1973 Corvette Stingray for sale by owner - Issaquah, WA - craigslist (2024)

Corvette Dreams…..
So have you always dreamed of owning a 1970 LT-1 Coupe and just wished that you could have bought one when they were available? Well, here we are!

This 1973 T-top Coupe is outfitted to perform as good as or even better than the fabled LT-1.
This car has had the following done to make that happen:
1. Factory L-82 with small chamber 56cc 69 Z-28 (“186”) heads (these are acknowledged to be the best period heads of the era) with flat-top pistons yielding around a 10-1 compression ratio to run on pump gas. (Keep in mind that the L-82 was only 15 hp less than the previous year LT-1) Heads and cam more than make up the difference here and make it much more “streetable” with no power loss.
2. Hydraulic high-perf cam provides comparable power and ease of maintenance over solid lifters. This engine has the correct Rochester carb, manifold, cold-air intake and correct 2.5 ”Ram’s horns” exhaust and it looks totally stock under the hood. Even the EGR (first used in 1973) “looks” stock. Only the internals have been changed.
3.4-speed Muncie wide ratio with 3.36 axle ratio. Upgraded engine and trans have about 2k on them.
4.Duplicated 1974-82 “Gymkhana” suspension - which was not available until 1974. Uprated front and rear springs and front and rear sway-bars. (No rear bars on small block Corvettes till 1974)

The 1973 Corvette has been criticized as being heavier in the front (affecting handling) than earlier C3 models. So, consider:

1.This one has the heavy urethane bumper assembly replaced with a 20lb lighter (and easier to paint) Tru-Flex replacement. As an aside, Larry Shinoda (who designed the early Mako-shark Corvette show cars- the C3 predecessors), stated that the 73’ design was his favorite design with a very slick front end (with beautiful die-cast aluminum grill pieces) combined with the Kammback tail.
2.In addition, this factory AC car has been upgraded with a modern VintageAire AC compressor which weighs 35 lbs less than the factory original. Hence, this particular 73’ is even LIGHTER in the front than a simarly equipped chrome-bumpered predecessor. The VintageAire retrofit keeps you cool too, even in 100 degree temperatures. The engine runs cool as well with a correct 7-blade fan and heavy-duty fan clutch!
3.Other considerations: The 73’ is also unique in that it is the 1st Corvette to have door guard beams (a valuable safety aspect in a fiberglass – bodied car) and increased sound-deadening which Chevrolet claimed made it 40% quieter than previous models. It also had the first rubber and steel body mounts which smoothed the ride.

I purchased this car from a gentleman who restored Shelby mustangs to show condition. He picked this car up in 1986 and kept it in his shop until he decided to painstakingly restore it several years ago.
He rebuilt the engine, trans, non-suspension front-end and hood/headlight components, brakes, and prepped and painted the body. He had to stop there because of a family move. The suspension was the last item to be done – it was adequate but I wanted the car complete - so I had it all rebuilt anyway to gymkhana specs. It has all new front suspension and new leak free power assist unit and it steers nice and "tight". If you are familiar with the unique Corvette rear suspension, you probably understand the cost and labor involved in trailing arm and rear bearing work. Corvette specialists have checked and/or rebuilt everything and gave it a nice 4-wheel alignment to top it off. It drives great! They said that the differential is good for 100k miles and they left it alone. I hate the look of rotted rubber bushings and mounts - and this car has none of that! Powder coated front A-arms and only the best USA parts used.

The car does not leak any fluid - even with full synthetics my garage floor remains dry!

Even though the car was a well-sorted driver as purchased, I corrected or updated about 150 (have list) things since I purchased it for $20k and have since spent another $25K in parts plus a ton of “free” labor from my son who works as a professional lead mechanic in his real job. (Have an inch and a half thick receipt folder) It has taken 3 years, but it is now "Done" and I need to move on. For me, it gets to the point of where I do a nation- wide search to find a trip odometer that hasn't yellowed with age.

I would say that it this is not a concourse show-car, but an exceptionally nice driver that may win local or regional awards at shows and drives like a Stingray should!

If interested, please don't delay as I plan to trade it in soon if I get no activity. Car has been appraised at 36 - 40k and insured at 40k, so someone can get a great deal! Kind of a "winter price" a little early. I will consider every offer, and possible trades up or down.
Thanks for looking!
Steve