sicarus

Greetings all.
I am looking at a 1973 to purchase. The drawbacks are that the motor is not original, has a crate motor, I believe an Edelbrock but not sure at this point, and the rear bumper has been replaces with what looks to be form an 80s model. Other wise interior is good, paint is new and all seems to be in good order. Any guesses at what the modifications do to the value? I want an everyday driver, but I do tend to like things "au naturale". thanks

Arcticshark

I'd walk away. The thing that makes a 73 unique is the fact it has a rubber front end and a chrome bumper rear end. If thats gone, its ruined imho.

sicarus

thanks, thats my thoughts too, deep down though I keep wondering if its restorable, of course even that makes it a modified modification doesnt it.

Alan 71

Hi s,
Are you sure it's a 73?
Changing to the later rear clip is PRETTY involved. USUALLY people ask about changing the 73 FRONT bumper to a CHROME bumper.
If it's really a 73 car I feel, as As does, that the thing people like a lot about the 73 is gone.
Consider carefully!!!!
Regards,
Alan

sicarus

Thanks for the reply, yes my first thought was to change the front to chrome as well, but then that kind of felt impure. Yes its a Im sure its a 73. Its interesting, I thought the motor would be what might make it a lame deal, and the bumper just a kind of an annoyance. Its my first opportunity at a vette by the way. Price is about $6k.

Mike Ward

What makes you positive that it's actually a '73? Got the VIN handy?

7T1vette

The car was probably wrecked in the past...which is when the new tail section got added. I'd skip on it....

GREGG-73

Any guesses at what the modifications do to the value? I want an everyday driver, but I do tend to like things "au naturale". thanks[/QUOTE]

Drops it like a rock in a vacuum. Look for other!


Stay in tune...

Jeffery73

The rear bumper of a '73 should look like this. If it doesn't I would forget about it. Someone has done something that should not have been done.

vettebuyer6369

[double post... not sure what happened there]

vettebuyer6369

Id still like to know what this means. On the same lines as what Alan was asking, you cant just "replace" a '73 bumper with an "80's model." You can replace a '74 bumper with an 80's model bumper. But the '73, as shown in the pictures, has only chrome bumpers. There's nothing to "change." A change would result in a complete rear clip replacement and Im doubting that.

This is the trouble with not posting pictures.

What you're describing, at $6000, is about $5000 overpriced.

GREGG-73

Steve,

I think I have seen this one on a Craigslist ad sometime ago, I just did a search and could not find it. Its a white car...I e-mailed the seller to advise him that he had the model year confused / wrong. But, he came back with the statement that it is a 73, that his father has owned and did all the work. He further went on to say, the title clearly states 1973Corvette etc, etc, etc.... As I had no real interest in the car, I did not reply. Point is, this sounds like the same car to me, and its here in the northeast, mid-atlantic area somewhere. Its a real car and you really have to see it to believe it. So, maybe the OP will post up a link for the photo's?

Stay in tune...

sicarus

actually the vin and the photos are online, its at a local dealer , I came across it on Craigslist, the vin came up 73, if I read it right, and the pics are under the sites inventory, I dont know if I can link to the pics but the address is vettenet.com

thanks for all the feedback, this forum is great!

71 Green 454

Here it is:

http://inv.vettenet.com/view/5837A

bobbarry

Wow; very little on that car seems to be '73 besides perhaps the VIN; it has the '80-'82 rear clip, the front clip is the same style as that era, but looks aftermarket(?) with the '73-'79-style side-vents, the interior is also later-model with the pull-handle and window-switch on the door, the gauges are later-model.

Plus the right-front wheel doesn't seem centered in the wheelwell.

If the frame wasn't rusted, it'd be fun to buy for $2k and drive the hell out of it as a disposable Vette, but it has absolutely no collector value and more issues that National Geographic.

sicarus

Thanks! I tell you what, I will not look any further than admiring without coming here first from now on, I am flat out amazed at what the people on this forum know! Just tells you how much they love their vettes. Thanks again all.

GREGG-73

That is a different car...but the same mod's. Poor car!

Stay in tune...

Mark Battersby

I'd have to ask... WHY?

The '73's are so PRETTY - why change them? - okay Im officially biased now :-)

HOOAH

I agree 100%. There was alot of work done on this car to change what was once an iconic style Vette as a 73.

Terry

71 Green 454

I think the above '73 is a hodge podge of Corvette parts/cars. The frame might be a '73 but the rest is just pieced together.

Yes, the 1973 model year is unique and has always been one of my favorites. There is probably a reason why you didn't get the '73 you lost out on due to the seller's cold feet, but I'll bet that you will find another one that is better, maybe even a 4 speed.

Keep looking and good luck!