UPDATE 2/26/2020 – This 454 powered Corvette has popped back up here on craigslist, this time with a lower asking price! Is it starting to look like a steal of a deal or is the asking still a bit too high?
FROM 1/20/2020 – Clean and original would be two pretty reasonable words to describe this 1973 Corvette Coupe. It isn’t perfect, but it seems that it may only take a little effort and financial expenditure to make this classic really shine. Having said that, it could easily be driven and enjoyed exactly as it currently stands, loudly and proudly wearing the original survivor tag. Barn Finder Pat L spotted the Corvette for us, so thank you for that Pat. It is located in West Babylon, New York, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The asking price for the Corvette has been set at $18,800.
The 1973 model year marked some of the biggest changes to the Corvette since the introduction of the C3 back in 1968. The nose of the vehicle had been changed to accommodate the new bumper that replaced the iconic chrome. Gone was the removable rear window that had been such a big part of the C3 Coupe since day one, and under the skin, significant engineering changes had been made to provide owners with a quieter and more refined ownership experience. There were plenty of purists who were not enamored with the new frontal styling, but if the truth be told, it was probably the best compromise that Chevrolet could offer at that point in time. This Corvette naturally sports all of those changes, but it is still an attractive car that has previously received a repaint in its original Code 945 Blue-Green Metallic. The paint itself appears to be very good, while the fiberglass exhibits no signs of any stress cracks, prior repair work, or any other issues. The owner provides some pretty reasonable photos of the Corvette’s underside, and while there is surface corrosion to be seen in a reasonable number of spots, there doesn’t appear to be any actual rust. The external trim and chrome generally look pretty good, with only a few minor faults to note. One of these is the fact that the black highlight has started to wear from the chrome trim below the door on the passenger side. Any other faults seem to be relatively insignificant and are a part of owning an original survivor. One thing that I do notice is that the wheels themselves have developed quite a dark appearance, suggesting that the finish has begun to succumb to the rigors of long-term exposure to brake dust. These might be able to be revived with polish, but I suspect that they will probably need to be refinished to return them to their best.
Under the hood of the Corvette, we find a treat in the form of the original 454ci V8. The original owner had an enjoyable time ordering this one because it also comes equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. One of the unfortunate side effects of building improved refinement into a pre-existing car is that manufacturers can also tend to build in additional weight. Sadly, that is the case with the Corvette, because when compared to an identically equipped 1972 model, the ’73 Corvette had gained a not insignificant 130lbs. This did blunt performance slightly, but the 454 did receive a slight horsepower increase which helped in this area. Over the past year, the owner has treated the Corvette to a fair catalog of new parts. These include new brakes, rear springs, a fuel tank, shocks, belts, hoses, a battery, and the carburetor also received a rebuild. The result of all of this hard work and expenditure is a car that is said to run and drive perfectly.
For my money, the interior condition of the Corvette really seems to let the side down. If the next owner is seeking a largely original survivor that they can drive and enjoy, then it would probably serve the purpose as it currently stands. However, it is just starting to show its age with wear on a number of the plastic trim components, wear and staining on the carpet, and some really noticeable wear and “dirtying’ of the Medium Saddle leather on the seats. Even the wear on the wheel stands as evidence that the Corvette is showing nearly 104,000 miles on its odometer. For those who might think that this is harsh criticism, I will say that if I were to buy this car, before I spent one single dime on interior restoration work, I would be very inclined to have it all professionally cleaned, and the leather conditioned by someone who really knows what they are doing. There is a possibility that this might spring a surprise or two, and it certainly has the potential to be significantly cheaper than undertaking a full restoration or replacement. As far as optional equipment is concerned, the vehicle scores power windows and a tilt/telescopic wheel. It also used to have a factory radio, but this has made way for a CD player.
I’m not willing to write this Corvette off just yet, because it does have its redeeming features. The exterior presentation is quite good, while it also sports what would be classed as the most desirable drive-train combination that you could find in a ’73 Corvette. The fact is that you will be hard-pressed to find a 1973 Corvette Coupe with a 454/4-speed combination today for under $25,000, but sums in excess of $35,000 are not uncommon. With this one coming in at under $19,000, that leaves a fair amount of change to address the issues that I’ve identified before it even starts to look financially questionable. That is definitely something to think about.
Car must have been sitting awhile with the amount of cobwebs underneath. Great color combo.
