Update 9/7/21 – The seller has dropped their asking by $1,500 and added some as-found photos! Thanks go to Craig B for the tip!
From 9/3/21 – The 1973 model year marked one of the most significant changes for Chevrolet’s iconic Corvette. It was the first year where the car no longer sported a chrome front bumper and the last where you would find the same feature on the rear. The company made some serious attempts to tame the savage beast, but a knowledgeable buyer could still order their new Corvette with respectable performance levels. The seller is this car’s second owner, and it is a classic that has received limited use in recent times. It has a genuine 79,000 miles on the clock, and with its bulletproof combination of a 350ci V8/4-speed, it has the potential to offer the buyer years of rewarding and reliable motoring. The owner has decided to part with this ‘Vette, so he has listed it for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Glendale, Arizona, and it could be yours by handing the seller $16,500. A big thank you has to go to Barn Finder rex m for referring the Corvette to us.
The seller purchased the Corvette from its original owner, and it seems that he liked something slightly different. He ordered the car in Metallic Yellow and then added the stripes and decals that we see in the supplied photos. These are an acquired taste; if I’m brutally honest, they’re a taste that I have no desire to acquire! The positive is that the stripes and decals appear to be adhesive vinyl, so removing them should not be a huge challenge. The paint is starting to show its age, particularly in areas like the front bumper cover. I suspect that the buyer will probably treat the car to a cosmetic refresh. The fiberglass looks like it has stood the test of time well, with no significant flaws or problems. Rust has a nasty habit of playing havoc with the frame and birdcage of C3 Corvettes, but the seller mentions no issues in this area. If the ‘Vette has spent its life in Arizona, it may have avoided these problems. The tinted glass and most of the trim look good, while the side exhaust adds a sense of purpose to the exterior.
With tightening emission regulations beginning to impact vehicle performance by 1973, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the entry-level V8 that Chevrolet fitted to the Corvette wasn’t the firebreathing monster that it had been in previous years. However, knowledgeable buyers could tick the L82 box on the Order Form and hand over an additional $299 to secure some welcome performance improvements. It was a path that 5,710 buyers chose to follow, and the 350ci V8 that they received pumped out a respectable 250hp. When combined with a 4-speed manual transmission, as we find in this Corvette, it gave the car the ability to cover the ¼ mile in 15.1 seconds. That still wasn’t the fastest that a Corvette had accelerated, but by 1973, it was not too bad.
This car is a numbers-matching classic, and the owner claims that it has a genuine 79,000 miles showing on its odometer. He doesn’t mention verifying evidence, but with a known ownership history, it is possible that he holds some. When he purchased the vehicle, it seems that it had been sitting for an extended period. He flushed and cleaned the fuel system, and that 350 roared back into life. He stresses that while it now runs and drives, it should not be considered roadworthy. The tires it wears would be more at home on something driven by Fred Flintstone, so that is one issue that the buyer will need to address. I would also treat the car to a complete inspection before I undertook any serious trips because you never know what nasty surprises could be lurking around the brakes or some of the perishable components.
The interior won’t need much if the buyer views this Corvette as a survivor rather than a project car. It remains presentable, although it isn’t clear what secrets might be lurking under the dash cover. The black vinyl upholstery and trim are in decent condition, with no significant wear or physical damage. The carpet is slightly faded, but it hasn’t worn to the point where replacement is essential. The previous owner has fitted an aftermarket stereo, but there have been no other apparent additions. Given the car’s location, the original owner’s decision to order it with air conditioning would seem to be a wise one. There is also a tilt/telescopic wheel, but there are no other luxury items like power windows.
In the classic scene, the 1973 Corvette has tended to be stuck in something of a “no man’s land.” Many purists mourn the loss of the chrome front bumper and the weight increases that the cars received for that model year. However, they still maintain a strong following and can represent an enjoyable classic motoring experience if they are in sound mechanical health. This car’s drivetrain combination assists its cause, and in a roadworthy state, its performance would be pretty acceptable. This Corvette has only been on the market for a bit over a day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone grabs it reasonably quickly. The big question is whether that person will be one of our Barn Finds readers.
A good detail cleaning has potential to make a huge difference with this car. The interior and engine bay look to be in original and good condition. The stripes and side pipes are different.
I think the stripes need to go.
Seems like a lot of coin. Can anyone tell me whats going on above the left side head light bucket?
Looks like there are cutouts on the front fascia for some reason. What is sitting above the headlight is a part of that cutout. Lazy advertising – need a front end shot to verify.
Looks to me that a section of the rubber bumper has cracked and fallen off. The piece is sitting on the hood for reference.
