1973 Corvette T-Top Stingray Resto-Mod Style Restoration W/Photo Documentation

Description

1973 Corvette Stingray T-Top Sport Coupe
Nicely done corvette with some modern upgrades to the car.
Finished in Red with Dark Saddle deluxe leather interior.
Unique removable rear window like the 68-72 models with little to no modifications. This was not available in 1973 as the window was originally fixed and not removable
Rebuilt engine, rear end, all new suspension, all rebuilt rear trailing arm assemblies.
Photo documentation on a computer chip of all that was done to the car. Approx. 500 detailed photos listing every single thing that was either replaced or rebuilt on the car.
I first discovered this 73 Corvette about 4 years ago and are now just getting the car bought. I have a business in Missouri buying and selling mostly vintage corvettes and when I came across this one I could not pass it up. Many things have been done to this car that you don't see. What is nice is that it all is explained in very good detail on a disc and a computer chip to plug into your computer and you will see the entire process from start to finish on the car. This was not all done at once, but simply accomplished over several years dating back to about 2005. The gentleman that we bought the car from was in a transition with his job moving from Little Rock to Florida and decided to let the car go instead of taking it with him. The car is very dependable as I drove the corvette from Little Rock to Ozark, Missouri on about a 225 mile road trip with no issues. I would not be afraid to get into this one and drive it anywhere! Most people cannot say that about their car. Very nice driving and the wheels with the upgraded suspension makes it handle well and amazingly a smooth ride. I will write up about as much as I can about this corvette but I am sure I will be leaving something out. I have put together a portfolio of the car with some of the 500 photos and other things that were done to the car all going with the sale of the vehicle. Also the prior owners name and number are also listed in the portfolio if someone wanted to talk with the prior owner and verify anything that was done to the car over the period of time. The previous owner that we bought the car from purchased the car in July of 2002 and owned the car up until we purchased in August of 2016.
First off I will list some of the obvious features on the Corvette and that includes:
350 C.I. V8 Engine (4-BBL Carburetor)350 Turbo Automatic TransmissionFactory Air Conditioning (All rebuilt and new converted over to 134 refrigerantPower 4-Wheel Disc Brakes (Red Painted Calipers)Power SteeringPower WindowsTilt/Telescopic Steering ColumnDeluxe Leather InteriorRetro-Style AM/FM Stereo Radio From Custom Auto Sound W/Cassette and Remote 10 Disc CD Changer located in the jack storage compartment area. (The radio fits nicely in the original existing factory hole. All new speakers as well.Luggage RackRemovable T-Top Roof PanelsRemovable Rear Window GlassLED Tail LightsAmerican Racing CL205 17" Torque Thrust Style Aluminum WheelsBF/Goodrich G-Force T/A KDWS Tires 255/50ZR17 (All same size all around) These wheels fit correctly and no spacers needed for backspacing.
The suspension was replaced with the new modern composite monoleaf from VBandP. Picture shown. Also new fiberglass rear leaf spring with adjustable strut rods also from VBandP. The front a-arms are all new with the new lighter weight modern style. The complete trailing arm assemblies were removed and rebuilt along with the camber arms. The engine was rebuilt by Rush Engine of Little Rock. Mostly stock 350 c.i. and runs on 87 octane fuel. HEI distributor, new radiator, new coolant recovery tank, new oil pressure line to gauge, etc.Stock style cast iron intake and carburetor. The exhaust manifolds were ceramic coated blackinside and out by Jet-Hot. The exhaust system is true duals and was also replaced. The rear end of the car was removed and rebuilt as well. Stock highway gears for cruising. New engine wiring harness, all a/c was replaced, new heater core, all new belts and hoses, new steering pump, all inner door lock mechanisms replaced or rebuilt to work properly, new front windshield and all trim removed, no rust on bird cage, cleaned and reinstalled properly, all new weatherstripping and was made in America and not China, thus fitment was much better, new alternator, rear bumpers rechromed triple plated, all new stainless steel sleeved brake calipers, pads, lines, and hoses, rotors, and wheel bearings, all new vacuum hoses so that the headlights open and shut properly, all gauges are working including the clock with the exception of the tachometer at this time as I have not had a chance to check out, It basically took the guy 4 1/2 years to complete his project of this corvette. All documented in the portfolio as mentioned before.
