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1973 CORVETTE

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  • There were rumours that a mid-engine Corvette would be introduced for 1973, but nothing that radical appeared
  • Major changes for 1973 involved the following:
    • a new domed hood
    • body-color urethane plastic front bumper
    • a fixed rear window which added a little more trunk space
    • a new coolant-recovery system
    • new chassis mounts
    • steel-guard-beam doors
    • the "egg-crate" front fender side vents of the 1971-72 models were replaced with non-trimmed air-duct types
    • radial tires
    • increase of sound-deadening material
  • In a 1973 road-test by Road & Track the 1973 model was louder than the 1971 under some circumstances
  • All convertibles came with a choice of Black or White soft tops

V.I.N. NUMBERS

  • The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
  • Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67J3S400001 to 1Z67J3S434464
  • Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67J3S400001 to 1Z67J3S434464
Position Character Description
1 1 Chevrolet Division
2 Z Corvette
3 & 4 67 convertible
37 coupe
5 J 350-cid V8
T L82 350-cid V8 with dual exhausts
X or W LS5 454-cid V8 with dual exhausts
6 3 1973
7 S Assembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13 400001 to 434464 production sequence
  • Engine serial number
1 to 7 0001001sequential production number
8 F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 11Carburetion & transmission Code Engine Compression transmission Carburetor
CKZ 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.5:1 manual four-barrel
CLB 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.5:1 heavy-duty 4-speed manual with NB2 four-barrel
CLA 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.5:1 THM-400 automatic four-barrel
CLC 350-cid 190-hp V-8 8.5:1 THM-400 automatic with NB2 four-barrel
CLR 350-cid 250-hp V-8 9.0:1 4-speed manual four-barrel
CLS 350-cid 250-hp V-8 9.0:1 4-speed manual with NB2 four-barrel
CLD 350-cid 250-hp V-8 9.0:1 THM-400 automatic four-barrel
CLH 350-cid 250-hp V-8 9.0:1 THM-400 automatic with NB2 four-barrel
CWS 454-cid 275-hp V-8 8.5:1 THM-400 automatic with NB2 four-barrel
CWT 454-cid 275-hp V-8 8.5:1 4-speed manual with NB2 four-barrel
CWM 454-cid 275-hp V-8 8.5:1 4-speed manual four-barrel
CWR 454-cid 275-hp V-8 8.5:1 THM-400 automatic four-barrel
  • Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
  • The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 73-1YZ67 identifies a Corvette Stingray convertible
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 73-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
  • The body number is the production serial number of the body.
  • The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
  • The ten 1973 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • 910 = Classic White
    • 914 = Silver
    • 922 = Medium Blue
    • 927 = Dark Blue
    • 945 = Blue-Green
    • 947 = Elkhart Green
    • 952 = Yellow
    • 953 = Yellow Metallic
    • 976 = Mille Miglia Red
    • 980 = Orange
  • Upholstery Codes
Color Vinyl Upholstery Leather Upholstery
Black 400 404
Dark Red 425  
Midnight Blue 413  
Medium Saddle 415 416
Dark Saddle 418 422

IDENTIFICATION

Series No. Body/Style No. Body Type Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
Z 37
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger

2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger

 $5921 3407 lb 25,521
Z 67
2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger

2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger

 $5685 3407 lb 4,943

ENGINE

Feature Standard Engine (RPO ZQ3) Optional Engine (RPO LS4) Optional Engine (RPO LT82)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement 350 cid 454 cid 350 cid
Bore & Stroke 4.00 x 3.48" 4.251 x 4.00" 4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio 8.5:1 8.5:1 9.0:1
Brake horsepower 190 @ 4400 275 @ 4000 250 @ 5200
Torque 300 lb-ft @ 2800 390 lb-ft @ 3200 285 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Camshaft   high-performance camshaft High-performance camshaft
Fuel supply Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Model 4MV Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Rochester four-barrel with 2.50-inch diameter dual exhaust system

TRANSMISSION

  • Standard Manual Transmission
    close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
  • Automatic Transmission
    Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (optional)

CHASSIS

Feature Convertible Coupe
Wheelbase 98 inches (2.489 m) 98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length 182.5 inches (4.636 m) 182.5 inches (4.636 m)
Overall width 69.0 inches (1.753 m) 69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height   47.4 inches (1.204 m)
Ground Clearance 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) 4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread 58.7 inches (1.491 m) 58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread 59.4 inches (1.509 m) 59.4 inches (1.509 m)
Tires F70-15 F70-15
FrameFull-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspensionIndependent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
SteeringSaginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle typeSprung differential, Hypoid gear
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area11.75" front and back
Total swept area461 sq. in.
Wheels8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1

OPTIONS

RPO Custom interior trim $154
RPO A31 Electric power windows $83
RPO A85 Custom shoulder belts $41
RPO C07 Auxiliary hardtop for convertible $267
RPO C08 Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop $62
RPO C50 Rear window defroster $41
RPO C60 Air conditioning $452
RPO G81 Positraction rear axle, all ratios $12
RPO J50 Power brakes $46
RPO L82 350-cid 250-hp V-8 $299
RPO LS4 454-cid 275-hp V-8 $250
RPO M21 Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission n/c
RPO M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission n/c
RPO N37 Tilt-telescopic steering wheel $82
RPO N40 Power steering $113
RPO P02 Custom Wheel covers $62
RPO QRM White stripe nylon steel-belted radial tires GR70 x 15 $32
RPO T60 Heavy-duty battery $15
RPO U58 AM-FM radio $276
RPO U69 AM-FM radio $173
RPO UF1 Map light $5
RPO YJ8 Cast aluminum wheels $175
RPO Z07 Off-road suspension and brake package $369

HISTORICAL NOTES

1973 Corvette Notes

  • 70.8% of 1973 Corvettes had air conditioning
  • 41.2% had four-speed manual transmissions
  • 91.5% had power steering
  • 79.3% had power brakes
  • 46% had power windows
  • The 1973 Corvette was the only Vette that combined the new soft body-color front end with chrome rear bumpers.
  • Two magazines tested the 1973 Corvette with the L82 engine
    Performance Road & Track Car and Driver
    from 0-to-30 mph 3.1 seconds  
    from 0-to-40 mph 4.3 seconds 3.5 seconds
    from 0-to-50 mph 5.6 seconds  
    from 0-to-60 mph 7.2 seconds 6.7 seconds
    from 0-to-70 mph 9.1 seconds  
    from 0-to-80 mph 11.7 seconds 10.8 seconds
    from 0-to-100 mph 17.9 seconds 17.1 seconds
    from 0-to-110 mph 21.9 seconds  
    Standing-start quarter mile 15.5 seconds at 94 mph 15.1 seconds at 95.4 mph
    Top speed 124 mph 117 mph

PHOTOS

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette