73 low miles verification?

[Daniel K.]

Last year I got a 73 with 20k miles. What should I look at to verify this is a low mile car?
I have been looking at all the numers and date codes, and the only thing not original so far are the carb, altinator, and tires. Everything works including the clock. The rivits are still in the front roters, but not the back. It even has the origional shocks.
What else should I look for to verify the milage?

Thanks for you input.

[Michael W.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

The components replaced would be more typical of a 120K mile car than a 20K car. The interior should be almost spotless (aside from age issues) on a 20K car. The pedals should show no wear.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

A lot can be told by the door hinges and how wide oper the door opens. At 20K the original seats should show little sign of wear. As for the original shocks I have a 73 with 120K that has the original shocks. The spare tire should be new. Bring it out for judging as it should b real nice.

[Jim T.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

If you could contact the other owners of the car is one way to verify you have a very low mileage 73. My 68 original owner has 96K and my original owner 70 has 160K. Air conditioned 70 has more miles becasue of greater comfort on trips. Both cars have not accumulated very many miles in the last 18 years sitting in the garage.

[Tom H.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

I too, would look to the interior for clues. Seats and carpet are often good indicators, although not always. You need to look at the whole car and decide for yourself. Post up some photos for us to check out and enjoy ! I've seen 20,000 mile cars that look like 120,000 and I've seen 120,000 mile cars that look like 20,000 !

[John M.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

On the same topic line of age verification, I have a 57,000 mile car that I often wondered if it was 157,000.

The odometer is lined up perfectly straight and operates.

I just had the rear gears changed, and the mechanic said he was positive it was original milage as he could tell the differance between 57,000 mile gear wear and 157,000.

Still has the original GM ring and pinion with the Blue paint dabs showing very little wear.

Does his opinion sound viable? I havent seen enough rear end gears to guage their wear compared to mileage.

[Greg H.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

You can't verify the mileage without documentation. I recently found my car with 36k and it too had a replacement alternator and carb. But I have service records since it came off the lot and spoke with every owner. The original owner took the carb off almost immediately and put a Holley on. "That's what we did back then" was his explanation. Third owner changed the shocks, wheels and tires together because he just wanted to modify the ride. The tires he replaced were brand new and luckily I got those with the original wheels. This is why I looked for a low owner car. I'd rather it had fewer owners with different "ideas" on how to improve it and would trade higher mileage for that.

[Tom H.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

On the same topic line of age verification, I have a 57,000 mile car that I often wondered if it was 157,000.

The odometer is lined up perfectly straight and operates.

I just had the rear gears changed, and the mechanic said he was positive it was original milage as he could tell the differance between 57,000 mile gear wear and 157,000.

Still has the original GM ring and pinion with the Blue paint dabs showing very little wear.

Does his opinion sound viable? I havent seen enough rear end gears to guage their wear compared to mileage.

John !

I just don't think you can tell by looking. Experience may give you some indications, but like another member said. Documentation or owner verification is the only way.

Tom

[Valeria H.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

You really can't tell by the mileage. I sent my gauges out to be restored and was called with the question of "what do you want the mileage to read". I opted with the original but was very surprised the question was asked.
Valeria

[Daniel K.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

Thanks for the info. I am currently looking for the previous owners.
Here are some pics.

DSC01274.jpg

DSC01281.jpg

DSC01273.jpg

[William C.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

Valve covers repainted? They don't seem to match the intake and wire supports. All should be equally aged one would think?

[Tom H.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

Valve covers repainted? They don't seem to match the intake and wire supports. All should be equally aged one would think?

You would think, but in 35+ years, these cars got chrome valve covers and different air cleaners all the time. Freshly painted valve covers could just be somebody's attempt to put it back to original. It would be great if you could talk to some past owner to find out for sure. Just because it has only 20,000 miles doesn't mean it has to be ALL original.

By the way. Really good looking car ! I had a silver 73 years ago ! I still have a 73 today. One of my favorite years. I've had three of them. Keep us posted on your findings. Any build sheet on the tank ???

[Daniel K.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

Valve covers repainted? They don't seem to match the intake and wire supports. All should be equally aged one would think?

Yes they were repainted, and they are on the wrong sides.

[Daniel K.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

You would think, but in 35+ years, these cars got chrome valve covers and different air cleaners all the time. Freshly painted valve covers could just be somebody's attempt to put it back to original. It would be great if you could talk to some past owner to find out for sure. Just because it has only 20,000 miles doesn't mean it has to be ALL original.

By the way. Really good looking car ! I had a silver 73 years ago ! I still have a 73 today. One of my favorite years. I've had three of them. Keep us posted on your findings. Any build sheet on the tank ???

Thanks,
The build sheet is still on the tank. I can see it, but I would have to drop the tank to get it.

[Michael W.]

Re: 73 low miles verification?

Thanks for the info. I am currently looking for the previous owners.
Here are some pics.

I see lots of restored/replaced items under the hood.