454ci LS4 Big Block, EXCELLENT CONDITION, #'s Match, Blue/Blue, Automatic

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Please call Matt directly at 513-708-1468 with any questions about this car.

Seven Hills Motorcars is very proud to offer this beautiful completely numbers matching 1973 Big Block Corvette Stingray Coupe in fantastic condition and with the high performance 454ci LS4 engine and only 50,348 original miles. This Corvette looks great, runs well, and is an excellent driver. It is finished the beautiful and highly desirable color combination of Blue over Medium Blue Vinyl. According to the previous owner this 1973 LS4 was an award winner at the Dayton Concours d'Elegance at Carillon Park.

This Corvette is "Numbers Matching" meaning the engine and transmission in the car are the correct and original units that were installed in the car new at the factory in 1973. Virtually every part we checked on the car is correct with the proper part numbers and appropriate date codes. We have run the numbers on literally hundreds of Corvettes over the years and there are very few that are so correct and original. Even very detailed parts like the distributor, carburetor, alternator, starter, all of the windows, and even all the wheels are date coded and original. The last six digits of the VIN, 432617, are stamped on the engine pad, which is pictured in this ad, and the engine is original to the car. The transmission is also original with the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the main case and pictured.

We have this car priced to sell and are offering an excellent opportunity to own a very desirable Corvette Stingray at an unbeatable value. The high performance models like this LS4 big block draw a great premium over the standard Corvettes. One could easily buy this car now and sell it for more than the purchase price in years to come as the market on early C3 Corvettes is very hot right now and on the rise, this is especially true for the 1973 model year as it was a one year only body style. The low original mileage is confirmed not only by the condition of the car, but also the clear Ohio title that shows the mileage as “Actual.” Please peruse all of the photos, video, numbers, and other information below to get a true sense of how nice this Corvette really is.

As a side note, this Corvette is not a dealer auction vehicle. We hand pick each car after careful inspection. Our Corvettes come from owners who expect their car to go to someone that will give the vehicle the same care and attention as they did. We invite and encourage you to examine the car in person or have the car inspected. Please take the time to scrutinize each picture. We photograph each vehicle to the greatest extent so you can feel confident about your purchase. If you have a question about the Corvette, just give us a call.

Model Description

The 1973 Corvette was truly the end of an era. 1973 was the last year to feature a chrome bumper and is considered by some to be the last year of truly classic Corvettes. Model years after were more at the mercy of insurance companies, fuel prices, and emission concerns, 1973 is considered the last "good" year by many enthusiasts. The 1973 model year is also considered a special and different year for Corvette enthusiasts as it was the only model to have chrome in the back and a rubber bumper in the front. It is representative of the transition Corvette was making at the time. As in investment, the 1973 will always have an advantage and out perform other years because of its precedence as the end of a very great period for Corvette and muscle cars as a whole.

Exterior

The blue exterior is in excellent condition. As one can see in the photos, the finish has dazzling gloss, deep shine, and smooth finish. The original date coded wheels and center caps are in excellent condition with a brilliant finish and no curb rash on the beauty rings. Please note that these are the correct original style 4-clip beauty rings, not he cheaper foreign made aftermarket replacements. The raised white letter tires are literally brand new with less than 20 miles on them and are correctly sized 225/70R15. The chrome and other brightwork looks great with a clear finish and no pitting. There are no major imperfections that have been intentionally excluded from the photos. There is a crack in the front bumper. As one can see in the many photos and video of the underside this car is very clean underneath. We have included specific photos of the areas most prone to rust to show how nice this car looks.

Window Date Codes

Please note that ALL of the glass on this Corvette, both "Astro Ventilation" door windows, the rear window, and even the windshield, are all date coded and original as each piece predates the car's body build date of July 10, 1973 (L10). Original glass is a good indication that this car has had no major accident history and never sustained significant damage.

