1976 Chevrolet Chevelle

The 1976 Chevy Chevelle was available in two series including a Malibu and Malibu Classic, along with a Laguna Sport coupe. This would be the final year for the Laguna S-3. Body styles on the Chevelle Malibu include a Colonnade Coupe, Colonnade Sedan, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. The Chevelle Malibu Classic line had the same body styles as the Malibu lineup plus two Estate Wagons and a Landau Coupe. The most popular body style in all of the trim levels was the Malibu Classic Colonnade Coupe which achieved 82,634 sales. This was followed by the Malibu Classic Colonnade Sedan which had 77,560 examples produced. The third most popular body style was the Malibu Colonnade Sedan which had 38,469 sales. The Malibu and Malibu Classic was available with either six- or eight-cylinder engines. The Laguna S-3 was strictly a V8 model.

The Malibu Classic had a restyled front end which featured stacked rectangular headlamps separated by a diamond-pattern grille. New bumpers could also be found in both the front and rear. They had wide bright rocker panel moldings and window moldings, helping to separate them from their Malibu siblings.

The standard Malibu models had single-round headlamps with bright bezels. Both the Malibu and Malibu Classics had a restyled rear end featuring a tapered rear panel, with horizontal rectangular tail lamps.

The base engine was a 250 CID inline-six mated to either a three-speed manual or optional Turbo Hydra-Matic. Chevrolet added a new 305 small-block V8 engine to the lineup which was advertised as producing fewer hydrocarbons and providing better fuel economy than the prior 350 CID V8. The 454 CID was no longer offered.

All Chevelles, except for the entry-level six-cylinder models, had power brakes. Standard equipment included front disc brakes, heater/defroster, cut-pile carpeting, lighter, and hide-away wipers. Chevelles equipped with V8s had a standard 305 engine with a Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, as well as power brakes and steering.

The Laguna models were aerodynamically styled with color-keyed bumper impact strips, sport mirrors, louvered coach windows, rally wheels, and S-3 name on the grille, front fenders, and rear panel. Buyers had the option of purchasing a sport roof and sport striping. The inside featured a round-dial instrument panel and woodgrain vinyl accents.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2016