1973 z07

[Born2DriveAVette]

Hi I'm new here but not new to Corvettes. I need some help from all of your wonderful C3 owners. I'm trying to prove that my 73 is a Z07 from the factory. It has all the correct sway bars and dual pin brakes, only problem is I don't have the build sheet and the car is an L48. Yes, you read that right an L48 Z07. I'm looking for Other Z07's out there hoping I can get the GVWR and the GAWR numbers off the blue sticker on the drivers door to see the weight difference. If anyone has a L48 and other nonZ07 I would love those numbers as well.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Are you the original owner of this car?

 

[Born2DriveAVette]

second

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Can you read the date codes on the calipers or shocks? If correct, this would help prove your point.

Knowing the sticker weights may not help too much except by finding a car identical in options to your car with the exception of Z07. The presence of PS/PB/AC/Auto etc plays a role too.

 

[6880 Mike]

Have you posted on the NCRS forum? The Corvette Black Book says the Z07 package required the L-82 or the LS4, but stranger things have happened.

It is also possible the owner before you installed all the Z07 goodies since they would have been available over the counter at Chevrolet dealers.

Good luck with the hunt.

 

[Hib Halverson]

If you are the second owner, it is likely the car was modified...either the Z07 chassis parts were added as a retrofit or the L82 powertrain was removed.

It is also possible the car was built that way but that's far less likely than the first two possibilities.

 

[Born2DriveAVette]

Thats partly why this is so hard to prove. the car was a special order the vin proves its a L48,
i probly should be a little more clear about the first owner. He was my dad and didn't want to even put Goodyear tires on it because it came with Firestones. He kept the car stock because he knew what he ordered was rare to say the least.

 

[Mac]

Is it a standard or automatic? If standard, which Muncie?

-Mac

 

[Born2DriveAVette]

Is it a standard or automatic? If standard, which Muncie?

-Mac

Its the M21

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

M21 was not available with L48.

 

[Mac]

Idle curiosity on my part but if someone makes the effort of ordering a vehicle with options like off-road (ie: racing) suspension and an improved (ie: racing) transmission, why choose the lowest powered engine available in that model of vehicle? Take it one step further... If the factory accepted such an order, would it add value to the vehicle due to scarcity or take away value since it's such a miss-match?

-Mac

ps: Not dissing your 73, Born2DriveAVette... my 73 doesn't have many options. No power brakes, power steering or power windows... but it has the L82 and... the rear window defroster!

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Take it one step further... If the factory accepted such an order, would it add value to the vehicle due to scarcity or take away value since it's such a miss-match?

-Mac

I think our poor '73s could come with a $1,000,000 in unmarked bills under the seats and still not be worth much.:eyerole

But I wouldn't want any other year.

 

[6880 Mike]

...the car was a special order...

Define "special order." Do you have any of the original paperwork from your father?

...the vin proves its a L48...

Do the numbers on the pad match the VIN? What is the engine code?

 

[Toms007]

The plot thickens......I'm anxiously awaiting the OP to produce the paperwork.....this could be quite a rare car according to the other posts here.

I hope that your father kept the paperwork, which I'm guessing that he might have, considering he was cognizant of the rarity of the car to begin with.

BTW I love 73's

 

[Chas]

'73's Rock!

 

[6880 Mike]

...Idle curiosity on my part but if someone makes the effort of ordering a vehicle with options like off-road (ie: racing) suspension and an improved (ie: racing) transmission, why choose the lowest powered engine available in that model of vehicle?...

Because the owner was intending to install a different engine as soon as the car was delivered. Make the swap, add headers, a roll bar, and you could be competing on the SCCA circuit in a heartbeat.

...Take it one step further... If the factory accepted such an order, would it add value to the vehicle due to scarcity or take away value since it's such a miss-match?...

Add value? Hard to say. It certainly adds interest if verified.

 

[Mac]

Because the owner was intending to install a different engine as soon as the car was delivered. Make the swap, add headers, a roll bar, and you could be competing on the SCCA circuit in a heartbeat.

Now that makes sense. What say you, Born2DriveAVette?

Add value? Hard to say. It certainly adds interest if verified.

I would say verifying the racing history would add more interest than verifying the Z07 option.

-Mac

 

[Hib Halverson]

Ok, so we have a car with Z07 and M21, two options never offered with a base engine.

What's the axle ratio of this car?

Is the car air conditioned?

 

[vett boy]

Although I have nothing of value to add ,it's an interesting thread.

 

[SVO]

The J56 brake package wasn't available in 1973, which would be how you would get the dual pin calipers. The J50 brakes package added power brakes but the dual pin calipers were not part of the package. My questions would be:

Does the car have dual pin calipers front & rear?

Does the car have the special J56/dual pin caliper braces on the front brakes?

Does the car have air conditioning?

Does the car have a factory radio?

Does the car have a performance rear axle?

If the car is a factory L48, I doubt that the car would have the ZO7 suspension/brake package. What this sounds like to me is a car that someone modified for autocrossing, like a NCCC Pure D car from the 1970's.