Tranny question
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From: Florence SC
Tranny question
My wife and I pulled into a convenience store the other day, and lo and behold there was a '73 there for sale. I'm not a 'Vette guy, always messed with 4X4's, but I've always loved Stingrays, so I stopped for a look. The guy wants $8,000 for it. It looked really good, the interior looked good, but it was after dark so I couldn't get a really good look. He said the 350 was rebuilt 2500 miles ago, and he traded it from a guy who was almost done restoring it. It has a couple of things not done, the vacuum tubes weren't hooked up the lights, the clips holding the door locks in were missing, and such. The paint looked almost new, but the flames definitely have to go.
The one thing I thought was strange was that he said it had a 2 speed automatic transmission. Did the '73 come with a 2 speed, or was it something somebody had lying around and stuck in, or was he mistaken? I just thought that was a little odd, but what do I know?
Also, are the headlight assemblys prone to going bad, or would they probably work if hooked up?
Thanks, and y'all have some nice cars here!
The one thing I thought was strange was that he said it had a 2 speed automatic transmission. Did the '73 come with a 2 speed, or was it something somebody had lying around and stuck in, or was he mistaken? I just thought that was a little odd, but what do I know?
Also, are the headlight assemblys prone to going bad, or would they probably work if hooked up?
Thanks, and y'all have some nice cars here!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Should have a M40 Turbo Hydramatic Trans which is a 3 speed. Sounds like the headlights have a vacuum issue. Could get expensive if some of the vacuum actuators are bad. If the rest of the car (frame included) are in good shape it may be worth the 8 grand but look at close.
Le Mans Master
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From: Chattanooga TN
To me that sounds marginal on a car that you want to repaint and the seller knows little about. Actuators are a small thing, but all the small things can add up. Since you are not familiar with Vettes, I'd look for one that was done for a few thousand more, or maybe even the same price.
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From: Florence SC
Not what I wanted to hear, but thanks. I'm going to look at it now, but it's raining so I don't guess I'll see too much. Looks like I may pass this one up and keep looking, though. I'll have to see what kind of deal he'd give me, though, and if he can get me in touch with the guy who built it.
Race Director
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From: Living in the Hartland
I had a TH400 that my friend converted to a 2 speed by over reving it in 2nd gear, it would jump from 1st to 3rd after that, guy might have made to same mods to the car you are looking at. 
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From: Florence SC
I went back and drove it yesterday, the car runs good. The transmission turned out to be a three speed. I don't know where the guy got that it was a 2 speed, but it shifted fine into all 3 gears. I have about decided not to get it, though, there are quite a few things that need to be done inside. Most of the gauges including the speedo and tach don't work, they may have just never been plugged in. The seats look brand new and the carpet is good, but it needs door panels, a handbrake handle, seatbelts, and the list goes on. I'm buying a house at the first of the year with a 1200 sq. ft. shop, once I get a new roof on the shop I'll start looking hard for one. By then, I should know enough to make a more informed decision- there's a lot of info here.
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Racer
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From: Bradenton Florida
you need to find some one that really needs the money. i bought mine for 5k but the interior was all nasty . in the good side he just put all new vbandp calipers on and a composite. then when i took apart the engine i knew i got a good deal. it had crane roller rockers and a steel crank. but on the down side one piston was destroyed but im glad it didnt ruin the cylinder wall.
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
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Originally Posted by Red_SC
I went back and drove it yesterday, the car runs good. The transmission turned out to be a three speed. I don't know where the guy got that it was a 2 speed, but it shifted fine into all 3 gears. I have about decided not to get it, though, there are quite a few things that need to be done inside. Most of the gauges including the speedo and tach don't work, they may have just never been plugged in. The seats look brand new and the carpet is good, but it needs door panels, a handbrake handle, seatbelts, and the list goes on. I'm buying a house at the first of the year with a 1200 sq. ft. shop, once I get a new roof on the shop I'll start looking hard for one. By then, I should know enough to make a more informed decision- there's a lot of info here.
I even enlisted(asked)a fellow NCRS Master Judge about a particular Silver '68 Coupe in Atlanta, Ga near where I knew he lived. I would rather invest $300(what I paid this guy, not what I'd charge)in him and his time for purchasing a $22,000 car and for him to tell me "Yes, it's gorgeous, buy it" OR for him to say "It's a $12,000 car, save your money". I did buy the car, turned out it was a 42,000 original mile car with original paint, interior, chassis & engine compartment. It also got Bloomington Gold Survivor in '03 and NCRS 4 Star Bowtie Award for '04 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, so another experienced Corvette owner's eyes/opinions can help you out greatly.
Last edited by Paul Borowski; Nov 24, 2004 at 10:27 AM.
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From: Burlington Ky
Originally Posted by markdtn
To me that sounds marginal on a car that you want to repaint and the seller knows little about. Actuators are a small thing, but all the small things can add up. Since you are not familiar with Vettes, I'd look for one that was done for a few thousand more, or maybe even the same price.
Haven't seen the car of course, but there are several red flags from your description. First, he claims not to know much about it. If it's his car and it's obviously had work done, it sounds to me like he wants to be able to claim that he didn't know about whatever it is that you will probably find after you buy it which would be the same thing he found after he bought it. Now, what might have been really bad for him might be nothing to you, so you never know. If you change your mind and want the car, I'd talk to the guy who actually started the resto first. I also agree with Paul. If you don't know much about vettes, take someone with you who does, you may be much happier in the long run. Good luck!
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From: Florence SC
Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
Red-another thought BEFORE you buy is to make another post asking for "help" to look at a Corvette near where you live or where the car is. Many of us here will skip dinner with the in-laws to do this(I know I will in a heartbeat). I have evaluated cars for people from California to Pennsylvania from both this Forum & NCRS. I've been mainly judging 1973-1982 Corvettes since 1998.
By the way, beautiful car!
Last edited by Red_SC; Nov 24, 2004 at 12:35 PM.