58K Miles: 1974 Chevrolet Corvette 454
With the Oil crisis slowing choking out the muscle car era, this ’74 big block powered Corvette was a diamond on the rough of the 1970’s. Enthusiast owned for almost 30 years, this low mileage 4 speed 454 ‘Vette appears to be a very reasonable condition survivor. Well maintained, and recently serviced, this big block fun is ready to drive. You can make this sweet big block find yours for the Buy It Now price of $14,499.99. Check it out here on eBay out of Pipersville, Pennsylvania. Thanks are in order to Russell for sharing this excellent big block survivor!
Under the hood is a low compression Oil crisis era 454. Well, don’t let the low compression deter you, as this engine surely produces enough power to be a hand full at the wheel. The engine compartment is not concourse quality, but this Corvette is in excellent running condition. The air conditioning is functional, and the M21 4 speed is reported as a smooth rowing box. A detail job could likely bring a new light to the engine compartment, but to me the biggest thing is the functionality of this machine. After sitting for a couple of years, it would seem that the current owner had the brake system and fuel system fine tooth combed to make this Corvette reliable and ready to roll.
The soft tan interior appears quite sharp, with virtually no flaws. The seats look absolutely mint, so much so, that I am a bit suspicious if that is new upholstery. The steering wheel is a little tired, as the molded like covering is off color, and well cracked. In the storage area, there are a pair of vintage Pioneer speaker boxes to help boost the tunes in this T-top machine.
While the paint shows very well in these sunny shots, the paint is a bit tired. The clear coat has succumbed to age and UV exposure and has started to chip off. If it wasn’t for that concern, the exterior of this Corvette would be otherwise flawless. The body appears damage free, and the panel gaps are as good as you would hope for. Although many hold an affinity for the chrome bumper Corvettes, this 1974 model is a sweet find that would make for a good preservation even in the paint’s current condition. Do you see the value and the fun in owning this Big Block Corvette?
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Comments
Nice looking starter with tilt wheel to be an unrestored model. The under hood needs detailing and possible refurbished valve and breather cover. It needs wire loom-covers in back.
If the frame checks after careful scrutiny review of dog legs and bird cage then its a good price.
Fyi if those rubber bumpers aren’t toast or replaced then expect them to crumble and deconstruct on their own.
I had a choc 74 vert and had to replace bumpers that literally overnight started to crumble.
fYI …The 70s color took a while but grew on me 😂. I would try to just obtain a new clear coat and keep this an restored original.
This car is a perfect example of “The Corvette Quandary” for seller and buyer. The owner believes they have a $15,000 car and has a lot of good reasons to think so. On the other hand, a buyer with any knowledge of Corvettes will know the entry point is too high for a car that may need bumper covers and paint. If the buyer is OK with driving the car “as-is” perhaps a deal could be struck. It would probably not be wise to pay the BIN and toss another $5000 minimum into this car. $18,000-20,000 would most likely land you an NCRS Top Flight 1974.
The LS4 454 went 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. By todays standards, it is slow. A Honda Accord, with a 2.0 turbo 4, covers 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. Yes, it is comparing apples and oranges. But is this still a performance car? I guess in your mind it is, just don’t race a new Accord or Camry XSE. You will get spanked by a car with a child’s car seat in the back and a “baby on board” sign.
Would you rather we feature Accords and Camrys though? Personally, I’d rather have a slow interesting car than a fast boring one.
Cars are a time capsule that represent the era in which they were designed, built, and sold. “Comparisons” are an exercise in futility.
Please, no. A ‘Barn find’ Accord doesn’t have the same appeal. :-D
And this Vette will produce gobs of torque that a newer car won’t, baby seat equipped or otherwise.
Absolutely
Amen Jesse. I have a 1976 Vette that my Cadillac STS could blow the doors off of. But while the Caddy has 300+HP, it looks like every other car. The Vette, while slower by today’s standards, was my own rescue. It looks cool and drives great. My own old school perception. I’m happy with it and that’s all that matters.
