The C3 Corvette is admired for its unique and curvy design. The 1973 model is unique because it is the only year with a soft front bumper and a chrome rear bumper. Many see this as a transition year between the chrome bumper cars and the later C3s, but it turned out to be a classic and recognizable design. This 1973 Chevrolet Corvette is an original 29,000 mile survivor. It is located in Nassau, New York (Long Island). Rocco B found this listing and sent it to us. It has been listed for less than a week here on Craigslist. The asking price is $28,000.
The black interior is mint and unrestored. The seller states that it has been awarded NCRS gold and the paperwork in the ad shows that it was awarded in 1987. This means that at that time its originality was considered to be within 95%-100% of the day it left the factory. The car has been in a collection and was featured in a car magazine. The interior pics show that the car has its factory AM/FM push button radio, automatic transmission, manual windows and no air conditioning. The car was originally purchased from Palmyra Motors and the MSRP on the window sticker was $6,090.50.
It is powered by the base engine that year. In 1973, Corvette buyers had three engines to choose from. The base ZQ3 (L-48) engine was rated at 190 horsepower. The L-82 engine was a higher performance option and designed to replace the LT-1 option from 1970-1972. It was rated at 250 horsepower. Finally, a buyer could opt for the LS4 454 cubic inch V8 engine that was rated at 270 horsepower in 1973. This Corvette has power steering and all the emissions still hooked up.
Total production for the 1973 Corvette was 25,251 coupes and 4,943 convertibles. Out of 30,464 Corvettes in 1973, about 18,000 were automatics. Most people would call this car gold but the GM color on the build sheet calls is Yellow Metallic (Code 953). The seller states that the car runs and drives well. So are you in the market for a pristine 1973 Corvette?
Price seems a bit fishy for a car of this calibre.
Too low or too high? It’s a bottom of the line strippo. Too pretty to be a driver, too plain to be a collectible.
This car attained NCRS Gold status when it was 14 years old. If it is still as untouched as it was back then, and now it is 52 years old, is there any higher award that it can get?
It seems like it should.
The owner does not show any paperwork that this car has been judged by the NCRS. It received a Bloomington Gold certificate in 1987 which is completely different from the NCRS. This looks like a very nice original car that could do well in judging but no pictures underneath on a NY car, you or someone you trust has to go look at it. It’s a low option car in an uncommon color. I think $28k is all the money.
He has other cool cars for sale as well.
I have a 2008 Accord in original condition mostly (had to replace the starter). I wonder if there is an award of some sort
I can handle this one. Probably not.
I did a little digging to see how many Corvettes were built without A/C. It turns out to be about 30%, more than I thought. I was surprised to learn that 10% of Corvettes were built without power steering and 20% were built without power brakes.
CC: Was that just for 1973? I imagine the number without A/C rose every year you go backwards from that year. Same for power brakes. Not having power steering is just plain crazy.
My ’70 had no A/C and no power brakes. Most of the C3s that I know of did not have A/C and power brakes were more common. I only knew one guy without all 3.
In 1979 I bought a 73 4 speed that had 1 option, a radio. No power anything and no AC and I was living in phoenix area at the time. The foolish things you do when you’re young. I’ve never owned a C3 without power steering and brakes at least since then.
My 73 has C60 but no pb. 4 speed. Plenty of money, but many 73s have been trashed, orig engines gone, etc. Yeah low optons. But i will take condition ovet options any day.
Fairly nice car, but with a couple caveats. As curvette pointed out, Bloomington Gold is not NCRS gold and I am not sure how much weight any award from 28 years ago carries. Also, option wise this is not a terribly desirable car. It is pretty much base model with an automatic so in my opinion, 28K is a little much. That being said, it may make somebody pretty happy.
Today’s history lesson involves Howard Van Bortel and Palmyra Motors. Palmyra, NY. Palmyra is a town and village in Wayne County, New York, known for its historic connection to the Erie Canal and as the birthplace of the Mormon religion, with sites like the Joseph Smith Farm and the Palmyra New York Temple drawing visitors. The area offers historic museums, a unique “four churches on four corners” intersection, and recreational opportunities along the Erie Canal. It’s about 25 miles from Rochester and Palmyra Motors sold both Corvettes and Rolls-Royce cars in probably the most unlikely place you could think of for that business plan. Somehow it worked for many years and Mr. Van Bortel was often spotted in his Chauffeur-driven Rolls in Rochester. He was also easy to spot with his long hair and fur coats. He carried an extensive inventory of both brands as advertised in the Sunday edition of the Buffalo News want ads. There were many different opinions regarding Mr.Van Bortel’s business practices, but he certainly was a salesman. His daughter, “Kitty” Van Bortel is one of the most successful Subaru dealers in the United States and also owns Chevrolet and Ford stores.