[1976 Grand Prix 455]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

The 5th or 7th digit in VIN is an engine identifier code.
Usually a car parts website can decipher it, if nothing else.

If you can see 6X cast in big raised characters on the center exhaust ports of the cylinder heads - it is not a 301.
Seems like 01 was the 301 cylinder head casting.

Several other little things are different with 301 also, but the heads will tell real quick and easy.

I don't think it's a 301 and I'd be surprised if that engine was even released for 1976. I was just making a joke since the car is lacking in the options department.