This big block 1973 Corvette T-Top Coupe isn’t perfect, but for someone hunting a driver grade C3 Corvette with plenty of personality, it delivers a whole lot of pizazz for the bucks.
The car popped up recently on Craigslist out of Peabody, Massachusetts, advertised as an original, numbers matching 454/TH400 Corvette for $19,000 — a price that’s increasingly hard to find for any big block C3, much less one that’s turnkey and ready to enjoy.
According to the seller, the car remains “almost completely stock,” retaining its factory LS4 454 big block, Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, and tilt/telescopic wheel. The bones are solid, and the underside photos show a clean, rock solid frame.
The paint is where things get interesting. The car wears Classic White with blue racing stripes running over the hood, roof, and rear deck, plus matching blue accents on the fender vents. It’s a bold look — and not everyone agrees on whether it works.
The seller admits the paint is “not show quality,” with a few hairline cracks and chips, but says it’s glossy, bright, and earns compliments. Barn Finds noted the stripes are “an odd choice,” especially paired with the Dark Red interior, but also pointed out that the car’s cosmetic quirks don’t detract from its value as a clean, numbers matching big block driver.
The LS4 454 was rated at 275 horsepower and 390 lb ft of torque in 1973 — not the fire breathing monster of earlier big blocks, but still one of the strongest domestic performers of its day. Paired with the TH400 automatic, it offers relaxed cruising with plenty of grunt when you want it.
The seller says the car “runs and drives well,” making it a legitimate fly in and drive home candidate.
Inside, the Corvette is trimmed in Dark Red leather, and it’s one of the car’s best features. The seats appear to have been recovered and look soft and inviting. The dash and pad are clean, with no cracks or broken plastic. The carpet shows some fading but no holes — perfectly acceptable for a driver quality car.
A CD player is the only noticeable aftermarket addition.
As always, Corvette fans on Barn Finds had plenty to say:
Geoff Black joked that the red white and blue color scheme makes perfect sense for an American car — even from his Aussie perspective.
Joe wasn’t as charitable, calling the blue stripes “butt ugly” and declaring the ’72 the last truly good looking C3.
TRUTH loved it, calling the car “gorgeous and fair price.”
bobhess kept it simple: “Buy it and drive it. Nice one.”
This ’73 Corvette isn’t a showpiece, and it isn’t pretending to be. What it is is a clean, numbers matching big block C3 with solid bones, a great interior, and a price that leaves room for cosmetic improvements — or simply enjoying it as is.
Whether you’d repaint it or embrace the patriotic stripes, the car offers an affordable entry into big block Corvette ownership. And as Barn Finds noted, there’s no rush to make decisions. Just hand over $19,000, slip off the T tops, and enjoy the patriotic ride.
Source:
Craigslist.org via BarnFinds.com
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