Hey All, I recently bungled into an unloved 73 T-Top, formerly somebody's parts car. No front. cap, eng., trans, or interior. Front cap is busted off but the frame and suspension is intact. No T-Tops. The windshield frame, doors, rear body panels and bumpers look good. Windshield is broken. Car was originally L48, auto, A/C, ps, manual brakes. THE PRICE IS RIGHT...... I've been having visions of a kinda rat-rod/quasi SCCA road race street toy---LOUD no tops, windows or interior, race seats...just something to scare myself and aggrivate the neighbors. I have some Chevy pieces----fresh, never fired +.30 427---454 block w/396 crank 10.5 to 1 forged pistons, 781 casting O-port heads. Have a couple of muncie 4spd.s, flywheels and a bellousing.
I see ads online for 1 piece Corvette frt. caps and some cluch/brake pedal assy.s on Ebay. I'm no bodyman and I've forgotten the little bit I learned repairing Corvette rear suspensoin/drivetrain parts I abused in the late 60's/early 70's. I do assemble and fabricate stuff pretty well---a little rough but functional. This site looks like a wealth of Corvette information. A couple of questions: Is there some BIG PITA I don't forsee about my hopefully low bucks Corvette project? How's my chances of this 73 having a posi rear? Can the T-Top be surgically removed to make a roadster?----would this considered a SIN---or crime against nature ? Does Hooker still sell the header/sidepipes---had some on a '66 YEARS ago and LOVED 'em. If you guys scare me bad enough I'll probably put the engine in my scruffy '69 Nova and freshen it up a little. Thanks in advance for ideas, thoughts, advice, donations.... Howard, Central Fl.

 

Welcome to the forum Howard. Sounds like you have a very interesting project on your hands.

First, post up some pics. This link will walk you through the process if you don't already know how.

http://photos.imageevent.com/durango...g%20Images.pdf

As far as the PIA, just plan everything out first. Start at the bottom. Make sure you check the frame for rust as there are a few specific problem areas like the rear kick ups where the frame turns up after the cabin.

The birdcage, as it's referred, is the metal structure the rest of the car is built on. It is also usually very rusty with older Vettes that might have spent too much time in the elements.

You can make it into a topless car but you'll want to strengthen the part of the structure that isn't removed, and add some support to the rest of the frame as well.

Spend a lot of time on the front and rear suspension. The front is easy, and the rear takes some time and special tools. Don't skip quality for the suspension and brakes.

Hookers does in fact still have a wide variety of headers and side pipes for Corvettes of varying years and options. They are pricey though.

Sounds like a fun project, so I wish you luck. Shame someone didn't take better care of that '73. It's my favorite year.

 

The price is always "right" for something that has limited value. I hope [for your sake] that you have access to lots of Corvette parts already...you're going to need it. I wish you luck.

 

Good luck with your project. Do a search on the fourm. Some have turned coupes to a verts. To do it right will cost ya. Your chances of having a posi are far better than hitting the lottery.

 

It took a team of GM Engineers over two years to convert the first C-4 Prototype from a C-3 style "T-Top" into a targa top. That is most of the reason there is no 1983 model. I have seen pictures of C-3's converted from "T-Top" to convertible and have heard the price. There is a good reason why this is not attempted very often.
Good Luck and please proceed very carefully with a plan in hand.

 

Doable project. From the description your giving of what you want I don't see any big problems. Converting to topless maya be more trouble than its worth, but maybe not. Some stiffening at the #1 and #2 body mounts might be needed provided there is little or no rust in the bird cage. With a bunch of ponies there are some frame mods you will want to do, find an on line copy of the "chevy power manual" it details what needs to be done as far as bracing and stiffening the frame. Differential will need some attention, GTR1999 is the rear end guru in here and he has several papers on strengthening the posi up.
Hooker still makes a good set of side pipes. Ecklers makes a pretty good front clip, they are in Titusville

 

You have a posi in it now. I'm sure of it. I don't think I'd go the topless route. Certainly not with a bunch of H.P. in it. Anything can be done though! Good luck with it and have as much fun as you can.

 

Thanks for the responses, have to unload some (UGH!)furniture from my trailer and tow about 200mi south to get this thing home. $3 a gallon--400mi., I'm going to start spending money right away. Gonna try and get it before Christmas. I'll study the search on this site and try to learn a little. I'm anxious to get it home and see whats left of it.
Thanks again, Howard

 

Hojo,
Since it will always be a toy, you have to watch where every dollar goes because someday you'll probably need to convince someone to pay you for it. Sort of a rough BFG racer from the late 60's early 70's, for the street ,would be fun AND disturb your neighbors .
Regards,
Alan

 

1) There were 41 or so '83s built and VINed. One survives in the NCM.

2) The problems were with the production line, not the roof design. The 82 was selling well, so the decision was made to drag out the end of the C3 and start the C4 with the 84 model year.

 

Hey...good luck on your project. The '73 is my favorite. Five years and mega-dollars ago, I picked up a wreck/project car in that very well known barn. Mice had eaten everything and had moved out. All the parts that could be taken off were thrown in the car...There were eight coats of paint, the last was done by brush....There was finally a light at the end of the tunnel....