The 1973 model year was one of the changes for Chevrolet’s C3 Corvette. The company undertook engineering updates to appeal to a broader market, while the engine and exterior modifications helped the car comply with legislative requirements. This Convertible is from that year, and its condition is all you might expect from a classic with 35,000 miles on its odometer. The seller feels the time is right for it to find a new home, listing it here on Craigslist near Phoenix, Arizona. They have set their price at $25,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this low-mile survivor.
The seller purchased this Corvette from its original owner, meaning it has a known history. That is always reassuring for potential buyers, as it means they are not committing to a car that may hide a shady and abused past. It has spent its life in the dry Arizona climate, which should have protected vulnerable areas like the frame and birdcage. My only concern is the evidence of corrosion on the luggage rack and around the edge of the wheel center caps. It may be nothing significant, but it makes an in-person inspection worth considering. It wears its original Classic White paint that shows no signs of developing the baked appearance often seen on classics from this area. It has a few minor flaws and defects, but it is highly presentable for a survivor-grade classic. This Corvette includes a hard and soft-top in good order, with the same true of the trim and chrome. There are no glass issues, and the overall impression is generally positive.
The impact of tightening emission laws becomes evident when examining this Corvette’s mechanical configuration and performance figures. The engine bay houses a numbers-matching L48 version of the 350ci V8. That entry-level small-block sends 190hp through a four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels, making the car capable of covering the ¼-mile in 16 seconds. To gain perspective on the impact emission laws made, we only need to examine similar vehicles from the previous three years. A 1972 model took 15.6 seconds to complete the same journey, while the 1971 figure was 15.3. The 1970 Corvette used 300hp to demolish the distance in 14.7 seconds. However, the lost performance didn’t translate into gains in fuel consumption. In fact, the opposite was the case. The 1970 edition returned an average of 12.2mpg, while this car should empty its tank at 12.7mpg. The seller indicates the car rolls on new tires from BF Goodrich and has a genuine and documented 35,000 miles on its odometer. It runs and drives exceptionally well, making flying in and driving home a possibility for the new owner.
The seller indicates this Corvette’s interior is unrestored, and apart from an aftermarket radio/cassette player, it remains as it left the factory. The Black vinyl upholstery looks excellent for its age, with no significant wear or other problems. The same is true of the dash and console, and one of the few faults worth mentioning is the faded carpet on the lower door trims. Otherwise, the interior is as presentable as the exterior for an unrestored survivor. The original owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, but the lack of a compressor belt suggests the system needs attention.
When Chevrolet unveiled the updated 1973 model, many purists believed it signaled the beginning of the end for the C3 Corvette. They stated that the softer suspension package and lower power figures due to emission regulations would see the badge wither and die. However, the sales figures didn’t reflect these feelings, growing by 11% from the previous year. The trend continued throughout the 1970s, only dropping at the dawn of the new decade. This Convertible looks like a gem, and the odometer reading, allied with the bulletproof drivetrain package, means it should be about in another fifty years. Could you keep it on our roads until that happens?
I don’t look at CL too much but I am surprised to learn Phoenix is so close to Santa Barbara as indicated on the CL map. Was there an earthquake recently?
This is the typical case of putting it on different craigslist
out of the seller’s area to get more interest.
That earthquake was in NORTHERN California,centered
close to Rio Dell,not too far from my old area.
Since when is Santa Barbara located near Phoenix Arizona?
Beautiful barnfind and worth the selling price. Not a big block vett but a true collection example of a 73 Corvette. Thanks
I don’t know that much about C-3s. But this seems like a very reasonable price for a low mileage, 4 speed, ac car. Compressor may have a bad bearing, they are readily available. It’s presented beautifully, wrong coast unfortunately. I always wanted to daily drive a c3 for a bit. Seems like a good choice to try for that.
I know the 73 is less desirable without the chrome front bumper, but I’ll excuse it. It’s a pretty car.
The loss of the original chrome bumper really ruined a beautiful design in my mind but I do admit to being on the short list of a friend’s ’73 if he decides to sell it.
Also on a list for this car.
My first Vette was a 73, nothing wrong with those cars.
I agree Rocco, my first Vette was a ’75, lowest HP rated Corvette. That car was a blast to drive, even more fun after swapping in a 350HP crate motor.
White and black just works so well for me on a C3! Simple but effective, to my eyes at least.
I’m not a vette guy…too hard to get in and out of but I will say it’s a looker and I think the price is just about right .
