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73 Vettes... Hybrids?

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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 02:18 AM
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Default 73 Vettes... Hybrids?

Not to offend any 73 vette owners, but are the 73s a bybrid of the early and mid year vettes?

Are they a natural progression or a sloppy way for GM to do something different to generate interest?
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 02:36 AM
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they had to make the change up front because of the new 5 mph impact standards.
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 03:04 AM
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I see the 73's as a transition year. I think GM was fading out the old and introducing the new. Is it a coincidence that there are only 40 or so 1983 vettes and it seems to run in 10 year cycles? Hmmmmmmm
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by luerja
they had to make the change up front because of the new 5 mph impact standards.

Believe the camaro is similar
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 08:09 AM
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GM did the same thing when they transitioned to the 61 then to the 63. In that case, the back was similar to the 63 and the front was the same as before.
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by luerja
they had to make the change up front because of the new 5 mph impact standards.
but in addition 73 vettes are some kind of missing link between 68-72 models and 74 and up C3 Vettes.
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:00 AM
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Think it's the best of both worlds, flat back with composite bumper. Smooth, clean look, that's why I picked it.
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:13 AM
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A natural progression to perfection. Best looking corvette ever!
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 10:33 AM
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It was Larry Shinodas favorite year. However I'm grateful for David Holls, the stylist who put the finishing touches on the 1968 thru 1972 style.
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 10:51 AM
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 11:55 AM
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When you cant make up your mind whether you like the chrome bumpers of the 68 - 72, or the plastic bumpers of the 74 - 77, then the obvious answer is......buy a 73. It has the best of both worlds.

kdf
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by edheinrich
Think it's the best of both worlds, flat back with composite bumper. Smooth, clean look, that's why I picked it.
That's why I made one.
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 01:35 PM
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I too have always believed the 73 was the best looking of the C3's,..so after about 30 years of always wanting one, I finally did it,..a nice restorable 454 car purchased about a year ago. Glad I did.

Agree,..love the split rear bumper, the clean lines of the front urethane bumper, and the (functional!) cowl hood,..beautiful!

Also,..Duntov and Car & Driver thought a lot the 73 back in the day:

"Zora Arkus-Duntov reckons the new Corvette to be the best ever, and after exhaustive testing of four different models, we're inclined to agree"
Car and Driver, Dec 1972, in their road test of the new 1973 Corvette.

I love all the C3's but was never crazy about the 68-72 front bumper,..I've always thought it looked like an after-thought. I know this is might be a minority opinion. But I do like the power-train offerings of the prior years.

My opinion,
Wes
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 73 Survivor
A natural progression to perfection. Best looking corvette ever!
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by LittleJake
I see the 73's as a transition year. I think GM was fading out the old and introducing the new. Is it a coincidence that there are only 40 or so 1983 vettes and it seems to run in 10 year cycles? Hmmmmmmm
40-some-odd '83s were built. All but 1 were crushed (as far as we know).
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Old Apr 22, 2006 | 01:43 AM
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Originally Posted by luerja
they had to make the change up front because of the new 5 mph impact standards.
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Old Apr 22, 2006 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by edheinrich
Think it's the best of both worlds, flat back with composite bumper. Smooth, clean look, that's why I picked it.
Me too. My favorite C3 by far and the only one I would own.
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