76-82 steel floor pans

[Ray G.]

I have examined a 77 coupe and the floorpans are fiberglass, complete with drain plugs. No steel to be found. Unmolested 37k car. Am I missing something here? I believe in 76 Corvette went to steel floor pans for heat resistance and rigidity, and from what I read continued to 82? Did St Louis go back to glass in 77? Thoughts? Thanks, Ray

[Greg A.]

Re: 76-82 steel floor pans

Ray, my '78 has fiberglass pans with drain plugs. I never read anything about steel in C3 generation cars.

[George C.]

Re: 76-82 steel floor pans

Ray, Not one 1977 Corvette left St Louis with fiberglass floorpans. Seeing it a 37k original, I doubt the pans have been replaced.
(I'm sure you'd be able to tell if they had been replaced)

Starting with the 1976 model year Corvette a partial steel underbelly was added for rigidity, weight reduction and most important of all it was used to isolate the cockpit from heat generated by the catalytic converter. This was used on all C3 Corvettes 76-82. Hope this helps. Save the Wave.>George

[Ray G.]

Re: 76-82 steel floor pans

Thanks for the reply George, so the steel underbelly would be between the cat converter and the fiberglass floor? So to see it you would have to remove the cat? Thanks, Ray

[George C.]

Re: 76-82 steel floor pans

Hi Ray, Sorry I don't have a pic, sold my 1976 Corvette years ago. Maybe one of the other member have some pic's. Just remove a seat, driver or pass and pull back the carpet and insulation and you'll see the metal floor pans. Used a magnet too if you'd like. Don't pull the cat. Let's relax and enjoy Thanksgiving !

[Ray G.]

Re: 76-82 steel floor pans

Right you are George! It just looked like a continuation of the fiberglass to me! This car is an unmolested 37k car , 4 speed. Getting water in the footwells, must have some holes in the birdcage. If I buy the car I will have to have the windshield pulled to take a good look. I suppose getting rid of the cat and putting stright pipes and stock mufflers would be a good choice.