Am I wrong, but with the leather interior and woodgrain on the doors should the console not have woodgrain? May have changed in 73, not sure
This car looks like a sound buy, numbers matching, clean, nice paint, optional upgraded interior, A/C, hard top, soft top in good shape. Those leather seats should come back nicely with a couple of treatments. I would like to see the underside of the car though. The ad bothers me a little, one photo shows a Texas front license plate, Arizona rear license plate, but the ad shows it is in Santa Barbara…..scratching my head.
Technically, Santa Barbara *is* outside of Phoenix, but definitely a head-scratcher. That corrosion under the hood and elsewhere is typical of cars living near the California coast.
Found a 79 C3 one owner (all sales and service records with it) at auction in 2020. Actual mileage was 9,000. Bought it for 17k. Now has 12,500 miles lots of fun to drive.
A really good looking C3 that surely appears all original and intact.
One general question to the group, what would one consider as documentation proving a survivors mileage as shown on the odometer?
Over the course of 30 years or more many things can happen in a cars history, and from owning my own set of original survivors for decades, I have done all the maintenance work and upkeep.
I’m not one to take my classic survivor cars to a local dealership for servicing, or even a specialty shop.
I do have a recorded log of all the work that I have done, tons of photos through the years, and all of the Secretary of State registrations, car insurance history and the obligatory “Car Fax” reports (not that they are 100% accurate).
Thoughts?
Craig, I have done the same thing with cars that I have owned for many years before selling them.
Just handing that folder to a potential Buyer with all of the receipts and paperwork you mentioned will be enough to convince them that it is a well cared for vehicle.
Wow Craig,
That’s a great question. I’ve found that with these specialty, collector, sports and muscle cars that the odometer readings only tell a small part of the story. Sometimes the odometer fails and the seller may not have had it fixed for years. There is no way to tell if a specific car has had the speedometer replaced or turned back. I always keep in mind that even a car with only 30K miles could have seen a very rough 30K miles.
I’ve seen Corvettes for sale with only 40K miles and the seller states that the engine has been rebuilt. Poor maintenance? Rough treatment? Missed a shift?
This ’73 Corvette shows consistent with 35K miles, by looking at the interior; it doesn’t look like it has new carpet or seat upholstery. Were they 35K rough miles? I noticed that the right front quarter panel does not line up with the door, collision repair? The exhaust manifolds look a little rusted, maybe the car lived it’s life close to the gulf (Texas plates). I would love to see photos of the underside and frame to check for rust. That being said, if I didn’t find any huge issues after an inspection, I would buy this car. It is a beauty.
I happen to like Corvettes and have owned more than a few, they are great American cars.
This is probably the longest ramble that I have had on this site……..sorry if I bored anyone.
If your survivor cars are clean and well taken care of, then the condition alone will support the low odometer readings.
Good question, Craig.
It’s been my experience that any claims of unnaturally-low mileage will be summarily dismissed. I think all you can do is document whatever you can, then let the car speak for itself.
Personally, I keep a log of every time I add fuel, change oil, or maintain / fix / upgrade anything. Not that much work on a spreadsheet, especially for a car that isn’t driven much. But still, not likely that anyone will believe it.
The 73 is really the last of the C2’s I would be interested in. I liked the 68-69 side gills, the 71-72 gills/trim looked tacky to me, the 73 scoops look aggressive. The lack of a chrome bumper is a loss, but this works. 4 speed, AC, both tops, seems reasonably priced to me. Too bad it’s 2100 miles away…
I know what happened:
The owner drove it from Santa Barbra to Phoenix with the top down. With the black interior and no A/C, he roasted his fanny off and decided to leave it there.
Very nice Corvette and if the claims of low mileage and originality can be proven, this is a good buy. I would much rather see someone spend a little extra and get this car than anything from that Vette flipper in Miami.
Nice write up Adam. I own a 73 silver coupe, 4 speed. I had a 71 454 air coupe in 1976. My now 50 year old 73 rides better than that 71 ever did. I paid $10,000 for my second owner 73 in 2015. The car had some mechanical issues that have been sorted. This white car is nice, but someone changed the interior to the upgraded leather and carpeted door panels as code 400 is standard black vinyl. Convertibles are rare. And like my car, this one is missing the A.I.R. smog. All manual shift 73s came with smog pump. The ignition shielding is missing, but all in all, a very nice car. Remember it is 50 years old. I will be driving my 73 this summer to Corvettes at Carlisle for the 50th anniversary of this great year Corvette. The 73 had many improvements over the 70 to 72 cars, mainly first year for radials, GM got rid of that stupid vacuum system for the wipers and better body mounts for a better ride.
73 was not a good year for Corvette aside for conv. And milage,it’s clean car but asking price is high .also I think it’s up for sale now is if Arizona is anything like nv,the government is trying to rid these off the road ,you could purchase this but you soon won’t be able to enjoy it.