New guy with a question
Thread Starter
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,443
Likes: 124
From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
New guy with a question
Hi folks, I'm new here to this board (been on several others, just not Vette!) I've been lurking, reading, and learning on this board for several months now, finally decided to register.
Anyway, I'm seriously considering getting a '73 ragtop with a 4 speed. It's at least a 3.5 if not close to a 4 on a 5 scale! It's being offered at a very reasonable price, I think ($6k - $6500)
Are there any "problem areas" I should be aware of to check before committing to getting it?
As far as I know, it still has the original engine, the tranny has been rebuilt, and although there are minor body fixes that could be done, it's in really good condition from what I can tell.
This will be my first Vette (!!) and will be a fine graduation and 40th birthday present to myself!
Please let me know what you guys think!
Paul
Anyway, I'm seriously considering getting a '73 ragtop with a 4 speed. It's at least a 3.5 if not close to a 4 on a 5 scale! It's being offered at a very reasonable price, I think ($6k - $6500)
Are there any "problem areas" I should be aware of to check before committing to getting it?
As far as I know, it still has the original engine, the tranny has been rebuilt, and although there are minor body fixes that could be done, it's in really good condition from what I can tell.
This will be my first Vette (!!) and will be a fine graduation and 40th birthday present to myself!
Please let me know what you guys think!
Paul
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: New guy with a question (OatBoy)
Nice cars, and the price is great IF (big IF) there are no major problems... find a member or other knowledable vette person in your area that is willing to check it out with you. Rusty frames or birdcages, brake systems, swing arms and bearings, or BUBBA fixes can add up in $ real quick.
Welcome ... and good luck.
Welcome ... and good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: New guy with a question (OatBoy)
There are several vette specific problem areas you need to check (frame kickups, birdcage, etc.) Check the buyer's checklist at http://www.corvettefaq.com.
JB
JB
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Re: New guy with a question (73sbvert)
$6500 is a greast price if it really is in nice shape. Look along the windshield pillars for rust and be sure to get underneath it too. Other than that everything else can be redone if necessary. Obviously drive it and after it warms up don't be afraid to get on it a little and listen/feel for stumbles, and such. Hit the brakes fairly hard and make sure it doesn't pull to one side. Things like that.
Let us know how it goes! :thumbs:
Let us know how it goes! :thumbs:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: New guy with a question (73sbvert)
Ive always heard its a good idea to check for rust on the frame just in front of where the rear trailing arms connect. Thats a great price if its in good shape. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Re: New guy with a question (73sbvert)
after shopping around for months & months, it so far sounds like a fun project at a very good price ! if you got a good feeling about it , Go For It ! Good luck ! :cool:
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Thread Starter
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,443
Likes: 124
From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: New guy with a question (73sbvert)
Well, thanks for the welcome all! I look forward to being in here. I DO have a good feeling about it, but I will be making out a checklist for all that sort of stuff to check. I was mainly concerned about Vette specific problems (frame kickups, out of the way rust problems, etc. I DO know my way around a car though, so hopefully I'll be able to help out the board for general tech questions too.
Just for background, my main favorite auto are the Pontiacs, TransAms particularly (had 5 of them!) from all different conditions too.
I've owned:
* 90 Grand Prix SE
* 83 Trans Am
78 Trans Am, Gold Edition
78 Trans Am
76 Trans Am
87 Trans Am
94 Jeep (now the ex's, thank goodness! She can HAVE it!!)
84 Rustang GT
70 Duster (w/ 360 hipo engine, 4spd, and Dana rear! What a screamer... for a Dodge!)
Few other misc. ones, Bugs, beaters, etc.
I've always done all the maintenance on all my cars, and have no problem getting dirty!
Well, gotta go to work, make the money that will buy this thing!
Talk to ya'll later!
:steering:
Just for background, my main favorite auto are the Pontiacs, TransAms particularly (had 5 of them!) from all different conditions too.
I've owned:
* 90 Grand Prix SE
* 83 Trans Am
78 Trans Am, Gold Edition
78 Trans Am
76 Trans Am
87 Trans Am
94 Jeep (now the ex's, thank goodness! She can HAVE it!!)
84 Rustang GT
70 Duster (w/ 360 hipo engine, 4spd, and Dana rear! What a screamer... for a Dodge!)
Few other misc. ones, Bugs, beaters, etc.
I've always done all the maintenance on all my cars, and have no problem getting dirty!
Well, gotta go to work, make the money that will buy this thing!
Talk to ya'll later!
:steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon KY
Re: New guy with a question (73sbvert)
welcome :cheers: sounds like a great deal if it's in that good of condition.
You may want to check out Tom's site if your interested in 73 corvettes. well i don't have a 73, but it still intrests me :lol: some good reading. :thumbs: http://www.1973-corvette.com/
You may want to check out Tom's site if your interested in 73 corvettes. well i don't have a 73, but it still intrests me :lol: some good reading. :thumbs: http://www.1973-corvette.com/
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Manchvegas NH
Re: New guy with a question (isosceles)
Welcome! I'm new here too, and the folks here are terrific!
The specific place that I got burned was the windshield frame, the thing was swiss cheese! You should see if the owner will allow you to remove the top chrome piece and look in there, or remove the pillar covers.
Good luck. The price sounds good, even if it needs a few items.
The specific place that I got burned was the windshield frame, the thing was swiss cheese! You should see if the owner will allow you to remove the top chrome piece and look in there, or remove the pillar covers.
Good luck. The price sounds good, even if it needs a few items.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Shoreline WA
Re: New guy with a question (73sbvert)
Paul,
Sounds like a good deal to me at that price if not rusted. Prices for Vettes seem to be higher here than other areas of the country. Sometimes I wished I lived in FL, TX or CA, but only for the number and prices of Vettes I see from those areas.
Email me if you would like to have someone look at it with you. I always like to looks at vettes, regardless of their condition.
Mike
Sounds like a good deal to me at that price if not rusted. Prices for Vettes seem to be higher here than other areas of the country. Sometimes I wished I lived in FL, TX or CA, but only for the number and prices of Vettes I see from those areas.
Email me if you would like to have someone look at it with you. I always like to looks at vettes, regardless of their condition.
Mike
Thread Starter
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,443
Likes: 124
From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: New guy with a question (SLine78)
Thanks for all the suggestions guys!! And JB, thanks for the link! Went right into my new "VetteStuff" folder!!
SLine78, might just be giving you a call! My boss is the one selling this, so I'm in good hands there, but would love to join a cruise or something!
:cheers:
Ciao for now,
Paul
:auto: <---- Me, soon!!
[Modified by 73sbvert, 11:02 PM 6/5/2003]
[Modified by 73sbvert, 11:06 PM 6/5/2003]
SLine78, might just be giving you a call! My boss is the one selling this, so I'm in good hands there, but would love to join a cruise or something!
:cheers:
Ciao for now,
Paul
:auto: <---- Me, soon!!
[Modified by 73sbvert, 11:02 PM 6/5/2003]
[Modified by 73sbvert, 11:06 PM 6/5/2003]