Does a 1976 car need smog?

Yes, a 1976 car does need to pass a smog test. Since your vehicle was manufactured in or after 1975, it is considered to be a "New Car" under Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Smog Check program. Vehicles categorized as New Cars are regulated by the state’s biennial Smog Check program, meaning depending on the car's assigned year, they will be required to undergo smog checks every other year.