While it might be parked indoors right now, this Corvette has actually spent the past 25 years in the original owner’s back yard with a blue tarp over it. As a result, it has some major issues and is going to need an extensive restoration. If it weren’t for the 454 LS4 sitting under the hood, I’d say it isn’t worth taking on, but that big block could be this car’s saving grace! If nothing else, someone should buy it as a parts donor. You can find this LS4 here on eBay in Rockford, Michigan with a BIN of $4,200.
The seller seems to be quite honest about the car’s condition, admitting that the frame is about gone, the rear brakes are locked up and it was repainted brown at some point. They also state that they were able to get the engine running. If you are planning on fully restoring the car, I’m not sure having the engine running is a big deal, but it is one less thing to worry about and makes it more appealing as a parts donor.
For a car that has spent the past 25 years outside, I’m actually amazed that the interior isn’t in worse shape. It’s rough, but I’ve seen barn finds with interiors in much worse condition. Whether your plan is to restore it or part it out, there are still a lot of good interior bits here.
Overall, I’m not sure there is a lot of hope for this Corvette. If you just happen to have a solid C3 chassis sitting around, this might actually make sense as a project. Otherwise I see this just being a parts donor for another Corvette or any other car you’d like to stuff a 454 into! So what do you think the future looks like for this Corvette?
Left in a back yard, + under a tarp, + Michigan does certainly = rotted frame. They’d almost been better off leaving it uncovered. Still a shame, especially with a big-block, even though I generally scorn ‘rubber-bumpered’ Corvettes.
actually one of my favorite years with the rubber front end and the upturned tail and chrome split bumpers in the rear. ’73 only.
pity the rest and who paints a car brown intentionally?
I had a 73 and a 76 just to restore and flip. No thanks again. Enduro on the 73-82’s are very hard to deal with over time and keep them from cracking even with the right flex agents and done correctly. God forbid anything presses into them with a little age under their belt……just paint a spider on all the cracks (webs) and have a laugh out of it!
You can always polish chrome.
That is why they make chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Those darker metallic browns, in my book = pretty sweet color. Especially with a contrasting interior.
No way this is a 41,000 mile car.
Uhhh you DO know they sell crate motors right?
25 years outside. Then he brings it in to the garage???
Just now “got around to it”……..
Clearly being sold by a flipper. It’s an EBay Corvette Parts guy. Probably figured he’d see what he could get whole before pulling parts off.
That engine compartment shot made me weep.
If the frame is “about gone” the birdcage is probably not too pretty either….Always begs the question, “WHY”?? How do so many cars suffer this kind of abuse?
The neglect borders on criminal
That engine actually Runs? Wow that’s a keeper.
Never ceases to amaze me ….. That’s why we’re here
I do not understand why one would pay 4200 for a car that needs everything. I would think you could buy a good one that has been maintained for 15 to 20 grand.
Dumping money in a car like this makes no sense to me
Every time I see a car parked with a blue tarp I want to help the owner learn/understand those dang things will ruin a car. They trap moisture and don’t breath.
They’ll take the paint off the sharp edges too. Had a couple cars like that I saved.
@ doug, my guess is that s/he was not the owner while it was under a tarp. he finally bought it and put it in the garage. now realizes s/he will not get to it. time to sell or scrap.
…this one is a coin toss…if I did have a ’73 frame laying around, then yeah, this makes sense….big block, transition year, cool original color…but not for 4k….
Am I the weirdo here? I kinda want it.
Big block corvette, possibly with a good body. If you were looking to slide one of the newer better handling chassis under a corvette this might be a good choice.
Would want to check out the body. Over time in high humidity environments, like under tarps, fiberglass can turn into a sponge.
Forty two hundred is a lot of money for a VIN tag. If it’s not rusted out! Me? No thanks.
When you have that kid of rust under the hood it is a pretty safe bet it is EVERYWHERE. Extreme moisture. Rust even on interior parts. Under-dash is probably a rusted, corroded nightmare as well. Every nut a bolt = rusted = snapping off when in disassembly.
73 = no horsepower especially without a 4 speed. I agree with IROCROB above, buy a better one. I am not saying this car is not worth restoring SOME DAY, but right now you will invest 4 times what the car is worth, maybe more, to make it right. The car will have some value some day so don’t crush it unless the frame is rotted through AND the fiberglass is compromised.
Luggage rack is perfect for milk crates!
Stored outside: stupid, stupid, stupid.
Corvette rat rod? In this potential condition it might be the only alternative.
Had a 74 with a lightly upgraded 454 — definitely the least favorite ‘vette I’ve had. Really felt like a go kart with way too big a motor in it — definitely a “point and squirt” car as once aimed you could enjoy the big motor and the noise from the cowl induction hood but speedy cornering was not it’s forte. Even the 75 Convertible with the smog motor was better balanced and a much nicer car to ride in. Just don’t see enough good to this one to warrant the time and money it would take to reclaim it from the rust gods.
I’d like to have the motor nothing beats ci’s
I saved this one from a similar fate. Better year (1971), high HP small block 4spd two tops convertible. After sitting outside next to the idiot owner’s home for 10 years, there was so much rust it was not worth restoring. Finally sold to an ambitious guy who wanted to tear it down and start over for $4,500. There is another 68 convertible sitting outside my shop now with a solid frame and birdcage that a previous owner took off of the frame and disassembled completely that, although solid, will never go back together again. Maybe if it is shoved into a barn for another 25 years it may be worth enough to do, but I don’t see it happening. The 73 454 was a low compression smog choked pig and doesn’t ad a ton of value. Sorry, part it out and don’t look back.
Smog pump still there. Wow!
$20,000 Corvette by time you finish it. Join NCRS for $50 and get the magazine they publish with cars for sale. At least you’ll buy a car from someone with understanding of Corvettes, and perhaps some common sense. That would be a huge change from 99% of the sellers here.
what the ????
True shame to see something like that happen. Assuming the birdcage was still intact, fiberglass was still good and given to me: All new weatherstripping and seals, aftermarket frame, C4 suspension, C5 brakes, LS engine, convert to a Tremec 5 speed, redo the interior and paint then drive it like you stole it. Would never get anywhere near what it would cost to do it though in my lifetime so unless you loved the car it’s nothing more than a parts car IMO.
It sold, so someone thought enough of it to buy it.