Its part of the rubber bumper
While I still prefer a 68-72; this 73 is a nice car. Lose the stripes. It has real potential
Got 70s?….
Some of the current styles may someday look as dated as these stripes. But like slotted wheels, I like them because they often represent what was popular during the era.
Another “Let’s see how badly we can screw up a Corvette’s paint job.” car.
Who else would also like to buy this one, just to remove the stripes, and burn them?
Every urethane front bumper cover on a 73 turns to dust. Mine did. Replaced it with a fiberglass piece. Lasts and fits 100 times better. I have an L48 4 speed coupe. I love the car and drive it as often as possible. Two friends have L82. 4 speed cars. It is a whole other animal. 60 more hp, more aggressive cam, far better breathing heads and forged crank. With a 3.70 rear, they run great. I would love to get this car, remove the stupid stripes, detail it and go over the suspension and brakes. Install new BFG TAs and drive it. The 73 is a far superior car to drive to any 68 to 72 car. I had a 454 71 coupe in the 70s. My current 73 is far better for a long cruise.
Hate to pop the bubble but you aren’t going to remove the stripes and come up with glass smooth paint. The plastic and adhesive sink into the paint due to sun exposure leaving depressions that just can’t be sanded and polished out. This could be a great car with some TLC applied to it.
Agree. Removing the stripes will also remove much of the paint underneath. But the color is awful any.
Lose the stripes but don’t touch those bubble tail lights.
First thing I saw too.
So every post now references the Flintstones?
Overpriced by half, will most likely need a repaint due to the stripes as bobhess says, they do screw up the paint. Figure 7-10k for a nice paint job and bumper cover, 2k for brake work. If you are able to do these, so much the better but nice need nothing examples are everywhere for this price or lower
Considering what any regular mundane CUV-XUV is bringing over Monroney these days, I believe the seller is correct to price it high. He can always come down. The other direction is much harder to justify.
Typical wife is overjoyed, dude is bummed image
Kinda sad.
He was young when he bought it.
Happens to all of us.
Is this a solid metal roof car? Are there hatches to remove?
Yes, standard Vette t-tops. One latch on each side.
2 latches on each side, one front & one rear
As long as there are no rust issues, this one is not bad for the price. Engine is unmolested and complete with the spark plug wire shields witch are normally the first thing to come off. AC is there with a belt hooked up to it and all the parts are there. Yeah, it probably needs a new front bumper and paint, but all in all, not bad for the price.
And probably all new seals and bearings in the rear end. Between, brakes, rear end, and paint you are probably in this15k. My first Vette was a 73 that had low miles and had sat awhile, thought it was a good thing. That is when I learned the first lesson in corvette restoration and repair. Open the car door, fill the interior with 100$ bills, close door.
Something isn’t right regards the AC. Motor compartment has what appears to be an AC compressor (although with a non-factory shield), but the console has manual heater controls.
Also has a smog pump….a California car??
@MC, the picture of the console shows the HVAC control for an air conditioned car. That shield shown over the A/C compressor clutch was for compressor oil leaks and to stop the underside of the hood being coated by any oil that might be leaked. Nice C3 fairly priced I think. Remove the stripes and deal with whatever paint work it would need, I always thought Warbonnet Yellow was a nice color,,,,,,,,,, for being Yellow. I’d like to own it. The chintzy looking White side pipe covers would have to be traded in for some chrome ones.
You are correct, the Panel is an AC control, but the arms on either side ( missing the knobs) are the fresh air vent controls for a standard heater (non AC) car. No screws in the console cover.. I am guessing it was changed & and not secured, the opening for the controls was the same for either AC or Heater.
The compressor shield is aftermarket, not factory
It seems like a good start, Replace the front fascia cover, ditch the stripes and the pipes. Give it a new dual exhaust, a full detail, buff out the paint and see how it comes out. Change fluids, belts and hoses, Good complete go over(hopefully the calipers are ok) and go from there. Always liked ‘73’s
If a restomod, repaint, remove the side pipes and change the wheels. If a nostalgia driver, cleanup and leave the pipes and stripes alone. They represent the era. Being a 73 it will turn more heads as a nostalgia than another slick painted, LS swapped, gas crunch era Corvette.
Question don’t 73 vetted have the cut outs for the Factory exhaust to come through the rear end of the car
The side exhaust was only a 1969 option and when so equipped the lower rear valance did not have the openings for the rear exiting exhaust. If you put the side exhaust on any other early C3 (up to’73) you were left to deal with those openings, in one of the pictures you can barely see the openings still showing below the rear bumpers.
Yes, one on each side, about 7” wide by 3” tall & had chrome trim, open on the bottom