73 opinions
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 74
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From: ft walton beach florida
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Agree with the above. Buy what appeals to you.
The 73 has been my favorite C3 since I saw one new in 1972. About 10 years ago I finally purchased one and now I own two; a T-Top car and a vert.
Here's what Shinoda and Zora had to say about the 73:
"Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era because the front and rear styling were closest to what the stylists originally had in mind when this series was first designed."
"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)
The 73 has been my favorite C3 since I saw one new in 1972. About 10 years ago I finally purchased one and now I own two; a T-Top car and a vert.
Here's what Shinoda and Zora had to say about the 73:
"Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era because the front and rear styling were closest to what the stylists originally had in mind when this series was first designed."
"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)
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Nov 7, 2009 at 11:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
73's were great....they were the last of an era and the first for an era
73s were the first year for Radial tires, 74 all cars had them
73's were the first year for the L82 which was a 72 LT1 motor with hydraulic lifters(still had 2.02 heads,forged crank/rods etc)
73's were the first year for rubber body mounts
73's were the first year for rubber front bumper, last year for chrome rear
73's were first year for fixed rear window
It is said that 73's were Zora's favorite year
I heard they were the last of the real performance Vettes until the C4 debut in 84(l82/454)
73s were the first year for Radial tires, 74 all cars had them
73's were the first year for the L82 which was a 72 LT1 motor with hydraulic lifters(still had 2.02 heads,forged crank/rods etc)
73's were the first year for rubber body mounts
73's were the first year for rubber front bumper, last year for chrome rear
73's were first year for fixed rear window
It is said that 73's were Zora's favorite year
I heard they were the last of the real performance Vettes until the C4 debut in 84(l82/454)
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Well, I don't know about the 84's being a "performance" machine. 
The C4's did have much better handling capabilities
with the wider tires and the forged aluminum suspension members and better springs/shocks. But, I wouldn't put the engines in that
category. They weren't "slow", but anything up through 1973 would have had more powerful engines.
The C4's did have much better handling capabilitieswith the wider tires and the forged aluminum suspension members and better springs/shocks. But, I wouldn't put the engines in that
category. They weren't "slow", but anything up through 1973 would have had more powerful engines.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
But, I wouldn't put the engines in that
category. They weren't "slow", but anything up through 1973 would have had more powerful engines.
category. They weren't "slow", but anything up through 1973 would have had more powerful engines.
So it that respect 73 was a good year!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
They are getting closer in value to chrome bumper cars. Lot of people like the rear only chrome bumper look.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 742
Likes: 5
From: McMurray PA
I've had '72 350 4 speeds, a '74 L82 4 speed and an '85 4+3. The '72 would come in last every time in acceleration. My old '71 LT-1 and '69 L46 would burn them all, however.
Love the '73s, by the way.
Terry
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 259
Likes: 45
From: Columbus Mn
I've had my 73' for over 20 years. I almost bought a #'s matching 72' but the price seemed high, and the guy was shady shifty pushy. I was 21 yrs old, and was scared away. I also wasn't really interested in numbers matching because I like to play with motors. Shortly afterwords, I ran across an article praising the 73' in a corvette magazine. I looked around, and ran across an add for a 73' and bought it. Later, I was troubled about not having chrome bumper on the front. I think the all chrome look is more nastaligic, old school muscle, but actaully like the body lines of the 73' better. Mines a modified coupe. I hope to buy a 's matching BB or SB vert some day to keep it company in the garage. Buy what you like and enjoy.
