Because the XP898 was just...
Because the XP898 was just a styling exercise, its wheels gave a hint as to what platform/chassis it was created on. Vega? Yup.
Also going full tilt in the early '70s, generally in the Midwest, south, and east, was the National Council of Corvette Clubs. Out west was the Western States Corvette Council. Also, the very beginning of the National Corvette Restorers Society pleased many. I was an early member. From these Corvette organizations (Save the Wave!), many have said that Corvette owners led the way in ponying-up correct restoration processes and procedures. The Chevy and Corvette restoration trade would soon be growing by leaps and bounds.
The one Corvette that I did miss buying in the early '70s was a 2-mile '67 L88 coupe, white with blue interior. The original owner trailered it home new-then tore it apart for drag racing but never got it back together. I could have bought it for $3,000. But who had $3,000 in 1972-'73? Someone else did! It was bought for $3,000 and sold the next day for $5,000 to someone in Minnesota-unassembled. Then it ventured south to Wisconsin-assembled-for big bucks via private Corvette investment brokers. Many of you probably know where this Vette is today.
I was also buying and rebuilding Rochester fuel injection units and doing super-tuning. I still have a plethora on NOS and good used FI parts today. Ah, the Corvette life-long beat goes on! Next up: 1975-1981.
The '73 XP898's bucket seats...
The '73 XP898's bucket seats certainly looked space-age but totally lacked lateral body support. Note the vertically-mounted console radio.
This photo was taken recently...
This photo was taken recently of an untouched survivor '73 L82 custom pink Corvette. The beauty queen gal who won it 36 years ago married a longtime Chevy & Vette man named Pete. Perhaps we will show you the rest of his Corvette collection in the future. Car is sealed away deep in the heart of Nevada
New Corvette sales were solid...
New Corvette sales were solid in the early '70s. So were used Corvette sales. From this time period into the mid eighties, customizing Corvettes was the "in" thing, especially with rebuildables.
Other longtime Corvette high...
Other longtime Corvette high performance guys who drag raced in the '60s usually had families and mortgages in the '70s, which kept them at home. What extra money they had went to buy used Corvettes. In 1972-73, this '62 fuelie had aluminumized Hedman headers, an aftermarket fiberglass fan plus extra chrome and polish on the FI.
In 1973, the dark blue '64...
In 1973, the dark blue '64 coupe (with a '67 front end and 427 hood) was purchased in top condition for $1,200. It was VIN # 100126 and had a 300hp 327, four-speed and 3.70:1 Posi. A previous owner snuck in a 350 hp 327 camshaft. My wife loved it and drove its wheels off for years. The owner of the '57 saw our ad in the newspaper looking for parts and called us on a lark. Did we want to buy his non-running '57 (no top) for $1,000? You bet! Ah, the good ole' days!
Knowing the '64 would be worth...
Knowing the '64 would be worth more stock-appearing, we purchased GM side panels and a flat hood. The '67 427 hood brought more money than these parts cost. The car was code 923 Riverside red-new so we stripped off the dark blue paint then painted it ourselves at a paint shop you can rent by the hour. Yes, those are genuine leather seats.
Corvette wearing apparel and...
Corvette wearing apparel and souvenirs were just beginning to find their mark in the early '70s. Thanks to the hit TV show, Laugh In and the phrase, Sock It To Me which was born there (and used for years) we bought this AMT '62 Corvette model kit in Mexico in 1973. We haven't touched it since. Most of the print is in Spanish.
Even though this is the January...
Even though this is the January '73 issue of Corvette News, a '72 graces its cover-somewhere in the great American outback. Chevrolet Motor Division always did a great job of marketing its "once you get in you won't want to get out" Corvette.