UPDATE 07/20/2023: There seems to have been a recent epidemic of people bidding on classic Corvettes only to not front with the cash when the auction ends. This 1973 model is the second example of the breed we’ve seen at Barn Finds today, and the seller’s frustration is understandable. The previous auction saw the hammer fall at $14,000, but the seller has listed it a second time here on eBay. Its location remains the same, but we will cover one notable milestone since the last auction shortly. The current bid is $7,800 in a No Reserve listing.
06/18/2023: Sitting in this shed is a project that stalled before it could start. The seller purchased the car for her father as a project to rekindle memories of a car he owned many years ago. Unfortunately, advancing age means it is no longer a viable proposition, so the seller feels it needs to head to a new owner who can do it justice. She has listed this classic here on eBay in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
The original owner ordered this Corvette in Metallic Yellow, but it is unclear whether it has received any prior restoration work. The seller admits she is a classic car novice, so she is flying blind on a few details. One of the more notable changes between the past and present auctions is that the seller dragged the Corvette out of hiding and gave it a bath. The impact is profound, revealing that the overall presentation would be acceptable if the winning bidder opted for preservation over restoration. Some obvious imperfections could be spot repaired if the buyer doesn’t want to delve into the world of a total repaint. The fiberglass is healthy, while the frame and birdcage are structurally sound. The roof panel seals don’t leak, the glass is in good order, and there are no issues with the factory Rally wheels. The listing indicates the front bumper cover requires replacement, but affordable reproductions are readily available.
This Corvette’s engine bay houses a 350ci V8 with shifting duties falling to a three-speed automatic transmission. The driver benefits from power steering and power brakes. The VIN confirms this is the L48 version of the small-block, which would have produced 190hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. This may have been the most conservative drivetrain combination offered in 1973, but the power and torque were enough to launch the ‘Vette through the ¼-mile in 16.1 seconds. That could be irrelevant because the previous owner splashed the cash on Edelbrock upgrades. The cosmetic ones are obvious, but I think they might extend to a better intake. If that is correct, it may have unleashed some welcome extra horsepower. The car has sat for years, requiring work to become roadworthy. The list will include a thorough inspection and new brake components, but the chances are high that a competent person could complete the tasks in their garage over a few weekends. The seller includes an embedded video in the eBay listing that features the small-block running. It sounds crisp and clean, with no evidence of unwanted noises or smoke.
We should never judge a book by its cover, which is undoubtedly true with this Corvette. Its Dark Saddle vinyl interior looks serviceable, although it would require items like new seatcovers to lift its presentation. However, that task would not be the first because this ‘Vette has suffered a rodent infestation. It is unclear how bad this was, but those little fellas leave an unmistakable odor that can be challenging to eliminate. The buyer should probably budget for new seat foam and a carpet set to consign the problem to a dim memory. I have experienced this problem myself, and it sometimes seems like thorough cleaning will do the trick. That can be deceptive because the warm summer sun can liberate a scent thought long gone. An aftermarket Kenwood radio/cassette player occupies the factory radio’s rightful place, but there are no further additions.
This 1973 Corvette could form the foundation of a satisfying build for the right person. Its solid nature means they won’t face major structural issues, and it is possible that they could address its interior shortcomings, return it to a roadworthy state, and enjoy the classic motoring experience while they plan its restoration. It has attracted thirteen bids, and history suggests there will be a few more as the finish line draws near. If that doesn’t happen, it could be one of the most affordable C3 projects in the current market. If you have longed for a project of this caliber, submitting a bid would be the ideal first step in transforming a dream into reality.
Helped build a garage with my father for his co-worker in the fall of ’81. I got to use a pneumatic nail gun for the first time; it was very empowering. The man for whom we were building the garage had a ’73 Corvette with a 454.
At an early point in the building process we had to make a lot of room for the cement truck to come in, angle its chute and pour the garage floor. We’d done all of the prep work to accommodate the cement truck but the Corvette was in the way. Roy B. threw me the keys to the Corvette and asked me to ‘Please take it around the block and park it in front of the house.’ Around the block. Me. 454 Corvette. I was only 26 years-old. Good thing I had some ‘stick time’ with a vehicle that had a manual transmission. Anyway, I started the car, that Corvette woke right up and I put the thing where Roy B. had specified. This began my love affair with the Corvette that has more or less lasted until the present day. Cool car. I took Roy B.’s Corvette around that block twice and I did not catch any hell for it.
Awesome bet that was nice!!
In memory it felt like a thoroughbred that wanted to run. First time I’d driven a Corvette and that long hood was really something.
