73 engine code, is the car worth restoring?

[Calvin C.]

I have a 1973 454 convertible, I plan to redo the car, (as original as posible), strip body, paint, interior, it came with lots of original gm parts were needed, front nose, fender. It does not have the original engine, trany and drive line are original as seems most everything else. Is this car worth finding a proper block and engine and posible a body off, ( I did not think at the time this was a rare car or one of the more desirable ones), or should i stick with having a great original NOM driver as I planned. What block codes whould I need, how can I find them? It is not a california car, it is an automatic.

Thank you

[Kevin Morris]

Re: 73 engine code, is the car worth restoring?

IMHO Cal, it would make a fine NOM car. There was only one original block for that car (as indicated by the numbers stamped by the factory on the stamp pad). Unless you can locate that original block (sometimes considered the preverbial "needle in a haystack"), your time/money might be better utilized restoring the car's paint, interior, etc....as opposed to trying to locate another block with the correct casting number, date code, etc.

Kevin #39927

[Jim T.]

Re: 73 engine code, is the car worth restoring?

You mentioned that your 73 does not have the original engine. What are the numbers on the engine? It could have a GM replacement block if the block engine pad numbers start with CE. CE engines have been known to of replaced the original block due to engine failure within the first 30 minutes out the door from the dealership.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 engine code, is the car worth restoring?

Cal The 73-454 convertible in top numbers matching condition is being listed for sale between$20,000. and $35,000 by the dealers. A friend told me their is one in the latest Hemmings for $45,000 asking price. I don,t know how much less they sell them for. I hope to break even on my projects using 0$ for labor. Lyle

[Chas Kingston]