73jst4fun

Just wondering how many members own a 73 convertible out there? It would be nice to compare wiring and other differant components. Our year is unique in that the plant had a small work stoppage that year and missing VIN's. I've found alot of info for my vette in the 72 assembly manual which was not listed in the 73 assembly manual, and I try and photo a 73 when I find one, the photos always show some differances and are great to reference. Anyone else find the same thing? :seeya


[Modified by 73jst4fun, 11:23 AM 8/2/2003]


[Modified by 73jst4fun, 11:16 PM 8/3/2003]

Fevre

:seeya

Wasn't specifically looking for a 73 but am glad I got one, really love the rubber front and chrome butt look. :thumbs:

Tom73

Here is mine:


But tell me more about this strike, first I have every heard of it. I just check the production numbers and every month was in the mid to high 2,000 units produced (except for the first Aug 72 at 1138, start up is usualy slow, and Dec 72 at 1983 but with holiday shut down that is understandable.)

tom...

vette_net

I will be looking at one in the next few weeks. Its a SMB and has most options. Only concern I have is that it was a frame off by the owner. I have been warned never to buy a frame-off done by an ower because most are of very poor quality and have tons of problems.

Twin_Turbo

What a bunch of BS, granted there are bubba type jobs out there I think most doing a FO and completing it will be as meticulous andd professional as possible, if you wanted to do a hack job you wouldn't go through the hassle of a FO.

I for one would buy just about any c3 that has gone through a FO by any of the forum members sight unseen in a heartbeat

Marck

Vault

I just bought one. Although the mechanic work looks like it was done by Mcgiever (duct tape and wire). So I'm not sure if much of the engine compt wireing would be useful.

joe73vette

I've had mine for a year and a half, enjoy it every time I take it out, and drive it mostly with the top down. I, too, love the rubber front and cowl hood with the chrome back bumper. Joe

73ragtop

My wife bought me one for my 50th birthday (I just turned 55). It's dark blue with a white convertible top ... dark blue interior. It had a frame off restoration done by the original owner (an airline pilot) in 1995. I love it. It's an L48 4 speed with factory air. When the engine was rebuilt during the frame off, he had an L82 cam and lifters installed. Sounds great, runs nice. It has a Kenwood stereo that fits the opening in the dash with the 10 disc CD changer mounted in the back. It also has had the points replaced by a Pertronix electronic module. Also installed Lars' advance kit in the distributor. That's the only modifications from stock. Back in the early 70s, I owned a 1968 blue Corvette coupe with a 327 - 350 horsepower 4 speed. I think the 73 is light years better.

Eddie

73sbvert

Hopefully, I'll be getting mine in about 2 weeks!! Just in time to enjoy it topless a little before Seattle weather stops it! It needs some body work, but I think I can take care of that!

:seeya

Roscoe

Love mine!!!

4,943 convertible's,,5,710 ,L 82's,,3,704 4-speed's & Yellow Metallic which I think is the least produced color. Ya got to love EM :thumbs:

fireball

Mine was brought back from the graves by the previous owner. It's better than new now!

73jst4fun

Great feedback guys, I know that in 73 there were problems with getting parts also, I've read they even went to local hardware stores to get some bolts and nuts. My 73 has a low VIN number 400822 and actually built it in 72, anyone else have a low VIN number? :thumbs:

Tom73

Not quite as low, mine is 3295, built in Sept 72. Tell us more about that strike :cheers:

tom...

Corvette ED

The strike was in the 1970 model year.

73jst4fun

Mine was built in Aug. 72, I think 822 is alittle lower than 3295 :yesnod: thats why I have found alot of 72 parts on my 73. I read in one of the reference books that the workers were frustrated with not having enough parts so they had a mini work stoppage which did not last long, this was also told to me by several NCRS judges one year at Carlisle when I was asking them about some parts on the car. In May 73 the loss during production 4,000 VIN tags 424001-428000 occured. The font size of the VIN also changed from the small size to the larger size around the 8,000 number. A work stoppage happened in 74 and in July and August no vettes were built..... :thumbs:


[Modified by 73jst4fun, 11:28 PM 8/3/2003]

Kevin_73

I've had mine for about 3 1/2 years. I still need to rebuild the engine (will be a 383), but it looks and drives great, and everything works except the windshield washer. :yesnod:

Tom73

I agree, yours is about a month earlier. By the way, what kind of 72 parts have you found on your 73? Just curious :)

tom...

73jst4fun

Hi Tom, I've found bolts to be differant, the fan shroud, the crossmember for the differential had two parts numbers stamped on it , one for a 72 and one for a 73, radiator cap was an RC-29 (very early73's had this), maybe your cap is an RC-33. Also some wiring was differant, I have the wiring diagrams for the 72 and 73 and I always referencing them. As soon as I get back some recent photos of my car I'll post them for you. Iv'e changed some things but it's basically stock....... :flag

Tom73

The biggie there is the fan shroud. I did not think that a 72 shroud would fit a 73 because of the different nose structure. Really would like to see a picture of that.

tom...

73jst4fun

Tom, the differances in the shroud I found were the brackets to the radiator support were differant, the indents for the upper control arms were shaped differant, and the shroud extension (I have a/c) was differant. I believe the shroud dimensions are about the same. I recently replaced the radiator (lots of fun) :cry and that's how I found some of the differances. The shroud was definitely the hardest part of the job to remove and install. I also had the pleasure of finding that the new radiator had a bad solder joint on the lower inlet tube after it was installed and being filled. So out it came and to the local radiator shop for a quick repair then back home to reinstall it again! So I now consider myself an expert on removal/installation of a radiator for a 73! :lol: BTW my vette was from the Texas area before being trailered back to NJ. I have all the history except the original origin of the car ( from 73 to 74) sure would like to find the dealer but I think that would be very diffacult...do you have the history of your car?