1973 Chevrolet Corvette

1973 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible They ride better and don't nibble and dart over road irregularities as did last year's bias belted tires. Altogether, they must be acknowledged as an unalloyed improvement. Which is the way it is with the latest Corvette. Because it looks pretty much the same on the surface as it did six model years ago, there is a tendency to think the same car exists beneath. It doesn't. Zora Arkus-Duntov has been concentrating on the details. And when he says he knows what is best for the customers, believe him. Car and Driver, Dec. 1, 1972  For consignment, a 1973 Chevrolet Corvette convertible with a title verified 79,120 actual miles and a numbers matching drivetrain. Of the 30,000 plus Corvettes built in 1973, only 4,943 of them were convertibles and it's anyone's guess how many are still on the road. Numbers aren't available for color breakdown in '73, but we rarely see Bright Yellow versions here at the mall. Exterior Our sleek steed is dressed in two stage Bright Yellow which by any measure, is a great color for a Corvette and perhaps a nod to the first Harvest Gold versions of 1955. In later years, the tail would be rounded off, but the '73 retains the vertical tail light panel and subtle rear wing that ultimately complements the coke bottle shaped profile. Fender ducts are seamlessly carved into the front fenders and the door handle sits flush on the horizontal shoulder, all each an epic design feature. The black canvas top is in good shape with some typical hazing of the plastic window. The fiberglass and emblems are also nice and great on the car and the 15-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels are the perfect complement. Imperfections are noted as areas of cracking and chipping on the nose, chips, paint runs, and filler in the wheel opening. Interior A handsome contrast to the yellow is the Black interior beginning on the door panels that sport woodgrain inserts and integrated armrests. The handles and insert surround show a bit of patina but the doors are otherwise in good condition. Black leather bucket seats are thin by today's standards and they both show some wear including substantial tears in the driver's seat. Finger grooves line the black steering wheel for grip while two gauges sit within the driver's viewshed.  Slight patina is noted in the gauge housing of the cockpit like gauge cluster in the middle, situated above the AM/FM/CD radio with removable face that we were unable to locate. Silver framed black plastic frames the A/C panel and the ivory knobbed shifter and spec plate, all with a touch of age. The black carpet is in nice condition and topped with Corvette mats.    Drivetrain Under the hood is a clean version of the numbers matching 454ci LS4 V8, rated at 275 horsepower and fueled via a 4-barrel carburetor. It is mated to the numbers matching Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission and power is routed to 3.08 gears with Positraction in the rear axle. The bay is clean and of course, instantly impressive with those big chrome valve covers in place.  UndercarriageConditions are found to be driver quality underneath but overall clean. But everything is in order and the dual exhaust encounters PaceSetter muffler just before exiting via square polished tips that fit the contoured valance in epic fashion. Disc brakes are utilized at all four wheels and suspension consists of coil springs up front and the Vette's complex rear independent, race inspired suspension that includes tubular axle drive shafts, transverse strut rods, torque control arms, and a transverse leaf spring.   Drive-Ability The original 454 starts quick and emits a healthy growl. We roll the 15-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels and their 70 series tires onto the test loop where the car expresses its inner sports car and exudes decent power but we keep things to near school zone speeds on older tires. Handling is as expected and excellent and the clock and heater blower are not working. All other funct