I live in South Louisiana and I saw this Vette listed on marketplace a while back. I noticed it because a 1973 is one of my favorite year Corvette.
@wkjeeping90538 ай бұрын
I bought a car off eBay once. The listing was complete opposite of the car. Motor was bad, I had to finish installing the motor, not safe tires and wheels, paint was no clear and flaking off. The interior was suppose to be new and it was a used one that just was cleaned up. It was listed as running and driving and it pass inspection. This is before the buyer protection and was a new thing for eBay. I will never buy a car unseen in person or checked over by a mechanic if to far to travel!
@BruceLee-xn3nn7 ай бұрын
FK buying from an individual on eBay. I've bought from individual before on there and the pictures were from a good part but they sent me BROKE JUNK!! I'LL never buy again from an individual on eBay.
@TheDutchTexan8 ай бұрын
Who freakin' straps a car down like that. That's just crazy... And that front air-dam was intact in the ebay photo... Willing to bet the loader thought he could strap it down / pull it there and busted it all the way... Seems on brand for someone putting a strap over the top of a car instead of doing it correctly and strapping it down from the rearend and front control arms. And save the manuals Ben! Got to put a 4 speed back in it! No power brakes and no power steering because the original owner thought "racecar" but AC because it is way too hot where the car came from originally probably...
@ricksmith47368 ай бұрын
Russians and Hmongs......
@Youseguys8 ай бұрын
Anyone else notice the front sway bar was not connected?
@michaeldesmond73348 ай бұрын
The sway bar end links is missing..
@OMGWTFLOLSMH4 ай бұрын
There's lots of stuff not connected. That's the least of his worries.
@donk4992 ай бұрын
Yeah, was waiting to hear Ben point that out.
@AutoAuctionRebuilds8 ай бұрын
Dang man almost 100k subs!! You’ve come up bro!!
@TheCorvetteBen8 ай бұрын
Yes and no. I only gained 4000 subs in the last two years. I was hoping to have 100k by now but I am not willing to upload the amount of content that is required to make the algorithm work in my favor
@johnwhitmore43958 ай бұрын
The cars value went up when you ripped the tint off the glass, blue exterior and beige interior with a 4 speed is my dream combination ! Bubba was looking for someone with a lot of talent to give this Vette a future
@AutoAuctionRebuilds8 ай бұрын
@@TheCorvetteBenYeah making videos daily for over 5 years gets to be tiring 😂 but worth it for me. You’ll get there soon!
@goldenknight0078 ай бұрын
Honey get in here, Ben uploaded!
@donniea50588 ай бұрын
The core is all there and seems solid.. The key factor is will that engine run and does the transmission work? Lots of bushings and wiring needed. I am not as enthusiastic about the interior as you are. I guess it comes down to what you paid and what is your goal.
@davidfrank66667 ай бұрын
does anyone know what they paid. nothing else matters, right? come on.
@rubyred93chev8 ай бұрын
_'73! Wow Ben, as I know this is truly one of your favorite C3s. (Your Corvette knowledge is why I still watch your channel). Looking forward to this series._
@bigospig8 ай бұрын
Tough to say how you did without knowing what you paid, but it will be good to see you go through and make it right.
@wesdoobner75218 ай бұрын
I'm guessing it was $6500
@tomsummers4038 ай бұрын
yep $6,500 plus shipping cost. @@wesdoobner7521
@silvernblackattach8 ай бұрын
Yep. Meaningless eval without how much was paid
@wesdoobner75218 ай бұрын
@@silvernblackattach lol, it's 6500, it's right there above your comment
@rubyred93chev8 ай бұрын
@@wesdoobner7521 _highly doubtful as this '73 is a non-runner. Maybe if it ran and drove, yes. But this car simply stated is a great project with a new gas tank, shoddy 'Bubba work' that doesn't start, run...heck it doesn't even walk without that wince. And that's the reason why this Ben build will be one to keep an eye on!_
@tommygun17018 ай бұрын
Man 73 is my favorite year
@jeanlawson91338 ай бұрын
73 is a favorite year for me.
@johnquinn76438 ай бұрын
Looks like you have a real challenge on your hands which is good for us viewers!!! Pretty solid car but you will probably not make much on the “flip”. Keep the videos coming!!!
@davidanderson36847 ай бұрын
My mom had a 454 73 vette with a after market doug nash 5 spd found memories when i was in the navy during the 80,s !
@burlatsdemontaigne61478 ай бұрын
Today i learned what 'special' means in Ben speak.
@1jw7698 ай бұрын
Convert it back to a 4 speed again.
