The 1973 model year was the last for the Chevrolet Corvette with chrome bumpers in the rear. Due to changing safety requirements, the rear end received the “Endura” treatment the following year. And the 454 cubic inch V8 was on its next-to-last year in the mix. So, for many folks, if you were going to restore a C3 Corvette, this vintage may be it. A restoration was started on the seller’s ’73 coupe about 15 years ago, but it didn’t get far. Located in Huntington, New York, the big block Chevy is waiting for someone to pick up where things left off. It’s available here on eBay for $5,995 OBO. Our thanks to “Curvette” for a Corvette tip!
Corvette sales nosed up in 1973 to 30,464 units, of which 25,521 were the coupe. The remainder were convertibles as this model saw increasingly less demand. While a 350 V8 was standard fare, 4,412 buyers opted for the LS4 engine, the 454 producing 275 hp SAE net. The measuring stick had changed the year before, and more emissions controls were being added to new automobiles. Radial tires were used on the Corvette for the first time in 1973, but all you’ll get with this one are tires that will hold air.
This Corvette was once white in color, but some grey primer is there now. And the fiberglass body is in rough shape, and pieces have been removed and will come with the car if they’re still around. So don’t expect it to be 100% complete. We’re told the frame is good, but be sure your body shop knows how to fix plastic. This was a well-equipped LS4 when new, including an automatic transmission, air conditioning, and tilt steering.
No mention is made of the car’s mileage or if its still numbers matching. But since nothing has been touched since around 2011, it could very well be. From the photos, the interior looks no better than the exterior. The seller believes this is a low price for a big block C3 Corvette, which could be true. But you’ll make up for it in restoration costs.
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