Trans-American Championship - Round 7 race is held.
  • Finishing 1st in category I and 6th overall is The Big Apple #9 Corvette, driven by John Huber.
  • Finishing 3rd in category I and 9th overall is the Babe's Garage #78 Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
  • Finishing 7th in category I and 14th overall is the Phantom Racing #12 Corvette 454, driven by Dr. Frank Joyce.
  • Finishing 12th in category II and 19th overall is the #60 Corvette, driven by Bill Adam.
  • Finishing 8th in category I and 20th overall is the E.F. Miller Co. / Sherrill Arco #92 Corvette 454, driven by John Orr.
  • Finishing 9th in category I and 22nd overall is the Port City Racing #61 Corvette 427, driven by Mickey Agee.
  • Finishing 10th in category I and 25th overall is the Weaver Racing #10 Corvette 454, driven by Ron Weaver.
  • In 11th place in category I and 26th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Moly Black Gold #93 Corvette 427, driven by Michael Oleyar.
  • In 13th place in category I and 29th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the King Engine #80 Corvette 454, driven by Nick Engels.
  [248] [423]

August 29

• At the Mid-Ohio raceway in Lexington, Ohio, an IMSA six-hour race is held.
  • Finishing 4th in GTO class and 4th overall is the Corvette driven by Mike Brockman.
  • Finishing 6th in GTO class and 7th overall is the Corvette driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 13th in GTO class and 19th overall is the Corvette driven by Jim Moyer and Richard Ortman.
  • Placing 16th in GTO class and 22nd overall is the Corvette driven by Rick Hay and Gary Witzenburg.
  • Placing 20th in GTO class and 36th overall is the Corvette driven by Clark Howey and David Crabtree.
  • Placing 25th in GTO class and 41st overall is the Corvette driven by Bill Arnold.
  [423] (1978 [329.66])

(month unknown)

• At the Bonneville Speed Week on the Utah Salt Flats, Duane McKinney's 1968 Corvette takes C/GT Class with a record 187 mph, with a 350-ci unblown engine. [129.100]
• Engine paint color is changed from orange to blue on 1977 production Corvettes. [148.68]
• Early in 1977 model production, the driver side fender alarm switch incorporates a tamper-warning switch. [604.31]

September 5

• At the Trois-Rivieres raceway in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, the Mayor's Cup SCCA Trans-American Championship - Round 8 race is held.
  • Finishing 2nd in category I and 4th overall is the Montclair Lodge / Weaver Racing #10 Corvette 454, driven by Ron Weaver.
  • Finishing 3rd in category I and 5th overall is the Babe's Garage of Paoli #78 Corvette 427, driven by Babe Headley.
  • Finishing 5th in category I and 7th overall is the Moly Black Gold #93 Corvette 427, driven by Michael Oleyar.
  • Finishing 6th in category I and 8th overall is the E.F. Miller Co. / Sherrill Arco #92 Corvette 454, driven by John Orr.
  • Finishing 3rd in category II and 9th overall is the Yankee Silicones #776 Corvette 350, driven by Allan Anderson.
  • Finishing 7th in category I and 15th overall is the Centre Commercial / The Big Apple #9 Corvette 427, driven by John Huber.
  • In 9th place in category I and 22nd place overall, but not finishing the race, is the Valley Pontiac-Buick Ltd. #111 Corvette 427, driven by Murray Edwards.
  • In 11th place in category I and 26th place overall, but not finishing the race, is the King Engine Service #80 Corvette 454, driven by Nick Engels.
  [248] [423]

September 11

• The Bob McDorman Chevrolet dealer holds his third annual Corvette concours and swap meet, over two days. Winner of the concours, Bill Munzer with his red on red 1963 fuel injected coupe, receives a new 1976 Corvette. [202.33] [316] [549.15]

September

• A low-fuel warning light is added to 1977 production Corvettes. [148.68]
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September 19

• At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, an IMSA 500-km race is held.
  • Finishing 6th in GTO class and 6th overall is the Corvette driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 9th in GTO class and 10th overall is the Corvette driven by Rick Hay and Gary Witzenburg.
  • Finishing 12th in GTO class and 17th overall is the Corvette driven by Bill Arnold.
  • Placing 13th in GTO class and 18th overall is the Corvette driven by Ford Smith.
  • Placing 16th in GTO class and 22nd overall is the Corvette driven by Mike Brockman.
  • Placing 18th in GTO class and 24th overall is the Corvette driven by Jerry Lancaster and Babe Headley.
  • Placing 24th in GTO class and 34th overall is the Corvette driven by Tony Ansley.
  [423] (1978 [329.66])

September 30

• Chevrolet introduces the 1977 model Corvette. [453.102] [871.84]

(month unknown)

• At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the Champion Spark Plug Road Racing Classic final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held.
  • Finishing 1st in A Production class is Gene Bothello, driving a Corvette.
  • Finishing 1st in B Production class is Howard Park, driving a Corvette.
  [3.125] [42.100] [394.4,12.13] [588.101]
• The SCCA holds its Solo II national autocross championship races.
  • Finishing 1st in Class B Stock is Bruce Kalin in a Corvette.
  • Finishing 2nd in Class B Prepared is Claire Ball in a 1968 427-ci Corvette.
  [3.125] [329.46] [335.54] (1st is Orin Butterick [335.54])
• Road & Track magazine tests the 1977 Corvette with L82 engine. They set a new slalom speed record for their magazine, beating the Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera. [3.82]

November 28

• In Daytona, Florida, the IMSA Daytona 250 is held.
  • Finishing 6th in GTO class and 6th overall is the Corvette driven by Phil Currin.
  • Finishing 8th in GTO class and 8th overall is the Corvette driven by Babe Headley.
  • Finishing 11th in GTO class and 15th overall is the Corvette driven by John Carusso and Emory Donaldson.
  • Finishing 13th in GTO class and 18th overall is the Corvette driven by Rick Hay.
  • Finishing 19th in GTO class and 30th overall is the Corvette driven by Al Levenson.
  • Finishing 20th in GTO class and 31st overall is the Corvette driven by Bill Schumacher and Bill Rasinen.
  • Placing 22nd in GTO class and 33rd overall is the Corvette driven by Ford Smith.
  • Finishing 23rd in GTO class and 34th overall is the Corvette driven by Bill Arnold.
  • Placing 27th in GTO class and 39th overall is the Corvette driven by Carmen Lista and Bill Bean.
  • Finishing 31st in GTO class and 44th overall is the Corvette driven by Higgins and Ross.
  • Placing 32nd in GTO class and 45th overall is the Corvette driven by Robert E. Davis and Mike Powell.
  • Placing 34th in GTO class and 48th overall is the Corvette driven by Mike Brockman.
  • Placing 39th in GTO class and 54th overall is the Corvette driven by Denny Long.
  [201.10] [423]
• At the end of the IMSA race season, Corvette racer Phil Currin is 9th overall. [331.16,23]

(month unknown)

• At the IMSA awards banquet, IMSA head John Bishop hands a special honor to Phil Currin, as a small budget racer who still managed to run at the front. [320.30]
• Partway through 1977 model production, the alarm horn is moved from the left front inner fender to the inner firewall behind the brake cylinder. [604.31]

December 22

• Warner Bros. Pictures releases the film The Enforcer to theaters in the USA. A yellow 1968 Corvette convertible appears briefly. [782]

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