@deanjones10418 ай бұрын
If anybody can bring it to life brother That's you
@donk4992 ай бұрын
Well, would have loved to read the ebay description about this car. Like you say, looks pretty nice cosmetically, but good ol Bubba has attacked most everything else. Details, details, details, which is what you are good at Ben. I hope the engine is a good one as well. This project will keep you busy for awhile...
@Smelly_Indian8 ай бұрын
I bought one of these extremely cheaply because it wasn't running. The owner had replaced the battery, alternator, distributor and starter trying to fix it, but nothing solved the problem. When I towed it home I popped the hood, I found a broken earth wire. Once I reconnected it, it fired up first time!
@4eyefoxbodyfanclub6258 ай бұрын
I like the year, the wheels got to go. Definitely needs the 4spd back in. Fix it and sell it to me, good score!🤠👍
@TomHolz-e9x8 ай бұрын
She’s a beauty Ben ! Can’t wait for the work videos! Love your videos!👍
@OSCGOLF8 ай бұрын
Looks like you got a pretty good deal, guessing a 4-speed will be put back. I was impressed by your knowledge on corvettes. I checked out the eBay listing and will follow your progress videos…
@mavericknonconformist697218 ай бұрын
I bought car insurance from 1 man all my life, he was a 55 to 57 Tbird man. In a deep dark corner of his garage he had a mid 70's vette. He had it stored for decades, Mint shape car. some people call it a MAKO? It sat on four flats. He said he would inflate the tires and put it out on his front lawn for four thousand dollars. I said Yeah ok, never happen. He sold it for the asking price, I was shocked.
@NativeMainer538 ай бұрын
Great find! There must have been a special on Orange paint at Autozone! Looking forward to this series. There is plenty of work to keep you busy and make a good number of videos.
@garycamara99558 ай бұрын
Nut its red not orange!
@garycamara99558 ай бұрын
Wheres the swaybar link?
@garycamara99558 ай бұрын
Could be worse.
@wnmech64958 ай бұрын
Looks like a basically solid car. The previous owner must of been a total know nothing person being so much stuff was a mess. But it’s still a 73 one year car.
@bertonfeuchtwanger97798 ай бұрын
Looks like this purchase could provide much future content for your channel. Lots of loose ends and bubba items to take care of. If you do decide to fix this car please video it. Anything can be repaired given time and money, I know you are very aware of costs involved in getting this car back on the road and making it a driver quality vehicle. Good luck!
@robertclymer69488 ай бұрын
Hi! Bought sight unseen, wow you got the big kahonas!!! Good luck brother!
@williamjenkins98 ай бұрын
I hope you got it really cheap …. You’re going to spend alot if you want it restored, or even presentable
@dcallan8128 ай бұрын
Passenger seat in the photo is cockeyed but that could be just the wife not wanting to take to Bubba AC and Manuel brakes, well I guess you need to be cool while you press the pedal to try to stop at the lights. 🤣🤣I wold put a manual gearbox back in, but its not that bad and you have many spares from the car pile. interesting video 2x👍
@juliamiller22998 ай бұрын
The frame is solid, the paint needs to be redone, as many interior parts. The suspension needs work (front sway bar was disconnected) and bushings are shot. The rear wiring is a disaster. Most emblems are missing. The engine and transmission are both unknown, and you will have to install a starter just to check the engine. And we don't know what you paid for this car. So the Jury is out for now, but I hope you didn't pay much for it.
@Psylliumhead7 ай бұрын
My buddy had that year in his senior year in high school. At the time it was only a couple of years old. White with red interior.
@paulmoss79408 ай бұрын
A daunting task . But not for TheCorvetteBen. No way to judge unless we know what the price was. Good luck Sir.
@CorvetteBob8 ай бұрын
You got a Project, Good Luck and enjoy!
@michealrobinson8 ай бұрын
Honestly, it looks pretty good! A lot of hold my beer moments with this cars pas but that wiring is freakin' scary! 😬 It's a miracle it burn to the ground. It's in much more capable hands now.
@SSO1025RET8 ай бұрын
I agree in order to determine if you got a good deal or not is for what you pay for it. Don’t worry we won’t make fun of you if it was bad.
@casmithc28 ай бұрын
What was the purchase price?
@carboncopies7068 ай бұрын
250000
@carboncopies7068 ай бұрын
25000
@christopherperkins8508 ай бұрын
6500
@christopherperkins8508 ай бұрын
Good luck on the flip. You’re gonna give away some parts off your parts cars to get your $$ back. I love your channel and look forward to the videos on this one.
