• There were rumours that a mid-engine Corvette would be introduced for 1973, but nothing that radical appeared
• Major changes for 1973 involved the following:
  • a new domed hood
  • body-color urethane plastic front bumper
  • a fixed rear window which added a little more trunk space
  • a new coolant-recovery system
  • new chassis mounts
  • steel-guard-beam doors
  • the "egg-crate" front fender side vents of the 1971-72 models were replaced with non-trimmed air-duct types
  • radial tires
  • increase of sound-deadening material
• In a 1973 road-test by Road & Track the 1973 model was louder than the 1971 under some circumstances
• All convertibles came with a choice of Black or White soft tops

I.D. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67K3S400001 to 1Z67K3S434464
• Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67K3S400001 to 1Z67K3S434464

  Position	Character	Description
  1	1	Chevrolet Division
  2	Z	Corvette
  3 & 4	67	convertible
  	37	coupe
  5	K	350-cid V8
  	T	L82 350-cid V8 with dual exhausts
  	X or W	LS5 454-cid V8 with dual exhausts
  6	3	1973
  7	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
  8 to 13	400001 to 434464	production sequence

• Engine serial number

  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

• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 73-1YZ67 identifies a Corvette Stingray convertible
• The Fisher Body Style Number 73-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The ten 1973 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 910 = Classic White
  • 914 = Silver
  • 922 = Medium Blue
  • 927 = Dark Blue
  • 945 = Blue-Green
  • 947 = Elkhart Green
  • 952 = Yellow
  • 953 = Yellow Metallic
  • 976 = Mille Miglia Red
  • 980 = Orange
• Upholstery Codes

  Color	Vinyl Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
  Black	400	404
  Dark Red	425
  Midnight Blue	413
  Medium Saddle	415	416
  Dark Saddle	418	422

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Z	37	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$5921	3407 lb	25,521
Z	67	2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger	$5685	3407 lb	4,943

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission: close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Automatic Transmission: Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (optional)

CHASSIS

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 recirulating 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
Optional rear axle ratio	3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1

OPTIONS

RPO Custom interior trim ($154) RPO A31 Electric power windows ($83) RPO A85 Custom shoulder belts ($41) RPO C07 Auxiliary hardtop for convertible ($267) RPO C08 Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop ($62) RPO C50 Rear window defroster ($41) RPO C60 Air conditioning ($452) RPO G81 Positraction rear axle, all ratios ($12) RPO J50 Power brakes ($46) RPO L82 350-cid 250-hp V-8 ($299) RPO LS4 454-cid 275-hp V-8 ($250) RPO M21 Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission (n/c) RPO M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission (n/c) RPO N37 Tilt-telescopic steering wheel ($82) RPO N40 Power steering ($113) RPO P02 Custom Wheel covers ($62) RPO QRM White stripe nylon steel-belted radial tires GR70 x 15 ($32) RPO T60 Heavy-duty battery ($15) RPO U58 AM-FM radio ($276) RPO U69 AM-FM radio ($173) RPO UF1 Map light ($5) RPO YJ8 Cast aluminum wheels ($175) RPO Z07 Off-road suspension and brake package ($369) HISTORICAL NOTES 70.8% of 1973 Corvettes had air conditioning 41.2% had four-speed manual transmissions 91.5% had power steering 79.3% had power brakes 46% had power windows The 1973 Corvette was the only Vette that combined the new soft body-color front end with chrome rear bumpers. Two magazines tested the 1973 Corvette with the L82 engine Performance Road & Track Car and Driver from 0-to-30 mph 3.1 seconds   from 0-to-40 mph 4.3 seconds 3.5 seconds from 0-to-50 mph 5.6 seconds   from 0-to-60 mph 7.2 seconds 6.7 seconds from 0-to-70 mph 9.1 seconds   from 0-to-80 mph 11.7 seconds 10.8 seconds from 0-to-100 mph 17.9 seconds 17.1 seconds from 0-to-110 mph 21.9 seconds   Standing-start quarter mile 15.5 seconds at 94 mph 15.1 seconds at 95.4 mph Top speed 124 mph 117 mph 1973 CORVETTE Click here for Corvette books Books on other automobiles Dictionary of over 15,000 Automotive Terms Cadillac History Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook a@motorera.com 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 June 18, 1999