I've been in the market for a 68-72 4 speed coupe. I have set my heart on a front and back chrome bumper car and have not looked at anything else. This past weekend I cam across a very nice 73 and almost pulled the trigger.

My question is.....besides the front bumper and the side gills/egg crate, what are the other MAJOR differences? Anything MAJOR that would put the 73 at a disadvantage?

This 73 had a 383 stroker recently done with a good tight transmission so power is not an issue. It also had very good quality paint. The original motor also came with the sale.

Are there any current or past 73 owners who are telling themselves "man... I should have gotten an earlier year"?

My heart is still with the 68-72, lets see if anyone can give me enough reasons to consider a 73

Thanks

 

Body mounts changed for 73; guard rail was added to each door. L48 became the base engine.

If you want 68-72, keep looking.

 

73+
Med. rise hood for perf. high rise intakes. Body mount bushings to help eliminate the creaks & groans that many complain about on pre 73.
Modern front bumper w/ low radar range.

 

1972 is the last year of the removable rear window

 

Removeable rear window, fiber optics, and wiper door were eliminated.
The removeable rear window can be retrofitted. So far as fiber optics and wiper door, I personally find them to add interest to the car. Struck me as cost reduction when they were eliminated. Neither is a huge deal.

73 had a rubber front bumper. I think the original replacements are gone. Don't know what's currently being offered.

My first Corvette was a 73, nothing against them, just a bit different.

 

Biggest thing in that time range would engines and hp ratings. In 71' GM dropped compression to accommodate the politically correct use of unleaded fuel in all their products, dropping power. In 72' the government stepped in, forcing manufactures to rate engine hp as actually installed in the car driving all a accessories. Older gross hp rating's could've been tweaked examples on a stand, running open headers, with no belts on. Numbers went down about 25% that year. 73' 454's were at 275 hp. I'd be concerned about the 73' front flex bumper, as could be a few bucks properly replacing that.

 

Wouldn't trade my 73 for an earlier or later year. Like mentioned by everyone else you have no wiper door to deal with, better body mounts, and no metal front bumper. The 73 is a love it or hate it look. Guys who own 68-72s usually make up the majority of the hate votes. I think the looks of the front are better without chrome and the squared off rear end looks better than the round poly one.

I deffinitely do not own a stock original car but it looks awesome. It will never be the car my radical c6 is but it has a great classic look.

 

I bought a new 73, 39 years ago, and I remember how rough and creaky the 68-72 cars were going down the road. Along with anything older yet. I was never in love with the chrome rear end and rubber front end but it was new so didn't have a choice when you buy new. Personally I prefer my 74 vert, but that's my opinion. At least you don't have a lack of power problem with the one you're looking at. Everybody told me when I had it that it should be worth a lot of money in time to come, well it never was and I don't think it ever will, at least not in my lifetime. But on the other hand you're not paying big prices for them now. So what I'm saying is buy it and have fun with it but don't plan on making any money with it. But if you got to have a dual chrome bumper car than I'd wait, but you may pay close to double for one.

 

Thanks for the input guys....I guess I should have been more specific.... I know about all the obvious differences..the base motor, the front bumper, the non removable rear window, the body mounts, etc.

I guess what I'm looking for is personal experiences and some information you can't find in the specs.

Thanks

 

Well in that case there isn't much difference that isn't obvious. I do feel they sit a little higher than an earlier one, but that could be fixed. There was problems with 68's, being a new model, but those have been fixed by now. They're all old cars and they're all going to need work at some time.

 

Here's my personal experience with owing one. First off, to let you know that I have owned seven '70 to '72's. A couple of years ago I saw a 1973 L-82 automatic coupe with only 15,866 original miles on it at the Reno, NV Hot August Nites event. It was in the swap meet / car corral section. Normally it is very difficult to find really low mile early Corvettes in California, everyone drives their cars all year round.

This car was orange with black interior, with all options except rear window defogger. The Corvette manifest copy on top of the fuel tank could still be seen and read by just pulling the gas filler neck rubber seal down. It was for sale for $18,500 and I purchased it for $16,500. This was two weeks before the Corvettes @Carlisle event. I thought I was going to make a killing by selling this rust free, accident free, low mileage original car to some lucky buyer at Carlisle.

After talking to anyone who seemed to be interested in 1973 models for four days at Carlisle, I came back home to California thinking I had made a huge mistake in buying this car. Everyone that was interested in the car asked three questions; after answering no to each, they all weren't interested anymore! What were those questions you ask? They were: Is it a big block?, Is it a ragtop?, Is it a 4spd?

After I arrived home I took the car to a small local car show that had a car corral area, ironically I ended up selling the car for $18,500 and felt VERY LUCKY to have found a buyer, and they weren't even Corvette people, the couple had taken their honeymoon in a car optioned out exactly like this one. They even went home brought back their wedding album with an identical picture of this Corvette. It was simply sentimental to them, and that's why they bought it!

 

For some reason, the '73 is the Rodney Dangerfield of Corvettes. It don't get no respect! I don't know why, exactly. But, the price/value of the '73s are much lower than comparable '68-72 cars and to '74 cars (odd, I think).

Considering that the '73 is the ONLY car with a body configuration that was "all by itself" in the whole run of the Corvette production period, I'm quite surprised that it hasn't got a following of any size (obviously, there are a few folks who love them...).

The '68-72 cars have a bit more "character" than the later cars. I put the '73 and '74 cars together, in that regard; their features and quality are similar to each other...but different than prior years.

Personally, I always thought the main body lines and the rear of the '68-73 cars was what made a Stingray a Stingray. But, the owners set the record straight with their purchase evaluations.

If you like the look of the '73, that's a good way to get more for your money, from what I can see.

 

I wanted a 70-72 and that's what I ended up with. There was this 73 black on black convertible that was eBay that really caught my eye. It just looked awesome I kept going back to it and looking at it. I finally started to bid on it. I did not win the auction but what a great looking car.

 

I have a hunch you want us to talk you into buying a 73. You have to make that choice on your own.

Here's the deal; if you buy the 73, you can't be pissed at us for not talking you out of it. Promise no I-Wish-I-Had-Bought-The-68-72 posts

 

Ideally I'd go for a 69 with side pipes. Now similar cars 70-72 vs. 73, might be a difficult decision because you've got front chrome bumper vs. no eggrates and one year styling. I know there are kits to add front chrome bumpers, but are there any to add gills to a 70-72?

 

I think I saw a post just last week were someone did that. Personally I would not make a car something that its not.

 

Stick with the chrome bumper 68-72!!! I was warned not to buy a 68 cause of fit and other issues but I did and I love it and have no regrets at all . . Chrome front and rear and dont settle for something you dont have your heart set on!

 

HAHAHAHAHA....I think its more looking for you guys to talk me out of getting a 73. I've been warming up to the idea....

 

The only thing I don't like about the 73s is the different style bumpers. Why chrome in front and rubber in rear? Like Chevy couldn't make up its mind what to put on it. Two design engineers must have gone at it and their boss said "fine we will split the car in two and each of you can have his way". Unfortunately, neither conceded for the sake of the car's design. It just seems like it's Fung Schway (is I know spelling isn't even close but you know what I mean) is way off, doesn't look balanced. Albeit, any 70s vette is cool and I likes them. I think if you get one in good shape take it, regardless of year.

 

Hi r,
Every now and then someone asks about what it would take to put a chrome bumper on their 73 car.
I don't remember anyone ever asking about putting a rubber bumper on their 68-72 car.
Regards,
Alan