@bobbybannerman28538 ай бұрын
HI BEN GREAT 73 VETTE FIND. IT WILL BE A GREAT PROJECT AND FUN TO WATCH. THOSE WHEELS AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE TO GO. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF IT WILL BE A 4 SPEED OR AN AUTOMATIC. GLAD YOU ARE SAVING THIS 73 SO IT CAN BE DRIVEN AGAIN. TAKE CARE.
@donpoor7898 ай бұрын
It is better than the 4 C3 piles that I have dragged home 😢
@GregR-g7j8 ай бұрын
I bought a '93 Vette two years ago that was locked up (wouldn't start) and it had a dead battery for $2500, two years later I sold it needing nothing and running well with only 91k miles for $4900. So what did you give for this project?
@vettemaniac22372 ай бұрын
Another gem from Stevie Wonder custom wiring ...
@BobWwwaa8 ай бұрын
I bought a brand new one of these 73s off the showroom floor, Paramount Chevrolet in Paramont California that’s a long time ago 51 years ago
@rjensen63688 ай бұрын
You got some work ahead. I would just rip out all the wiring harness and start with a new harness. But that's just me. I will never use poly bushings on anything again. Almost got me killed years ago. Have fun
@goratgo19708 ай бұрын
Agree on all new harnesses, can you elaborate on the poly bushings deal? Thx
@rjensen63688 ай бұрын
@@goratgo1970 coming off the interstate causing me to spin out , stopping with a exit sign less than a foot away from the driver door. I didn't realize the bushing were gone. When the load shifted the tire somewhat rolled under.
@goratgo19708 ай бұрын
@@rjensen6368 Thanks, glad only close call! Wonder why the fail as i've had poly since mid 90's - no deforming, splitting. Best eng.- trans. mounts as well. Bummer deal there!
@that_thing_I_do8 ай бұрын
When you no longer have a Corvette, then any Vette will do.I can identify with the homie repairs mainly because I found that you were paying the mechanics a kazillion dollars and they didnt know what to do. Eventually, you decide to take matters into your own hands.If you say you have the parts, then you did great.
@warrenvinansky47718 ай бұрын
I've always noticed alot of c-3 's have wide gaps where the door butts to fender, always seems abit wide
@vintage_corvette8 ай бұрын
It's a solid base, but they need much work in my opinion. It depends on what you paid.
@MarkGelderland8 ай бұрын
Lots of work if you want to make it a real nice one, in the old days a Vette like this would be scrapped. Luckily this one will be saved now
@GeorgeMelle-vu1tb8 ай бұрын
Careful you don't go down the rabbit hole I did on a 1971 convertible that only needed some birdcage work ouch.
@johnhoye45358 ай бұрын
great job i enjoyed it so much, thanks for the friday night special
@roberttaylor98178 ай бұрын
I like the wheels. How much did you pay for it in total?
@hippydippy8 ай бұрын
Looks like a solid buy to me! Call me crazy, but as much as I generally hate aftermarket rims, I think those look very cool on that car. Kinda gives it more of a European/Ferrari look, but I know you're a purist. Look forward to more episodes on it.
@tommissouri48718 ай бұрын
From the eBay auction, "but the motor does crank, Has Electic issues may need to be re-wired." LOL, hard to crank when there is no starter on it. I saw the price, so you did well enough. From the wiring mess, I'd pick up the rear harness and the engine bay harness and be done with it. Granted it is money you could probably avoid, but it is a 50 year old harness in there and someone was messing with it, so you don't know the probably that may arise. Also, if the clutch pedal is all still there, I'd either go with a four speed or drop a five speed in it. The paint looks bright enough that you can probably match it and fix the bad spots on the rear and the broken valence panel. The big thing is that the frame is solid and the birdcage, hopefully.
@markloren-bn2gm8 ай бұрын
You know what it needs, then you did good.
@ArtistBrianSheffield7 ай бұрын
Finally a youtuber that doesn't say welcome BACK to the channel. That is so very vapid.
@billfunk31688 ай бұрын
Project car for certain Ben !
@bozodog4288 ай бұрын
Lots of potential. Hope you recon the third pedal.
@adamrice28478 ай бұрын
Last year of split bumpers!
@ahoneyman8 ай бұрын
If it was a coupe this eould be a fun drag car. Msnual steering, manual brakes, and an original 4 speed car. Add a built 60's era 327 and have fun.
@paulvarrieur9768 ай бұрын
As others have commented. Impossible to offer an opinion when the price isn’t disclosed.
@wkjeeping90538 ай бұрын
Cheap tint too. That paint on the intake is someone trying to hide the motor is from a junkyard. That looks like some one was flipping cars for profit and got it looking nice for cheap
@kenwood70958 ай бұрын
Pull the engine and trans and sort that out first.
