1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

[George H.]

My '73 Coupe 454/ M21 4 speed must be a rare color for 1973, "Yellow Metallic". I've only seen a handful of Corvettes on the road in the past 40 years having that color. Could be some of the originals have been repainted a different color, like black or red. My C3 is original 953 with 404 black leather and has never been repainted or touched up. Its been garaged its entire life. A true Florida car delivered to E. F. Connell Chevrolet in Jacksonville FL 8/2/1973 and sold to its original owner on 9/18/1973. I have the paperwork. Color still looks great. I purchased the car (second owner) in Feb 1980. Even when you look through NCRS Driveline and Corvette Restoration you rarely see a '73 in Metallic Yellow. Are there any NCRS records (National or Chapters) as to how many '73 have ever been judged with the 953 color? Even seeing a 1973 Corvette on the road today in any color is rare. I'm not sure, no one is, but maybe only 300-400 Corvettes were painted 953 in 1973. That's only 1% of the total production build. Is that about right? Comments appreciated.

Gator943,
Member of the Florida NCRS Chapter.

[Brian D.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

My red '73 began life as Metallic Yellow. The color was changed long before I ever owned it.
Base engine 4 spd; power brakes but not steering; stereo radio.
On the good side, my seller didn't try to pass it off as red; they disclosed the color difference up front.

02-1973.jpg

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

I have a 73 953 that was judged NCRS to a Duntov. Mine has a leather saddle interior. Their was another 953 on the judging field the day I got the Duntov at the national at the Corvette museum.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

My '73 Coupe 454/ M21 4 speed must be a rare color for 1973, "Yellow Metallic". I've only seen a handful of Corvettes on the road in the past 40 years having that color. Could be some of the originals have been repainted a different color, like black or red. My C3 is original 953 with 404 black leather and has never been repainted or touched up. Its been garaged its entire life. A true Florida car delivered to E. F. Connell Chevrolet in Jacksonville FL 8/2/1973 and sold to its original owner on 9/18/1973. I have the paperwork. Color still looks great. I purchased the car (second owner) in Feb 1980. Even when you look through NCRS Driveline and Corvette Restoration you rarely see a '73 in Metallic Yellow. Are there any NCRS records (National or Chapters) as to how many '73 have ever been judged with the 953 color? Even seeing a 1973 Corvette on the road today in any color is rare. I'm not sure, no one is, but maybe only 300-400 Corvettes were painted 953 in 1973. That's only 1% of the total production build. Is that about right? Comments appreciated.

Gator943,
Member of the Florida NCRS Chapter.

Hi George,
Don't think there is any way to tell exactly how many 73's were painted a certain color. Exterior color quantities weren't kept. If nothing else you can feel good knowing that 953 in 1973 was a one year only color Very nice color, sort of reminds me of War Bonnet Yellow from previous years.
Sure would like to see a photo of it, post one up.. Always nice to talk 73's every now and then.

[Brian D.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

I have a 73 953 that was judged NCRS to a Duntov. Mine has a leather saddle interior. Their was another 953 on the judging field the day I got the Duntov at the national at the Corvette museum.

You know, it's amazing what one can dig up in an old photo album...

73s at Conv.jpg

[George H.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

Having a problem uploading any pictures. I have not done that before. Tried inserting pictures from computer file but can't make it work. Insert image?

Thanks for the feedback

[Brian D.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

Having a problem uploading any pictures. I have not done that before. Tried inserting pictures from computer file but can't make it work. Insert image?

Thanks for the feedback

George,
Yes, select the "Insert Image" icon.
Then "From Computer"
"Choose File" (this should open a new dialog box, from which you can search and select your photo)
Select your photo, then click "Open" in that dialog box where you found your photo
"Upload File"
And there you have it. It's also helpful to make sure your cursor is past any text you've typed in your discussion board post.
Then use the Return key twice. That's how I placed my pictures below the text.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

Having a problem uploading any pictures. I have not done that before. Tried inserting pictures from computer file but can't make it work. Insert image?

Thanks for the feedback

George just email them to me and I'll be happy to post a couple up for you!

There ya go George! Car looks great!

[George H.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

OK , I believe I got it. Let me know, I'm sending just one. Samsung Download Jan 17,,2020 1067.jpg

[Don H.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

yep, you did it.
Now, tell us how you keep such a clean garage?

[Brian D.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

This was another I've seen...
Cruise-in at Bud's Chevrolet, St Marys, Ohio in 1999

73 Buds.jpg

[George H.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

Here is another picture of the 454 "Big Boy" power plant. As I commented, the car has never been painted. You can see the original dealer sticker on the rear of the car (picture posted earlier). All numbers matching / date codes: engine, Q-Jet 4-bbl, 61 amp generator, AC, M21 4-speed transmission, A.I.R. smog pump, AXW rear differential, master cylinder, etc., etc. I've never not had it judged. Not quiet a survivor since I did have it completely mechanically serviced and overhauled by D&M Corvettes in Ogdon, IL back in 2015. They had it for 1 year!$$ Used all GM parts for suspension and brakes since it sat for years and had not been driven. Has 71,540 miles on odometer. It had 19,000 miles on it when I purchased it back in 1980. Jasper in Indiana did a 100% rework on the engine block and heads making it original LS4 factory specifications. Why was that, during an inspection D&M found that a push rod had broken through a rocker arm and some metal was found in the oil pan. That is why the engine was smoking. I thought it was only the valve seals. I played it safe and have it overhauled. It fly's better and faster than ever and handles great at 100! Had to make it safe to have fun driving it at high speeds. Hard to believe I have owned it for 41 years.

Download from Phone 5-1-2017 105.jpg

[Brian D.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

Oh man, I'll bet there's a lineup of people who would LOVE to see this at a meet!
You really should enter it this year.

[Dan A.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

That’s a beautiful car. I have always been partial to 73’s, especially in that color. I would probably trade my 72 LT-1 for the right one.

[Eric P.]

Re: 1973 Metallic Yellow, 953

George,
We need to see more '73's at the NCRS meets...bring it out, you have a great car to show and share!

Eric Patty
NCRS # 8355