Exterior:The car had been repainted several years ago and before the previous owner that we bought the car from.Still shows well and is very presentable. The shine is nice and no stress cracks that I am aware of. The paint does have a few minor nicks and chips from driving the car but have been touched up and are not as noticeable. The front bumper appears to have been replaced but does fit good and has no cracks in it. Probably replaced when the car was repainted. The doors open and close with ease along with the hood and headlights. The window glass all fits nicely when the windows are rolled up. The weatherstripping around the T-tops was also replaced. The exhaust tips are correct looking andwere replaced aswell.We installed the LED tail lights and back up lights as they are much brighter and lookbetter in myopinion. The wheels have no curb markson them. There is still the original spare tire tub along with an original dated 73 wheel and newer tire. Even the tire lock is stillthere.
Interior:This part of the car there really was no expense spare. About everything was replaced and done nicely. The entire seats are all new plush style leather with all new foam, all new complete door panelswith all the trim, all new dash pad assembly, all newconsole and armrest console around the emergency brake, all new carpeting with the insulation installedunderneath to keep noise down and temperature (there is photos showing all of thisdone) the shoulder belts were original and in excellent condition but the lap belts were purchased all restored from Ssnake-Oyl out of Texas and look very nice, new sunvisors, all new interior trim moldings, instruments were mostly original and still look nice including the lenses, clock rebuilt and working with quartz movement many instrument sockets were replaced at the time the dash assembly was removed new interior lighting, new radio antenna, and the list goes on.
Chassis:Frame appears to be good and solid with no heavy pitting or rust. No undercoating and accumulating grease. Nice and presentable and something that is not so perfect that you cannot drive the car. As said the suspension was all new, rear end rebuilt, all rebuilt trailing arms assemblies, new wheel bearings, brakes, rotors, radiator, shocks, just about everything but the transmission. The previous owner had it checked out and was not needed rebuilt. Shifts smooth. The engine bay looks nice as well with chrome valve covers and other added accessories. The engine block was painted black when rebuilt. I have personally driven this car now well over 200 miles myself. 225 trip from where I purchased the car, and numerous cruise-nights and local car shows. This car is something to be proud of and show off but drive anywhere. Wipers, horn, headlights, all work.
Noted in the paperwork with the car the odometer showed 78,200 when this work was completed and now only showing 79,193. So not many miles have been put on the car sincecompletion of the car. The miles on the car are not guaranteed.
You could not buy and build a 73 Corvette like this one for what we are asking. Price is realistic and affordable for a car like this one.
Interesting facts about the 1973 model Corvette:
Last year for the chrome rear bumpers like the 72 and older modelC3son a corvette.The newly redesigned front bumper was body color and could withstand 5-mph impacts without damage to lights or safety equipment.A new coolant recovery system routed high temperature overflow coolant into a holding reservoir for return to the radiator after cooling.Material was sprayed on several inner panels for sound deadening, and a new sound-absorbing pad was installed on the inner-hood surface.Chevrolet ads claimed a forty-percent reduction in cabin noise levels. New chassis mounts were used in 1973 to better isolate road chatter and vibration. The mounts were rubber with steel sleeves. The rubber providedvertical cushioning while the steel maintained stability. The lifting windshield wiper panel was deleted from 1973 models, but a new hood with rear cold air induction was introduced.Steel beams were added inside doors to improve side impact protection.Rear luggage space height increased two inches.
I tried to explain the car in some detail of what I know and what I see documented in photos and from talking with the previous owner that restored the car. If you should have any questions I can be reached at most anytime at (417)-773-0318 or (417)-425-9629.
Inspections are welcome at most anytime but have to be done at our facility. I do have a drive on lift if you want to see the car underneath.
We do reserve the right to end auction at anytime as the car is for sale locally.
Shipping costs are not included, however we do have sources we use and trust and we be happy to share their information with you if needed.
We are located in Ozark, Missouri just minutes from the Springfield, Missouri area and about 15 miles from the Springfield, Missouri airport. We will gladlyassist in picking you up at the airport if you were to fly in on the car. We are also 200 miles from the St. Louis area as well. Branson, Missouri is only 30 minutes from us and a great place to see many shows or the beautiful Ozarks scenery during this time of year.
We have a clean and clear Missouri title in hands with no liens.
Methods of acceptable payment are, cash in hands, bank wire transfer, or a verifiable cashier's check. Please not that if payment is by a check the fundsmust clear our bank account before any release of the vehicle and title. No exceptions. Please have your funds or financing together before bidding orpurchasing the vehicle. We prefer the car to be paid in full within (3) to (5) business days but can and will work with you if need be. We are not hard todeal with or get along I just cannot hold a car for a few weeks or month without a substantial deposit. We have been is business since 1988 and havemany references available upon request if needed.
No trades at this time and US only bidders please.