73 hardtop
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
73 hardtop
new to the vette world, well not really , but I am looking.
I need some schoolin though,
if a vette has the vinyl roof, is that a hardtop convertible, or is it possible to get a non removeable top,
if its removeable would have the soft top too>
taking that all is factory and not "bubbafied".
is that a good place to learn all the specs of a C3 ??
thanks!
I need some schoolin though,
if a vette has the vinyl roof, is that a hardtop convertible, or is it possible to get a non removeable top,
if its removeable would have the soft top too>
taking that all is factory and not "bubbafied".
is that a good place to learn all the specs of a C3 ??
thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,596
Likes: 3,082
From: Shamong, NJ
68-75 Corvettes came in 2 body styles. The coupe, often referred to as the T-Top, and the convertible, sometimes called a roadster. The convertible was dropped in 76, so only t-top coupes were available from 76-82.
The coupe has 2 removable roof panels, that cover the seats, and a fixed targa bar that remains in place.
The convertible came standard with a folding soft top. As an option, the removable hardtop could be ordered in place of the soft top. For an additional charge, a convertible could be ordered with both the hardtop and soft top. Hardtops were painted the same color as the car, and a vinyl cover could be ordered as an option.
The only Corvettes with a fixed roof (at least prior to 1997), were the 63-67 coupes. All other Corvettes have either had a folding top, a removable hardtop, or removable roof panel(s).
The coupe has 2 removable roof panels, that cover the seats, and a fixed targa bar that remains in place.
The convertible came standard with a folding soft top. As an option, the removable hardtop could be ordered in place of the soft top. For an additional charge, a convertible could be ordered with both the hardtop and soft top. Hardtops were painted the same color as the car, and a vinyl cover could be ordered as an option.
The only Corvettes with a fixed roof (at least prior to 1997), were the 63-67 coupes. All other Corvettes have either had a folding top, a removable hardtop, or removable roof panel(s).
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
There were 4943 convertibles built for 1973.
1328 of those were also delivered with an additional removable hard top.
Of those 1328 hardtops, only 323 had a vinyl covering.
The other 25521 1973 Corvette built that year were 'T-top' coupes
1328 of those were also delivered with an additional removable hard top.
Of those 1328 hardtops, only 323 had a vinyl covering.
The other 25521 1973 Corvette built that year were 'T-top' coupes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,410
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
If you find a coupe with any vinyl on the top, the material was added aftermarket. It is only the convertible hardtop that could be ordered with black vinyl instead of body color.
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Last edited by Ret.Horsecop13; Jan 14, 2013 at 07:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Lake Norman, NC
On an indirect but relative point, if the body of the car is black, you should know that black was not a standard Corvette color in 1973. My references tell me that approximately 30 cars WERE painted black at the factory. Could also be a re-paint. If this car was originally black and it can be proven through documentation, it's a rare color.
Get the exterior paint code from the trim tag (riveted in the LH door jamb) and post it here. We should be able to tell from the 3 digit code what the factory color was.
Get the exterior paint code from the trim tag (riveted in the LH door jamb) and post it here. We should be able to tell from the 3 digit code what the factory color was.
