73 LS-4

The ZO7 option seems to be extremely rare on the 73's and I've never run across one, anybody else own or know of one? I think there were 45 built.


Pat Kunz

robertmc48

I own a original 1973...how would you know if you did or not ?

73 LS-4

probably the easiest way to tell without a build sheet would be the calipers will have two slides that the pads ride on rather then the single centered slide of the base brake setup. Of course I think heavy duty brakes may have been able to be ordered seperate but I haven't seen that setup on a 73 either. The ZO7 option was very similiar to the ZR1 or ZR2 options of the previous years, heavy duty brakes, heavy duty suspension and no A/C, and I think a 4spd was required but I maybe wrong there.


Pat Kunz

LIQUIDDRAGON

looks like a very rare option indead. http://www.idavette.net/facts/73.htm

kdf1986

I have a 73 454 WITH A/C....so I guess that rules me out.

kdf

73 LS-4

Sending this back to the top in case some didn't see this.


Pat Kunz

Michel B

That option is not even listed in the Corvette restoration Guide. ???

codestar7

Man that was rare, 45 realeases, but realy , who was going to rally the 73 corvette? Hey, heres a strange option that makes no sence, The interior on my 73 never saw any wood any where that I know of . However I'm changing the door panels and the origonal panels have something that looks like industrial strength wood grain shelf paper on the door panel inside the U shaped trim bezel behind the locking wheel and handle, any one else got this type of door panel? And what would you do to replace this on a new door panel?

Patrick73

I am aware of at least two purported 1973's with the Z07 option that still exist. One is a color code 914 silver currently in the Austin, Texas area. It is privately owned. The other is a code 980 orange and was recently for sale within the last year. It was at a midwest corvette dealership. The Z07 option was also available in 1974 and 1975. It was essentially the FE7 type suspension package with HD brakes. It was not recommended for "daily pleasure driving".

bob pinto

How much would the Z07 option add to the value of a 1973 L82 4spd with a non matching motor(Replaced years ago with a crate motor. Looks original though. Kept the intake and valve covers and carb cover)
I have the title to a white exterior, red interior (matches trim tag except that it is leather. Was that way when he bought it) Interior fully restored (lots spent on restoration by Corvette Paramendics in Columbus NJ. They know the car. Owned for many years by Marine Corp buddie Al Job. He needed the money and now I need to sell.
Needs some minor paint work and a new front bumper cover.
I do not have a place to keep the car. It is still in my buddy's garage, which is an hour or so away.
I do not have the time to drop the tank to look for the sticker.
I do know that it has twin pin calipers. Rear leaf spring was replaced years ago after it broke. Who knew to keep it at the time or even the motor.If someone is interested in looking at the car it is in Franklinville NJ.

hunt4cleanair

Without documentation, it would always be suspect and especially with a non-matching motor. A buyer of such a uniquely option Corvette would expect to see parts and documentation so without the correct rear spring, just adds to an incomplete story.

What would be fair is to price it as a 73 non-matching numbers Corvette with twin-pin calipers.

LS4 PILOT

I know a guy with a mint 74 Z07, its the real deal L82 . Its the only one I've ever seen in person , that had the order sheet, window sticker , tank sticker and all and I could confirm it was the real deal It was my understanding AC was not offered on Z07 ... I mean why would you ?...yet I have a old issue of CORVETTE FEVER in which a guy in FL claimed his LS4 was a Z07 factory car ..which I really doubted as it was sissy auto with AC .......I think he was FOS, but the editors of CF went along with his BS story. He had no paperwork proof it was truely a ZO7 ........he was dreaming.

I will never believe a Z07 came with AC from the FACTORY, least with out paperwork to prove it

73jtml

I have a 73 454, 4spd, #'s matching Coupe, no A/C, with radio. The gas tank had been replaced and sticker with it before I got it. It is not a ZO7 as best i can tell. From my research the best and simplest way to tell is as you said above, by the calipers and rear spring, also if the front springs still have their original tags you can also tell from the front spring, (mine had the wrong tag on the front, wrong number of leafs in the rear, and wrong calipers). It seems however that a fake Z07could easily be created on a car w/no tank sticker by changing springs and calipers since none of those parts are veh. specific by VIN#.

LS4 PILOT

yep , I agree it would really easy to add the parts to make one. SO I guess that explains the low interest in finding them.

SO......I pulled out my old issue of BEST of CORVETTE NEWS. I was right . on page 617 , the 74 power team chart is shown. No AC optional on Z07 power teams. L82 or LS4 required for Z07 offroad pkg.

Also catching my eye .... on the L82 Z07 pkg , a 4:11 posi rearend was "standard" , thats pretty impressive given it was 1974, gas crisis, and all the belly aching going on over pollution . My friends Z07 has a 3:70 which was optional for that package. Pretty cool , Zora found a way to sneak the 4:11 into option list for the folks who still wanted to go fast.

Unless a 4:11 posi was offered in the 75 Z07 offroad option, my book doesn't say, Then was 1974 model the "LAST" factory vette to have a 4:11 gear factory installed?

hunt4cleanair

Had a 67 Chevy II and ran it with a 4:56 rearend...would scream out of the hole.

1973yj8owner

I purchased my car new in 1973. I believe the car was sold for off road use only. It could not be registered for street use. I assume they were race cars. I am sure that they all went to the crusher by now.

My car is not one.

73Vettegal

What is known about the one in the Austin area and where did the info come from? I live near Austin, bought a 73 in December 2010 and it's a color code 914. it was bought from an individual in NY and I have wondered about this for a while. Car is a 454, no AC, but most other options. Any info is appreciated!!

Mike Ward

Not sure where you got your info but essentially none of the above is true. Z07 equipped cars were fully street legal. There's no reason to think that they would head to the crusher any sooner than a non-Z07. Most people have never seen one because there were only 45 ordered and built. '1973 Corvette' and 'racing' really don't belong in the same sentence, I'm surprised that there were even 45 built.

LS4 PILOT

Z07 was street legal . Never seen a 73 myself. I 've seen one 74 in person with paperwork .

As far as racing , real racing Mike , neither was a 72 LT1 , nobody would have kept the stock parts on that engine either and expect to compete in serious racing. All you really needed was the HD bare block and crankshaft , rods ,ect or bottom , serious people were going to rebuild it to their custom specs anyway...this same bottom end block was used on Z07's L-82 's .....the basics were there and if you wanted to get seriuos then it was up to you to rebuild everything and completely modify the suspension , gut everything , ect.

The Z07 was a SCCA aimed option for everyday guys wanting to autocross a little bit on a weekend and drive it there.. By then ..no one would have considered it a real race car in any sence stock , we were getting destroyed by 911 's and such. But, other than buying an exotic from Europe it was good as it got.

I tried to running a stupid 66 427 C2 and got my doors blown off by every 6 cyl and small V8 go carts out there. I bought a Chevy Monza 2+2 and did alot better than the C2 's I had..

68-427Rich

I've seen a '75 convertible with the Z07 package.