I don’t think somebody that says they know nothing about cars and proceeds to tell you the birdcage is fine is being totally honest
Square deal at 10K though
Ah, the old dryer sheet trick to keep the mice away – I do that in my cars that I don’t drive very often.
My Vette had a mouse inhabiting the HVAC fan housing. Boy did that smell every time I used the HVAC. I didn’t discover it’s location for a couple of years and when I did, I cleaned it out really good and that was the end of the odor.
This ad confuses me because I can’t figure out which pictures are during the seller’s ownership and which are from the ad that they bought it from. Could be a good deal for someone if price stays put at 11K.
Mouse nest in a heater blower… great place for a fire to start.
The nest was made out of pink fiberglass insulation, taken from the nearby walls. And it was so urine soaked, it probably would have been hard to ignite.
I did that one year when storing. Must have chosen the wrong kind, because the mice chewed it up and made a nice nest in the trunk.
Someone mentioned Honest seller. Maybe naive would better describe her. The ad says low mileage @ 50 miles per year. 29 years X 50 [miles per year] is 1450, not 105,000. I would love for her to be my parts supplier if she can buy: master cylinder for $40, radiator hose $8. Not to mention a “heated garage” where the wall studs have no insulation. I would hate to pay the heat bill on a garage with no insulation. All this doesn’t mean dishonest. Maybe just under informed.
I’m wondering if it didn’t leak before or after the several inches of dust accumulation.
10g is probably about right. With any car probably will be additional work & expense. Comes with any of them. Cant expect these barn finds to be prestine & turn key ready to go and a 1973 vette is no different.
The “Hanta Virus Vette” … requires a total interior tear out and replacement just for starters. Not to mention the ventilation system being decontaminated … mice are an absolute scourge. Remember folks .. Bounce sheets aplenty for storage!
Car looks like more gold than yellow because I had a yellow one. plus the air-condition is missing.
you better take the 10 grand…it is so much not original under the hood…this car present condition ia a 5 grander.
I agree, Its a 73 not as desirable as other years. Color and Automatic is the devaluing problem. Now if it was a Red, White, Black with a stick, convertible with optional hardtop. I owned a 73 they are a nice car.
SOLD for 14K.
Thank you for the heads-up.
Very nice project car for some lucky person !
I’m not surprised to see this one back around again.
I think that 14K would have been too much to pay for this one. I do feel bad for the seller and that how EBay lets this type of thing happen so often.
I paid $10,000 for my 73 coupe in 2015 in far better shape than this. Of course, the urethane bumper cover was toast, the engine had a miss and the rear wheel bearings junk. Paint very good, interior Good, ac broken. I put $7,000 in it and have a wonderful driver. Driving it 200 miles each way next month to Carlisle for 50th anniversary of the great 73.
Would surely like to see damage to front without that silly bib cover. Shipping costs have big reflection on bid offer.
LMAO! I had the same (mask) front cover on my 69 Corvette and 71 Porsche 914-6 years ago. These masks would flap at high speeds. It started to wear the paint off only on my 914-6. It was gone after that.
1973 was the first year for plastic front bumper. Also, after 1974 Corvettes were a joke in the high performance world.
How hard is it to put a ’72 or older chrome front bumper on a ’73 so as to fool someone?
I’m guessing pretty tough unless you duct tape it on. The 5 mph bumper stuff beneath the squeezy front bumper would probably make that a tough project. There are easier ways to screw somebody on a Corvette deal. Ask the guy in Miami.
Frank, he’s probably done it, and then advertised it as stock.
When I had my ranch outside San Marcos, Texas I would take my 1974 Corvette out on Sunday morning and drive up to Wimberley. A very curvy and challenging road. They call it the Devil’s backbone. I would have a coffee and then drive back. At the time I had 12 cars but no pick up truck. I still do not drive one and it is now 40 some years later.
Pickups are kinda like airconditioning – once you have it you can’t get along without it. I curse the day I got both!
I have no idea how you managed without a truck on a ranch!!!
I have trucks ,trailers and tractors everywhere. No other way at my joint.
No air no thank you
59Poncho
I would borrow a truck that had a Ford store. Or I would get the country singer across the road with his Chevy truck to help me. I had thing against trucks. They were all std cabs and not good looking
Thomas,
I don’t have your patience to wait for others lol
BTW 4Wheel Drive is also mandatory for my trucks
I have to admit though recently I loaded my 60 Bonnevilles trunk with our recyclables!!
SOLD (again) for $12,600.