1973 Corvette Outlaw Exist?

[obas]

Hi,

I am looking at getting a vette and found one that the owner states is a 1973 350/330 with the original engine. I don't see this engine offered in 1973 and when I asked him about it he said his Uncle had to go to CA to get it and it is a limited "Outlaw" edition. It also has a "stock" high rise intake and a hood to compensate. Normally I would write this one off to story telling, but the guy is very well off and doesn't need to be making false claims. Of course I will be pulling the VINS, but I was just curious if anyone has heard about a 1973 Corvette with a 350/330 engine sold out of California as a Outlaw edition.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Sorry, no such thing in '73 or any other year. I'm always fascinated by the 'true stories' that exist about these cars.

If you can get hold of the VIN, we can tell you which engine it came with. The only SBCs available were the base L48 and optional L82, neither of which were powerhouses given the low octane gas and pollution regs. of the time. If the engine is original, the stamp pad in front of the right side cylinder head will also confirm the engine type.

 

[Hib Halverson]

A 350-hp 350 cuin engine was not available in 1973, not in California or any other state.

In fact, California would be the last state where you'd find such an "outlaw" combination and, even back in '73, the State of California had the most stringent vehicle certification regulations in the country.

 

[Toms007]

Obas, first off, welcome to CAC. Like 6880 said, the only engines were the L48 and the L82. The HP figures sound more like the earlier LT1 from 71 (IIRC). I doubt seriously anything like that came out of California, they were the leaders in emission standards being raised causing the performance (at the time) to drop.

Pull the numbers and check them out.

 

[Koop]

I seem to recall some aftermarket company out here that put together the "Outlaw" set up back then. I'll ask some of the local Vette nuts to see if anyone has more info. So. Cal. is car mecca, there were (and still are) plenty of big name aftermarket skunk works around here that put out some pretty cool stuff.

 

[Rod75]

I've never heard of "The Outlaw Edition". Could have been some small custom co. that did some mod's with a package name. Most companies like this also installed some badge of I.D.
If it is true-blue and so special, I would think some provenance and documentation should back it up. If it can't be proven, than it's all here-say. From my experience, people that give me the line of rare, special, one-off yada, yada, yada, tend to send me into the waist-high waders.:ughad

 

[obas]

Thank you for the replies. I am going to go forward with getting the VINs and evaluating the car this weekend. So far I only have videos and conversations with the owner. Hopefully I will find the right car and can move from an admirer in the forum to being a participant.

1973 CORVETTE STINGRAY

 

[Toms007]

I seem to recall some aftermarket company out here that put together the "Outlaw" set up back then. I'll ask some of the local Vette nuts to see if anyone has more info. So. Cal. is car mecca, there were (and still are) plenty of big name aftermarket skunk works around here that put out some pretty cool stuff.

Now this, I wouldn't doubt, but it didn't come from the factory that way.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

The car seems to be in very good condition and looks sharp but of course has lots of non original items on it- if that's an important factor in your decision. The wheels, hood, sidepipes, luggage rack, both outside mirrors and most importantly paint colour are not 'factory', you might want to use this as a bargaining chip. Make sure you inspect the frame and birdcage for rust. Run away if it's extensive.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[6880 Mike]

...the guy is very well off and doesn't need to be making false claims...

What does "well off" have to do with knowing about Corvettes? The owner may not be making a false claim about anything. He's only repeating information he was told -- obviously without verifying any of it.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

I wish the guy would have posted a pic of the motor on Craig's list. A Dominator carb on a daily driver seems odd. I don't ever remember seeing a black 73 at any of the local cruise-ins. Seems like a nice car just heed Mikey's advice and make sure it is rust free.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I don't ever remember seeing a black 73 at any of the local cruise-ins.

Black was not offered by the factory in 1973 as well as several other years.

 

[obas]

I drove 40 minutes to his house for our predetermined appointment and he was out "furniture shopping" and the car was in a warehouse only his son could access. He could not get a hold of his son to make the car available. I was going to write it off but he said he would drive it to my house tomorrow (Sunday). I realize the vehicle has several after market modifications (see pic of the earlier color) but I am just looking for personal enjoyment not showing or investment. Thank you very much for all your comments and opinions. Great forum!

 

[Sunstroked]

I really like the the 73 body style. Something about the rear chrome bumper with the sleek rubber front end makes it a great looking car. A really nice driver that is all done for 15k is not a bad price either. I'm not any authority but the "outlaw" moniker doesn't ring any bells with me either. Good luck in your car search. The B-J orange county car auction is going on this weekend. I about lost it when a beautiful stock 82 sold for a mere $11,500. The earlier C3's with big blocks and LT1's are the ones to keep original, in my opinion. The base coupe steel bumper cars are bringing mid $20k.

 

[Z51JEFF]

As stated the guys full of $hit.If it does have the aluminum wheels as an option that would be something to look at.I believe 73 was the first year for this option and only a handful of 73s had this wheel option.

 

[6880 Mike]

...If it does have the aluminum wheels as an option that would be something to look at.I believe 73 was the first year for this option and only a handful of 73s had this wheel option.

The YJ8 aluminum wheels were recalled in 73 and did not make production. The Black Book says four cars might have gotten the wheels. The speculation is that these four cars were pilot line cars and went to Warren for evaluation. No 73s sold to the public with factory aluminum wheels have been documented.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

The YJ8 wheels were indeed offered in 1973 on the option sheet, but there is no evidence of any car actually having been delivered to a retail customer with them. They were offered for a short while as an over the counter dealer item, at least four (IIRC) sets of those have surfaced.

The wheels in the picture look like the later '76 and up style.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Black was not offered by the factory in 1973 as well as several other years.

Mikey, I live in the same town as the "Black 73" that is for sale here. I was just mentioning that I have never seen this particular car locally.

 

[obas]

OK, need your help again. Inspected the vehicle and the windshield VIN tag has been removed and has a CA sticker in its place. The numbers on the sticker do not correlate to a VIN. Photo attached. The same number is on the FL title. I am thinking this may mean salvaged but can't find any information. Any thoughts? Also, attaching a photo of the engine. Any comments?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Yes, that's a state-issued salvage title. I was looking for something stock/factory on the engine pic and aside from the fan shroud didn't see much. :ugh With that type of title and the total amount of mods done to the car, you'd have a tough time selling it down the road. The seller might be having a tough time now.