@MIKEHOVIND8 ай бұрын
INSANE for doing this on a c3 . that bird cage inspection is a MUST b4 purchase
@ErikAndersen-pf5yh8 ай бұрын
Bon appetite with the spaghetti harness. Just kidding it could be far worse and liking both the wheels and the colour that really pops 💥
@cjohnson96092 ай бұрын
I love corvettes❤
@rickaccount8 ай бұрын
seems like a good project car :) it'll be nice to see you fix things :). Did I see the front sway bar was connected to nothing?
@roeltovar86018 ай бұрын
Make in a manual right away, must have power steering & power brakes, AC a must in Texas summer
@BobbyJ20028 ай бұрын
Looks like the car is a good start, good frame. Rip out all the Bubba wiring and replace with factory to quell a potential fire hazard.
@mabs5038 ай бұрын
I'd be happy with this purchase. Bolt in/off stuff to do, and some paint repair. Wiring... needs a complete harness. If I had the stuff I'd put it back to manual. Must be more stuff missing and wrong to get the auto working. What's the rear end ratio?
@mabs5038 ай бұрын
BTW I love your approach of getting a car better with used OEM parts. A usable more stock looking classic.
@riwoof8 ай бұрын
If you got a solid frame, that's half the battle won, yes?? Not bad for a transition year 'vette.
@twochaudiomg25788 ай бұрын
Before you start. You did good. Damn you have a car lift in your garage look at the tools in back ground I'm on a cell words could be messed up Sorry if so Mr , mexehic
@JAFTW8 ай бұрын
To know if you did well, We'd have to know what you paid. If you bought it for 3500.00 then you got a steal. If you bought it for 5000.00, then you got a fair deal. More than that,,, we'll see.
@OMGWTFLOLSMH4 ай бұрын
Agreed. $5k is all the money here. He apparently paid $6500 (from other comments here), so he overpaid, IMO. But he will save on labour costs, so a $1500 overspend isn't that significant. But there's fees and shipping on top of that.
@genekelly84678 ай бұрын
Hey-a 51 year old car is bound to have some issues....the point is that this car is far easier to fix than a modern AUDI or BMW
@paulodisano5028 ай бұрын
Always good to restore these old cars and getting them back on the road. Thanks Ben. Cheers 🇨🇦🇺🇸👍
@drunvert8 ай бұрын
I had a 73 4 speed w a built 350. ( 350hp) Get black carpet and seats for the Red Racer Does the cowl still functional?
@rhiantaylor34468 ай бұрын
Good basis for restoration.
@OMGWTFLOLSMH4 ай бұрын
$5k seems like all the money for this pail. It needs a ton of work, parts and money to make it right, and then Ben's left with a '73 driver with a non-matching numbers powertrain and unknown engine. That being said, I love '73s. My first (of 3) Corvettes was a '73, purchased in '79, and I had a ton of fun with that car. Joined a local Corvette club and had many great experiences over the years with everybody in the group.
@anthonygeiss37088 ай бұрын
Seems like its in the right place.
@joemazzola73878 ай бұрын
I don't understand how a car like a Corvette could end up in that condition as they spend most of the time in a garage
@modified15r8 ай бұрын
If the bird cage is solid everything else can be worked with.
@kapekodbob8 ай бұрын
This will be a good build for you. Take a lot of time lapse for us.
@williammccabe37678 ай бұрын
You missed the missing front sway bar links
@mrpesky1638 ай бұрын
Bluetooth 😉
@KevinSkylitphotoCom8 ай бұрын
First off, this is not picking apart he used car.. You're already winning, having a '73. My dad had one in Elkhart Green on black. Loved it so much I was just back it out of the garage so I'd wash it every single day it was sunny. Biggest dumbass move by a 16 yo... ever? Because I was so cool, I set a lit cigarette on the rear spoiler until it left a 3/4 in burn in it. F'n 1Di0t..!! Having said all that, who knew Ray Charles used to rebuild Vette's..😂 Immediately saw air vents were tan.. Not putting a four-speed back in would be like standing up in church and recite "Heresy" by (NIN) "..God is dead..and no one cares.." WHAT?!?! Every panel gap is inconsistent. Transmission balancer, (wrong transmission) is cracked. Those cars didn't have those "headers" like that. Just regular exhaust manifolds. The wiring is hilarious! That's how my car looked after the first stereo 'system' went in it! 😂 Couldn't tell by the camera angle, but is the rear bumper cover correct? Couldn't really see the square cutouts for the 73 exhaust tips.. which were basically kick ass also. The support under the front bumper all cracked in half makes you wonder if there were any kind of accidents.. the t-tops don't sit evenly.. drivers is a little further back than the passenger it looks like.. Yes..sway bar in attached too.
