Custom builds come in all shapes and sizes, and I have to thank Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this 1973 Chevrolet Corvette. Its creator followed the faux-racer look, guaranteeing that it draws plenty of attention wherever it goes. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing the ‘Vette here on eBay in Martha, Kentucky. They set their auction to open at $6,400, and with No Reserve to confuse proceedings, it should be destined for greener pastures in a few days.
The 1973 model year brought the first genuinely significant change to the C3 Corvette’s styling since its 1968 launch. Complying with safety regulations forced the company to ditch the elegant chrome front bumper in favor of a heavier transverse tube with a molded polyurethane cover. This Corvette would have left the line in that form, but swapping the original for an earlier chrome bumper is the first change the builder made. They also ditched the pop-up headlamps in favor of exposed quads beneath transparent covers to give the nose a sleeker appearance. However, it is the paint job that is the exterior’s most striking feature. I believe that the first owner probably ordered the car in Code 914 Silver, but it now wears a significant amount of Blue and White with splashes of Red. The decals on both doors confirm that they aimed to create a racer-style look. The seller is candid about the car’s cosmetic condition, admitting that a close inspection will rate it at about a 7/10. It is presentable, and there is scope for the winning bidder to refresh the exterior fairly easily. That could provide the chance to eliminate the multi-color look if they prefer something more conventional. That close inspection will also reveal that the bumpers are tired and would benefit from a trip to the platers. The glass is in good condition, while adding American Racing Torq Thrust wheels and a side exhaust further increases this Corvette’s inherently aggressive appearance.
The builder followed a pretty conservative path with this Corvette’s drivetrain. They retained the car’s 350ci V8 and three-speed automatic transmission, but removed the power steering. The small-block’s spent gases reach the side exhaust via shorty headers, making the motor sound pretty sweet. The seller links this YouTube video showing the small-block running, and I heard nothing that caused concern. The seller doesn’t mention any further engine updates, meaning that it should deliver at least 190hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. Even if the buyer leaves this classic’s panels and paint untouched, there are a few relatively minor tasks hiding beneath the surface. The seller states that it has a crack on the driver’s side spring bolt tab requiring attention, and the brakes aren’t as effective as they should be. They also state that the Corvette would benefit from a wheel alignment, and that balancing the tires would be wise. However, if that is all that this Corvette needs, addressing those shortcomings should be relatively easy and inexpensive.
The custom touches continue inside this classic, with the seatbelts making way for racing harnesses, and the plastic console painted Silver to match the aluminum shifter insert. Once again, the look won’t receive universal approval, but the changes are reversible. If we look beyond those changes, there is a lot to like. Trimmed in Black vinyl, the seats aren’t badly worn, and the carpet is in good condition. The dash and pad have survived nicely, and the car retains its factory gauges. The console features a custom blanking plate, meaning there is no in-car entertainment.
Some auctions raise intriguing possibilities, and such is the case with this 1973 Corvette. The listing statistics are very healthy, but there has been no auction action. That means that somebody could become its new owner with a single bid. It definitely won’t appeal to everyone, but would the prospect of affordability tempt you to compromise? Even if you don’t make a play for it, monitoring the listing might be worthwhile to discover if anyone will give this classic a new home.
They say they removed the power brakes but come back saying they don’t work too well. Gee! Get rid of the circles, fix the brakes and go have some fun.