Sooooo do we have any early seventies Corvette experts around here?
I am looking at picking up a 1973 t-top with a small-block 350 in it.
Just want to know what I am getting into before I take the plunge
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Sooooo do we have any early seventies Corvette experts around here?
I am looking at picking up a 1973 t-top with a small-block 350 in it.
Just want to know what I am getting into before I take the plunge
Probably $20K base line investment, if it's clean with documentation. A project, $7-10K. If it's been sitting, figure brakes, master & wheel cylinders, possible gasket replacement of pan, manifold, valve covers, water pump, etc. Like any other vehicle, you may drive away, needing only the basics or frame off rebuild. If it was garaged, that's one less worry about rodents having lived off the electrical & upholstery.
You locate or have an eye on one? While they look nice, i could never sit in one comfortably. Forget about working under the dash.
Much like Jim's response; too general. ;)
What exactly are you looking at? Collector? DD? Track car? Show pony? What's your goal?
The goals is a summer driver and investment, we'll see how it goes after I get it running good ;-)
This car has been sitting in a garage and has not run for three years so all seals, etc. look decent but who knows, no leaks that I can see which is good.
The body is straight and clean. Overall a nice car in candy apple red.
To top it off the price is right and it is a car that I could work on, unlike my newer cars.
3 yrs. Still do a full brake line , radiator and trans flush. The trans, i'd probably do fluid & filter, not empty the torque converter. Replace ALL hoses, belts. They may look good now, however sitting on the side of the road, because they looked good isn't worth it. Repack the wheel bearings, replace diff & motor oil.Quote:
Originally Posted by Musashi
Thanks Jim
Sounds about what I expected. I will pull the plugs too and see how they look, probably just replace them along with fresh gas to get the beast running then change the oil.
From there I will start tearing into it and replacing hoses, belts, etc.
Now that Chilton manual needs to find its way to my house...
[Beer]
If you pull them, might as well replace them. Jim pretty much covered it. Check the tires for cracks/dry rot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Musashi
I would also add that if its been sitting for that long that you drain the fuel tank and remove and inspect it for rust, gas will varnish after that long.
And even though the Chevy small block was designed by Odin and forged in the center of a dying star, I would at least do a basic gasket kit, check the oil and the rear main. Get it HOT and see where the leaks are, nothing on a SBC is hard to fix. They are the glock of motors.
Gimme a call. I worked in a speed shop for 13 years.
Two things that were always high on my list to check back when I was skinny enough to even fit in a corvette are first the the birdcage for rust (yes corvettes do rust) and second the vacuum operated flip up headlight assemblies. As for the headlights they can be as easy to fix as a leaking or broken hose to actual mechanical parts. Hope you like tinkering with old cars. As for the birdcage there is a great thread on the corvette forum that explains how to check and inspect it:
http://m.corvetteforum.com/c3-genera...ml?styleid=140
Well here's the deal now that I got more info - this was a show car over a decade ago that basically sat in the back of a truck between shows then sat in a garage for years so I am guessing there are a lot of dried seals, gaskets, etc. I am not sure how often it was fired up and therein lies the rub, no start in three plus years ;-(
On the plus side the body in great shape for a car that is four decades old.
In my younger years I rebuild a couple engines that included a 400 Chevy and 289 Ford so I am thinking I can do some of the work myself unless it is too big a job for whatever reason.
A friend told me to check out Corvette Connection and C4 hotrods as he recommends them so this plan is coming together nicely!
Please post some pics!
I was going to suggest the headlights...kind of a PITA. ...stress fractures in the fiberglass.Quote:
Originally Posted by twitchyfinger
Yeah those fiberglass body parts are great when new and they are light but down the road can be a pain, the little experience I have with them.
Going to take a look this Saturday and make a final decision but I think that will be a yes.
Big block Corvettes historically are the best investment in older models...
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...00-at-auction/
This one has the L-82 engine I believe, the small block 350 with four-bolt mains.
Pics coming this weekend I hope!
Well finally got a couple of pics
The car is in way better shape than I thought, hoses, belts etc. were replaced six years ago.
The car has some sort of fueling problem but that can be fixed, things are looking up!
Attachment 45835 Attachment 45837 Attachment 45839
Nice lookin' vette. We almost need to do a car meet for all the members here with cool rides.
