Hi All, as always thanks over the years for your wonderful technical help and advice. Looking at this 1973. Obviously the spare tire tub is missing, color is not original, mileage must be researched and it is a 350 Auto. Air conditioning comment is strange. I think it is a little overpriced but would love to have some opinions. I currently have a perfect 1982 with 26K miles but would love a 69-76 Vette...NO BODY PROJECTS. Thoughts on this one??? Thanks again all my vette friemds.

https://www.streetsideclassics.com/v...rolet-corvette

 

I’m a sucker for red over black
if a ppi checks out 22-23k car

 

My thoughts, it’s $10,000 too much on the asking price, and no, I’m not kidding. This is the classic lipstick on an average pig. Don’t fall for the dealer hype.

 

I'm not one for "busting bubbles", but you need to know.

For $26,000 the car should be perfect.....it isn't. But it looks great from Louisiana....until I click on the pics.
Mileage? Speedometer has been "worked on"....needle broken in half
Radio? Gaps on bezel
A/C? What A.C. ?

As for the drivetrain....who knows without a good 30 minute test drive.

Brakes...who knows...right rear wheel appears to be losing fluid?

On the other hand,.that could be a $10,000 paint job...but you aren't buying a paint job...you are buying a painted Car.

Let's hope the paint is better than the other details that are lacking.

A Corvette Friend needs to physically see the car to determine what else could be a problem...you don't want to sink another $2,000 into the car after you get it home.

Now... if money is not an issue....go for it.

 

Ken is right on point.
Actually, I think he's being pretty generous.
Ugh! Where to start?
I'm looking at a $10K car max. on a really good day and I have a big soft spot for '73's.
All this guy is selling is a shiny red paint job and nothing else. The ad mentions the color "Red" no less than six times, so you know that's what's important.
When you list a car for "all the money" and $26K for a '73 small block coupe is "ALL THE MONEY" your ad can never contain the words "except for" and brother, this one is LOADED with "except fors".
Under hood looks exactly like a Jr. High school kid would do it, everything is wrong there, missing parts, broken and totally grubby gauges/dash/console. It will need a COMPLETE suspension rebuild, and then probably brakes too, the list is simply too long to even get into here. There's no way this car is front line ready.
Just pass on this one brother.
For $20K you can find just about the nicest '73 small block coupe out there, with working A/C, new suspension, all parts present and working properly, etc., etc.
But you did the right thing by posting it here to find out. Post 50 cars or a hundred cars before you find the right one. We're all here to help.
Cheers, Greg

 

My first corvette was a 73 and I am partial to them. That being said this is not the car you want if you have a budget in the low to mid 20's and your looking for a 73. This car is heads and shoulders above the car you posted and is listed on FB for $15K:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1517735131753259

 

Not big fan of this car in red. . I would say dealer add probably 4k .

 

I re-read the sales pitch. It seems the Dealer has a great imagination;

 

No pics of the interior or the underside!! Run, Forrest....

P.S. To insure a "wise" selection of vehicle to purchase, set the emotions aside and focus on the "hardware" and its condition, FIRST. If all that looks OK, THEN make your assessment of the appearance factor.

 

Click on the pictures and note the position of the left front wheel vs the right front wheel in their respective wheel wells. I didn't even look at the remaining pictures. I would imagine most others wouldn't either. Looks like whoever gets this one will become another disgruntled Corvette owner.

 

Is this right on the spring?

 

I’m going to stop just short of saying that this car has been under water, but the rust on the speedometer face and the rusty screws in the speedo and odometer are concerning to say the least. The overspray on the spare tire tub and the inside of the tires tells everything you need to know about this one. The seller has $10K in paint, wants to double his money and has added some wiggle room to make the buyer feel like they got a deal. With the exception of the paint job this is a restoration project and without seeing the frame and birdcage in person, I wouldn’t touch it with a stolen checkbook.

The sad thing is they’ll sell it to some unfortunate soul who doesn’t know any better.

 

I won’t pick apart this 73 or the add.
Its a dealer and he is in the business to turn a profit.
What I will say is this 73 is easily $10k to $12k over priced.
Buying something like this could turn into a nightmare because you don’t know what is under that new red paint or what modifications have been made to the engine.
A couple of years ago I purchased my 73 big block, which is fully loaded, number matching and mostly all original for a full $10k less than this one.
Mine is an original California rust free car that has had excellent care throughout its lifetime.
I found my 73 at a car show with a for sale sign in the window.
Good luck and keep hunting, you’ll find the perfect one for you.

 

That particular consignment dealer has a showroom here also. I'm interested in a car they have but haven't been to visit them yet. And before I go I'll tell you what I know about consignment .........

Consignment dealers have NOTHING ..... ZERO ..... invested except their time and building overhead. They aren't paying a floorpan on the vehicles. Paying the mortgage and utilities are the only overhead they have.

That means they "usually" are what we used to call "Fishing" with their prices. I've known them to add $5000 or even more to the price that the owner asks. And I don't blame anyone for making money. But just be aware. Not saying that they mark vehicles up that much as a routine, but be careful and do your homework.

The only thing that they know about their offerings are what they have been told by the owner. ANY vehicle that I was considering from a consignment dealer (and a private seller for that matter) would have to be given an extensive road test. And I don't mean a drive around the block with the salesman ranting in your ear. Drive it around the block, on the interstate, and do several harder-than-usual stops and starts. And don't be afraid to tell the salesman to shut up (politely).

Don't be afraid to make them a FAIR offer on the vehicle. Even if it is substantially lower than the published price. Leave them your name and phone. As time comes close for their consignment agreement to time out they may call you with a reasonable offer. They would rather make a few hundred than lose the car back to the owner.

Like the guys here have already said ...... That is WAY too much for that vehicle. Having done bodywork professionally for years I can assure you that I wouldn't trust that paint job for 5 minutes. Anyone who does that shoddy of a masking job takes no pride in their work at all.

EDIT: After more scrutiny, I wouldn't make them an offer of any type. Way too much "iffy" stuff in the pics. Makes you wonder what else is amiss that you can't see.

 

And a few dollars worth of baby oil to get that shine. Don't be fooled. It's not worth the $10K markup.

 

Thanks again my friends for the great observations and advice. Once again I will PASS on this one. Ugh!! The quest continues.

 

I was actually looking at Cobra’s when we stumbled upon the corvette.
It was beautiful, still an American made sports car and my wife loved the idea it had a top with air conditioning.
The owner sealed my fate when he handed the keys to my wife and told her to jump on in to the drivers seat and start it up.

 

I am glad you passed I wouldn’t have paid more than 8k for that car personally, sorry I know how the hunt feels, if you look at one please check the wiring, especially with an aftermarket radio. I have had 6 months of headache undoing P.O’s shoddy wiring job. Good luck!

 

Spending that much to paint it the wrong color is just a terrible idea.

 

Hey Fieldsjkk, Enjoy the quest!! Lots of great C3s out there, and the good members of this forum will always provide good advice and things to consider.

BTW, I had to laugh at the 'provisions for air conditioning' and 'will need servicing' after looking at the pics. Anyone who creates that kind of play on reality can't be trusted IMO.

Keep looking - you'll find a great C3 and then the real adventure begins.