The ad for this 1973 Corvette states it is a true barn find with 36K original miles and was last on the road in 1986. It appears to have been a project that someone started and never completed for an unknown reason. You can find it for sale here on Craigslist in Eastport, New York with an asking price of $5,200. The car features the L-82 small block and looks like a solid project for someone to finish.
The December 1972 issue of Car and Driver magazine featured a road test review of the 1973 Corvette. The magazine proclaimed “…the L82 is the engine we prefer. Duntov and the other Corvette engineers gravitate toward the big blocks because they like the torque. And granted, the 454s will squirt through traffic with just a feather touch on the gas pedal. But, to us at least, the small block engine contributes to a fine sense of balance in the Corvette that is rare in any GT car, so rare that it would be a shame to exchange it for a few lb.-ft. of torque.”
The interior looks like it’s in decent shape. The door panels have been removed for some reason, but they are included with the car. The car features an automatic transmission and the Elkhart green paint with brown interior is a handsome combination. There is good aftermarket support for these cars with reproduction and new old stock (NOS) parts readily available.
There is obvious fiberglass damage to the rear of the car. The nice thing about Corvettes is the bodies don’t rust. However, the frames, suspension, engine and other parts are prone to rust. Looking at the photos in the ad, there will be some fiberglass repair and rust repair to be done on this project. For the price, this seems like it may be a good project for someone. If I was an interested buyer, I would try and look at it in person. At the very least, get some more detailed photos of the current condition to get a better ideas of the problems that may be lurking underneath.
Interesting project. No mention whether the engine is frozen or not, along with what condition the frame and birdcage are in. Not bad pricewise if those items are ok. No mention of the endure front bumper or not so expect that not to be included in the purchase.
Neither the best nor the worst that I’ve seen, but may have some potential for the right person. It will take some $$ and work to do it up, but it’s doable from what I can see.
Certainly doable depending on rust issues & missing/damaged parts. Looks like another $5k car that you can put $20k into to get a $15k car.
That would be my concern. If it was a 1968-72 with an LT-1 then yes, it would probably be worth it. But I don’t think the ’73s are worth all that much. The L82 helps but doesn’t launch us into the big money. Just go on eBay and get one you can drive right now for under 20.
Nice car to bring back. My simplistic logic would have been…hey, Corvette fiberglass is just like restoring a boat…rusty frame instead of rotten wood stringers.
Curious about the tail damage. It looks like the damage was done after the bumpers had been removed. And ya, he can keep the Hurst 20 inchers. $5200 seems high to me.
When I first saw the picture of it with the 20s I thought it was an offering from Mattel.
“36K original miles” More like 136000 original miles according to the wear on the carpet and brake pedal .
Agree Alex D. – had a similar model with 150k+ miles, with less interior wear. Heck, my daily driver has 105k+ miles and still looks new.
Why can’t people just be straight up?
Funny, he says “Let’s not waste each others time”, but lists every other muscle car in the ad, wasting everyone else’s time plugging up their searches.
Not an expert on 1973’s, but that has never stopped me in the past- I have been told by some 1973 owners during my NCRS days that there are some parts that were specific to that year and may be a little hard to find.I would suggest checking with your local 1973 expert prior to purchasing.
Only year with Endura front bumper and chrome bumper in back IIRC. Also early in the smogged engines, so most from that era ran like crap when new. Had a 74 Chevelle that once the engine was worked over ran well, but new was a total piece of crap.
Personally, I don’t like the mismatched bumper look of the 73’s, but they do have their following.
Eastport NY is at the east end of Long Island, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Looking at the rust on the car, like the muffler and ignition shielding, and the corrosion on the valve covers, it’s obvious that car has spent some time in a damp climate, and/or around salty ocean air. The more I look at the pictures of that car, the more I wonder if it could have been under water? I don’t know how much flooding Eastport got from Sandy, but Long Island has seen flooding in the past, from Sandy and other storms.
I can never understand when someone has a car that obviously needs a complete restoration, why is the first thing they buy something like a set of custom wheels?
For some reason, these were never very desireable.
It was a good move to put the pictures of the 20 inchers at the end of the slideshow. If I’d have seen them first, I’d have checked out immediately. This could be a great project for a DIYer. No way to justify any huge expense. But its a nice looking car for someone.
These c3 vettes are still considered step kids on pricing and one has to be careful on return of investment if they are not just wanting to drive it till the wheels fall off.
The prior comments on rust are very real as the bird cage and the dog legs (kick up section of frame that goes over rear)rust so much all the aftermarket corvette companies make them to sell!
The head lights that pop up assembly also go bad and expect replacing them for $$$.
The rubber bumper is always toast!
The fiberglass is covering metal on the the front panel that holds the emblem and they rust out too making fun getting it to separate from glass then repaste new back.
The radiator supports and frame connectors by front firewall and inside vents are candidates for replacement to cancer too.
These are just observations and items found in the multiple C3 vettes completed.
The converts bring from high tens to mid twenties !