Nice car! I know you said you were getting a deal on it just hope you're not paying too much. For that body style 68-72 are the most desirable and collectable and the big block cars command the premium. Here's a prime example like Jim said of a 20k vette. It's a 72 w/454 also the last year of the front and rear metal bumpers. In 73 they ditched the front metal bumper. I personally wouldn't pay more than low to mid teens for a 73 and the high end of that only if it was a big block and preferably a four speed. Anyway here's one sweet 72 driver for 20k: http://denver.en.craigslist.org/cto/4493285086.html
Let's just say that I am getting it for less than 10K
It has a small block 350 in it with an automatic transmission
Nothing horribly unique about it but the body has been block sanded and has excellent paint on it.
I figure I will fix it, drive around in it for the summer and sell it. That is the plan now anyways...
You're doing good then! That way you'll have more to dump into it ha ha! Enjoy it and watch out for those all to easy to get speeding tickets in that red vette. Gotta put a co ar15 sticker on it too! :)
Better question(s) for Corvette experts:
1) Why are Corvettes so damn ugly?
2) Why are all Corvette drivers such douche bags? (present company possibly excluded)
Inquiring minds want to know.
What's the difference between a Corvette and a cactus?Quote:
Originally Posted by asmo
The pricks are on the outside of a cactus!
Thankyou, thankyou, I'll be here all week...[ROFL1]
First off only young Corvette owners are DBs. The rest of them are over 50, love tweed hats and jackets with Corvette embroidered on the back. You may have started something.Quote:
Originally Posted by asmo
That is horrible! Just watching it makes me want to puke!Quote:
Originally Posted by argonstrom
No need to start a pissing match about what is better guys...I thought I left that sh!t in high school
That right there makes me want to dump all the GM products that I own..............[LOL]Quote:
Originally Posted by Bitter Clinger
I want one with this in it...
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...s/lsx-454.html
Well since it seems to be a car kind of day here so I wanted to post an update.
The '73 runs, sort of so a fair amount of work to do on the fueling system. The right front brake caliper must have blown the o-ring, so after some research I will probably just buy an assembled caliper and replace it because the C3 models like this one have a tendency to blow them out after sitting for so long. The engine has definitely has had some work done to it as it idles like its got a cam and who knows what else done to it. "Lightly massaged" I would say.
Better to be safe than sorry, right?
Now for some pics for all you gear heads...
Attachment 47997 Attachment 47999 Attachment 48001Attachment 48003
Looks good! Get any college chicks in it? LOL
Corvette drivers are humble relative to those freaking AMG, M , and P-car drivers. Oh yeah, GT-R drivers are horrible as well. I've seen 2 major GT-R accidents within past 5 year just inside Thornton/Northglenn/Westminster/Broomfield area.
[dig]
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Originally Posted by asmo
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Originally Posted by TFOGGER
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Originally Posted by ben4372
You should replace all brake calipers and or wheel cylinders, you'll thank me for it later. Your wallet maybe not. Repack the bearings while at it. Any vehicle we picked up that sat more than 6 months, received brake line flush and inspection of wheel cylinders and or calipers. Finding out when you need to stop, the vehicle doesn't, OR locks up, is the wrong time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Musashi
Thanks Jim that is what is going to happen, all new brake calipers(discs on all corners) and possibly a new master cylinder/brake booster setup. I have been talking with the guys at Corvette Connection and they are saying the same thing. Some work I will do and some they will do. I'd rather drive the car now versus two years down the road. I don't want it to be one of "those projects" that sits in the garage for two years before sit is done.Quote:
Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo
Basically I am going to have them go over it to make it safe and street able then I will take care of the rest.
I need a raise [dammit]
Came in late didn't read all the other post, 73' titted out only worth about 9 to 10.
needing work 5 to 7 that's me i don't pay no mo...
BTW, I speak "Quadrajet" just saying.[Flower]Quote:
The '73 runs, sort of so a fair amount of work to do on the fueling system.
Se Hablo AFB ?Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrymrc
The rebuild kit is sitting in the passenger seat as I think about it. Had to prime the primaries by dumping fuel in them to get it running. Just a bit dry after all these years.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrymrc
Probably a good portion old fuel line, too. Get that pup up and runningQuote:
Originally Posted by Musashi
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Originally Posted by asmo
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Originally Posted by Dave_L
This would be fun!