It's easy to get hung up on pedigrees and numbers and paperwork but cars like this 1973 Corvette convertible are where the action really is. With a strong-running small block, 4-speed, actory air, nd a removable hardtop, ll at a very reasonable price, ou can have a lot of fun without spending five years' worth of mortgage payments to own it.The '73s are popular because they're the last Corvettes with chrome bumpers, nd we can't argue with the fact that a dash of chrome makes all the difference on a C3. Of course, right red paint doesn't hurt either, nd if you're going to drive a Corvette roadster, t may as well be high-visibility. This one was originally code 945 Blue-Green, ut the transformation to Mille Miglia Red was thorough and complete, ith no trace of the original color visible anywhere. During the color change, t also got all its gaps lined up just right, nd if there were ever any cracks around the headlights, hey've been thoroughly excised. The urethane nose cone is in excellent condition and unlike original cars, t's actually the same color as the rest of the body. In back, he familiar chrome bumper is probably original and would really respond well to a deep polish; in fact, pending a Saturday afternoon giving this car a deep clean would really pay big dividends overall. It's pretty nice, ut some elbow grease would make it amazing.The black interior is mostly new, ncluding the seat covers, arpets, nd dash pad, o it feels fresh when you slide behind the wheel. This car is a real-deal 4-speed 'Vette, hich was a relative rarity in 1973, nd the shifter falls easily to hand and feels instantly familiar. The gauges are probably original and in good condition, s is the rest of the dash, nd it appears that everything is working except the right turn signal; even the A/C blows cold! An AM/FM stereo radio provides the entertainment, ut we're guessing that once you peel the top back and unwind the 350 through the gears, ou'll decide that you don't need it. It does seal up rather well and doesn't have the usual squeaks and rattles you'd expect of a vintage Corvette. Some of that is due to the tight-fitting black convertible top, nd it gets even better with the removable hardtop in place, desirable option.The 350 cubic inch V8 isn't the original engine, ut it runs so well, ou won't worry about what numbers are stamped on it. A set of color-matched valve covers give it a unique look and it isn't heavily modified so reliability is still unparalleled. It could benefit from a detail job, ut even as it sits, ou won't hesitate to get in, urn the key, nd have some fun. The 4-speed manual transmission is connected to the engine via a new clutch and there's a great-sounding dual exhaust system with correct rectangular tips out back. The undercarriage is quite clean with no signs this car has been neglected or abused and with factory Rally wheels and fat 225/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials, t looks great and sits right.A bulk of the Corvette hobby is made up of cars just like this, nd with a very reasonable sticker price, top that goes down, nd a shift-it-yourself transmission, here aren't many that are more fun. Call today!