The 1973 Chevrolet Corvette was the first “Rubber Bumper” Vette. The front chrome bumper was replaced with a federally mandated 5 MPH bumper. It added 35 pounds to the car and changed it’s looks significantly. This is the only year that a rubber front bumper and chrome rear bumper were used at the same time. A new side brace was added as well to increase safety. This was also the last year for the small spoiler at the back of the car. During production of the 1973 model year 4,000 serial numbers were skipped. VIN numbers 24,001 through 28,000 were never manufactured. A new hood was introduced that featured cold air induction and removed the automatic panel that hid the windshield wipers. A vent in the hood by the windshield wipers provided cold outside air for the engine to injest. The new ducts on the sides behind the front wheels were non-trimmed and consist of just one large hole and some body styling. It was the first year for radial tires on a Vette. Increased sound insulation was added to make the ride more comfortable. A new coolant recycling system recovered overheated coolant into a overflow container for cooling. This coolant was then recycled back into the radiator. The rear window of the ’73 coupe was now fixed. It had been decided that taking out the window with the t-tops off caused too much turbulance in the cabin. Even though there was no specific black exterior option it is thought that around 30 cars were painted black at the St. Louis assembly plant.
Total 1973 Corvettes Built – 30,464
Coupes – 25,521
Coupe Serial numbers: 1Z37x3S400001 to 1Z37x3S427004
The “Vehicle Identification Number” (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Bolded Items show “Blondies” original RPOs
Position | Character | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Chevrolet Division |
2 | Z | Corvette |
3 & 4 | 67 | Convertible |
37 | Coupe | |
5 | J | L48 |
T | L82 350-cid V8 with dual exhausts | |
Z | LS4 454-cid V8 with dual exhausts | |
6 | 3 | 1973 |
7 | S | Assembled in St. Louis, MO |
8 to 13 | 400001 to 434464 | Production Sequence |
Position | Character | Description | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 7 | 0001001 | Sequential Production Number | ||||
8 | F or T | Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY | ||||
9 to 11 | Carburetion & Transmission | Code | Engine | Compression | Transmission | Carburetor |
CKZ | 350-cid 190-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | Manual | Four-Barrel | ||
CLB | 350-cid 190-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | Heavy-Duty 4-speed Manual with NB2 | Four-Barrel | ||
CLA | 350-cid 190-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 Automatic | Four-Barrel | ||
CLC | 350-cid 190-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 Automatic with NB2 | Four-Barrel | ||
CLR | 350-cid 250-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | 4-speed Manual | Four-Barrel | ||
CLS | 350-cid 250-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | 4-speed Manual with NB2 | Four-Barrel | ||
CLD | 350-cid 250-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | THM-400 Automatic | Four-Barrel | ||
CLH | 350-cid 250-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | THM-400 Automatic with NB2 | Four-Barrel | ||
CWS | 454-cid 275-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 Automatic with NB2 | Four-Barrel | ||
CWT | 454-cid 275-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | 4-speed Manual with NB2 | Four-Barrel | ||
CWM | 454-cid 275-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | 4-speed Manual | Four-Barrel | ||
CWR | 454-cid 275-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 Automatic | Four-Barrel |
73-1YZ67 – Corvette Sting Ray convertible
73-1YZ37 – Corvette Sting Ray coupe
The body number is the serial number of the body. The trim number represents the color of the interior, the paint color is the exterior paint color.
