What is the difference in value between a 72 and a 73 coupe, all other things being equal?

 

Per NADA Guides (www.nadaguides.com)

1972 coupe, base, no options: Avg Retail $21,125

1973 coupe, base, no options: Avg Retail $16,925

So looks like the chrome front bumper is worth slightly over $4,000.

 

 

I think this is, as most value questions, subjective. For many years the 73 was an odd ball and not too popular, then again I know many that hated the C3 and thought the vette was dead after 67.

So I think the answer is dependant on each car and what a buyer will pay- forget about price guides and out of control tv auctions, a lot of street driven vettes need work and once they are inspected the usually inflated asking prices seem way out of line.

72 vs 73 really comes down to the bumpers, LT1 traded for L82, BB still around, options about the same. Both are nice cars to have.

 

People have been expecting the 73 to be something special since, well 73. I don't think they're going to ever get much closer to the 72. It IS alot of money for a bumper JMO

 

That's one of the huge pluses of the 73's,..the buy-in is more reasonable than earlier Vettes which is great for the average bloke. I fell in love with the 73 first time a saw one in 72,..wasn't able own one until three years ago. Love the cowl-induction hood and set up,..love the clean front end,..and a few 73's came with the aluminum wheels.

I now have two 73's,..both with the original LS-4 454's,..which by the way, had more HP than anything in 72.

If a 72 coupe was in equal shape and simularly optioned to a 73 convertible yet both were priced the same, who would pass on the vert?

Or if 73 had a BB and the 72 a SB, both priced and optioned the same, not sure many would pass on the BB. Yet, this is basically the current market. Again, 73's are a great buy!

 

That's a tough question to answer, because your comparing apples to oranges. There are very few things equal between these models. Engines are not the same, LS5 vs LS4, LT-1 vs L82, ZQ3 vs L48. A.I.R emission system vs EGR system, rubber mounted body vs solid aluminum mounts, door guard beams, omark bolt bumper cover, radial tires vs none, chrome bumper, bias belt tires. So on and on and on.

It comes down to aesthetics, and what are perceived as more desireable features each car possesses. I think this is what determines the price separation.

 

Thanks for all of the answers guys. What I am really trying to do is determine the viability of trading my base motor, full option 72 coupe that needs paint for a base motor, full option 73 coupe that does not need paint.

It should be close to a wash, if I read the value info correctly.

Option 2 is to sell my 72 coupe as is. Still trying to decide what I want to do.

OK, let me do this. Please give me you estimates of the value of the following car:

1972 Corvette coupe, base motor, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C. Originally Steel Cities Gray with black vinyl interior, now red with black leather interior.

Engine, transmission, front and rear suspension, steering, brakes, and rear wheel bearings all rebuilt within the last 2000 miles.

Matching numbers (and I mean really matching). It has the original engine, transmission, alternator and carburetor.

Car is an original southern car, believed to have spent its entire life in north Alabama. Absolutely no rust issues. I have known the car for 10 years, and owned it for 4 years.

Car took a slight bump in the drivers side rear door jam many, many years ago. The color change occurred when it was repaired.

Car needs very little body work (to fix the door bump area properly).

A/C system is complete but needs hoses replaced (I have the hoses) and charged up.

What do you think this car is worth as it sits?

 

72 vs 73, car for car, like for like, the 72's worth an EASY extra $4500. The 73 LS4 does in fact have an additional 5hp over a 72 LS5, but it also carries around the extra weight of the new nose (35 lbs) and steel-guard-beam-doors. Horsepower is down In the 73 base engine (-10hp) and L82 engines (-5hp) vs 72 base and LT-1 engines. How about painting the 72 that you allready have (and know) the original Steel cities gray, and re-coupe your expenses if/ when you sell. Trading even doesn't sound that great to me. But hey, its your car, do what ya feel. just my .02 I would like to add, I'm not bashing 73's, I would love to have a 73 LS4 or L82 vert.