Interior

The Medium Blue interior of the Corvette is in outstanding condition. The seats are in fantastic shape and look just as good in person as they do in the photos with no punctures, split seams or excessive wear. There is just a small amount of expected wear in the typical spot on the driver's bolster. The carpet is also in great condition with no rips or holes. This includes the rear carpet, which is often neglected. The gauge faces are clean and crisp and the lenes are crystal clear. The dash is in great shape with no cracks, fading, or sun damage. The door panels are in good condition overall. The original stereo radio works and most importantly the dash has never been cut or modified for and aftermarket installation. The jack and jack handle are still with the car and stored correctly behind the passenger seat. The spare is also still with the car. This Corvette has never been smoked in; there are no burns marks and no aroma of cigarettes.

Corvette interiors from this era are not known to wear well and the excellent condition of this interior is a huge testament to the meticulous care and attention this car has received throughout its life and another great verification of the very low original mileage. The interior looks just as good in person as it does in the photos.

Mechanical

This Corvette seems to be in very good mechanical condition. The original numbers matching LS4 454ci big block engine starts right away every time, runs well, and idles smooth. This Stingray drives great and feels nice on the road and at highway speeds. In the video below one can observe the car accelerating on the highway up to about 70mph, shifting through all the gears, braking to stoplight, and going through some curves. Please note that there are no vibrations and the car performs quite well overall. The brakes are responsive and do not pull to one side or the other. The transmission shifts well throughout the power bank. Also, the engine compartment is beautifully clean, detailed, and correct as one can see in the photos.

The radio works as do all the exterior lights, interior lights, dash lights, wipers, and indicators; even the key buzzer still works. All of the gauges work including the clock. Detailed items like cargo compartment light, floor vents, which is a common problem on C3 Corvettes, and the “Head Lamps” light on the dash all work. The “Head Lamps” light goes on properly when the headlights are first turned on and goes off as it should when the headlights rise up. The blower for the heater works on all speeds. The entire vacuum system for the headlights works correctly from both of the respective switches on the dash and the override switch under the column. The entire operation from both switches can be viewed in the video. Not enough can be said as to how much of a pleasure it is to drive this car, especially with the extra power from the LS4 big block and the T-Tops out on a beautiful day.

Overall Condition

Overall, this 1973 LS4 big black Corvette Stingray looks fantastic and is in terrific driver condition. The beautiful original color combination, the 454ci engine with manual transmission, and the great extent to which the numbers match make this Stingray especially important and very hard to duplicate. Numbers matching is extremely important in Corvette pricing, especially for rare and high performance examples like this Corvette, and as one can see, this car is quite correct. There are photos of the VIN stamp on the engine block, suffix code, engine assembly date, transmission date, and transmission VIN stamp. The LS4 engine draws a great premium over the standard Corvette. This Stingray is a solid investment for a collector. One could easily enjoy this vehicle for several years and sell it for more than the purchase price with minimal effort.

Other sellers are not taking the time to show the car is in such great detail to give you all of the numbers, options, photos, and video. As stated above, numbers matching is extremely important in Corvette pricing, especially for a desirable big block model like this car, and will become even more important as time passes and this car becomes older and even more rare. This information is very valuable and important for pricing. Any perspective buyer, for any of our vehicles or from other sellers, should ask for all the numbers and information before he or she makes a purchase

Thank you for looking and please do not hesitate to email or call with any questions.

item
number
description*

VIN
1Z37Z3S432617
The first digit, "1," indicated the Chevrolet division of GM.  The "Z" is the series, Corvette.  The "37" is the body style, coupe.  The fifth digit is the engine, Z, correct for an 454 car.  The sixth digit, "3," indicates the model year, 1973.  The "S" is the plant where the car was produced, St. Louis.  The last five digits are a sequence number so this is the 32,617th Corvette made for 1973.

Body Build Date
L10
"L" corresponds to July and "10" is the tenth day of the month meaning this Corvette's body build date is July 10th, 1973.

Engine Code
T0627
"T" means the engine was build in the Tonawanda, New York.  The "06" is the sixth month of year and the "27" is the twenty seventh day of the month meaning the engine was assembled on June 27th, 1973.  This is correct as it precedes the build date of the car.