Its a no air conditioning car but to a
classic muscle car this is more a weekend cruising as optional etc. car. if its hot 🥵 August then go early or later or just drive and not worry in A T shirt 👍
I would try and saddle soap those seats or just drop sone cash on new reproduction and possibly carpet. Its easy to install…
Order a new chrome air cleaner top and box the old one up should a purist want to re chrome it.
Then wax and drive it…if engines not abused to much should go another40 thousand miles… in a collector car that’s a longggggg time.
I like this one. I looked it up and yes, the color is Blue – Green. THey also had Elkhart green in ’73 as a carry over color. They also had 2 Blues and 2 Yellows that year, kind of crazy.
Lots of undercarriage shots on this one, nice.
The biggest concern on this one might be an engine rebuilt at some point, with over 100K miles. Everything else falls into place quite nicely.
Yes,your right about needing a rebuilt $$, also,owning a 1972 Vette. last year of the chrome bumpers, 1973 was the beginning of worst looking corvettes ever, The engineers must have smoking some nasty,,,stuff.
I think you’re spot-on PRA4SNW. Nowadays many ‘modern’ engines can last 200k+ miles, but I don’t know if the same could be said of most engines from the 50s/60s/70s/80s. Engines today are built to tighter tolerances compared to ‘back then’. It might not be appropriate to expect the same life from an old engine that we do today.
When I was growing up and getting into cars in the 1960’s, I remember it generally being expected that a typical ‘American’ engine would last about 100k miles, and less if it was driven hard. Back in the 70’s I owned a lot of 60’s cars that were burning oil and blowing blue smoke by 70k-80k miles. A lot of engines seemed to be pretty well done by the 100k mark.
I can’t help but chuckle when I see ads for cars with 120k+ miles bragging about ‘low miles!’. 120k miles on a 40 year old car might mean an average of only 3k miles a year, but 120k miles is still 120k miles, regardless of whether they were put on over 40 years or 4 years, and the engine might still be worn out.
I suspect that a 73 Corvette with a 454 and 4 speed has probably been driven ‘enthusiastically’ and not babied, so the engine may well be tired. Compression and leak down tests could tell a lot about the health of the engine and how much longer it might last before needing a rebuild.
But then I’ve also wondered about the recent moves to use low-tension piston rings and ultra-low weight oils in some modern cars, all for the sake of trying to squeeze a little more fuel economy out of them, and if some of those things might end up shortening engine life (after all, the manufacturers only need them to get through the warranty period). Then there’s using small-displacement turbocharged engines to squeeze 5 liters of power out of 2 liters. It’s hard to imagine that the increased thermal loads and combustion pressures are conducive to longevity.
This car has a great and rarely seen color combination. For the right price, it would be a lot of fun!
AnalogMan: Right there with you. When I bought my ’70 Vette in ’85, it had 74,000 miles on it’s 350 and the engine had already been rebuilt, with a 3 page invoice of parts that were rebuilt or replaced.
My ’13 V6 Charger has 140K on it, all put on by me, and only this summer am I planning on a plug change and all fluids flushed and replaced.
no a/c. that’s a Sauna
Don’t care much for the interior color but a nice car overall at a decent price in my opinion!! I don’t think it will last long at this price!!
No A/C No Sale
You could probably get a vintage air kit for this car. It would be lighter and more efficient than the stock unit, or you could do like any good Guido and drive it only after dark!
To each his own. I would prefer a car WITHOUT it. To me, it’s just a lot of extra crap under the hood.
Yeah but just knowing it’s there, can’t take a chance humid night sitting on top of that 454
I think the back window still comes out on a 1973. Take the T-tops off and I would bet you get some pretty fine Astro-ventilation on that bear.
Rear windows were stationary on ’73. Last true dual, non-cat exhaust, tho.
Have to figure most of you guys knocking it for lack of A/C wouldn’t have cared as much in the day ! Damn nice car regardless. Got the impression that performance went down every year from 1970 and thought ’72 was the last big block in the ‘Vette” . We did have a 400 4bbl in our ’75 Malibu wagon. Dad always had the most fuel efficient cars lmao…
Not true, learned something very young, car w no A/C torture chamber that may beat car w a/c by a second or two, but in the end, when we were teenagers, girls loved cars w a/c, so we might catch up to the non a/c car, with that guy’s girlfriend in the a/c car
First BF comment that could be found in a fortune cookie. “Confucius say- “Car with no A/C Torture Chamber”
Big blocks tossed Alot of HEAT on the driver and passenger- sweat box. Was there later aftermarket fix for this issue?
