73 corvette 390hp 454 numbers match!

by Bob Tinney
(Austin texas)

Have run across alot barn finds thru the years but this one has me stumped. It's a 73 454 corvette, number matching engine, trans ect.. The plate on the shifter says 390 hp, 10.25.1, this car has been sitting since the 80s. All the interior looks original and is in good shape. The vin shows big block 4 speed car but heres the weird part, I pulled the engine and it has the gm hi comp pistons, pink rods and steel crank. Also 4 bolt mains, the block numbers show 73 454. Production numbers don't show this engine for that year. This car still has the factory paint and am fm stereo. Can't see why someone would change the plate and not modify the rest of the car. Factory exhaust manifold, Ac tilt, pb, ps ect. Going to drop the tank this week to look for build sheet. Did they produce any Vettes with this engine in 73?
Thanks for the help!

Chris Trautman @ Corvette Assembly Plant 2019

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