If someone says "Chrome Bumper C3", does that include...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Before I bought my 73. I drove a 70 and a 72 in which they rode harsher/bumpier and felt less stable for whatever reason..
I drove this 73 and was taken back by it's power/handling and look of the car. Physical fact. The 73 does have chrome bumbers in the rear.
It does IMHO have a cleaner appearance than the previous models, and does look visually longer.
Last of the tunnel back, and rear chrome bumbers, and rectangular exhaust. Super cool!
I drove this 73 and was taken back by it's power/handling and look of the car. Physical fact. The 73 does have chrome bumbers in the rear.
It does IMHO have a cleaner appearance than the previous models, and does look visually longer.
Last of the tunnel back, and rear chrome bumbers, and rectangular exhaust. Super cool!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
NO-its a class of its own!-just like its not in the rubber bumper class. this is why some shows classify 68 to73 and 74 to 82--and other shows class -68to 72-73 to 82- maby they should go-68to 72---73---74 to 82----which,, is the way it is,,,a class of its own!-----------------
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Actually Carl A is right. It should be in a class of it's own. Why does the 73 have to go in a 68-72 class or a 74-82 class.
The 73 is distinctively different and deserves recognition! Here Here! LOL
The 73 should be judge on it's unqique merits, and not pond off to either other groups.
They made that look just one model year and that was it.
They deleted the gills from the side removed the front bumber, added the cowl induction hood and kept the back end Kamm style.
The 73 is distinctively different and deserves recognition! Here Here! LOL
The 73 should be judge on it's unqique merits, and not pond off to either other groups.
They made that look just one model year and that was it.
They deleted the gills from the side removed the front bumber, added the cowl induction hood and kept the back end Kamm style.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero Ca
I love "73's are the best" threads.
Yes, the have chrome bumpers. Let me go in the garge and count...
1,2...yep, 2 chrome bumpers. AKA The best looking rear bumper setup known to man.
Wait, whats that on the front? Oh yea, the best looking front bumper too.
Yes, the have chrome bumpers. Let me go in the garge and count...
1,2...yep, 2 chrome bumpers. AKA The best looking rear bumper setup known to man.
Wait, whats that on the front? Oh yea, the best looking front bumper too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Originally Posted by 73ragtop
I had a 1968 Corvette T-Top back in the early 70's and I have a 73 convertible now. Even lacking the stiffness of the coupe's top, the 73 is a much better riding, quieter, and more comfortable car. Highly recommend a 73.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
I looked at a few 73's before I bought my '71.....these were very nice Vettes and I seriously considered buying one.....but I couldn't get passed the lack of chrome on the front....
So to me a '73 is not a chrome bumper......but it's a design style in its own right, much like the fastback on the later C3's....
So to me a '73 is not a chrome bumper......but it's a design style in its own right, much like the fastback on the later C3's....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Given that it does have rear chrome bumpers I would think it would have to be classified as one. A one year only design really does place it in it's own category. Then again what do I know as the only vette I would consider owning would have to be a 69 - 72 or C6 vert.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Depends on sylist intent. Did the stylist actually INTEND for it to have urethane front AND rear, but was unable to follow through? Perhaps it was a toe-in-the-water for urethane production-readiness? OR, was the urethane tail delayed for some reason? Last minute revision of the urethane tail because of 5mph regulations that initial design couldn't pass?
There must have been a reason for the one-off. If the designer/stylist intended for it to be a full-on rubber bumper car, then that's what it is. The world may never know.
There must have been a reason for the one-off. If the designer/stylist intended for it to be a full-on rubber bumper car, then that's what it is. The world may never know.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by CGGorman
Depends on sylist intent. Did the stylist actually INTEND for it to have urethane front AND rear, but was unable to follow through? Perhaps it was a toe-in-the-water for urethane production-readiness? OR, was the urethane tail delayed for some reason? Last minute revision of the urethane tail because of 5mph regulations that initial design couldn't pass?
There must have been a reason for the one-off. If the designer/stylist intended for it to be a full-on rubber bumper car, then that's what it is. The world may never know.
There must have been a reason for the one-off. If the designer/stylist intended for it to be a full-on rubber bumper car, then that's what it is. The world may never know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Likes: 4
From: Austin Tx
I say no, not a bumper car, and I think the market agrees since the values really start to dropoff at 73. Not much diff in value between a 71 and 72, but significant difference between 72 and 73...
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I have read in many places that 1972 was the last year of the chrome bumper roadsters so I would say no. That is not to say that the '73 is not a nice car. It has advantages of the 68-72 (like the rear chrome bumpers and the deck lid flip) plus some from later years (front impact protection, vacuum reserve tank not in engine compartment, rubber body mounts) and probably many other things. It is unique and should be put in it's own category. Looks like a lot of '73 owners here agree 
Craig
Craig
Last edited by VetteNut72; Oct 11, 2004 at 03:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era because the front and rear styling were closest to what the stylists originally had in mind when this series was first designed.