Nice car. Lack of AC is a bummer. If the interior is even tougher than it looks than replacing it with a saddle/caramel color would look pretty sharp with that deep green.
I had a 73. Front end enduro nose got bumped. I had it professionally repaired and repainted by one the best shops in Chicago at the time (Owned by the famed Harry Willett) (early 90’s) and we could not stop the paint from cracking especially near the center medallion. We did it 3 times and I sold it before it cracked AGAIN. I should have probably just replaced the front bumper/nose and started from new. Vowed I would never own another vette after 73 combined with poor performance.
The green and saddle IS a nice combination but not one I prefer.
I had a Maroon 76 with a saddle interior and that was really good looking.
Definitely a good price, BUT NO HP, and having owned a 72 454/4sp vette WITH AC, I highly recommend it. That big block and manifolds coupled with the fiberglass conducting the heat on the other side of your legs is like an oven!!
I had a 72 small block without AC that was livable relative to heat.
Seems to me even the 350’s ran pretty hot and could make the cabin unpleasant.
I have a 74 big block. Driving without AC on any day over 70f is a not all that fun, simple upgrade.
The gobs low end torque the 454 puts out makes up for some of the pain.
With 100k on the odo, the engine needs a rebuild, perfect opportunity to modernize the rotating assembly, add a roller cam, and you get +100hp of extra fun. On a motor that looks 100% stock. Price is good, it will make a great cruise night car that you prob wont see more than one at most events.
Pretty nice car with a compelling price. C 3’s are not for me, but if one is looking for one, this could be a great deal. The price leaves room for adding a/c, and repro seats if one wishes.. Even if the engine needed a rebuild down the road, I might just do it on a proactive basis. Toss in a better cam, pistons, work the heads, change out the restrictive exhaust and you’d have a nice car and still have less in it than others out there.
Somebody tell me- the 454 engine in this vette….could it beat in a drag race and top speed vs. a chrysler muscle car of the same era with the 426 hemi? I would think yes because of the weight difference
73 was a really smogged motor, a 426 Hemi didn’t survive the 70s smog party, I have a 73 Pontiac 455, it’s 250 hp, the Vette would blow my doors off w the weight difference but not a Hemi
If that engine was properly cared for with oil changes and proper tune ups, it should be fine for a long time. It held up well in the dump trucks they borrowed if out of…Just sayin…
Friend of mine, breaking u know what’s on another friend of mine who has a 454 in his Camaro, tells everyone the motor came out of a street sweeper, so don’t dump any trash around Tony’s car, it’ll stop to sweep
Corvettes aren’t as light weight as people think, a ‘73 Vette weighs 3414 lbs and a ‘73 Plymouth Road Runner weighs 3530 lbs, about 115 lbs difference…
Nice wrote up Adam. The rear window does not come out of a 73 as mentioned here. But that was correct. Who needs air conditioning. I have a 73 coupe 350 4 speed. GM air parts then, while the best inn the world, are HEAVY, and add to the already heavy weight. My air is broken and $$$$$$$ to fix. Solution. Roll down windows. Take out roof panels. End of story. To you guys criticizing a 73, well you can have those useless never work wiper doors on 68 to 72 cars, boring fla5 hood except for big block and those ugly and heavy fender vents. My 73 runs perfectly on today’s gas and 73s were first for radial tires and side door guard beams just in case. I drive my 73 every chance I get. I had a 71 454 coupe in 1976. My 73 far superior. Mine is silver. I wish it was code 945. And Adam you are a little high on 73 values. Because they get zero respect, they hardly ever sell for over $25,000. I know of a 13,000 mile L82 four speed the guy can’t sell for $22,000. Perfect NCRS car and the L82 is much better than boat anchor low compression 454.
George from the courier times? Its johnny!! Happy bday
Though I don’t own one, I own a 73 Grand Prix w a 455, another unloved vehicle in the books, but I’m the only one a car shows w one, and take trophies all the time , back to your Vette, I love the bumper situation, cause it’s last of old and first of new, buit I would fix the air
This grabbed my attention. I have the same color, engine,4sp, but black interior. Had it since 1986. Nice to see the $19k price on a rough car.I rarely see this color and all big blocks seem to be automatics. One year color and love it. ( though I wanted black until I found out they did not make black 73s)