Test Drive
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Test Drive
1973 Corvette Coupe, 454, automatic transmission
https://www.mershons.com/vehicle-det...c932c269071ffd
spent an hour in the showroom with the car:
headlights work
power windows work
tires are new
tachometer works
AC works
sequence number on engine block matches VIN
engine block suffix is as advertised
radio works, it will be replaced with modern electronics
quick look at service receipts seem to support original mileage
clock does not work
I will be taking out the car for a test drive tomorrow before making an offer.
What other critical things should I look at to assure that this is a solid driver?
https://www.mershons.com/vehicle-det...c932c269071ffd
spent an hour in the showroom with the car:
headlights work
power windows work
tires are new
tachometer works
AC works
sequence number on engine block matches VIN
engine block suffix is as advertised
radio works, it will be replaced with modern electronics
quick look at service receipts seem to support original mileage
clock does not work
I will be taking out the car for a test drive tomorrow before making an offer.
What other critical things should I look at to assure that this is a solid driver?
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Nice looking car. 
Price is right at the top of the scale for a '73 so the condition of the car should be as well. Remember, the car's being sold by a dealer so their chief motivation is profit. Every button, switch and option should work as designed at this price. No excuses. It's good that the A/C works, check all lights, factory alarm, all gauges, door jamb switches, cigarette lighter, map light on the rear view mirror, etc. The devil's in the details. At $40K the clock should work too.
Biggest thing is to find out if the car has had any verifiable suspension work done front and rear. At $40K you can't settle for "It all checked out fine" when you're talking about 50 year old parts. This will include ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rod ends, idler arm, sway bar links, etc. Same with the rear suspension, find out about trailing arm bushings, strut rods rear axle bearings, etc. These are all wear parts no matter how well the car has been looked after. If they have not been addressed, they positively will have to be.
Nothing worse than paying top of market for a car and then having to spend another $3 or $4 thousand to bring it up to the level you already paid for.
Good luck whichever way it goes.
Price is right at the top of the scale for a '73 so the condition of the car should be as well. Remember, the car's being sold by a dealer so their chief motivation is profit. Every button, switch and option should work as designed at this price. No excuses. It's good that the A/C works, check all lights, factory alarm, all gauges, door jamb switches, cigarette lighter, map light on the rear view mirror, etc. The devil's in the details. At $40K the clock should work too.
Biggest thing is to find out if the car has had any verifiable suspension work done front and rear. At $40K you can't settle for "It all checked out fine" when you're talking about 50 year old parts. This will include ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rod ends, idler arm, sway bar links, etc. Same with the rear suspension, find out about trailing arm bushings, strut rods rear axle bearings, etc. These are all wear parts no matter how well the car has been looked after. If they have not been addressed, they positively will have to be.
Nothing worse than paying top of market for a car and then having to spend another $3 or $4 thousand to bring it up to the level you already paid for.
Good luck whichever way it goes.
Last edited by Greg; Oct 7, 2022 at 05:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
I shouldn’t be speaking for Greg, I think he’s being polite. That’s a big, big, big number for a 73. I happen to like the 73s but they generally do not bring that kind of money in.
For close to $40 K you could be in steel bumper car if you wanted to. Plus it’s an automatic which decreases the value as well whether you do you like that or not.
Maybe I’m out of touch but I think it’s way over priced. Just my opinion nothing more!!
Oh to answer your question rust rust and rust in the frame and the birdcage. Search the forum for posts on the classic places to look at.
This cannot be stressed enough. If you do t know what to look for educate yourself or hire a CORVETTE expert.
Ike
For close to $40 K you could be in steel bumper car if you wanted to. Plus it’s an automatic which decreases the value as well whether you do you like that or not.
Maybe I’m out of touch but I think it’s way over priced. Just my opinion nothing more!!
Oh to answer your question rust rust and rust in the frame and the birdcage. Search the forum for posts on the classic places to look at.
This cannot be stressed enough. If you do t know what to look for educate yourself or hire a CORVETTE expert.
Ike
Pro
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 614
Likes: 186
From: Orlando, Dundee, Val-des-Monts PQ
Nice looking car. At the top money wise, but, if it checks out and it's what you want, it's only money and they make more of it every day. All you gotta do is go get it. Check the date on the tires, if over 6-7 years old have them take $$ off. Take some off for the clock. Check like Greg said, everything, take a little more off for anything you find. Get it down to $36,000, buy it ( then get some rally's).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
I agree with all of the above comments, the only suspicious thing I see is the incorrect valve covers. The oil fill rubber plug is on the wrong side and the style is not like other '73 BB's I've seen.
On a good note, glad to see the crank to water pump belt is there, along with the tensioner assembly. Looks like the AC has been converted to 134a. Beautiful '73 BB Coupe, great color combination.
Good luck!
On a good note, glad to see the crank to water pump belt is there, along with the tensioner assembly. Looks like the AC has been converted to 134a. Beautiful '73 BB Coupe, great color combination.
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 1,801
From: Apple Valley, MN
Have them pull the kick panels and the access plate in the rear wheel wells and look carefully at the #2 and #3 mount areas for excessive rust. Pull the windshield interior trim pieces and carefully examine the underside of the cage frame for rust. Pay extremely close attention to any hint of rust around the VIN tag.
Look at the fender bonding strips and the underside of the fenders for any evidence of repairs.
Looks like a very nice car but people can work wonders covering up sins of the past.
Look at the fender bonding strips and the underside of the fenders for any evidence of repairs.
Looks like a very nice car but people can work wonders covering up sins of the past.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I don't know. The clock doesn't work. thinking that alone is a deal breaker. What else has been neglected?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 2,464
From: Indiana
Wow..great car, great advice!
for that money
i would concern myself with the crying regret vs yup I expected to maybe fix this…and diy or have good mechanic i can afford.
crying issues?
- rust birdcage body etc…
- collision
my requirements at that price
- triple inspection noted above
- compression leak down check engine
- drives like 1973 , full drive heat cycles etc…shifts..
consider at that money a pro inspector?
for that money
i would concern myself with the crying regret vs yup I expected to maybe fix this…and diy or have good mechanic i can afford.
crying issues?
- rust birdcage body etc…
- collision
my requirements at that price
- triple inspection noted above
- compression leak down check engine
- drives like 1973 , full drive heat cycles etc…shifts..
consider at that money a pro inspector?
