Are you in the market for a 1973 Corvette? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This blog post is your ultimate guide to 1973 Corvette Specifications, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
While you are here, check out our Corvettes for Sale Classified ads and see what is currently available.
Here, we’ll explore the available options and their final production numbers, as well as their costs. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and learn more about the 1973 Corvette Specifications!
In this Article on the 1973 Corvette Specifications:
Where were the 1973 Corvettes made?
The 1973 C3 Corvette was manufactured in St. Louis, Missouri. During the 1981 model year, Corvette production ceased and was shifted to Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky
1973 Corvette Stingray C3 VINs
Skipped by the manufacturer were 4,000 serial numbers from 1973 models, from serial numbers 24,001 to 28,000.
The vehicle identifier (VIN) is stamped on a plate that is found on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar and is visible through the windshield.
Serial Numbers Coupe 1Z37x2S500001 – 1Z37x2S527004 Convertible 1Z67x3S400001 – 1Z67x3S434464
How to Read a 1973 Corvette Serial Number
1973 Corvette Production Numbers
The 1973 C3 Corvette was the sixth year of the C3 generation. In total, 30,464 Corvettes were produced for the 1973 model year, representing an increase of 3,460 over the 1972 Vette. Of those 30,464 cars, 25,521 were coupes, and 4,943 were convertibles. The base price of a 1973 C3 Corvette was $5,561.50 for the coupe and $5,398.50 for the convertible, and it included a 350 cubic inch, 190-horsepower engine. It also included the 4-speed wide-ratio manual transmission, soft top (convertible), or T-tops (coupe), and it came with vinyl interior trim.
Body Styles and Trim Levels
By the 1973 production year, Corvette was in the midst of transforming from the chrome bumper era to a new look. Due to new federal collision safety requirements, 1973 models wore plastic front bumpers while still sporting chrome rear bumpers and side-impact door beams. To adhere to new safety requirements, the front chrome bumper of the car was replaced with a 5-mile-an-hour bumper that resulted in an extra 35 pounds and significantly changed the car’s appearance. It is the only year in which a rubber front bumper and chrome rear bumper were used simultaneously.
The small spoiler at the back of the car was also removed this year.
1973 Corvette Exterior Color Choices
Wonder why the quantity is n/a?
Statistics and record-keeping are a great asset of the Corvette, usually making it simple to ascertain how many vehicles of any given year had a certain option. Regrettably, for several years, Chevrolet did not maintain a log of paint color totals, making it nearly impossible to ascertain whether a Corvette is wearing its original color.
Note: The color 945 Blue-Green was unique to 1973 and used no other year.
CODE EXTERIOR QUANTITY 910 Classic White n/a 914 Silver n/a 922 Medium Blue n/a 945 Blue-Green n/a 947 Elkhart Green n/a 952 Yellow n/a 953 Metallic Yellow n/a 976 Mille Miglia Red n/a 980 Orange n/a
Engines
Chevrolet did not offer a solid-lifter cam in the Corvette for the first time since 1956. Consequently, the base L48 350 was the first Corvette engine with less than 200 horsepower since 1955.
Other engine choices for the 1973 C3 Corvette were the L82 350/250 HP small-block, and the LS4 454 big-block rated at 275 SAE net HP.
LS4 454ci, 275hp Engine 4,412 $250
L82 350ci, 250hp Engine 5,710 $299
Transmissions
It was still possible to buy a big-block 4-speed Corvette with the available M21 4-speed, and in a much more civilized package.
M21 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio 3,704 $0
M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission 17,927 $0
Interior
Engineers reduced cockpit engine noise with extra insulation and installed new rubber and steel body mounts to help insulate the body from chassis vibrations.
1973 Corvette Interior Color Choices
| CODE | COLOR |
| 400 | Black Vinyl |
| 404 | Black Leather |
| 413 | Midnight Blue Vinyl |
| 415 | Medium Saddle Vinyl |
| 416 | Medium Saddle Leather |
| 418 | Dark Saddle Vinyl |
| 422 | Dark Saddle Leather |
| 425 | Dark Red Vinyl |
Wheels and Tires
For the first time, Goodyear radial tires were fitted to a Corvette, further improving ride quality and handling.
