The Chevrolet Corvette is easily America’s favorite sports car, its purpose built, was always ahead of its time in terms of styling and even today will give its exotic European competitors a run for the money. When first introduced in 1953 the Corvette was an entirely new concept between being a true mass production sports car and all fiberglass body construction. It was an instant success in the early years and it was apparent as popularity grew that this would indeed be a car that would require evolutionary steps in order to stay current and competitive. With the introduction of the C3 in 1968 the Corvette offered enhanced styling but kept the strong and faithful drive train of the C2. Shortly after additional Engines were available, along with enhanced options all the way up to an incredible Big block 430HP L88 option. While the C3 would run its course until 1982, its prime would only be from about 1968-1974 as emissions regulations soon took a strong hold on the performance platform of the Corvette.

 

As a result the 1973 and 1974 Corvettes retain interesting interim styling changes but kept the pure power trains that the Corvette was well known for. The Example on offer here, a 1973 Corvette Stingray, Chassis # 1Z37T3S43051, according to both its original build sheet and VIN # was one of 25,521 Sport Coupes produced, it was optioned from new with A/C, Posi-traction, Power Brakes, the L82 Small Block, M40 Automatic Transmission, Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel, Power Steering, White Stripe Steel Belted Radials, and AM/FM Radio. All finished in the tasteful color combination of Dark Blue (927) over Midnight Blue (413) Interior. Overall a very well optioned example in the right colors when it left GM’s St. Louis, MO Plant. The selling dealer was Jackson Brothers Chevrolet in Murfreesboro, TN, it was sold new to a Mr. Richard Boyd. While little ownership is known during this examples early years, we know that soon after it passed to an Airline Pilot from PA in 1976 who reportedly cared for the car immensely and with enthusiasm, as is common with pilots and their cars. His aviation habits carried over to the care of the Corvette so much that he took the liberty of installing an hour meter on the car which is nicely installed on the firewall and add an interesting touch to the cars history. By 1984 the car passed to its third owner, a Mr. Dobrosielski of Allentown, PA and by 1998 the mileage showed just 97,663 miles from new while still under Mr. Dobrosielski’s ownership. Available records show consistent care from 1984 to current.

 

In 2002 this Stingray traded once more to its current and 4^th careful owner, also from PA. Mileage at this time shows 99,177 on the odometer. During this custodianship thousands of dollars were invested in a lot of minor items to put the car show quality condition and the ultimate turnkey example. A paint job was carried out in July of 2005 and at the same time minor items were tended to throughout the car both cosmetically and mechanically to ensure its presentation and mechanical abilities as excellent. Today the car shows 107,317 miles, of which a good 150 miles have been contributed by 2 LBI Specialists who have reviewed the car, it’s capabilities and qualities in detail.

 

Cosmetically it is excellent with only minute flaws here or there, nothing of real concern and could easily be shown and enjoyed for years to come. The Dark Blue paint has a very deep and consistent luster and was put on very straight panels and today doesn’t show any of the typical cracking in the paint that so often happens with fiberglass cars. The gaps are all very nice and the panel fitment superb, the work was carried out by the experts at Steeley’s Resurrections of Kunkletown, PA. After 30 hours of sanding and buffing the car shows today as it did when finished 2005, the only noted blemishes can be found upon very close inspection in the right light, and are very minor and acceptable and 100% do not require any attention (a couple of small chips up front and one or two light cracks noted in the paint). This is a very well done paintjob, a step under concours quality, but certainly showable and worthy of awards at any local show or corvette meet. The exterior chrome is mostly original and in good overall condition and presents nicely with the only complain being that of the door handles which show slight pitting, again, nothing that needs attention, but is worth mention.

 

Upon entering the interior the quality continues with a completely restored interior to the tune of new carpets and new seat covers. The dash, center console and other items are all factory and very well preserved and as original. The door jams are very clean with the proper VIN tags and markings as expected. The door panels clean, straight and without fault as is the rear stowage area and headliner area on the T-Tops; overall, no complaints and a very nice place to spend a weekend. The only noted issue could perhaps be the seat backs which both have two small scratches/gouges in the plastic panel. Every electrical item, accessories or function appears to be in proper working order, the Tach, Speedometer, Headlights, radio, and even the A/C work exactly as they did in 1973. Very impressive and all of which contributes to the fact that this Stingray was always a very good car that was always driven and in the hands of careful enthusiastic owners.

 

While this car has seen restoration it was done so with quality and correctness in mind. The Engine bay is no exception. Beyond the hour meter the engine bay shows overall to be very correct, nicely detailed for an excellent driver quality example and shows little to no leaking or substandard items. All of the hoses are the correct type and are up to date, and a view from the underside shows an impressively clean example as well. Straight frame rails, no evidence of any accidents, rust, or any other previous issues, ever. The consistency of the exterior, interior, engine bay and underside all point to a very positive overall presentation and absolute quality throughout. So many of these cars ended up as used cars, rough, hit or otherwise neglected over the years. This example has all the characteristics of a car that one desires in a good C3 Corvette.

 

Recent maintenance about 200 miles ago shows a total fluids and filter change, completely new exhaust and overall checkup of the cars systems. Everything is completely in order, turnkey, and without fault for the next caretaker. The car starts easily, sounds fantastic and has excellent road manors with proper handling, braking, and steering characteristics. There are no excessive rattles shakes or inadequacies to be noted in its performance and quality. The temperature would be hard pressed to exceed mid range, though the oil pressure gauge is slow to react and appears to possibly be inaccurate as it has been this way the past 8,000 miles, there is no real concern, however it is worth mention.

 

Retaining the right colors, options, and proper ownership history this is an opportunity not only for a fantastic C3 Stingray, but a car that in today’s market place offers tremendous value for money. It’s a car most can use, even daily if desired, it has all the functions of a modern car but has the styling cues inside and out of an iconic automotive design period. Complete with T-Tops, covers, original owners manual, and service documentation from 1984 to present; this is an example worthy of any discerning Corvette Collector or the enthusiast who wants to add something interesting to their garage.

 

 

Available Documentation: (Click on the links below to view the file)

 

• Original Owners Manual

 

• Original Build Sheet and Facts

 

• Service Receipts 1

 

• Service Receipts 2