1973 CORVETTE

  • 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

I.D. 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 1Z67K3S400001 to 1Z67K3S434464
  • Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67K3S400001 to 1Z67K3S434464
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2ZCorvette
    3 & 467convertible
    37coupe
    5K350-cid V8
    TL82 350-cid V8 with dual exhausts
    X or WLS5 454-cid V8 with dual exhausts
    631973
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13400001 to 434464production sequence
  • Engine serial number
    1 to 70001001sequential production number
    8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
    9 to 11Carburetion & transmission CodeEngineCompressiontransmissionCarburetor
    CKZ350-cid 190-hp V-88.5:1manualfour-barrel
    CLB350-cid 190-hp V-88.5:1heavy-duty 4-speed manual with NB2four-barrel
    CLA350-cid 190-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel
    CLC350-cid 190-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automatic with NB2four-barrel
    CLR350-cid 250-hp V-89.0:14-speed manualfour-barrel
    CLS350-cid 250-hp V-89.0:14-speed manual with NB2four-barrel
    CLD350-cid 250-hp V-89.0:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel
    CLH350-cid 250-hp V-89.0:1THM-400 automatic with NB2four-barrel
    CWS454-cid 275-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automatic with NB2four-barrel
    CWT454-cid 275-hp V-88.5:14-speed manual with NB2four-barrel
    CWM454-cid 275-hp V-88.5:14-speed manualfour-barrel
    CWR454-cid 275-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automaticfour-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
    ColorVinyl UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Black400404
    Dark Red425 
    Midnight Blue413 
    Medium Saddle415416
    Dark Saddle418422

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
Z37
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger		$59213407 lb25,521
Z67
2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger		$56853407 lb4,943

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO ZQ3)Optional Engine (RPO LS4)Optional Engine (RPO LT82)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid454 cid350 cid
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"4.251 x 4.00"4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio8.5:18.5:19.0:1
Brake horsepower190 @ 4400275 @ 4000250 @ 5200
Torque300 lb-ft @ 2800390 lb-ft @ 3200285 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Camshaft high-performance camshaftHigh-performance camshaft
Fuel supplyRochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Model 4MVRochester Quadra-Jet four-barrelRochester 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

FeatureConvertibleCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length182.5 inches (4.636 m)182.5 inches (4.636 m)
Overall width69.0 inches (1.753 m)69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height 47.4 inches (1.204 m)
Ground Clearance4.5 inches (11.4 cm)4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread58.7 inches (1.491 m)58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread59.4 inches (1.509 m)59.4 inches (1.509 m)
TiresF70-15F70-15
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

RPOCustom interior trim$154
RPO A31Electric power windows$83
RPO A85Custom shoulder belts$41
RPO C07Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$267
RPO C08Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop$62
RPO C50Rear window defroster$41
RPO C60Air conditioning$452
RPO G81Positraction rear axle, all ratios$12
RPO J50Power brakes$46
RPO L82350-cid 250-hp V-8$299
RPO LS4454-cid 275-hp V-8$250
RPO M21Four-speed close-ratio manual transmissionn/c
RPO M40Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissionn/c
RPO N37Tilt-telescopic steering wheel$82
RPO N40Power steering$113
RPO P02Custom Wheel covers$62
RPO QRMWhite stripe nylon steel-belted radial tires GR70 x 15$32
RPO T60Heavy-duty battery$15
RPO U58AM-FM radio$276
RPO U69AM-FM radio$173
RPO UF1Map light$5
RPO YJ8Cast aluminum wheels$175
RPO Z07Off-road suspension and brake package$369

HISTORICAL 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
    PerformanceRoad & TrackCar and Driver
    from 0-to-30 mph3.1 seconds 
    from 0-to-40 mph4.3 seconds3.5 seconds
    from 0-to-50 mph5.6 seconds 
    from 0-to-60 mph7.2 seconds6.7 seconds
    from 0-to-70 mph9.1 seconds 
    from 0-to-80 mph11.7 seconds10.8 seconds
    from 0-to-100 mph17.9 seconds17.1 seconds
    from 0-to-110 mph21.9 seconds 
    Standing-start quarter mile15.5 seconds at 94 mph15.1 seconds at 95.4 mph
    Top speed124 mph117 mph

1973 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

1973 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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