Almost from its start, 1973 was a year full of both great accomplishments and even greater controversies. Technological feats, including the launch of Skylab and the Mariner Programs, the opening of the Sydney Opera House, and the start of the Alaska Pipeline all announced to the world that we were capable of reaching farther – of doing more.
Read More: 1973 Chevrolet Corvette Research Center
1973 Corvette Specifications
1973 Corvette Main Specs
| MODEL: | 1973 Chevrolet Corvette |
| BODY STYLE: | Two-door convertible/coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive |
| MANUFACTURING LOCATION: | St. Louis, Missouri |
| CONSTRUCTION: | Uniconstruction: fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, backboned by a steel cage outlining the passenger compartment. Principal members – underbody, front and rear end assemblies, dash panel and hinge pillars are bonded, riveted, or bolted together and to each other. Hood is plastic with bonded plastic reinforcement. Coupe: two removable roof panels and removable rear window. Frame: all welded, full length, ladder construction with 5 crossmembers. Side Rails and intermediate crossmembers box section; front crossmember box girder section. Eight body-mounting points. |
| VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): |
1Z37J3S400001 – 1Z37J3S434464
|
| ENGINE SUFFIX: | CKZ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL CLA: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC CLB: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS CLC: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS CLD: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC CLH: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS CLR: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL CLS: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS CWM: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL CWR: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC CWS: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS CWT: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS |
| ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: | 3970010: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HP, 250HP 3970014: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HP, 250HP 3999289: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275HP |
| HEAD NUMBER: | 353049: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275HP 330545: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP 3998993: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190HP 333881: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190HP 333882: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190HP |
| CARBURETOR NUMBERS: | ROCHESTER Q-jet #7043200: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ROCHESTER Q-jet #7043201: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION ROCHESTER Q-jet #7043202: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ROCHESTER Q-jet #7043203: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION ROCHESTER Q-jet #7043212: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP, AUTOMATIC |
| DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: | 1112098: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190HP 1112114: 454 CUBIC INCH, 275HP 1112130: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP 1112150: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP |
| ALTERNATOR NUMBER: | 1100544: 350, 454 CUBIC INCH, AIR CONDITIOING 1100950: 350, 454 CUBIC INCH 1102353: 454 CUBIC INCH |
| AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER | AA: 3.55:1 RATIO AB: 3.70:1 RATIO AC: 4.11:1 RATIO AW: 3.08:1 RATIO AX: 3.36:1 RATIO LR: 3.36:1 RATIO |
| PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: | AUG., 1972: 401138, DEC., 1972: 410679, APR., 1973: 421933, SEP.. 1972: 403539, JAN., 1973: 413600, MAY, 1973: 428892, OCT., 1972: 406054, FEB., 1973: 416301, JUNE., 1973: 431731, NOV., 1972: 408696, MAR., 1973: 419253, JULY, 1973: 434464 |
1973 Corvette Powertrain Specifications
| Order Code | Standard | L82 | LS4 |
| Manufacturing Location | Flint, Michigan | Flint, Michigan | Flint, Michigan |
| Type | 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head | 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head | 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head |
| Cylinders | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Displacement (cid) | 350 | 350 | 454 |
| Fuel Induction System | 4-Barrel Carburetor | 4-Barrel Carburetor | 4-Barrel Carburetor |
| Horsepower | 180 @ 4,000 | 210 @ 5,200 | 275 @ 4,400 |
| Torque | 270 @ 2,800 | 255 @ 3,600 | 395 @ 2,800 |
| Bore x Stroke (in.) | 4.00 x 3.48 | 4.00 x 3.48 | 4.251 x 4.00 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 | 9.0:1 | 8.25:1 |
| Valve Lifters | Hydraulic | Mechanical | Hydraulic |
| Firing Order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Cylinder Number System (Left) | 1-3-5-7 | 1-3-5-7 | 1-3-5-7 |
| Cylinder Number System (Right) | 2-4-6-8 | 2-4-6-8 | 2-4-6-8 |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium | Premium | Premium |
1973 Corvette Manual Transmission/Gear Ratios
Manual Transmission
| Gear Ratios |
4-Speed (RPO M20)
|
4-Speed Close Ratio (RPO M21)
|
|
1st Gear:
|
2.52:1
|
2.20:1
|
|
2nd Gear:
|
1.88:1
|
1.64:1
|
|
3rd Gear:
|
1.46:1
|
1.27:1
|
|
4th Gear:
|
1.00:1
|
1.00:1
|
|
Reverse:
|
2.59:1
|
2.26:1
|
Clutch
| Clutch | Stats |
| Type | Single Dry Disk Centrifugal (Dual Dry Disk for LT1) |
| Spring Pressure (lbs) | 2450 – 2750 (2900 – 3100 for LT1) |
| Lining area (sq. in.) | 123.7 (207.06 for LT1) |
Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission RPO M40/ Gear Ratios
| Gear | Drive | L2 | L1 | Reverse |
| 1st Gear | 2.48:1 | 2.48:1 | 2.48:1 | N/A |
| 2nd Gear | 1.48:1 | 1.48:1 | N/A | N/A |
| 3rd Gear | 1.00:1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reverse | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2.08 |
1973 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Brakes
Suspension – Front
Type and Description: Independent, SLA type, coil springs with center mounted shock absorbers, spherical joint steering knuckle pivots.
| Front Coil Springs | |
| Make & Type | Coil |
| Material | Steel Alloy |
| Size | 10.27 x 3.80; 130.84 x 0.606 |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | |
| Type | Link |
| Material | Hot rolled steel |
| Diameter | .750 with 350ci engine, .9375 with 454ci engine |
Suspension – Back
Type and Description: Full Independent rear suspension with frame-anchored differential unit. Position of each wheel established by three links: tubular axle drive shafts, transverse strut rods, torque control arms. Vertical suspension loads taken by transverse leaf springs. Built-in camber adjustment at strut rod inner ends.
