This 1973 Chevrolet Estate Wagon is a total survivor car. It was purchased new in 1973 by the service manager of a Cadillac dealership. The service manager owned it for just one year and sold it to one of his customers, Mr. Jay C. of New York. Jay retired to California and had the Chevrolet shipped out to the West Coast where it has resided until the present time. He continued to drive the car weekly and has had it maintained regularly.
The car currently sits with just over 64,000 original miles and is equipped with all of its matching numbers drivetrain components. Neither the engine nor the transmission have ever been out of the car, but were always dealer maintained by Jay C. The car is equipped with the 454 big block motor – not the small block that most of these wagons came with from the factory – and the Turbo Hydramatic transmission. The Estate Wagon is a high option car and comes with AC, power steering, power brakes, power windows and of course the famous power "clam shell" rear gate. Upon receiving the car, everything was in good working condition with the exception of the AC, which received a new compressor has been converted to 134A.
The Chevy is a survivor and still has its original paint! While it has developed some wear over the years, it is in remarkable condition thanks to its long stint in California, low miles, and garage storage. The front has its fair share of stone chips as you might expect, but again, still very nice for an unrestored car. The wood applique on the sides has a few scratches but is also in great shape given its age. All of the chrome and stainless trim is original to the car and in original condition. The chrome has some light pitting and scratches but matches the patina on the rest of the car. The stainless is all original is in very good condition. All of the glass is original to the car and also extremely nice. Even the hubcaps are original and in incredible survivor shape.
The interior has been beautifully preserved and could be mistaken as an older restoration. It is, in fact, all original to the car including the carpeting which shows better that you would ever expect. The seats are mint and the headliner is mint as well. The dash is completely crack free and in great shape, as are the door panels. To say the interior lived a privileged life would be an understatement. The engine compartment and undercarriage have never been touched since the car was new. An old-school aftermarket ignition system is in the engine compartment, but everything else is stock, including all of the original smog equipment.
Driving the car an experience. It’s massive, and has really nice pick up courtesy of the big block engine. It’s a hot rod station wagon if you will, and rockets down the highway. Whether you are looking for a retro kid hauler, want to relive your childhood, drive a scene from a Chevy Chase movie, or you know the rarity of these cars, she’s a sweetheart so don’t miss out.
