New 1973 Corvette owner: HELP!
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
New 1973 Corvette owner: HELP!
I finally saved up enough and bought myself a 1973 vette in what I believe is excellent shape. Everyone was against it because I am young, and I know a lot but still need help with it. everyone is telling me I paid too much for it though, and I'm wondering if maybe I did?
It is matching numbers 350 SBC automatic transmission, runs without a single problem, no rust ANYWHERE, flawless interior, brand new alternator, tires, battery, starter, wiring harness, step above stock cam, shift kit, the title is good. The body is laser straight with no cracks or dents anywhere except there is a bulge where the door was fixed (which can be sanded)
the only bad thing about it is that it needs new paint, the intake manifold has a small crack, and the carb has a small leak.
So my question is, did I pay too much? ($10,000) I thought I did excellent...
It is matching numbers 350 SBC automatic transmission, runs without a single problem, no rust ANYWHERE, flawless interior, brand new alternator, tires, battery, starter, wiring harness, step above stock cam, shift kit, the title is good. The body is laser straight with no cracks or dents anywhere except there is a bulge where the door was fixed (which can be sanded)
the only bad thing about it is that it needs new paint, the intake manifold has a small crack, and the carb has a small leak.
So my question is, did I pay too much? ($10,000) I thought I did excellent...
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
I would say no. the car's value with new paint (2-5K) and the few problems fixed up should be in the 18-25k bracket. Go to the NADA classic car book and run a value on the car.
The big thing to understand is these cars are pushing 40 yrs old and will break, will need work, will be a fun hobby. They are not solely get in and drive and change the oil and put on thousands of miles a year.
As far as your stated problems the carb is a 25.00 kit or a pro rebuilt of about 250.00. Get a book by Doug Roe or Cliff Ruggins on q-jets and do it yourself. Look at Amazon and search for the Q-jet books. Don't let the carb go if it is a 7043200 or 3201 (don't remember) as they are getting very expensive to find and restore.. On the manifold and you have two choices, 1 - pull it and get a competent welder to tack the crack or 2 - get a intake like the edelbrock performer and a performer carb and run them while you are restoring the stock if that is your intent. Decisiion - do you keep the car stock or do some mods to get it to run better? Good luck and welcome.
The big thing to understand is these cars are pushing 40 yrs old and will break, will need work, will be a fun hobby. They are not solely get in and drive and change the oil and put on thousands of miles a year.
As far as your stated problems the carb is a 25.00 kit or a pro rebuilt of about 250.00. Get a book by Doug Roe or Cliff Ruggins on q-jets and do it yourself. Look at Amazon and search for the Q-jet books. Don't let the carb go if it is a 7043200 or 3201 (don't remember) as they are getting very expensive to find and restore.. On the manifold and you have two choices, 1 - pull it and get a competent welder to tack the crack or 2 - get a intake like the edelbrock performer and a performer carb and run them while you are restoring the stock if that is your intent. Decisiion - do you keep the car stock or do some mods to get it to run better? Good luck and welcome.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Get back to me in one year. If you have to dump a ton of money into it, you paid too much. 
If you drive it regularly and get by with aggressive maintenance and diy repairs, then you got a great buy! 
If you drive it regularly and get by with aggressive maintenance and diy repairs, then you got a great buy!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 123
Likes: 3
From: hico tx
to young
unless you are under 16 and cannot drive you probably did good, prices are down for now but they will come up in time, hold on to it and get back with us in 10 years or so , then you wont second guess your self. Besides that is a great year.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
$10K for a '73 with a small block/auto and needing a paint job is a bit steep...especially this time of the year. But, if you can do a lot of the prep work for the paint and/or do the paint yourself, that shouldn't be a big deal. If you have to have the paint work all done by someone else, it will be a minimum of $6K to get that done. That will bring your total up to $16K for the "finished" car. Steep for a '73.
However, if you can't really do any mechanical work yourself, paying "up front" for a good quality car in good operating condition was a wise move. All-in-all, it comes down to whether you are happy with the deal.
