1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

[David C.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Nice to see all of this discussion about a 73 corvette! An underrated model year to be sure.

[Robert G.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Nice to see all of this discussion about a 73 corvette! An underrated model year to be sure.

Thank you. I think so too.

[Tom R.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Nice to see all of this discussion about a 73 corvette! An underrated model year to be sure.

We had many of these (discussions) in our elite 73-74 revision team that were equally inspiring and its great to see this move to the general forum. James has done an excellent job in proving details to allow us to examine this most unusual Corvette build. Look forward to meeting this SPECIAL 73 in Greenville.

[Robert G.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

We had many of these (discussions) in our elite 73-74 revision team that were equally inspiring and its great to see this move to the general forum. James has done an excellent job in proving details to allow us to examine this most unusual Corvette build. Look forward to meeting this SPECIAL 73 in Greenville.

[Tom R.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

My guess is it came with either Goodyear whitewall or the Firestone whitewalls? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Well it needs fresh tires and I suggest following the 3rd Revision of the 73-74 TIMJG. Look for suppliers that will deliver tires in the closest proximity to originals in configuration, size and markings. In the Judging reference guide, judges are expected to use the standard deduction scheme. The best you can do is a 10% deduct. I think tires are 40 points for originality...new tires would get full condition points. Do the math. But the manual goes into considerably depth and description.

OEM brand and size tires which differ from original only because of federally required DOT markings.

There are point degradation after that down to 100%. I should add, its tough to know what was originally installed on your 73 without seeing either the buildsheet or window sticker, which means raised white letters, white stripes, Firestone vs. Good Year, etc. In Bowtie judging it won't make a difference given you declare different tires but in flight judging, mounted tires need to be consistent with the judging manual. I would have to look more closely at your tire label but believe it also lists tire size.

[Gary J.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Not a C-3 guy, but when did the tire information come in the owners packet? Is there a chance the spare an original?

[Robert G.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

It is a M21. The spare is not the original previous owner thought it was the original. It is dated 1971 bias ply.

[Russ S.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Of course 73s had tank stickers. I bought my 73 new in 73 and it has a tank sticker. I have seen many with tank stickers.

I am the original owner of a 73 coupe # 22xxx . Years ago my gas tank began to leak in the passenger side lower rear corner. I purchased a new one through GM , removed the original that had NO tank sticker and never did. I do have the build/broadcast sheet but never a tank sticker.So in my opinion, I question whether 73's had tank stickers. My car has 27,000 miles with lots and lots of survivor/original parts. I participated with info on my car to the 73-74 revision, so Tom Russo and Jim Patitucci have pics/knowledge on my car. Congratulations on your new to you car. Hope this helps . Curt

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Tom, thank you so much!! James my brother has a keen eye for finding and documenting all original cars. His wealth of knowledge is amazing. Tom I need to put tires on it but don’t want points deduction. I don’t know what to put on it. My guess is it came with either Goodyear whitewall or the Firestone whitewalls? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Robert,
I'm betting your early 73 came with Firestone Steel Radial 500 GR70-15 tires. Now, without seeing your buildsheet you won't know if they were blackwall, whitewalls or raised white letters. We all know that these tires were death traps and recalled by Firestone. My April 30th built 73 still has the Firestone Steel Radial 500 Blackwall as a spare ( see Fig. E 20.1 page 97 in the new 73-74 TIM&JG)... Kelsey Tire sells the Goodyear Steelguard GR70-15 Repro. It may be your best bet for judging..

[Tom R.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

It is a M21. The spare is not the original previous owner thought it was the original. It is dated 1971 bias ply.

Great photo of the tag in an early 73...that would have made it to the 3rd revision!

[Robert G.]

[David K.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Robert,
Are you going to Bloomington Gold next week?
John Kelsey usually has a booth setup there.

Dave

[Robert G.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Robert,
Are you going to Bloomington Gold next week?
John Kelsey usually has a booth setup there.

Dave

Dave, unfortunately no, James and I will be at the Camaro Nationals in Maryland. We planned this trip way before we got the black car. Maybe they will have a booth up there.


Brett

[Patrick B.]

[Robert G.]

Re: 1973 Special order Black paint L82 4 speed coupe -

Patrick thank you i will take them. We will be up there Thursday to Sunday. I still have to get tires to drive on. Would really like to find a set of yj8 wheels to put on it to drive around with better tires. Factory size gr70 15