@a.c.m.e.ink.45688 ай бұрын
Well, chopstick & noodle seemed excited !!
@mavision65258 ай бұрын
Nice find.
@milanko338 ай бұрын
Hello Ben, sorry to bother you. I want to ask you I watch all your videos and it seems that you know everything about C3 Corvette well you named CorvetteBen so you should anyway I’ve got a problem. I would like to ask my Corvette 454 starts nicely, but doesn’t want to switch off with ignition, I never seem to had this problem before, but now I change few things like I put the dry coil ignition instead of the wet one and put a different MSD hat on the distributor but pretty much it’s all I did. Do you know if or what to look for first please Thanks
@bishopofrustyiron31018 ай бұрын
might have been good grab, depends on what you spent on it. Looks like they just tossed in an engine to fill some space.
@aftershock22228 ай бұрын
Your beanie says Marines. Thank you if you served. Yup, put a four speed back in it.
@JM-sb4nb8 ай бұрын
What it a good deal you ask?....on the positive side the frame is not rusted out from the North. The paint looks like a re-do. Engine/tran a re-do for an LS motor. Too bad they didn't disclose the missing start, monkeyed with transmission. Looks like it will go negative on your project. Next time go for a project that prior owner didn't modify it.
@mikiejr1117 ай бұрын
I LUCKED OUT WITH BUYING A 73'STINGRAY THAT HAD A BODY OFF,NUT AND BOLT RESTO,I BOUGHT IT FOR 22K,SAME COLOR, BLK LEATHER INT,LUGGAGE RACK,4SPEED M21,T TOPS ALL ORIGINAL ASTRO GLASS,ABSOLUTELY MUSEUM GRADE,SOLD IT AFTER 2YRS,THING COUD NOT GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY,350 CI 195 HP,GOT 36K FOR IT,I DID NOT WANT TO SWAP MOTOR,ITS IS ONLY ORIGINAL ONCE
@chrislowe80858 ай бұрын
i always wanted a singray with side pipes i think its ok i know you will make it better. def agree the rims are junk lol
@OMGWTFLOLSMH4 ай бұрын
I was a member of a Corvette club for many years and I can't tell you how many people had 1st and 2nd degree burns below their calves from their sidepipes. I would never buy a sidepipe car.
@kenmcdonaldii38878 ай бұрын
You seemed a little excited about the flowmasters. I have a 1981 original engine and I want it to sound good, but not obnoxious….. would you recommend the flow master and if so, which one. Thank you
@goratgo19708 ай бұрын
I'm hoping he was sarcastic. Had them on my '72 (early 90's) and they can be okay since all the way in back, but many better options these days. Stainless Magnaflows well worth price. HTH
@fixxerautomotive49178 ай бұрын
Seems like a great car to save! What happened to the quality on the video? Looks like 480
@gsmith2078 ай бұрын
I’m thinking it’s a pretty good deal. Can’t go wrong with a half steel bumper half rubber bumper 73! really cool. great vid
@RaiderX9488 ай бұрын
Semper Fi Brother
@stevekincaid8 ай бұрын
That car needs to have one chrome bumper added… or take one away. I would love to learn more about the frame difference on auto vs manual transmission cars. Can you convert from one to the other? I’m considering an inexpensive 80’s c3 automatic. I would convert to a Trimec 5 sp. I didn’t know about the frame diff.
@noahdunaway8 ай бұрын
That is what is unique about a 1973, the only year with the chrome rear bumper and urethane body color front bumper.
@howarddavis21938 ай бұрын
I am not a fan of heavy aftermarket tint either but if that car came from Texas or Az That tint saved your interior because without it the inside of the car would be Baked And complete Junk Unless it stayed indoors
@qurtrn108 ай бұрын
Can you order a new wiring harness from a restoration company? (Please put in a correct manual trans)
@dadatschool8 ай бұрын
eBay listing shows $6500 high bid.
@ronaldwarren52208 ай бұрын
Somewhat janky but now she is in the right hands
@SuperOperator48 ай бұрын
It was strapped OVER the top? WTH!
@markgrace6598 ай бұрын
That makes me sick. Shipper should be owing you money.
@kevinshorter58618 ай бұрын
Are you happy with what you bought too!!
@johnsarian_cu8 ай бұрын
Looks like the condition is more about age and not about abuse. Maybe it stays that way even as you dig in to fix things. 🤞