76' Factory Paint

[Pete M.]

Have a 76' I've owned since 85. Was painted black when I got it. Black is not listed as an option, but appears to be original. I've read that during the 70' thru 76' production years, GM would paint the cars per buyers specification. Does anyone know if this is true and how can I find out if my 76' has original factory paint? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My paint code is 13L which is not listed in any books I have only 13 which is Silver Metallic.

Thanks and HAVE A GREAT DAY!

[Paul B.]

Re: 76' Factory Paint

Pete, if 13L is on your door pillar trim tag that was the original paint color code(SILVER). I have seen this on many '73-'77 cars where the "L" or like on my '74 the color code is 80L(Orange)is supposed to be 980. The "9" is not on my trim tag. Also if your car was a special paint car the tag would say SPL, SPEC, or PRIM instead of 13L. Also just checked my '75 which is the original color, also silver and it reads 13L too! Supposedly GM built appx. 28-32 Black '73s. One '75 near my home has a SPEC trim code and was delivered to a Chevrolet dealer in primer when new and painted 1975 Cadillac Firethorn Red! I have seen some Corvettes stripped so well of their original color it was almost impossible to detect a color change if it was'nt for the trim tag.

[Ray]

Re: 76' Factory Paint

Paul is correct, looking in my GM Illustration catalog "Chev Corvette 53-79" under paint combinations for 76 and code 13 is silver, my color is white which is 10. There is no black listed. If I or my catalog can be of help, you know where to reach me. Have a nice day, unless you have other plans.

[Dennis M.]

Re: 76' Factory Paint

I have a chart of all colors and number of cars painted in each for 53 thru 82. I do not show any black in 76, but there were 9 listed as Primer/Other. As the others have indicated it appears to have original been Silver (6,934) produced in '76. You may want to remove a door panel and look under it to see if it shows any signs of the silver.