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

VIN 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

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 11	Carburetion & 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

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Z	37	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$5921	3407 lb	25,521
Z	67	2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger	$5685	3407 lb	4,943

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO ZQ3)	Optional Engine (RPO LS4)	Optional Engine (RPO LT82)
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast 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 bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic
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

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
Frame	Full-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Independent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
Steering	Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle type	Sprung differential, Hypoid gear
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area	11.75" front and back
Total swept area	461 sq. in.
Wheels	8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio	3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio	3.70:1, 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

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

1973 CORVETTE