Tidy 73k-Mile Driver: 1973 Chevrolet Corvette
You can chastise the feds for so many 1973 vehicles having a less attractive front end than their predecessors, as the government put a new law into effect back then requiring all cars to withstand a 5 MPH frontal collision unscathed. In all fairness, it’s an excellent concept but wasn’t announced until two years prior, giving automakers little time to redesign those areas to be more aesthetically pleasing, with several carryovers just having a couple of bumper guards added. But the Corvette took a different route and got a redesign, eliminating the chrome bumper up front entirely as can be seen on this 1973 Chevrolet Corvette that Barn Finds reader Rocco B spotted here on Craigslist. This one is in Parrish, Florida, and can be yours for $15,500.
From the rear perspective, the back was pretty much a carryover from ’72 and still retained the dual chrome bumpers, but that also changed the following year when the panel got a different slope and lost the visible metal units outside altogether. 1973 was also one of the years Chevrolet didn’t keep track of how many of each Corvette left the factory by colors, with this one wearing code 945 Blue Green, not a shade I can remember spotting running around all that often. The seller doesn’t mention whether that’s the original finish outside or not, but both the paint and fiberglass seem to still be in very nice shape overall.
I’m thankful the owner specified that his ‘Vette is ZQ3-equipped because without a VIN listed it’s a bit hard to tell the difference by just glancing under the hood if a 350 from ’73 is an L48 or the L82, with this one being the lesser and making 190 horsepower. Most L82 variants came with the finned aluminum valve covers while the L48 used painted metal components like we’re seeing here, but lots of these got swapped out over the years so there are plenty of Corvettes with the polished covers that still have the base engine. The seller lists the car’s mileage at 73,000 and states that his C3 is running and driving well, with confirmation that the small block is indeed numbers-matching.
The saddle interior compliments the exterior color nicely, with a couple of tears in the driver’s seat possibly the biggest eyesore inside other than whatever that component is that’s hanging under the dash on the passenger side. We also get to view a couple of photos from down below which do show a bit of light surface rust underneath, but the seller assures us both the frame and birdcage are free of actual corrosion. This 1973 Corvette is a fairly basic model, but it seems nicely preserved and with the low mileage, I feel the asking price of $15.5k is somewhere in the ballpark. What are your thoughts on this one?
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Comments
It wasn’t just the feds but the insurance companies were coming down hard on performance too. Here’s an example of where people’s heads were in the early ’70s. Base engine, auto, air and all the options. This was not for going like bloody h#!! it was for looking good doing whatever you were doing.
Nice color combo. $12,500. There is always $3500 that needs to be put into any C3 Corvette. $15,500 + $3500= A pretty nice, base engine, automatic, 1973 IMHO. I could be wrong.
Where was “AMERICA” we are going down the tubes! From 73 then on! No wonder people gravitate from that point back to enjoy life! JMIO! Just some Makers Mark to put my two cents in.lol
Loser.
You want to know what’s happened to America? It’s a bunch of whining crybabies jonesing for the good old days that exist only in their dreams. Nut up and get with the program. Time only goes one way and it’s not waiting for you.
“Fox”: some of us grew up before the numerous gubmint mandates that gutted our cars and turned them into piles of molasses-slow plastic crap.
A slammed civic with glass packs and a rear spoiler may float your boat, but some of us DO pine for the “good old days”, and for good reason: cars were immensely more fun back in The Day.
And many of us have earned the right to have the toys from our youth.
One year only , ten years earlier there was another one year only corvette it’s called split window, you see how that came out just saying !
I’m from Canada were we have to figure out kms from miles. Is this 1973 Listed in kms, as in some listings?
Hi James,
Nope, I believe this one’s tracked in USA mileage, and if I performed the math correctly it equals almost 119,000 Kilometers.
I like the car but I have to ask does that engine look like a 73k mile engine? Don’t want to look like l’m talking down this car. I just want to know what l may be looking at.
I suppose it’s just me, but I have a hard time believing most of these low mileage claims on these older vehicles? Especially, when the ad shows 20 to something 30 years elaspe in records. More especially, these sixties vehicles with 10k miles showing and claims of being actual?
I lived through all of those years with all of the odometer tampering.
That would no doubt be the reason that they passed laws in the early eighties trying to curb this out of control activity.
This may or may not be the correct mileage, if that is what you were alluding to?
But, this only my oponion? Nothing more.
I really have no idea about this particular vehicle. Just my personal thoughts.
73,000 is not considered low-mileage on a special interest, desirable, Corvette such as the 1973.IMHO, 30,000 or below might qualify as “Low mileage” Once again, the standard disclaimer: “I could be wrong”
I don’t know why some sellers won’t detail the engine and engine bay before advertising their car. That’s why people sometimes question the mileage just saying.
While C3’s have came up in value, $15K is a lot of money for a car that there’s plenty of nice examples out there for under $8K.
4 months ago I picked up a 78 with 82K miles that needed new carpet (just bought a full carpet set for around $300) for $3,500. Everything else on it looks good with the exception that the paint needs a good buffing. So, for less than $4K and a weekend of work………
Just sayin.
I always thought the ’73 was the best-looking of the C3’s because of the front combined with the rear chrome.
The front reminds me of the Mako concept which I thought was mega cool.
The guy who designed the 73 agreed with you. Larry Shinoda, who also designed the 1970 Boss 302 Mustang, said the 1973 was his favorite C3.
Funny that the seller lists this as a “ZQ3”, as if that is something special. Just a base model.
I know that these 73s will rise in value as the steel bumper 69 – 72 become pricier. Not sure they are up to the price that this one is at, in this condition.
And, why can’t most sellers provide more than just a handful of pictures when CL allows you 20+ photos? I guess they are trying to sell the car to their next door neighbor.
PRA4SNW- I don’t see “ZQ3” anywhere in my Corvette Black Book, and all my NCRS C3 manuals are long gone. What does that code signify? The base 350? Thanks!
Happy Holidays!
Frank, I saw it mentioned in the ad and had to Google it since I never heard of it before either.
Here is a Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_small-block_engine_(first-_and_second-generation)#:~:text=The%20ZQ3%20is%20the%20standard,carburetor%20and%20a%20L48%20camshaft.
ZQ3
Years: 1969-1974
The ZQ3 is the standard engine in the 1969–1974 Chevrolet Corvette.
In 1969 and 1970 it was a 300 hp (224 kW) version of the 350 cu in (5.7 L) small-block, with 10.25:1 compression and hydraulic lifters. It used a Rochester “4MV” Quadra-Jet 4-barrel carburetor and a L48 camshaft.[23]
So, that means that the engine in my ’70 Convertible was also a ZQ3.
Who knew?