HAGERTY 1973 Chevrolet Corvette Car Owner’s Manual
- July 3, 2024
- HAGERTY
Table of Contents
Vehicle Valuation Report
1973 Chevrolet Corvette
2dr Convertible 8-cyl. 350cid/250hp 4bbl L82
1973 Chevrolet Corvette Car
Value adjustments
+$500 for close ratio 4-spd.| -8%for auto trans.| +$200 for pwr wndws.|
+$2,000 for a/c.| +$1,850 for hard top.
---|---|---|---|---
+$2,500 for pwr strg.| +$400 for alum whls.| +$750 for tilt/tele strng whl.| |
Model description
As the door slammed on the muscle car era, new regulations for 5-mph front
bumpers led to a color-keyed urethane front end treatment for the 1973
Chevrolet Corvette, replacing the chrome bumper. It added only 35 pounds, and
tail stayed the same as 1972 for another year.
Corvette production increased to 30,464, but only 4,943 were convertibles, and
1,328 buyers chose the auxiliary hardtop for $267. The coupe rear window was
also no longer removable. Prices increased slightly to $5,561.50 for the base
coupe and $5,398.50 for the convertible.
As horsepower dwindled to 190 bhp for the base model, Chevrolet concentrated
on sound deadening material to cut interior noise a claimed 40 percent. Rubber
pads were ftted between the body and chassis. Steel beams were installed in
the doors as crash protection. A cold-air induction hood was introduced and
radial tires were now standard.
Chevrolet introduced new mag wheels, but just like the original knock-offs in
1963, they were withdrawn for porosity problems and would not reappear until
1976. While 800 sets were made, only four sets were reported actually sold,
and some reports also cited strength concerns.
The solid-lifter LT1 engine was no longer available, and engine options were
limited to the base 350 cid 190 bhp V-8, the 250 bhp 350 cid L82, or the 275
bhp 454 cid LS4 producing only 275 bhp. Not surprisingly perhaps, 17,927
buyers opted for the 3-speed HydraMatic transmission and only 3,704 chose the
close-ratio 4-speed M21 manual gearbox. A further 21,578 buyers selected air-
conditioning, with 24,168 choosing power disc brakes and 27,872 choosing power
steering.
The Z07 off-road suspension and brake package found only 45 buyers, who also
bought the L82 and LS4 engines, power brakes and M21 4-speed.
10 colors were offered again: Orange, Yellow, Metallic Yellow, Mille Miglia
Red, Elkhart Green, Blue-green, Medium Blue, Dark Blue, Classic White and
Silver. A further 30 cars were painted black at the St. Louis plant.
Body styles
| 2dr Convertible | 2dr Coupe |
|---|
Engine types
8-cyl. 350cid/190hp 4bbl| 8-cyl. 350cid/250hp 4bbl L82| 8-cyl. 454cid/275hp
4bbl LS4
---|---|---
1968-1982 Chevrolet Corvette stats
| Highest sale | Most recent sale | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| $3,140,000 | $25,725 | 8599 |
Equipment
| Standard Equipment | Optional Equipment | Additional Info |
|---|
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Bucket Seats
Disc Brakes
Heater/Defroster
Seat Belts
Tachometer| AM/FM
Air Conditioning
Aluminum Wheels
Automatic Transmission
Auxiliary Hard Top
Power Brakes
Power Steering
Power Windows
Telescopic Steering Column
White Sidewall Tire| Vehicle Length: 184.7 in
Wheelbase – Inches: 98 in
Vehicle’s condition classifcation
#1. Concours
#1 vehicles are the best in the world. Imagine the best vehicle, in the
right colors, driving onto the lawn at the fnest concours.
Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted
and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials
used are correct and superbly ftted.
#2. Excellent
#2 vehicles could win a local or regional show. They might even be former
1 vehicles that have been driven or have aged. Seasoned observers will have
to look closely for faws but will be able to fnd some. The paint, chrome,
glass and fnishes will all appear as excellent. The vehicle drives as a new
vehicle of its era would.
#3. Good
#3 vehicles drive and run well but are not used for daily transportation.
The casual passerby will not fnd any visual faws, but these vehicles might
have some incorrect parts. #3 vehicles could possess some, but not all, of the
issues of a #4 vehicle, but they will be balanced by other factors such as
fresh paint or a new, correct interior.
#4. Fair
#4 vehicles are daily drivers, with faws visible to the naked eye. The
chrome might have pitting, the windshield might be chipped and perhaps the
body has a minor dent. Imperfect paintwork, split seams or a cracked dash
might be present. No major parts are missing, but there might be non-stock
additions. A #4 vehicle can also be a deteriorated restoration.
Publication Date: 06/20/2024
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