73 popularity theory
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 114
Likes: 2
73 popularity theory
I have a theory regarding the recent surge in the popularity of the 73 model year. I know a lot of guys want a car that was built the year they were born. People born in 73 are coming up fast on turning 40. Is it possible that there are a lot of mid-life crisises going on that involve buying a Corvette made in their year of birth-73?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
most buying the 73 do it because they want the chrome rear bumper look but cant afford the 68-72. had a real hard time getting rid of mine. 
Are you hoping somehow this will drive the price of 73s up?
Are you hoping somehow this will drive the price of 73s up?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
Own a Vette from the year you were born? Geez... in my case I wish that were true. I'd be 20 years younger. If I could relive these past 2 decades there be a few ladies I'd steer clear of. "Once smitten, twice scared of out my wits..." I always say. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,466
Likes: 309
From: Scottsdale AZ
I think it's a mix of affordability and design - for me, the 73 I had back in the 70's was my favorite of the 12 Vettes I've owned.
Pragmatically, I love the chrome tail, rubber nose uniqueness of the year and it doesn't carry the pricetag of the `68-72 cars.
Pragmatically, I love the chrome tail, rubber nose uniqueness of the year and it doesn't carry the pricetag of the `68-72 cars.
Last edited by CQRT; Jul 23, 2012 at 10:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I was born in '65, but I bought an '80 because they were new when I was in high school, and that was the car I lusted after. Plus, it was several orders of magnitude less expensive than a "65 'vette!
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
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From: Oxford Ohio
I have the years I have, well two of them, the 78 and 75 because the deal was good. The 71 because I had one in 72 thru 74. Totaled it and has always been a thorn in my side to replace it. If it were what I lusted for it would have been a 60 before I could drive or a 67 when I could have driven one.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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I was born this year:
Can't afford that.
I graduated in
But I remember as a kid thinking one day I will have one of these:
Can't afford that.
I graduated in
But I remember as a kid thinking one day I will have one of these:
Last edited by brent319; Jul 23, 2012 at 08:13 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
No vettes around when I was born either. My 73 was a barn find BB and all complete, just alot of TLC, like the body style and the upgrades for that year. and still has a steel bumper, when on the road, that is what most people are going to see, is my rear.
but the nose is more modern looking. It appeals to the younger owner and [today] is less expensive than the '68-72 cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Or....Maybe because the car is a 1 yr only model? Or.... Maybe because one of the collector insurance company's (Hagarty?) spotlighted the 73 454 convertible as a future collectible?
Or....Maybe because the car looks great?
Or....Maybe because the car looks great?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Thousand Oaks CA
Quit talking about all the reasons people want a '73. Although I agree with them, I'm trying to get one myself and you're all driving up the price 
Please wait until after I get it, then feel free to drive the price as high as you want!
I believe that the reason (like others said) is the price drop from the older ones and the chrome.
Please wait until after I get it, then feel free to drive the price as high as you want! I believe that the reason (like others said) is the price drop from the older ones and the chrome.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
it's just the next newest model year to start coming up in value. first it was c1's then mid years, then '68-'72.
next will be '74s with their 2 piece rear bumpers. Then '75-'79 and finally '80-'82. won't be a while until they all get up there in value, but all their times will come.
next will be '74s with their 2 piece rear bumpers. Then '75-'79 and finally '80-'82. won't be a while until they all get up there in value, but all their times will come.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 980
Likes: 202
From: West Hartford CT
73's are Unique
Why do so many people buy a 73? It's rather obvious isn't it? The only year that had both the Urethane Front Bumper and the Chrome Rear! I really have always loved this body style the best! I probably paid a little more than I should have but I couldn't find one that was still intack with numbers matching that ran!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
I bought my 73 because it was the best car I could find in my budget at the time that had 3 out of the 4 biggest things I wanted.
AC option /check
Manual Trans /check (Big one for me)
Chrome Bumper /check
Green color X negative
AC option /check
Manual Trans /check (Big one for me)
Chrome Bumper /check
Green color X negative
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Why do so many people buy a 73? It's rather obvious isn't it? The only year that had both the Urethane Front Bumper and the Chrome Rear! I really have always loved this body style the best! I probably paid a little more than I should have but I couldn't find one that was still intack with numbers matching that ran!
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 980
Likes: 202
From: West Hartford CT
I see your point but its the ability to identify it in the crowd that makes it atractive to me. I also like the 74 because of the split rear bumper. 75-82 are far to similar for my taste!