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Old Apr 12, 2026 | 11:14 PM
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Default 1973 corvette

Is this a good deal?
would really appreciate any input

https://www.garagekeptmotors.com/used-vehicle-1973-chevrolet-corvette-c-3188/
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Old Apr 12, 2026 | 11:26 PM
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Looks like a nice car but the price is too high. There wasn't a "flame blue" on any year C3...

https://www.garagekeptmotors.com/use...rvette-c-3188/

Last edited by SEVNT6; Apr 12, 2026 at 11:32 PM.
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Old Apr 12, 2026 | 11:30 PM
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It looks like a very nice car, but no, it's not a "good deal." $45,000 is significantly above market for a '73 small block coupe, pretty much any '73 small block coupe. That said, if you like it go for it because you're the one who has to be happy with your purchase. Just get it checked out by an expert if you're not very familiar with these cars.
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Old Apr 12, 2026 | 11:34 PM
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Hagerty puts a small block manual coupe ‘73 in #2 (excellent) condition at 28k. Personally I don’t think this has 17k worth of modifications to make it worth the asking price, but dealerships tend to price cars high.

For that much you’re well into good condition chrome bumper cars, if that’s what you’re into.

No mention or pictures of the birdcage either. I’m sure it’s good, but if you go forward with this car you will want to get that inspected.
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Old Apr 12, 2026 | 11:57 PM
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I looked at all the pictures and my initial thoughts were that this is a beautifully restored 73 and worth the total asking price.
My only concern came when I saw all the bed liner and new black paint sprayed on the underside of the complete chassis.
It could be hiding everything the builder skipped during the restoration, but it could have been completely sprayed to protect everything.
I would definitely want to take a very close look at the chassis, suspension, steering, and birdcage before I’d pull the plug.
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 01:39 AM
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Im going to disagree with the consensus, yes the price is high but the car has some expensive work done to it. That paint job would be a small fortune today. The interior is clean and it looks like the original leather seats are still there. Looks like new carpet and it also looks like all the steering/suspension and brakes were all addressed. Paint code 927 is the same as my 73 which is Targa Blue (pic below). During the resto of that car they probably went and found a color that was close, color was called Flame Blue, and thats what they used. I agree with OldCarBum about getting a close look at whats under the paint to see if its hiding anything but I think the probability of that is not high. Someone put a lot of money into this car. From that point of view, its not way over priced at all.
In contrast, my 73 didnt cost anywhere near that much. But I had to replace every fuel hose, all the belts, the brake lines, most of the vacuum lines, the door and t-top seals, carb rebuilt, distributor rebuilt. suspension bushings, shocks, all the fluids, and a bunch of other stuff ... and Im still not done yet. The car in that listing looks like all of that has already been done. I dont think the market value price charts consider what you pay AFTER you buy a vintage car. Is it a good deal? I would say its a fair deal based on the money and time that went into this car. And its probably a blast to drive ... I will say Im not a fan of all the under hood chrome. But thats just a preference.





Last edited by ZIOGEO; Apr 13, 2026 at 01:49 AM.
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 03:15 AM
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Don’t ever buy someone else’s dream car in the end it’s just a dream for that kind of money
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 11:12 AM
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I personally think the price is way off regardless of what aftermarket chrome was added. This asking price is double what I see many nice 73's go for. $22 - $25K gets you a pretty nice, CORRECT 73 & $45 gets you a super nice 454 & or convertible

...
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 11:28 AM
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COMPARE TO THIS:

Here you get no chrome under the hood BUT you DO get the important chrome........................ in the back AND in the front with 6 grand still left in your pocket !!!

click here >>>>> https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-stingray.html

...

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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 12:13 PM
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These cars are getting to the age where we will see more restomods, more hot rods and fewer original restoration cars on the road, at shows and for sale.
Those for sale will vary in value and price from the prices set for an original or survivor.
The sales prices will be based at the value the seller either has invested in the car and what other cars with similar upgrades or modifications are priced at.
Today it is easy to invest over $100k into a full frame off, nut and bolt restoration and you can easily invest $120k to $130k for a frame off nut and bolt performance enhanced restomod build.
We need to stop the mind set that “Haggerty states” that a 70 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed is valued at $45k when it’s easy to spend well over that amount for a complete professional paint job with some necessary body work.
The value of these cars are worth what the seller is selling it for and what a buyer is willing to pay.

