Looking at a 73 vette.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Looking at a 73 vette.
I found a 73 vette today. Thing has the interior removed but all the parts are there (restored). The engine is re-built and the car has been re-painted. He started working on the car and ran out of time and money. It only needs the interior put back in and a little clean up. He doesn't want the car anymore and wants an offer. I think that he will probably sell for $2500-3500. It is a L-82 silver four-speed. I have not checked the numbers, but I bet that they match. Any ideas what I should offer?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Aloha, OR, USA
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (compuvette)
If you can get it for $2500-$3500 I'd go for it. I paid $7500 for my 73 big block. It was almost completely dissasembled and had a brand new coat of paint (very very nice paint job -- that's what got me :) ). I had to put the interior in, rebuild the engine and trans, put all the emblems, etc. on, put in the new weather strips, put in the gas tank, attach rear bumpers, re-key the locks, etc. I also had to buy new wheels. Buy it, put it together, and tripple your money if you want to sell it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (john73bb)
73 vettes didn't have cats did they? I have a DZ302 Z-28 engine that I might be tempted to drop in this thing if I buy it. I would keep the original engine in the garage just in case. Man, this would make three vettes! I would be a collector then!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (compuvette)
i paid $2k for my 73 a coupla years back in Los Angeles. 350 L48 , 4 speed, numbers, t/t, p/s e/w, had horrible wires, fender skirt extensions, needed paint, seats, as it had race seats, and new front bar, but really really clean car. came up really well.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 708
Likes: 21
From: Montrose CA
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (Geoff H)
If you gotta job and gotta set of wrenches buy that car (at those prices)! You can not go wrong at the price you mentioned - but - dont be suprised if he has a moment of sanity and asks $8k for a car with a new engine and new interior. Even at $8k I would still see it as a good start. I can tell you complete new interiors are worth at least $2000 and a minimal engine rebuild is $1500.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (compuvette)
Honestly I love me 73. I figure that is it one of the most unique C3's (rear chrome bumpers, first year for the no-chrome front bumper). Also it's easy to shop for parts for it! I'd say for 3000 it's a steal. And in my oppinion 73's are totall undervalued. I own a 69 as well, and for the price difference between the two I can't justify what the 69 is worth. I'd never trade my 73 L-82 it's simply a great car. Unless you are a HP addict the 73 will serve you well, and with a few mod's it can put out just as much as any C3 smallblock.
Mike
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Re: Looking at a 73 vette.
Don't forget to look at the usual rust spots - windshield frame, radiator support, frame rail at rear kick-up. The nice thing about a project is you can spend money on it as you get it, but you will have more into it at the end than you think. I also like the 73's best. Look at the 73 vette spot www.corvetteforum.net/c3/vette73/index.htm for more info. Joe
[Modified by joe73vette, 9:40 AM 1/13/2002]
[Modified by joe73vette, 10:18 AM 1/13/2002]
[Modified by joe73vette, 9:40 AM 1/13/2002]
[Modified by joe73vette, 10:18 AM 1/13/2002]
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (lbell101)
73 was the first year for C3 to get raised hood and cowl induction. It was also the last for the abrupt rear and crome bumpers. This combo is what made me decide on a 73. Ah haa...the best of both worlds. 73's did not have cat convertor which also attracted me. Sounds like a good deal. Whats the paint look like? Really good paint is worth alot of money.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (compuvette)
there must be a reason this guys selling for 2500-3500
something is WRONG with the car!!
either that or hes an idiot.
make sure u check everything out...
but even if something is seriously wrong with the car, for that price, it would still be worth it!!
:lol: :lol:
these cars are easy to fix!!
even major frame damage is easy to fix with the right shop.
something is WRONG with the car!!
either that or hes an idiot.
make sure u check everything out...
but even if something is seriously wrong with the car, for that price, it would still be worth it!!
:lol: :lol:
these cars are easy to fix!!
even major frame damage is easy to fix with the right shop.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Newcastle Ontario
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (compuvette)
That is a steal for that car. There were only 5,710 L-82' s built in 1973 and only a total of 3,704 M21 (4spd). So chances are that at max there were 3,704 M21 L-82 cars produced. You know the numbers would indicate that it would be less than that as other optioned cars would have M21's. I think the '73 is a unique car and very underpriced right now. To answer your question ... No cats. If you don't want this car, drop me a line. I would be interested.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (sweet73)
That is a steal for that car. There were only 5,710 L-82' s built in 1973 and only a total of 3,704 M21 (4spd). So chances are that at max there were 3,704 M21 L-82 cars produced. You know the numbers would indicate that it would be less than that as other optioned cars would have M21's.
tom...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (daily_driver)
From as far as I could tell from a quick look the car is in good shape. The paint looks excellent (a couple of years worth of dust on it). The guy has just gotten tired of working on it. It is a friend of my brother-in-laws. I will see if I can get some more info.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 34,253
Likes: 0
From: Medford, OR
Re: Looking at a 73 vette. (compuvette)
Dang, that sounds like a nice price to me. My car is an M21 equipped L82 and I forked over $4,200 for it and it sounds like the car your looking at is in better shape than mine was when I bought it.