Suffix Code
CWR
This means the motor was intended for a 1973 454ci Corvette with an automatic transmission, which is correct for this car.

Engine VIN Stamp
432617
The last 6 digits of the car's VIN, 432617, are stamped on the engine pad and pictured below, meaning this engine is original to this car.

Engine Block Casting Number
3999289
The engine block has the correct 3999289 casting number for a 1973 454 Corvette.

Engine Block Casting Date
F 27 73
"F" is June, "27" is the twenty seventh day of the month, and "73" is the last digits of the calendar year so the engine block was cast on June 27th, 1973. 

Distributor
1112114
This distributor is correct for a big block 1973 vette with a 1112114 stamping.

Distributor Date Code
3 E 73
"3" is the day, "E" is the month May, and "73" is the year, meaning this distributor was made on May 3rd, 1973.

Starter
1108429
This starter is correct for a big block 1973 vette equip with an automatic transmission with a 1108429 stamping.

Starter Date Code
3 B 9
"3" is the last digit of the calendar year, "B" is the month February, and "9" is the ninth day of the month, meaning this starter was made on February 3rd, 1973.

Carburetor
7043200
This Carburetor is correct and original for a 1973 454ci vette with an automatic transmission with a 7043200 stamping.

Windshield
IU
"I" denotes the month June, and "U" denotes the year 1973, meaning this window was made in June of 1973.

Driver's Window
IU
"I" denotes the month June, and "U" denotes the year 1973, meaning this window was made in June of 1973.

Passenger Window
IU
"I" denotes the month June, and "U" denotes the year 1973, meaning this window was made in June of 1973.

Rear Window
IU
"I" denotes the month June, and "U" denotes the year 1973, meaning this window was made in June of 1973.

Left Front Wheel Stamping
K-1-3 6 26 AZ
K means the wheels are original Kelsey-Hayes as they should be, the "1" means they were made at the Romulus, MI plant, and the "3" is the year, 1973. The "6" is the Sixth month of the year and the "26" is the twenty sixth day of the month. This means the wheel was made on June 26th, 1973. "AZ" is a code that was used on wheels intended for a 1973 Corvette.

Right Front Wheel Stamping
K-1-3 6 26 AZ
K means the wheels are original Kelsey-Hayes as they should be, the "1" means they were made at the Romulus, MI plant, and the "3" is the year, 1973. The "6" is the Sixth month of the year and the "26" is the twenty sixth day of the month. This means the wheel was made on June 26th, 1973. "AZ" is a code that was used on wheels intended for a 1973 Corvette.

Left Rear Wheel Stamping
K-1-3 6 26 AZ
K means the wheels are original Kelsey-Hayes as they should be, the "1" means they were made at the Romulus, MI plant, and the "3" is the year, 1973. The "6" is the Sixth month of the year and the "26" is the twenty sixth day of the month. This means the wheel was made on June 26th, 1973. "AZ" is a code that was used on wheels intended for a 1973 Corvette.

Right Rear Wheel Stamping
K-1-3 6 26 AZ
K means the wheels are original Kelsey-Hayes as they should be, the "1" means they were made at the Romulus, MI plant, and the "3" is the year, 1973. The "6" is the Sixth month of the year and the "26" is the twenty sixth day of the month. This means the wheel was made on June 26th, 1973. "AZ" is a code that was used on wheels intended for a 1973 Corvette.

Transmission Date Code
73-CS
"73" is the model year 1973, "C" is the month March, and "S" means that the transmission is for a 245hp, 454ci V8.

Transmission VIN Stamping
432617
The last 6 digits of the car's VIN, 432617, are stamped on the main case of the transmission and pictured below meaning this transmission is original to this car.

exterior color code

927
Dark Blue Metallic

interior color code

413
Dark Blue

 

 

 

 

 

rpo code
description

1Z37
Corvette Coupe

LS4
454ci Engine

M40
Automatic Transmission

QRZ
White Letter Tires

U58
AM-FM Radio, stereo