| Rear Leaf Springs | |
| Number of Leaves | Variable rate 9-leaf |
| Material | Chrome carbon steel |
| Length, width, height | 48.60 x 2.25 x 2.121 |
| Rear Strut | |
| Material | Forged Steel |
| Diameter | 0.75 |
Brakes
| Brake Specs | |
| Type: | – |
| – Standard | Caliper Disk – 4 Wheel Hydraulic |
| – J50 | Delco Moraine, vacuum power unit; integral |
| Drum diameter, front (in.): | 11.75 x 1.25 |
| Drum diameter, rear (in.): | 11.75 x 1.25 |
| Swept Drum Area Effective area: | 639.4 |
Wheels & Tires
| Wheels & Tires Specs | |
| Wheel Type: | |
| – Standard | Short spoke spider, welded steel |
| Wheels, size: | |
| – Standard | 15″ x 8.00 |
| Tire, size: | |
| – Standard | GR70 x 15 — Blackwall Steel Belted Radial |
| – QRM | GR70 x 15 — White Stripe Steel Belted Radial |
| – QRZ | GR70 x 15 — White Letter Steel Belted Radial |
| Inflation (cold) | |
| – Front | 24 psi (cold), 30 psi (hot) |
| – Rear | 24 psi (cold), 30 psi (hot) |
Steering
| Steering Specs – Manual Steering | |
| Type | Semi-reversible gear with ball-nut driven by recirculating anti-friction bearings, energy-absorbing steering column, steering damper attached to relay rod; two position steering knuckle arm attachment for street and fast ratio steering. Adjustable steering column available optionally. |
| Make | Saginaw |
| Ratio (Street) | 20.2:1 |
| Ratio (Fast) | 17.6:1 |
| Wheel Diameter (in.) | 16 |
| Turns, Stop to Stop | |
| – Street | 3.4 |
| – Fast | 2.92 |
| Turning Diameter | 37 ft. (outside front), 39 ft. (outside front) |
| Steering Specs – Power Steering RPO N40 | |
| Type | (Specifications are the same as Manual Steering except the following): |
| Description | Hydraulic; pump powered cylinder assisted linkage |
| Gear Ratio | 16:1 |
| Overall Ratio | 17.6:1 |
| Wheel Turns (Lock to Lock) | 2.92 |
1973 Corvette Exterior Dimensions
Hard Top Dimensions
| Exterior Dimensions (Hardtop) | Interior Dimensions (Hardtop) | ||
| Wheelbase: | 98.0 Inches | Headroom: | 37.1 Inches |
| Overall Length: | 184.7 Inches | Shoulder Room: | 46.9 Inches |
| Total Body Width: | 69.2 Inches | Hip Room: | 48.8 Inches |
| Overall Height: | 47.9 Inches | Leg Room: | 43.0 Inches |
| Front Track Width: | 58.3 Inches | ||
| Rear Track Width: | 59.0 Inches | ||
| Min. Ground Clearance | 4.9 Inches | ||
Soft Top Dimensions
| Exterior Dimensions (Soft Top) | Interior Dimensions (Soft Top) | ||
| Wheelbase: | 98.0 Inches | Headroom: | 38.3 Inches |
| Overall Length: | 182.5 Inches | Shoulder Room: | 46.9 Inches |
| Total Body Width: | 69.0 Inches | Hip Room: | 48.8 Inches |
| Overall Height: | 47.9 Inches | Leg Room: | 43.0 Inches |
| Front Track Width: | 58.7 Inches | ||
| Rear Track Width: | 59.4 Inches | ||
| Min. Ground Clearance | 4.5 Inches | ||
Coupe Dimensions
| Exterior Dimensions (Coupe) | Interior Dimensions (Coupe) | ||
| Wheelbase: | 98.0 Inches | Headroom: | 37.2 Inches |
| Overall Length: | 182.5 Inches | Shoulder Room: | 46.9 Inches |
| Total Body Width: | 69.0 Inches | Hip Room: | 48.8 Inches |
| Overall Height: | 47.8 Inches | Leg Room: | 43.0 Inches |
| Front Track Width: | 58.7 Inches | ||
| Rear Track Width: | 59.4 Inches | ||
| Min. Ground Clearance | 4.8 Inches | ||
Capacities
| Capacities | |
| Passenger Capacity | 2 – Driver & Passenger |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 3,306 |
| Interior Passenger Volume (cu. ft) | – |
| Interior Trunk Volume (cu. ft) | 20 |
| Fuel Capacity (gallons): | 4.0 for 350ci. engines (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill) 5.0 for 454ci engines (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill) |
| Coolant capacity without heater (qts.) | 18 for RPO LT1 engine 22 for 454ci. engine |
| Battery: | 12 Volt, 62AH for 350ci. engines 12 Volt, 80AH for 454ci. engines |
1973 Corvette Performance Results
|
4-Speed Transmission
|
Standard
|
LT1 | LS5 |
|
Performance weight (lbs.)
|
3605 | 3630 | 3827 |
|
Pounds/gross horsepower
|
18.02 | 14.23 | 14.17 |
|
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement
|
10.30 | 10.37 | 8.43 |
|
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement
|
.571 | .728 | .771 |
|
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)
|
255.55 | 270.00 | 303.86 |
|
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)
|
141.97 | 148.35 | 159.09 |
|
0 – 60 mph (seconds)
|
8.5 | – | – |
|
Top Speed (mph)
|
– | – | – |
|
Quarter Mile (secs @ mph)
|
15.2 @ 83 | – | 14.7 @ 93 |
