1973 Vette

[Roberto R.]

Hello I'm looking at a 1973 corvette, anyone on that can give general information/watch outs for buying these older corvettes or anything specific to this yeaR

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Hello I'm looking at a 1973 corvette, anyone on that can give general information/watch outs for buying these older corvettes or anything specific to this yeaR

Robert------


The basics don't change regardless of model year:

1) Check the frame other chassis components for corrosion damage;

2) Check (as best you can) the "birdcage" (steel structure which underlies passenger compartment fiberglass and includes the windshield frame and door pillars) for corrosion damage. Frame corrosion damage infers the strong possibility of birdcage damage;

3) Check for signs of previous major collision damage to either frame or body.

If the above checks out, the car should be a candidate for purchase. If the above does not check out, forget the car regardless of price.

[Roberto R.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Thanks Joe. I'm in the process of getting xtra pics. The car is out of state, so a lot of the initial research goes via phone, email, pictures. The good news is that it has been the same owner for 29 yrs, and by word of mouth no accidents. I'm going to see if I can have a local member of the NCRS take a look at it to get some feedback. I did some online research and it looks like starting in the early 70s vettes started loosing power...but I'm fond of the vettes in general, so really looking for a cool piece of history at a reasonable cost.

If you run accross any particular information for 73s, do share.

Thanks again for the note.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Watch the front bumper. If it hasn't cracked, it will. My 15000 mile coupe bumper literally self destructed in the garage while under cover. They are just getting to that age. Chances are it has been replaced. Just something to watch.

I've owned three or four 73's over the years and have had no real issues with any of them.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Roberto,

There's a few members here with '73s. You may want to provide as much detail as possible about the car and what your intentions are. A big block A/C four speed convertible destined for the flight judging or Bowtie circuit is a very different subject than a fun weekend driver.

[Steve L.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Roberto,
You never mentioned what you want to do with this car.
The 73 seems to be a cut -off yr between the vintage vettes and the "new" breed. Only in the last yr or so, are they starting to gain some interest.


Do you want to restore it back to original factory condition?
If so, make sure all the smog stuff is there with the correct numbers.
Check the front bumper shear bolt and the bumper covers for condition.
Check the operation of the lap belts, water gets in thru the floor drain hole and corrodes the retract mechanism.
If the windshield is original, check for delimination on the edges.
Check the diff for cracked housing cover.
Check the rear leaves for any cracking and sagging

There is lots more but these come to the top of my head

[Rich C.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Like Steve mentioned, your goal for the car is important! If your goal is judging then the less the car has been 'tinkered with' the better. As with any vette, there are several 'unique to the year' parts. If just as enjoying as a driver most parts interchange. But chasing down correct and/or dated parts (especially emission equipment) can cost as much as the car! Good luck though, '73's are a great one year look!

"73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years

[William M.]

Re: 1973 Vette

If you can post any pictures, particularly of the engine bay and chassis, us '73 guys might be able to help you out. Good luck, it's a great year!

[Jim T.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Roberto I bought my 1970 new. My big surprise was watching the windshield repairman in 1986 remove the stainless steel trim around the windshield. Rust was attacking the windshield frame. From that experience I would not buy a C3 without having the stainless steel trim removed to examine the windshield frame. I told the repairman remove the windshield and I took my 70 home for windshield frame replacement, something I had not done before.

[Peter G.]

Re: 1973 Vette

Roberto..are you planning on doing all the work on the car yourself? Is it a small block or "Rat" motor?

My car came with just about all the options..PS,PB,PW,AC and when I got it the A.I.R System was completely missing. After years of looking I finally found what I needed and got it on.

Now looking back on it I see why the A.I.R was tossed in the first place. There is NO room around the engine to work on it. The #2 plug under the AC compressor you need to remove the RF tire for access! The spark plugs are probably going to be in that engine for a while.

Point is....a LS4 with options makes it very difficult to work on yourself and for that reason the next time I may consider a "Mouse" motor as I like doing all my own work.

PS: the optional engines..LS4 and L82 have more resale value.

Just some thoughts

Good luck. When I started looking for my early "Shark" car I singled out the "73 as I think it has a lot of excellent features over the '72.

[Robert R.]

Re: 1973 Vette

All great comments and advice.

For my 2 cents, always remembered Larry Shinoda's comment that the '73 was what he really wanted the Shark cars to look like from the start.

Eventually, my feeling is that the '73 should have its own place of styling honor, just like the '67.