1973 Corvette Question

[Jozek]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am 20 years old. I live in Maryland. Its awesome to see this many people that share the same love for Corvettes as me. I have found a really nice looking 1970's corvette in my price range on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2413736127. . I want to my first corvette to be perfect and not get swindled by a seller. I am going to see the car in person but from the picture i can see the vette needs a color change to black. I am not very familar with mechanics so my question is what vital things should I ask or check before buying. Also, can the forum give me an opinion if this is a good deal or not. Finally, If i have the option of restoring this car is it worth it and is there any good books on C3 corvettes the forum would reccomend.

PS Please leave any comments, i need the info
Thanks alot!

 

[Tom73]

Not to be negative, but I would be concerned. Just looked at the listing. It is at $5,500 and reserve has been met. Apparently the reserve was VERY low. The car is an L82, the optional high performance small block. I would put the value of the car, if in good condition, around the $10K mark.

My first thought for the low reserve is rust. Check the frame. One problem area is the kick up in front of the rear wheels. Also check the windshield frame. With a reserve that low something has to be wrong with the car.

tom...

 

[78SilvAnniv]

The Shopping List

Our site has had a redesign, so I'm not sure where it is...but check through our tabs to find the Buyers Checklist of things to check when looking at a vette.
It may seem like overkill, but I guarantee if you have this list with you and follow it...you won't forget anything you wanted to look at!
Heidi

 

[MaineShark]

The ad says that it needs paint.

A paint job is around $5000.

So, add that to the price...

Joe

 

[BORDERBUM]

Check out the list described before and if you can see it in person maybe have a mechanic put it on a lift, so you can see problem areas such as the frame described as before. Is the title Ok, etc.. Other than that, the car looks nice (besides the color) sidepipes and all. If you live close you should be able to check it out or maybe someone from the forum lives near you that can help you out. Good luck with what ever you do, I like the 73 fiberglass front and chrome in the back, only car like that!! It is known on sight by almost all corvette fans.

GIT R DONE___________________________BORDERBUM

 

[BORDERBUM]

C3forME,

Most cars 30 years old are going to need paint. The important thing is to check the fiberglass as to how much work is going to have to be done to prepare the car for paint. That is where your going to get expensive on the paint. Not all paint jobs are going to cost you 5k. Some will. It really depends on what you want the car for, driving or show? Good luck, When Vette gets in the blood it doesn't come out, till the blood stops flowin.

 

[TomOB]

Just to redirect you where Heidi was pointing incase you didn't find it:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/buying.html
Here's my advice: take it slow. I remember seeing a 1969 red roadster on some guys webpage and instantly wanting one. I was 15. Now i know you'd love to hear the "i bought one 2 years later and ahve been driving it for the past 20 years" but im 19 and of low resources. But Borderbum s right, it stays in your blood. I've tried to jump on every corvette i saw for sale just because i wanted one. Rusty frame? oh I can fix that easy. Transmission and engine gone? No problem i was planning on putting in one of those 700 cubic inch beats anyway.
I've been told that if I wait, the good one will come to me in its time. If you haven't inspected or driven one of these yet, I'd say to start there. I checked one out for the first time last year and it was quite the experience. The more you know the less chance you have of being shafted. If you do live close, go look at it anyway. I'm planning on inspecting some guy's low mileage 80 that lives 5 mi from me. Guy seems to be pretty firm at about 15,000, and thats not good for me. But being able to look at a pristine example and to drive a car will help me pick up on problems.
Sorry for the book, and good luck whatever you do,
Tom

PS does anyone think that the prices on Ebay are artificially high or low? I woudl ahve thought that some people who know nothing about the cars would be willing to pay more for it than a discriminating enthusiast, but at the same time maybe the wide audience allows the 'invisible hand' to bring the price to the true market value.

 

[stingray4me]

I think the prices on ebay are very reasonable & not over inflated. If you search it every day for a few weeks or more you will get a good feel for the market. I got my 93 on ebay last oct for $9,750. I think the corvette trader magazine prices are over inflated. I would say a good price for a 73 would be around $10K.
I didn't look at the one you mentioned. I cant use ebay here at work. I was lucky to have my 75 painted by a friend for $1K. but he painted several of my cars over the years.

 

[stingray4me]

As for things to look at not mentioned by others. Stand behind it to see it the tires are leaning in. Check weather stripping it is pretty expensive. Check under the floor mats see if it has water leakage from t tops. If possible remove kick panel by your feet to see if rust is in there. Look under the radiator to check out the support. That piece new is $350. See if the headlights go up & down ok. If you hear clunks when you put it in gear it could be worn ujoints. Lift up the rear tires see if there is excessive movement in the bearings. Not a fun job to do. See if the keys actually work in the door & the windows go up & down. Do the guages work ? I could go on & on....

 

[72VETTETORONTO]

73 vette seat belt mystery

my friend bought a 73 over the weekend. the car has a saddle interior with saddle shoulder belts however the lap belts are black. were all the lap belts black in 73 or are they after market?

 

[Tom73]

Re: 73 vette seat belt mystery

my friend bought a 73 over the weekend. the car has a saddle interior with saddle shoulder belts however the lap belts are black. were all the lap belts black in 73 or are they after market?

The belts were color coordinated to the interior so looks as if some switched lap belts for some reason.

tom...

 

[Eric]

Hi Jozek and welcome to the CAC!

I agree that the price seems a little low so something may be lurking under the covers. I did notice in the photo that shows the driver door sill that there is some rust colored discoloration at the edge of the door sill which to me would indicate the door guts are rusted pretty good and\or the A-pillars are riddled with rust.

As for books, check the Corvette Portal for a good list of books. Start with a copy of the Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonick. You can get an older copy on eBay pretty cheap since you're not looking for a new car. Beyond that, the Buyers Guide has pretty good insight as does the Vette Vues Fact Book for the year in question.

Depending on when you're going to look at the car, I'd be happy to meet up with you and look it over with you. I'm about an hour or so away. It's always better to have two sets of eyes, especially when one has no intentions of buying the car. If you're interested just send me a PM or hit the email link under my post.

Even if this thread tells you not to buy the car, by all means go look at it just to get a feel for what you're seeing. The more you look at, the better educated you will become.

 

[RMS73]

Check out the three sections on mechanical inspection at:
http://www.bokonon.net/corvettefaq/misc.asp
Don't take any short cuts in the inspections.
Roger