As I sat down looking at the listing for this 1973 Corvette Stingray, I reflected upon my car ownership history. The longest I’ve ever hung onto a vehicle has been eleven years, but this classic is in a different league. It is forty-nine years old and has spent its entire life with its current owner. All things must end, so they’ve taken the difficult decision of finding a new owner. The ‘Vette is listed here on eBay in Farmington, Michigan. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve to sit at $14,100.
There’s no denying this Corvette makes a positive first impression. Its Elkhart Green paint retains a fantastic depth of color and shine, although it isn’t clear whether the car has ever received any repaint or restoration work. The panels show no cracks or crazing, while the trim and badges are excellent. The 1973 model year marked the first where the chrome front bumper gave way to the urethane 5mph unit. The change added thirty-five pounds to the Stingray’s weight. However, the impact on performance would have seemed insignificant compared to the loss of engine power as Chevrolet grappled with the tightening emission regulations. The frame shows the occasional spot of surface corrosion, but the consistent undercoat should ensure there is no rust that could compromise its structural integrity. The Rally wheels and tinted glass look excellent for a vehicle of this age, although I don’t believe the side exhaust is original.
One aspect of C3 Corvettes that is prone to showing wear and neglect is the interior. Seat upholstery can become tired and ripped, plastic can crumble, and it takes little for an interior to require a total restoration. That isn’t the case with this ’73 example. Its black leather seatcovers are excellent, as are the remaining upholstered surfaces. The carpet has avoided the fading that can be common, while the dash and pad are spotless. The owner replaced the original radio with a Sony radio/cassette player, although I can’t spot any further modifications. They ordered this classic with air conditioning, although the absence of a compressor belt suggests the system requires attention. Buyers also receive the tilt/telescopic wheel, but there are no further optional extras.
The seller doesn’t specifically state that the Corvette is numbers-matching, although their emphasis on originality suggests it probably is. The engine bay houses the L48 version of the 350ci V8, producing 190hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. The power finds its way to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, while the brakes receive power assistance. The owner performed a few changes under the hood, including adding aftermarket headers. These may have released a few extra ponies, allowing the car to best the 16.1-second ¼-mile ET it would have produced from the factory. The shielding is missing from the ignition, but the general presentation of the engine bay is tidy. For potential buyers, this ‘Vette is a turnkey proposition. The seller states that it runs and drives well, opening the possibility of the successful bidder flying in and driving this beauty home.
Finding a classic car that has been thrashed mercilessly by an uncaring owner is easy, and vehicles of that type will generally show the signs of such abuse. This 1973 Corvette Stingray blows in like a breath of fresh air. While it is never an iron-clad guarantee, cars with a long-term ownership history have survived because their owners treat them with care and respect. This Corvette shows all the hallmarks of such a life, and parting with it must have been a heart-wrenching decision. I hope that whoever buys it appreciates what it offers and that it continues to lead a sheltered life. When you assess its condition, are you tempted to join the bidding party on this classic?
All it needs are John Deere decals on the front fenders.
And a dust buster run on the driver side floor.
That’s not John Deere green
So what’s your point?
I went and checked out the ebay listing.
If I was selling a one owner C3 (that still possessed one set of chrome bumpers) I would probably have written a “wordier” ad. A feedback rating of 2 and virtually nothing about the car leaves me a trifle skeptical. There is a # provided if one has questions but a few more details could reduce some of the obvious asks and provide a little more legitimacy.
We all know one thing. The owner sure didn’t take pride in ownership. Shame last year for rear bumpers and the green is a rare color. My wife had one years ago after her 240Z. We got the car cheap only because of the color.
Did any Corvettes have side exhaust from the factory?
Steve, 1969 was the only year side mounted exhaust was an option and it was a muffler/exhaust pipe configuration not headers like the ones on this car. They had a separate cover over the system. But a lot of people retro fitted them on anything from 1968 to 1982. I had them on my 1971 LT-! Convertible.
For the C-2 1965-1967 and for the C-3 model, 1969 only.
@Adam Clarke
Were you serious when you said you didn’t think the side exhaust on this ’73 Corvette was original? Surely not! There was only one year in the C3 Corvettes when the factory offered side exhaust and that was 1969.
The exhaust on this car is aftermarket and is most likely made by Hooker Headers. There were some other imitators but Hooker was the most common.
Below is a link that shows a real ’69 L-88 Corvette with factory side exhaust.
http://www.sinorprestigeauto.com/car/1969-l88-original-drivetrain-and-side-exhaust-194379s718301/
Larry D. Back when I was busy modding my ’66 Corvette convertible , flared all 4 wheel wells, worked 350 , lowered suspension ETC. I was thinking about exhaust and working at a Chevy dealers parts dept. with a performance minded parts manager I looked in the Chevy High Performance parts catalog and found a Chevy part number for a road racing exhaust system , available for both small block and big blocks . I ordered it and a few days later they came in. They were packed in a box that was from O.K. Kustom Headers. It included the headers, the long collectors and slide in mufflers. They were painted hi temp black. They were loud even with the mufflers slid in place. They were very similar to the Hooker Headers ones, they exited just behind the front wheels, followed the rockers and ended in front of the rear wheel opening, they got warm.
Another link for ’69 Corvette side exhaust
https://mobile.corvettestory.com/images/corvette-images-mobile/1969-Corvette-side-exhaust-DSC_6732_a.jpg
Having owned a ’73 in the past, albeit a 454 convertible, let’s not forget that NOT EVERYTHING about that year was about deteriorating performance. Yes engine power was going down a bit and the new front urethane bumper added some weight, but let us not forget that the car’s aerodynamics were improved more than just a little, by the new air extractors. Up to ’72 you had side vents intended to let out some heat that allowed some aerodynamic air escape from under the car. For 1973, however, the new race-car-inspired air extractors helped increase the top speed and high-end acceleration. The ’73 was also more comfortable.
Personally, I like the ’73s! Smooth side scoop
and chrome rear bumper. What’s not to like?
If ya want it quicker, then do it! Still stylish!
The ignition shielding is most likely missing because he upgraded to HEI. I own a silver 73 coupe 4 speed. More othan 40 years ago, I owned a 454 1971 coupe 4 speed. It was 5 years old when I got it and almost everything in that car went wrong except the Muncie and the chrome Hooker side exhaust. I have owned my 73 almost 8 years, and while it needed the typical C3 rebuild of suspension, leaky radiator, and gauges repaired, etc, this car is far and above better in every respect than a 71. Rides better, quieter, and yes that front urethane bumper looks better in my opinion here in PA, where we don’t need a front license plate. The 73s are undervalued and will have their day, but I don’t buy cars for investments, because they are not. I buy them to drive.
@george mattar
You wrote: “The 73s are undervalued and will have their day”
George, I’ve been hearing Corvette guys say that for 40 years. I even had a ’73 also so I have nothing against them but the C3s that are the hottest are the 1968-72s due to the chrome bumpers front and rear. Sorry but that’s just the way it is.
I’m sure the ’73s will go up in due time but I don’t expect them to ever jump out ahead of the pack.
In fact, I’ve owned three ’69s, two ’71s, the ’73, ’74, 78 and ’80. So yes I loved those cars.
Ended:Jul 18, 2022 , 6:27PM
Winning bid:
US $14,100.00
[ 23 bids ]
’73 is a unique year–only year with soft nose, and chrome rear bumper