The 1973 Corvette is one of the most easily recognizable models around.
That year marked the beginning of the federally mandated 5 mph “rubber bumper” era on the front, but the rear bumper remained chrome for one more year. To some folks, it marked the best of both worlds in that respect.
A Corvette Forum member near Philadelphia currently has a nice Blue-Green ’73 for sale, with a numbers matching big block 454/275 horsepower engine connected to a rare four-speed manual transmission. He says the car, which has 104,000 miles on the odometer, “runs and drives great” and looks great cosmetically inside and out as well.
For what seems to be such a solid car, we’re impressed with the fairness of the price, $17,000, though he insists that figure is firm and he “will NOT take $16k.”
The Blue-Green paint has been resprayed “some time ago,” according to the seller, and remains in “great” condition. “You won’t have to redo it,” he says. “However it does have a small blemish here and there. You won’t notice unless you are literally face up against the paint and it’s pointed out to you.”
The original manual transmission – one of just 3,704 so equipped out of a total production run of 25,521 – still shifts firmly with no knocks, leaks, or known issues with the engine. The car also has air conditioning, which has been connected by the seller since the photos with the listing were taken, but he hasn’t put a belt on or charged the system so he doesn’t know for sure how cold the air blows.
The seller has also updated many parts, including brand new rear chrome bumpers, brand new chrome rocker covers, new headlight actuators, newer suspension and brakes, new stainless steel exhaust system, and a Hurst shifter upgrade.
He notes that everything works, even the door chime, with the exception of the always troublesome clock. The power windows go up and down, and all lights come on – high beam, low beam. The hidden headlights also go up and down.
The all original interior with an aftermarket radio and “no repro parts” still looks nice, though he says the driver’s door armrest and the rear window plastic cover do have small cracks. Speaking of the rear window, unlike the ’68-72 models, it’s fixed in place and can’t be removed on the ‘73s.
Underneath, the frame is described as “beautiful” and “totally solid,” with no rust or aftermarket spray on it. The birdcage is equally nice, verified by removing the internal A-pillar covers.
Even though he drove the car at 90 mph with the current tires, he recommends replacing them because one of the rear tires cracked open while the car was sitting. A non-matching tire and wheel have been installed, but the original wheel will be included in the sale, as well as the spare tire.
“Will it win shows?” he asks in the ad. “Probably not, it’s a driver’s car that doesn’t need too much work.”
Source:
Corvette Forum
Related:
Corvettes for Sale: 1973 Tuxedo Black L82 4-Speed Coupe for $425K?
Corvettes for Sale: Right Hand Drive 1973 Corvette on Hemmings
Corvettes on eBay: Ecklers Custom 1973 Corvette Hatchback
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Unlike some of the “Barn Finds” that are nothing but “Money Pits’, this car looks like a good deal; bet it won’t be around long.
I’d love to have it, but I just got my C7 paid off and I’ve promised no additional Corvettes at this house at this time. My favorite among the 4 has been a ’72 454 4-speed which I bought in ’73 and kept until baby#1 came along in ’78.
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