1973 Grande
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 34
From:
1973 Grande
Just purchased a 73 grande. the interior needs to be replaced and also dash is cracked what do you recomend for a vendor? I am new to restroing vehicles and realize that the grande isnt the most popular sttyle but heck the price was right. Any input on this vehicle would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah one other thing is this car even worth restoring?
[IMG]local://upfiles/49314/237886A8B08D4F51A44F886E3C6F74E2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/49314/BDB3768433334550A882CDFF12640A13.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/49314/237886A8B08D4F51A44F886E3C6F74E2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/49314/BDB3768433334550A882CDFF12640A13.jpg[/IMG]
4th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,041
From: PA
RE: 1973 Grande
From your pictures you car looks good.
I am working on restoring my 72 Grande.
I no what you mean about the popularity of the Grande.
Most people never heard of it.
I would say restore her unless you have the 250 I6 engine.
I like to use CJ Pony for my parts try these guys.
http://www.cjponyparts.com/
I am working on restoring my 72 Grande.
I no what you mean about the popularity of the Grande.
Most people never heard of it.
I would say restore her unless you have the 250 I6 engine.
I like to use CJ Pony for my parts try these guys.
http://www.cjponyparts.com/
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,566
From: Marquette Mi
RE: 1973 Grande
Cool another one of us "boat owners" as glen so eloquently put it a while back... RIght now prices are down on the post 70 cars, but they arent building them anymore and people still want them.. That means almost everything old based 0on musclecars or pony cars will go up in value. Sure it may not ever be sold for $50,000 or a Million like a Hemi Cuda vert, but its still a good car to drive and have fun with. Also the Cleveland can make sick power pretty easily...
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 34
From:
RE: 1973 Grande
Yeah I picked it up dirt cheap and the body is in desent shape but interior has alot of work that needs to be done ie everything. So if it is a cleveland what can I do to it to give it more power mwahahahaha
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,566
From: Marquette Mi
RE: 1973 Grande
If its a 2V (2 barrel carb) a cam swap with the lifters, springs, locks, and retainers all replaced to something a bit larger like an XE274 or Comp 280H, headers and 2.5" exhuast, 4 barrel intake with a 650-750 vacuum secondary carb, holleys work good I am no fan of the Edelbrock/carter carb. If auto a mild stall around 2400 will really wake it up and you can keep the 3.00 gears it probably has.
If its a 4V, you could do all of that and keep the stock intake/carb or swap it out for a lighter version in aluminum, keeping it dual plane and the same size carb.
Dont bother changing gears, but a locking type differential would help if it doesnt have one. At best you would get a couple tenths from deep gears in the 1/4 but it would burn alot of gas and rev the engine on long trips. Keep a highway gear in there, like 2.70-3.25 and life will be great.
If its a 4V, you could do all of that and keep the stock intake/carb or swap it out for a lighter version in aluminum, keeping it dual plane and the same size carb.
Dont bother changing gears, but a locking type differential would help if it doesnt have one. At best you would get a couple tenths from deep gears in the 1/4 but it would burn alot of gas and rev the engine on long trips. Keep a highway gear in there, like 2.70-3.25 and life will be great.
I ♥ Acer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,565
From:
RE: 1973 Grande
Yeah, that boat is 8 inches longer and 6 inches wider than my 65. 
However, since you have the 351 C which is a tried and true muscle car engine, you at least have a good car to begin with. For a mild wake up, you could get an aluminum 4 barrel intake and a 4 barrel carb along with some headers and dual exhaust. If you want more, you can add aluminum aftermarket heads and cam. Horsepower costs money, so it jut depends on how deep your pockets are. We have a listing of just about every vendor on the planet in the FAQ section on top. Most guys either use National Parts Depot, or a vendor close to their house. I use Texas Mustang and Dallas Mustang mostly because the shipping costs are not as high as from out of state.
However, since you have the 351 C which is a tried and true muscle car engine, you at least have a good car to begin with. For a mild wake up, you could get an aluminum 4 barrel intake and a 4 barrel carb along with some headers and dual exhaust. If you want more, you can add aluminum aftermarket heads and cam. Horsepower costs money, so it jut depends on how deep your pockets are. We have a listing of just about every vendor on the planet in the FAQ section on top. Most guys either use National Parts Depot, or a vendor close to their house. I use Texas Mustang and Dallas Mustang mostly because the shipping costs are not as high as from out of state.
