1973 Chevrolet Corvette

1973 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible They ride better and don't nibble and dart over road irregularities as did last year's bias belted tires. Altogether, they must be acknowledged as an unalloyed improvement. Which is the way it is with the latest Corvette. Because it looks pretty much the same on the surface as it did six model years ago, there is a tendency to think the same car exists beneath. It doesn't. Zora Arkus-Duntov has been concentrating on the details. And when he says he knows what is best for the customers, believe him. Car and Driver, Dec. 1, 1972 For consignment, a 1973 Chevrolet Corvette convertible with a title verified 83,232 actual miles and a numbers matching drivetrain.Of the 30,000 plus Corvettes built in 1973, only 4,943 of them were convertibles and it's anyone's guess how many are still on the road. This one comes with the accessory hard top along with the typical soft top. Exterior Our sleek steed is dressed in Classic White which by any measure, is a great color for a Corvette and a nod to the '53. In later years, the tail would be rounded off, but the '73 retains the vertical tail light panel and subtle rear wing that ultimately complements the coke bottle shaped profile. Fender ducts are seamlessly carved into the front fenders and the door handle sits flush on the horizontal shoulder, all each an epic design feature. Both the hardtop and canvas top are in great shape with some typical graying of the white canvas. The fiberglass and emblems are great on the car with paint imperfections noted as areas of crackling, chips, scratches, touches up areas, and paint thinned to the primer on the decklid. Interior A handsome match with the white is the Medium Saddle interior beginning on the door panels that sport woodgrain inserts and integrated armrests. The handles and insert surround show a bit of patina but the doors are otherwise in good condition. Saddle leather bucket seats are thin by today's standards and they both show some wear but are fully intact. Finger grooves line the black steering wheel for grip while the texture plastic around the two main gauges shows some age. All gauges are in great shape and the black faceplate in the center stack shows some typical chips and is situated above the AM/FM/Cassette radio. Woodgrain frames the A/C panel and the chrome knobbed shifter, all in decent condition. The saddle carpet shows some age and discoloration, especially in the cargo area where it is now several different colors. Fortunately, the Corvette aftermarket is one of the most robust around. Drivetrain Under the hood is a clean version of the numbers matching 350ci L82 V8, rated at 250 horsepower and fueled via a 4-barrel carburetor. It is mated to the numbers matching Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission and power is routed to 3.55 gears with Positraction in the rear axle. Undercarriage Conditions are found to be driver quality underneath with some surface rust, oil on the rear differential, some grease build up, and some flaking paint. But everything is in order and the dual exhaust are heat wrapped for part of their journey, the encounter FlowMaster mufflers just before exiting via square tips that fit the contoured valance. Disc brakes are utilized at all four wheels and suspension consists of coil springs up front and the Vette's complex rear independent, race inspired suspension that includes tubular axle drive shafts, transverse strut rods, torque control arms, and a transverse leaf spring. Drive-Ability The original 350 starts quick and emits a healthy growl but also with a touch of bottom end noise on cold start up. We roll the 15-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels and their 70 series tires onto the test loop where the car expresses its inner sports car and exudes decent power. We note quickly that although the brake pedal feels firm, the brakes are weak and struggling a bit, so we keep things to near school zone speeds. Handling is as expected and excelle