Last edited by OldCarBum; Apr 13, 2026 at 11:12 PM.
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 12:59 PM
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That is what the Hagerty values are based on really. What people are buying and selling these cars at in specific combinations. It’s quite easy to spend thousands of dollars on a car that you’ll never get back. I’d go as far to say as anything short of a high dollar rare chrome bumper car there’s very few C3s worth more than the value of all its parts. It’s not an issue to me though, because I never plan on selling mine.
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Old Apr 13, 2026 | 11:16 PM
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My plan is to complete this build, sell it immediately, then move on to my next project.
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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 10:08 PM
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What looks like a decent 73 ( not a lot of pics ) for the price right here on the forum, with only 5,000 mi on a 383 stroker owned 27 years only $16,500

Click here >>>> https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...973-coupe.html

...
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 01:07 PM
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That car is brand-new inside and out.
A full frame off restoration.
I am sure much more than that was spent on it.

It is not stock. So Hagerty's valuations do not apply.
It is cheap for a restored car or a resto-mod.

IF you like the mods that were done to it, go for it!

I see it comes with a binder of all the aftermarket parts. Good idea.
I would pursue the engine section carefully.

A 350 with a 6 speed and A/C makes for a great driver!
Fully loaded, PS, PB, PW even cruise control!

Last edited by leigh1322; Apr 15, 2026 at 01:16 PM.
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 03:41 PM
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Any 53 year old car that would meet Hagertys #2 condition almost undoubtedly has had some sort of restoration if not modification. If it was a full aftermarket chassis, different engine, body mods etc I could see an increased price, but this looks mostly unmodified except for the overdrive and couple other little things.

It’s a nice car, but about 10k too high IMO. OP hasn’t been on the forum in a few days, it will be interesting to see if they go forward with it.

Last edited by Piersonpie; Apr 15, 2026 at 05:18 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2026 | 12:33 PM
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This is the thing that aggravates me about how people on this forum base the values of other peoples cars and what they think about pricing.
For instance If we were to take my car. .
It sits on the original chassis.
If you look in the engine compartment it has an oem feel to it, we know it’s not.
The drive train has been extensively modified for increased horsepower and except for the 5 speed, looks stock.
Every suspension component is new and has been upgraded.
Every steering component is new and upgraded.
Every piece in the interior is new from the leather seats to the carpet, every console, dash, panel and oem gauge is new, giving the interior a completely original appearance except for the roll bar.
The fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines, all new.
There’s a completely new wiring harness and every electrical component and light is new and upgraded.
Every fastener throughout the car is new.
The paint and body work on it alone exceeded the cost of what the asking price is for this entire car.
Over the past ten years, I’ve been buying all the parts and currently have 99% of the parts to finish it stored in my garage, yet every day there seems to be a little something that I still need.
I can easily say that to do a body off, full nut and bolt quality build on any hi performance classic car especially a Corvette can quickly exceed what anyone can imagine.
Looking at the pictures in the add for the 73 in question, I’m willing to bet that the seller, if they were the builder, is loosing a ton of money on the sale.


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Old Apr 16, 2026 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by OldCarBum
Looking at the pictures in the add for the 73 in question, I’m willing to bet that the seller, if they were the builder, is loosing a ton of money on the sale.
Undeniably. The weirdest part is if it was one model year older with the chrome front bumper it’s fair market value would be worth what it’s asking and then some.

I don’t set the prices or want to discount the hard work that goes into these cars, I only go off the data available.
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Old Apr 16, 2026 | 02:12 PM
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I have an old buddy with a top flight '37 Chevy street rod that was built in the late '90s. It has receipts over $60k.

He paid $30k...

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Old Apr 16, 2026 | 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Piersonpie
Undeniably. The weirdest part is if it was one model year older with the chrome front bumper it’s fair market value would be worth what it’s asking and then some.

I don’t set the prices or want to discount the hard work that goes into these cars, I only go off the data available.

I DUNNO here ya go one year older, this is a 72 right here on the forum:

Another what looks like nice numbers matching, stick, & TOPLESS for $29,000 that's an awful lot of change from $45 to do what you want with it & it has a top that drops & a CHROME FRONT BUMPER too !!!!


CLICK HERE >>>>> https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-29000-a.html

< < The 73 now says SALE PENDING > >

...



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Old Apr 16, 2026 | 06:28 PM
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Just noticed this. I wonder who & why the window sticker altered, 927 IS DARK BLUE & the car is blue not gold ???

...




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