C1 - 1953-1962
C2 - 1963-1967
C3 - 1968-19821973 Corvette
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 1973 model year saw the introduction of the new front bumper change from a chrome bar to the new federally mandated safety bumper. The new bumper arrangement added about 35 pounds to the front end. The small spoiler built into the rear panel was eliminated. All hoods now featured a cold air induction and the panel for the hidden wipers was eliminated as the wiper blades/arms now 'hid' behind the hood when turned off. The fender gill was now a single hole with no bright trim. The rear window in the T-top coupe was now fixed and not removable. Radial tires were introduced for the Corvette in 1973. VIN sequence numbers 424001 and 428000 were not used. A new coolant recovery system routed high temperature overflow coolant into a holding reservoir for return to the radiator after cooling. All 454 engines have orange painted rocker arm covers.
Rear bumpers were unchanged from 1972 but fronts were redesigned to meet the federal 5-mph standards. The front body-color bumper system added 35 pounds of weight 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 surfaces. Radial tires were first used with Corvettes in 1973. Rear windows were not removable for 1973 but luggage space height increased two inches due to removal of the window storage shelf.
1973 total Corvettes built - 30,464
1973 Coupes - 25,521
1973 Convertibles - 4,943
| Serial Numbers | |
| Corvette | 1Zx7y3S400001-1Zx7y3S430464 |
| Coupe is body style 37 and convertible is body
style 67 in "x" position Engine code is either "J" for the base 350-cid engine, "T" for the RPO L82 350-cid engine, and "Z" for 454-cid engine in "y" position. |
|
Engine Identification
| Position | Character(s) | Description |
| 1 | V or T | Flint, MI. or Tonawanda, N.Y. engine assembly plant |
| 2 to 5 | 1025 | Engine assembly date (month/day) |
| 6 and 7 | Code | CLD - 350-cid 250-hp, automatic transmission CLH - 350-cid 250-hp, automatic transmission, California emissions CLR - 350-cid 250-hp, manual transmission CLS - 350-cid 250-hp, manual transmission, California emissions |
| All engines were equipped with a single 4-bbl
carburetor. Data are from GM's own Information Kit and some engines may or may not have made production. |
||
Engine Specifications - 350 engines
| Item | Base | RPO L82 |
| Displacement | 350 cid | 350 cid |
| Bore & Stroke | 4.00" x 3.48" | 4.00" x 3.48" |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 | 9.0:1 |
| Advertised Horsepower | 190 hp @ 4400 rpm | 250 hp @ 5200 |
| Torque | 270 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm | 285 Lb-ft @ 4000 |
| Valve lifter type | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Fuel system * | Rochester 4-bbl 7043203 - Manual 7043202 - Automatic |
Rochester 4-bbl 7043213 - Manual 7043212 - Automatic |
| * For California applications the fifth digit is "5." | ||
Engine Specifications - 454 engine
| Item | RPO LS5 |
| Displacement | 454 cid |
| Bore & Stroke | 4.251" x 4.00" |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Advertised Horsepower | 275 hp @ 4400 rpm |
| Torque | 395 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm |
| Valve lifter type | Hydraulic |
| Fuel System | Rochester 4-bbl 7043201 - Manual 7043200 - Automatic |
Regular Production Options
| RPO | Description | Cost | Units | % (1) |
| 19437 | Coupe | $5,561.50 | 25,521 | 83.8 |
| 19467 | Convertible | $5,398.50 | 4,943 | 16.2 |
| 404-422 | Leather seats | $158.00 | 13,434 | 44.1 |
| A31 | Power windows | $83.00 | 14,024 | 46.0 |
| A85 | Custom shoulder belts (standard with the coupe) (1) | $41.00 | 788 | 15.9 |
| C07 | Auxiliary hardtop (convertible only) (1) | $267.00 | 1,328 | 26.9 |
| C08 | Soft trim roof cover for auxiliary hardtop (1) | $62.00 | 323 | 6.5 |