All that’s needed is a head swap, I have a set that would pop the compression up a point or two, a more aggressive cam, and this thing flys. Put the old heads on a shelf, and you’re set !
Use some common sense or read up on what the engineers had to contend with during the mid 70’s regarding building high-performance cars. Between high gasoline prices, safety and environmental requirements, and insurance companies trying to ban high-performance cars, it is a miracle the Corvette survived. Back in the day, it was still the Holy Grail of American cars. A 1970’s era GM engineer would weep at the horsepower numbers generated today and not believe the gas mileage figures.
I’ll keep that in mind the next time I am shopping for a 1974 Accord- ohhh SNAP!
Where are the thumbs down button when lame comments like this are made?
Dirtyharry…Those observations are pointless. Apply 50 years of technological advancement to any area and even the simplest of minds will recognize the advancement. Do you suppose the original owner of this Vette proudly boasted about his ’74 454 would destroy is dad’s ’52 Ford flathead? Idiocy.
For some reason I love the cowl induction setup. Chevy actually stopped producing cowl induction on Corvette because during acceleration, the noise bothered passengers.
I would have taken the passenger seat out to solve that problem.
You da man, Frank. You da man.
If it’s actually clear coat peeling then the car has been repainted. GM didn’t use base coat – clear coat until 1988.
I beg of the next owner to not change the color .
This may have been the low point for HP in the 454 cars, but they still demand some respect when seeing them drive down the road.
I saw an identical one to this – same color and all – rumble by me. I sure wasn’t thinking horsepower figures at that time.
Nothing a little head work, torquer mani, 780dbl pmpr, headers & a set of JE 11:1 pistons can’t fix to bring you 425+hp. About $1500 & your time if ya know what your doing. Nice to have the last year BB before CATS!
Guess you’re not going to run pump fuel? 11:1 with iron heads is a recipe for detonation.
Please bring back the thumbs down icon , we need it for asinine comments by “keyboard” experts. Nice Vette & a dam sight better & sexier looking than any Honda could ever be. Good price I think.
10 Thumbs up in that thumbs down on the Honda
Ive never seen an Accord pulling a bass boat… My brother had a 75 with the l48 350 in the same color brown. As with the 454, all the 350 needed was a head and cam swap to wake it up.
Every vehicle needs to be put into the perspective of it’s purpose for the driver.
When I had my ’70 Vette, I also had a Mini Cooper S. That car could probably have driven circles around the Vette. So much so, that I thought that there was something broken on the Vette to cause it to be so loose. But, when it came to settling back and enjoying the ride with the top down, nothing beat that Vette in my mind.
Same with that Accord: there are going to be times when driving that car makes sense over any other. And if you are someone who buys one of those to blow doors off of old Vettes, I guess if that’s what floats your boat…
Just a different perspective, I’ve never owned a Vette, never liked the harsh ride, I love Luxo boats from the 70s, big motors, great torque, loaded w options, now I ha e my 73 Grand Prix 455 SJ beautiful car, 6 mpg w the a/c on floaty, It’s got Vogue tires on it , then the other side of my garage is my 18 Mercedes E43 AMG, gorgeous fast electronic, 2 different cars for the 2 people inside of me, I love my Benz, it the Grand Prix w all it’s inefficient points is my favorite, passes everything but a gas station
You livin that life Johnny! Damn! You rock
I bought this car off eBay for $12,000 and really like it.The car was repainted once in the factory brown metallic color and besides that it is a survivor.I’ll repaint it the same color later on.It is a very cool laid back color in person.The numbers matching driveline is fun to drive and work on.If you like a torque monster car this is it..3600Lbs ÷ 454 cubes= a blast to drive.I have wanted a Big block Corvette like this for years and now this one will be restored over the next 5 years and will be a keeper.
Sounds like you were able to work out a great deal.
Congratulations and enjoy!