Hi All. I'm considering a 1973 Convertible which will be my first Corvette. Is there anything I should be aware of or look for in this model to check out/consider before purchase? Below is the seller's comments. What should I be aware of with a 73 convertible? Thanks in advance!!!

From the seller:
Numbers matching car 350/auto. Both engine/transmission rebuilt. The odometer shows 24826. I was told by previous owner the engine had been rebuilt. I had the transmission rebuilt using the original numbers matching case.

 

Welcome to CFs, Mike.

Does it have a smog certificate?
If not, run a compression check on it.

If you can arrange to get under it, do so, preferably with the suspension hanging free.
You should check out the exhaust system, U-joints for the drive train and rear axles. Inspect the bushings that mount the rear suspension, and go over the steering componants. Spin the wheels and listen for any dragging sounds. Try and wiggle each wheel, top to bottom, and side to side, they should be tight. Look the frame over very well. Check for any dents, dings, and scrapes. Rust, inspect your body mounts and any areas where anything mounts to the frame.

Engine compartment,......
Does everything look neat and orderly, or is there a spider web of wiring?
Is the engine caked in grease, or fairly clean?

Interior condition acceptable for the price?

How's the paint?

Price?
and,....
is it worth it to you?

Well, I hope this helps ya out.

 

Welcome to the Corvette Forum. Check the frame between the wheels (especially in front of the rear wheel) for rust by tapping with a hammer. Check inside the rear compartment for signs of water. I've heard that the roadsters have been known to leak here. See if the parking brake works. Check calipers for leakage. Check inside the valve cover for any signs of water in the oil. Generally will look like a gray jelly.

I would wonder why the engine had to be rebuilt at 24K. Maybe driven hard and put away wet. [] Or maybe the miles were all in quarter mile increments. I drove mine hard and got 70K out before rebuild.

Let us know what you decide.

 

Hi and a huge THANKS for the suggestions on what to check. The car is a CA car so I'm hoping rust won't be an issue. However, since it is a CA car, paint is an issue and it definitely needs a paint job. It is currently black (I'm guessing that is the original color) with a new tan "correct" interior. I'll definitely check out the suggested items you listed. Are parts easy to find for this year or will it turn out to be a big headache? The car is listed for $14k. I've been searching for a 73 convertible for a long time since it has the chrome rear bumper, but not the front. And, since I'll be turning 40 this weekend, I've been thinking that now is the time to spend money that I clearly do not have! Thanks again for all the responses. I appreciate the advice and findingthis forumto share information.

 

Black was not a factory color in '73 but there were rumors that some cars were painted black at the factory. Check the trim tag on the driver's side above the door hinge for the paint code.

Here's some useful info: http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1973.aspx

Parts are available from most aftermarket Corvette suppliers. It's an expensive hobby.

Good luck on your quest. I'm partial to '73s.

 

Hi MikeC3 and welcome to the forum, the only thing better than having than having a 73 Vette is to have a 73 convertible!
This is a great forum as you can see everyone has given you some tips as to what to look for. It's great if you can start out with all matching numbers because as the years go by you can get it back to mint condition and if you do sell it someday youll get full value. 73 shark gave you a link so you can verify that the numbers do indeed match.
See if you can find out why the motor and transmission needed to be rebuilt with such low miles. I could understand that if it was a young driver with a lead foot,and that would not stop me from buying it.
C3 Sratship also had so very good advise, look under the hood and see if the wires look original, on the forum if we see a lot of splices we call it Bubbaed Up, and then check all the other things he said to look at, many of us have learned the hard way so take his advise.
There will be a few things that you might miss, but everything can be fixed. You say your turning 40, buy it now so that you can enjoy it while your young.
You will have a Million dollars worth of fun with your Vette, whatever it costs, when you drive down the road and people at a light give you the thumbs up or when it takes 30 minutes to get gas because you have attracted a crowd and everyone wants to ask questions and look under the hood, then you will realy understand how special a Corvette is.
Good luck on your prospective purchase. PG.

 

Hi. I'm so happy that I found this forum. The original paint was red. I've attached (or, at least I'm going to try) a link to some pictures of the engine compartment, side and interior.

http://www.thestarkeys.org/vette/interior.jpg
http://www.thestarkeys.org/vette/engine.jpg
http://www.thestarkeys.org/vette/front.jpg

The car is pre-smog so no smog is ever required. I'd have to test the compression then (how do I have this done?)
The car has brand new brakes including calipers and rotors, brand new tiresand wheels on the car (torque thrusts).
It has other rims on it now,but theyalso havethe original steel wheels minus the beauty ring and caps.
The car has new lights and light lenses all the way around. The headlights still work.
It has both the hard top and the original soft top which is of course in bad shape. But they dohave a brand new soft top for the car, it just needs to be installed on the frame.
The transmission is recently rebuilt using the original case to keep it a numbers matching car.
The car has current registrationthrough May of 2009.
There isnew weather stripping for the entire car including the soft top that needs install.
The interior has been redone back to its original specs which includesleather seats and the deluxe style interior.
The hood on the car is not the original but they do have the original hood.
Afew other things under the hood like the power steering have been replaced.
Comes with thousands of dollars in receipts from

 

WOW! The interior looks great, everything fits right and must be brand new. Even the A pillar weatherstrip looks new.
Under the hood needs a good cleaning but thats OK.
The shielding is missing, that costs $200.00 to $600.00 if you feel that you need it.
Never seen a paint job where they did not paint the inside of the fenders, but that can be fixed. A new paint job can cost plenty but you can enjoy the car the way it is.
If the price is right "Go for it". PG.

 

Hi. I spoke with someone who has a C4 Corvette and here was her impressions of a 73:

She used to have a '72 and now has a '98. Her husband said they starting making duds in '73 (he asked, "why would he want a '73?") and that the corvettes weren't built very well again until 1990.The '72 was a very uncomfortable ride with a rough suspension and floorboards that got real hot (poor firewall). She mentioned that the '73 is only (only?!) 195 horsepower and that a paint job would probably be $5-6k. Her husband thinks $14k is probably overpriced (unless it's mint and only needs paint, maybe), as '72 and earlier are considered to be more valuable. She said it probably gets 16 mpg and probably doesn't have a/c and that it's probably very loud to ride in (especially since it's a convertible).

 

Sounds like she ate some sour grapes.

If ya want more thatn 195 hp, build it up.

It all comes down to what YOU like. You already stated that it's the year you want, so,.......If you like it, go for it. [sm=icon_rock.gif]

After all, are you buying it for her, or you. [&:]