BTW, how are you going to get insurance if you are not 25 years old? None of the collector car insurers will write for someone younger; and you DO NOT want to just get ordinary auto coverage for a 'vintage' car in that condition. If you total the car, they would only pay you $2-3K for the almost-40 year old car. Insuring it that way would not be acceptable to me, if I were in your situation.
However, if you can't really do any mechanical work yourself, paying "up front" for a good quality car in good operating condition was a wise move. All-in-all, it comes down to whether you are happy with the deal.
BTW, how are you going to get insurance if you are not 25 years old? None of the collector car insurers will write for someone younger; and you DO NOT want to just get ordinary auto coverage for a 'vintage' car in that condition. If you total the car, they would only pay you $2-3K for the almost-40 year old car. Insuring it that way would not be acceptable to me, if I were in your situation.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,502
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
And well under what I paid for mine - - - you probably can't return it or get your money back so why worry? ENJOY it and post up some photos when you can.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/help...es-thread.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I would say no. the car's value with new paint (2-5K) and the few problems fixed up should be in the 18-25k bracket. Go to the NADA classic car book and run a value on the car.
The big thing to understand is these cars are pushing 40 yrs old and will break, will need work, will be a fun hobby. They are not solely get in and drive and change the oil and put on thousands of miles a year.
As far as your stated problems the carb is a 25.00 kit or a pro rebuilt of about 250.00. Get a book by Doug Roe or Cliff Ruggins on q-jets and do it yourself. Look at Amazon and search for the Q-jet books. Don't let the carb go if it is a 7043200 or 3201 (don't remember) as they are getting very expensive to find and restore.. On the manifold and you have two choices, 1 - pull it and get a competent welder to tack the crack or 2 - get a intake like the edelbrock performer and a performer carb and run them while you are restoring the stock if that is your intent. Decisiion - do you keep the car stock or do some mods to get it to run better? Good luck and welcome.
The big thing to understand is these cars are pushing 40 yrs old and will break, will need work, will be a fun hobby. They are not solely get in and drive and change the oil and put on thousands of miles a year.
As far as your stated problems the carb is a 25.00 kit or a pro rebuilt of about 250.00. Get a book by Doug Roe or Cliff Ruggins on q-jets and do it yourself. Look at Amazon and search for the Q-jet books. Don't let the carb go if it is a 7043200 or 3201 (don't remember) as they are getting very expensive to find and restore.. On the manifold and you have two choices, 1 - pull it and get a competent welder to tack the crack or 2 - get a intake like the edelbrock performer and a performer carb and run them while you are restoring the stock if that is your intent. Decisiion - do you keep the car stock or do some mods to get it to run better? Good luck and welcome.
While I agree that the OP, assuming the paint is not too bad, didn't over pay too much - a fresh frame off restored 73 SB coupe won't come close to those NADA values.
I disagree with those that say not to look at EBAY to determine current market prices. While it's true that if you just look at current listings, you will see lots of ridiculous prices, you can go to a car listing and click on the 'Go to price research' line, and there you can see all of the completed listings. You can see what price cars actually SOLD for. And you can see how high cars that didn't sell because of reserve were bid up to.
If you do that you will then see how crazy those NADA values are.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I think you did just fine as long as the car is in driver condition. Just take each project a little at a time and the car will be a lot of great memories in the future. I don't know to many people that have not spent way more on their Vette then what it would sell for. I know I have but I have had over 15 years of total enjoyment so far and I don't plan on changing that in anytime soon. I hope I can see my Grand-kids drive her someday.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
I think your in the ballpark for how you describe it. More importantly, YOU put the value on it...if it was worth it to you, then you did good. I paid $9000 for my '76 about 5 years ago and have never been happier!
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
BTW, how are you going to get insurance if you are not 25 years old? None of the collector car insurers will write for someone younger; and you DO NOT want to just get ordinary auto coverage for a 'vintage' car in that condition. If you total the car, they would only pay you $2-3K for the almost-40 year old car. Insuring it that way would not be acceptable to me, if I were in your situation.
I was insured through allstate and they offered me about 8k for my totaled 81. They find out what an average sales price for the vehicle is in your area then offer you an amount. After that if you have proof of parts and work done to the car they raise the price. Needless to say, I turned down their offer of 8k, sent them pics and receipts and they came back with a better offer.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