P02 Deluxe Wheel Covers 1,739 $62
QRM GR70x15 White Stripe Steel Belted Tires 19,903 $32
QRZ GR70x15 White Letter Steel Belted Tires 4,541 $45
Audio
| U58 | AM-FM Stereo Radio | 12,482 | $276 |
| U69 | AM-FM Radio | 17,598 | $173 |
1973 Corvette Specifications: RPO#, Description, Quantity and Retail Cost
Options and Production Numbers for the 1973 Corvette
1973 marked the sixth year of the third-generation C3 Corvette. In total, 30,464 C3 Corvettes were produced in 1973, with 25,521 of those being coupes and 4,943 convertibles.
| RPO# | DESCRIPTION | QUANTITY | $ RETAIL |
| 1YZ37 | Base Corvette Sport Coupe | 25,521 | $5,651 |
| 1YZ67 | Base Corvette Convertible | 4,943 | $5,398 |
| n/a | Custom Interior Trim | 13,434 | $154 |
| A31 | Power Windows | 14,024 | $83 |
| A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts (std with Coupe) | 788 | $41 |
| C07 | Auxillary Hardtop (convertible only) | 1,328 | $267 |
| C08 | Vinyl Covering (for Auxillary Hardtop) | 323 | $62 |
| C50 | Rear Window Defroster | 4,412 | $41 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning | 21,578 | $452 |
| n/a | Optional Rear Axle Ratio | 1,791 | $12 |
| J50 | Power Brakes | 24,168 | $46 |
| LS4 | 454ci, 275hp Engine | 4,412 | $250 |
| L82 | 350ci, 250hp Engine | 5,710 | $299 |
| M21 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio | 3,704 | 0 |
| M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission | 17,927 | 0 |
| N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | 17,949 | $82 |
| N40 | Power Steering | 27,872 | $113 |
| P02 | Deluxe Wheel Covers | 1,739 | $62 |
| QRM | GR70x15 White Stripe Steel Belted Tires | 19,903 | $32 |
| QRZ | GR70x15 White Letter Steel Belted Tires | 4,541 | $45 |
| T60 | Heavy Duty Battery (std with LS4 engine) | 4,912 | $15 |
| U58 | AM-FM Stereo Radio | 12,482 | $276 |
| U69 | AM-FM Radio | 17,598 | $173 |
| UF1 | Map Light | 8,186 | $5 |
| YF5 | California Emission Test | 3,008 | $15 |
| YJ8 | Aluminum Wheels | 4 | $175 |
| Z07 | Off-Road Suspension and Brake Package | 45 | $369 |
What is a 1973 Corvette Selling For?
Below are the auction results for the 1973 Corvette Stingray at the Mecum Kissimmee auction in January 2023.
Lot S188.1 1973 Corvette Convertible Sold for $49,500
Lot S188.1 1973 Corvette Convertible was the highest-selling Corvette at the Mecum Kissimmee 2023 auction and it sold for $49,500.
This is one of only 4,412 Chevrolet Corvettes optioned with an LS4 454 CI V-8 engine producing 275 HP, this red 1973 example was originally purchased new in Texarkana, Texas.
It’s powered by a matching-numbers 454 CI big-block V-8 engine and automatic transmission.
The red convertible comes with a white convertible soft top and features a Dark Saddle interior with bucket seats, an AM/FM radio, a tachometer, and power windows.
Below is another example of a 1973 Corvette that recently sold at auction. This Elkhart Green Corvette sold for $28,600.
We hope our 73 Corvette specs will help you as your look for a 1973 Corvette for sale. As you go forward with purchasing your 1973 C3 Corvette, make sure you understand the difference in options and specifications available and double-check to make sure the car matches the specs. Do some research and stay up-to-date on pricing and availability, and you’ll be able to find the perfect classic 1973 C3 Corvette!
The 1973 Corvette is part of the C3 Corvette, the third generation of the iconic American sports car. This generation arrived in showrooms in 1968. Over its 15-year lifecycle, this car was a reflection of the changing times, mirroring the ups and downs of the American economic landscape. Read our C3 Generation Corvette Overview to learn more about these beautiful sports cars.
Did you know that there is a Corvette club dedicated to the C3 Corvettes? You can learn about the C3 Vette Registry on our blog. Check them out!
Many Corvette owners over the years have enjoyed customizing their Vettes. Check out our C3 Corvette Body Kits and Dress-up Parts History in this blog post.
Want to learn more about this iconic line of American cars? Vette Vue Magazine is packed with information. Pick up some Corvette gear from our shop and get a magazine subscription today.