RPO | Description | Price | Production |
---|---|---|---|
19437 | Base Coupe | $5,561.50 | 25,521 |
19467 | Base Convertible | $5,398.50 | 4,943 |
N/A | Custom Interior Trim | $154 | 13,434 |
A31 | Power Windows | $83 | 14,024 |
A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts (std. w/ coupe) | $41 | 788 |
C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (Convert.) | $267 | 1,328 |
C08 | Vinyl Covering for Aux. Hardtop | $62 | 323 |
C50 | Rear Window Defroster | $41 | 4,412 |
C60 | Air Conditioning | $452 | 21,578 |
N/A | Optional Rear Axle | $12 | 1,791 |
J50 | Power Brakes | $46 | 24,168 |
LS4 | 454ci, 275hp Engine | $250 | 4,412 |
L82 | 350ci, 250hp Engine | $299 | 5,710 |
M21 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio Transmission | $0.00 | 3,704 |
M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission | $0.00 | 17,927 |
N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | $82 | 17,949 |
N40 | Power Steering | $113 | 27,872 |
P02 | Deluxe Wheel Cover | $62 | 1,739 |
QRM | White Stripe Steel Belted Tires, GR70x15 | $32 | 19,903 |
QRZ | White Letter Steel Belted Tires, GR70x15 | $45 | 4,541 |
T60 | Heavy Duty Battery (std. w/ LS4) | $15 | 4,912 |
U58 | AM/FM Radio Stereo | $276 | 12,482 |
U69 | AM/FM Radio | $173 | 17,598 |
UF1 | Rearview Mirror Map Light | $5 | 8,186 |
YF5 | California Emission Test | $15 | 3,008 |
YJ8 | Cast Aluminum Wheels (4) | $175 | 4 |
Z07 | Off Road Suspension and Brake Package | $369 | 45 |
Interior options for exterior colors are suggested by Chevrolet. Any combination could be ordered.
RPO | Exterior | Interior | Soft Top |
---|---|---|---|
910 | Classic White | B-DR-DS-MB-MS | B/W |
914 | Silver | B-DR-DS-MB-MS | B/W |
922 | Medium Blue | B-MB-MS | B/W |
927 | Dark Blue | B-DR-MB-MS | B/W |
945 | Blue-Green | B-DR-DS-MS | B/W |
947 | Elkhart-Green | B-MS | B/W |
952 | Yellow | B-DS-MB | B/W |
953 | Metallic Yellow | B-MB | B/W |
976 | Mille Miglia Red | B-DR-DS-MB-MS | B/W |
980 | Orange | B-MS | B/W |
Color | Vinyl RPO | Leather RPO |
---|---|---|
Black | 400 | 404 |
Dark Red | 425 | |
Midnight Blue | 413 | |
Medium Saddle | 415 | 416 |
Dark Saddle | 418 | 422 |
Mechanical Dimensions
Feature | Convertible | Coupe |
---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 98 inches (2.489 m) | 98 inches (2.489 m) |
Overall length | 182.5 inches (4.636 m) | 182.5 inches (4.636 m) |
Overall width | 69.0 inches (1.753 m) | 69.0 inches (1.753 m) |
Overall height | 47.4 inches (1.204 m) | |
Ground Clearance | 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) | 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) |
Front tread | 58.7 inches (1.491 m) | 58.7 inches (1.491 m) |
Rear tread | 59.4 inches (1.509 m) | 59.4 inches (1.509 m) |
Tires | F70-15 | F70-15 |
Frame | Full-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded. | |
Front suspension | Independent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar | |
Rear suspension | Independent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar | |
Steering | Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle | |
Rear axle type | Sprung differential, Hypoid gear | |
Brakes | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist | |
Swept area | 11.75″ front and back | |
Total swept area | 461 sq. in. | |
Wheels | 8″ wide slotted steel 15″ 5-lug disc | |
Standard rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 w/4speed manual 3.08 w/Turbo-Hydramatic | |
Optional rear axle ratio | 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1 |
Feature | Base Engine RPO L48 | RPO LS4 | RPO L82 |
---|---|---|---|
Type | V-8, Overhead valve | ||
Block | Cast Iron | ||
Displacement | 350 cid | 454 cid | 350 cid |
Bore & Stroke | 4.00 x 3.48″ | 4.251 x 4.00″ | 4.00 x 3.48″ |
Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 | 8.5:1 | 9.0:1 |
Brake Horsepower | 190 @ 4400 | 275 @ 4000 | 250 @ 5200 |
Torque | 300 lb-ft @ 2800 | 390 lb-ft @ 3200 | 285 lb-ft @ 4000 |
Main Bearings | Five | ||
Valve Lifters | Hydraulic | ||
Camshaft | High-performance High-performance | ||
Fuel Supply | Rochester Quadra-Jet Four-Barrel Model 4MV | Rochester Quadra-Jet Four-Barrel | Rochester Four-Barrel with 2.50-inch Diameter Dual Exhaust System |