| C50 | Rear window defroster | $41.00 | 4,412 | 14.5 |
| C60 | Air conditioning | $452.00 | 21,578 | 70.8 |
| --- | Optional rear axle | $12.00 | 1,791 | 5.9 |
| J50 | Power brakes | $46.00 | 24,168 | 79.3 |
| LS4 | 454-cid, 275-hp | $250.00 | 4,412 | 14.5 |
| L82 | 350-cid, 250-hp | $299.00 | 5,710 | 18.7 |
| M21 | Close ratio 4-speed transmission (2) | $0.00 | 3,704 | 12.2 |
| M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission (2) | $0.00 | 17,927 | 58.8 |
| N37 | Tilt-telescopic steering column | $82.00 | 17,949 | 58.9 |
| N40 | Power steering | $113.00 | 27,872 | 91.5 |
| P02 | Wheel covers | $62.00 | 1,739 | 5.7 |
| QRM | GR70 x 15 white stripe belted tires | $32.00 | 19,903 | 65.3 |
| QRZ | GR70 x 15 white letter belted tired | $45.00 | 4,541 | 14.9 |
| T60 | Heavy duty battery (standard with LS5 engine) | $15.00 | 4,912 | 18.9 |
| U58 | AM/FM stereo radio | $276.00 | 12,482 | 41.0 |
| U69 | AM/FM push button radio | $173.00 | 17,598 | 57.8 |
| UF1 | Rearview mirror map light | $5.00 | 8,186 | 26.9 |
| YF5 | California emission test | $15.00 | 3,008 | 9.9 |
| YJ8 | Cast aluminum wheels | $175.00 | 4 | <0.0 |
| Z07 | Off road suspension and brake package | $369.00 | 45 | 0.1 |
| (1) Percentages are calculated on
the number of options sold vs. the number possible. For example,
C08 was only available on the Auxiliary Hardtop so the 6.5%
reflects the number of Auxiliary Hardtops ordered with the C08
option. (2) The M40 was no cost with the base 350-cid, 190-hp engine but $97 with LS4 and L82. The M21 was standard and only available with L82 and LS4 while the M20 was standard with the base 350-cid, 190-hp engine. >> RPO C08 was only available in black. >> Convertible folding tops were limited to choices of black or white. |
||||
1973 Exterior/Interior Colors
| Paint Code | Color (Quantity) | Interior Color Choices * |
| 910 | Classic White | Black - Dark Red - Dark Saddle - Midnight Blue - Medium Saddle |
| 914 | Metallic Silver | Black - Dark Red - Dark Saddle - Midnight Blue - Medium Saddle |
| 922 | Metallic Medium Blue | Black - Midnight Blue - Medium Saddle |
| 927 | Metallic Dark Blue | Black - Dark Red - Midnight Blue - Medium Saddle |
| 945 | Metallic Blue-Green | Black - Dark Red - Dark Saddle - Medium Saddle |
| 947 | Metallic Elkhardt Green | Black - Medium Saddle |
| 952 | Yellow | Black - Midnight Blue |
| 953 | Metallic Yellow | Black - Dark Saddle - Midnight Blue |
| 976 | Mille Miglia Red | Black - Dark Red - Dark Saddle - Midnight Blue - Medium Saddle |
| 980 | Metallic Orange | Black - Medium Saddle |
| Black was not a standard color choice for 1973 although it could be special ordered via the Fleet & Special Order (F&SO) process. | ||
Interior Trim Codes
| RPO | Color/Material |
| 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 |
* Deluxe interior in black or saddle leather.
1973 OEM Supplier Paint Colors
| Color | Valspar Code | PPG Code | DuPont Code | RM Code | SW Code | WA Code |
| 10 - Classic White | W041 | 8631 | 5040 | 1802 | 2517 | 3465 |
| 14 - Metallic Silver | S051 | 2519 | 5563 | 2619 | n/a | 4319 |
| 22 - Metallic Medium Blue | L913 | 2213 | 5564 | 2621 | n/a | 4396 |
| 27 - Metallic Dark Blue | L2977 | 2432 | 55656 | 2544 | n/a | 4323 |
| 45 - Metallic Blue-Green | G1942 | 2336 | 5288 | 2635G | n/a | 4466 |
| 47 - Metallic Elkhart Green | G625 | 2438 | 5462 | 2551 | n/a | 4284 |
| 52 - Yellow | Y321 | 2534 | 5566 | 2635G | n/a | 4466 |
| 53 - Metallic Yellow | MW7302 | 2535 | 5567 | 2636 | n/a | 4465 |
| 76 - Mille Miglia Red | R1127 | 2349 | 5291 | 2460 | n/a | 4147 |
| 80 - Metallic Orange | A385 | 2548 | 5568 | 2652 | n/a | 4464 |
GM Heritage PDF file of specifications/options/etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© C1-C3 CorvetteWorld
