Big Power Oddball: 1973 Chevrolet Corvette

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Here is a rather unusual Corvette conversion that is thought to be equipped with an Ecklers Can-Am body kit. Clearly looking like a product of the 1970’s with its orange paint and wheels, this Corvette packs some heat with a built big block and a posi rear end. This ready to roll oddball Corvette is offered for $10,500.00 and can be found here on craigslist out of Springfield, Oregon. Thanks to reader Brian Franklin for this unusual Corvette submission!

Under the hood lives a built 454 V8 backed by a turbo 400 automatic transmission linked to a posi rear end. This combo surely packs enough punch to get this Corvette squirrely off of the line. The engine compartment is quite clean indicating that this Corvette has spent its time indoors.

The body kit is rather unusual, and the front end reminds of the AMC AMX/3 concept car. Very 70’s in appearance, this Corvette packs wider wheel arches, side pipes, t-tops, and I am curious as to what the rear end looks like. After doing some research I don’t know that I believe that this is an Eckler Can-Am body kit, as I could not turn up a kit that looked like this one. Although that doesn’t mean that it isn’t an interesting, high quality kit from the period. Can you identify this body kit?

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Comments

  1. Jbones

    I’d change the side exhaust to the “thrush” style or factory 69 pieces and rock this car all day. Maybe a tranny swap after I get bored.

    Like 0
  2. mike D

    for me, anyways, the 73 ‘vette did not impress me even when new, the engine and drive train have had a lot of work, and kudos for that even if I had the $$$ I would look the other way

    Like 0
  3. UK Paul

    It’s certainly unusual.. liking the orange

    Like 0
  4. Rick

    Definitely not an Eckler’s kit. It almost… almost.. looks like whomever built it took one of those Kar Manufacturing Camaro dune buggies (http://fiberclassics.org/camaro/), cut the front off and grafted it to the ‘Vette. Could have been a front end collision and they didn’t want to drop the money to make it right. Who knows..

    Like 0
  5. grant

    It’s just balls ugly.

    Like 0
    • JNRINDIAN

      Goes to show you…..don’t do drugs and customize cars at the same time!

      Like 0
  6. Michael

    Not a fan of customizing Corvettes. At least this one is not hideous like the last few featured on BF. Still bad though.

    Like 0
  7. Bill

    Very cool period piece – unfortunately, the phone number shown in the ad is out of service . . .

    Like 1
  8. Don

    I actually almost like the front of this car, almost!

    Like 0
  9. PAPERBKWRITER

    To me what someone did to this Vette is like gluing a beard and mustache on a swim suit model.

    Like 0
  10. DolphinMember

    You don’t see this kind of brilliant color on cars much these days. Mostly it’s black / white / gray / silver, or variations of those.

    I just had a 1970 car painted from bare metal in almost this same orange—-#918 orange, a 240Z color, the car’s original color from the factory.

    It blows me away again every time I go down to the garage and see it sitting there.

    Like 3
    • Whippeteer

      Orange was a very 70s color. I had an orange 1977 B210.

      Like 0
  11. Steve R

    It’s infinitely more interesting than a stock restored 1973 Corvette. It represents a point in time. A thorough inspection would be needed to determine if the car is worth the asking price.

    Steve R

    Like 3
    • Dennis Cline

      Reminds me of a early 70’s nose from a funny car body. Extend the axle forward and put skinny tires on front then go drag racing.

      Like 0
    • frank

      i sold this car for much more than they are asking in 96 still had big motor in it

      Like 0
  12. ScottMember

    Nice Vette. Makes me wish I had my ‘83 back.

    Like 1
    • Fast FredMember

      Wonder how many really know about 83s

      Like 0
    • moosie Craig M. Bryda

      ? 83 ?

      Like 0
      • Graeme

        There was only one ‘83 corvette built, “just because”. They jumped straight from 1982 to 1984 model years.

        Like 0
      • Charlie Gilg

        Yeah, no 83s, they had production problems.

        Like 1
  13. Jerry Brentnell

    some body from schneider national transport needs to buy this since they love punkin” orange so much!! me I am sick of orange chargers and this black truck kick is way past its day too!

    Like 0
    • RickJay

      lol ^^^^^^

      Like 0
    • PatrickM

      Jerry, I drove for Schneider for a very, very short time. It didn’t take me long to figure out that this was not the career field I wanted or needed. As for this car…not me. Someone was on a bad trip when they did all this Ad deleted, anyway.

      Like 0
  14. moosie Craig M. Bryda

    ? 83 ?

    Like 0
  15. classic Steel

    I am gonna hurl !

    Like 0
  16. Beatnik Bedouin

    The front kind of reminds me of an old Captain Beefheart album cover…

    Proof that the 1970s was the era that good taste was forgotten… ;-)

    Like 1
  17. gaspumpchas

    Looks like a sucker fish on Steroids! Somebody must like it. To each his own. 73 anything was a detuned dog…

    Good luck to the new owner!!

    Like 0
  18. RichieRich

    Reminds me of the Mattel Hotwheels I just got for my 3 year old nephew…

    Like 0
  19. Rob Wepking

    I think something a little more stock up front. But like the rest of it. It’s a good 70’s custom. Looks like it would be a hoot to drive. Something different to take to car shows instead of restored to stock perfection Vetts all these purists think all Corvettes should be. From a proud owner of a not so stock 79 Vett.

    Like 0
  20. mtshootist1

    makes me want to go find some disco clothes, with flared pants and open collared shirt open down to my waist,

    Like 1
  21. ACZ

    Another screwed up Corvette. Big deal………

    Like 0
  22. Larry q

    Mr.magoo…Roger rabbit or is it just me

    Like 0
  23. hehehe

    to modify or not to ….. jejejeje

    gotta like those that dare to tick off the purists

    Like 1
  24. Fiete T.

    This looks better

    Like 0
    • Whippeteer

      I told you that if you bought that car for that price you’d be upside down…

      Like 2
  25. ctmphrs

    I can identify that body kit. BUTT UGLY

    Like 0
  26. Ck

    Too bad it’s not a Mako Shark body kit on this vette,cuz I’d be on my way to Oregon. I kinda like this car ,but I’m a child of the 70’s.This is the way it was back then,just the fact that this car is still around ,and in pretty decent shape is way kool.Oh yeah, and it’s under 10K.

    Like 2

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