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1974 Chevrolet Chevelle

The Chevelle was part of the Chevrolet lineup for just over a dozen years, from 1964 through 1978, serving as a mid-sized vehicle built along three generations of styling. The 1974 Chevelle was the second year of all-new styling introduced for 1973, the most extensive update in its 10-year history. The redesigned A-bodies were designed in a studio with heavy influence from European styles and the concurrent second-generation F-bodies. Design elements intended to satisfy new safety regulations included strengthened 'B' pillars for roll-over protection, federally mandated 5 mph front bumper, and new side-impact guard beams in the doors. The convertible and four-door hardtop models were discontinued, and the two-door hardtop was replaced by a pillared coupe. Four-door models received new side windows with styled center pillars, and two-door coupes were given new side windows that could no longer open.

The Chevelle continued to ride on a wheelbase that measured 112-inches for the coupes and 116-inches for the sedans and station wagons, but the bodies were five inches longer and an inch wider with a one-inch wider wheel track. Although similar dimensions, it used a new chassis design with a stronger perimeter frame and revised mounting positions, a larger 8.5-inch rear axle, 6-inch wider wheel rims, and changes to the suspension. The rear control arm bushings were modified, the suspension travel was increased, revised geometry to the front suspension, and new hock absorber locations. The spring travel o the coil springs at each wheel were computer-selected for the car's individual weight. The front disc brakes were now standard equipment.

New styling was applied to the front and rear, along with a new roofline which improved the interior headroom. The shoulder room increased by 1.6-inches and the rear seat legroom grew by 3.5-inches in the sedans. Luggage capacity increased by 2.5 cubic-feet to 15.3 cubic feet. Interior accouterments included full foam seat construction and a flow-through power ventilation system. New optional equipment included Turbine I steel-backed urethane wheels and swivel bucket seats.

Chevrolet updated its engines to cope with the growing popularity of unleaded regular gasoline by adding hydraulic camshafts and hardened engine valve seats. The 250 cubic-inch inline-6 was and the 307 CID two-barrel V8 were standard on the Deluxe and Malibu trim levels. Both of these engines delivered 110 horsepower. The base Laguna engine was a 350 CID V8 with two-barrel carburetion and 145 hp. Optional engines included a 4-barrel version of the 350 CID V8 rated at 175 hp and a 454 4-barrel V8 with 245 horsepower. A three-speed manual transmission was standard while a four-speed manual and Turbo Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic were optional.

The 'base' trim level was the Deluxe, followed by the mid-level Malibu, and the range-topping Laguna. All three were available as a two-door Colonnade hardtop, a four-door Colonnade sedan, and a four-door station wagon with seating for six- or eight passengers. The Deluxe interiors had cloth and vinyl or knit vinyl upholstery and the floor coverings were color-keyed in vinyl-coated rubber. The Laguna models had the 350 2 barrel V8, unique styling in the front and rear with a body-colored urethane front end concealing the new 5 mph bumper system. The Deluxe and Malibu had a large chrome bumper front and rear. Malibu interiors were cloth and vinyl or all vinyl seat trim with deep-twist carpeting.

The Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS package was priced at US$243 and required the 350 or 454 V8 with the four-speed or Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The SS option added SS emblems, SS fender and rear panel emblems, lower bodyside and wheel opening striping, a black grille, color-keyed dual sport mirrors, and bright roof drip moldings. The suspension was upgraded with stabilizer bars in the front and rear, and 14x7-inch rally wheels were wrapped with 70-series raised white lettered tires. The interior was given special instrumentation and SS emblems.

1974 Chevrolet Chevelle
The Deluxe trim level was dropped for 1974 with the Malibu positioned as the new 'base' option, followed by the Malibu Classic, Laguna, and Laguna Type S-3. Body styles on the Malibu included the two-door Colonnade Coupe and four-door Sedan, and station wagon with 6- or 8-passenger seating. The Malibu Classic included the body styles of the Malibu plus a Landau coupe. The Laguna and Laguna Type S-3 was offered solely as a Colonnade Coupe. The Malibu was priced from $3,050 to $3,830, the Malibu Classic from $3,300 to $4,250, the Laguna at $3,725, and the Laguna Type S-3 at $4,500.

Modest styling changes included new chrome grilles comprised of die-cast steel, larger rear bumpers, and single rectangular tail lights on coupes and sedans.

The Chevelle Laguna Type S-3, replaced the SS but gained its upgraded handling components and 15-7-inch Turbine II wheels. The urethane front end held a revised grille, and the front lamps and taillights were new. In the back was a chrome-plated bumper. Additional updates to the exterior styling included rally wheels, Laguna S-3 badging, a vinyl roof, opera-type vertical rear quarter windows, bodyside striping. Interior updates included a console, four-spoke steering wheel, swiveling front bucket seats, and a six-dial instrument cluster.

The Chevelle Classic had a stand-up hood ornament and lower body accent panels.

The 'base' Malibu came equipped with dual speed wipers with washers, Hide-Away wipers, inside day/night mirror, flow-through power ventilation system, inside hood release, manual front disc brakes, double panel steel acoustical roof, left outside rearview mirror, full foam rubber seats, cigarette lighter, color-keyed vinyl roof covering, windshield radio antenna, and left outside rearview mirror. They rode on E78-14/B tires and were equipped with either the 250 CID six or 350 CID two-barrel V8. The V8 option added approximately USD$290 to the base price.

The Chevelle Laguna and Laguna Type S-3 were only available with eight-cylinder power. The Laguna had a patterned cloth and vinyl interior with woodgrain vinyl accents on the dash. Exterior updates included wheel covers, wheel lips and scalp-moldings, GR70-15/B steel-belted radial tires, and bright accented dual-unit taillights.

Production
Chevrolet built approximately 91,612 examples of the Malibu and 44,108 examples combined Chevelle station wagons, including the Malibu Classic Estate wagons. An additional 204,870 examples were Malibu Classic passenger cars plus 21,902 of the Lagunas. The combined 362,492 examples of the 1974 Chevy Chevelle accounted for approximately fifteen percent of Chevy's total production.


By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021

Related Reading : Chevrolet Chevelle History

The Chevelle was introduced on September 26, 1963, as a mid-sized vehicle for the Chevrolet fleet. It was basically a smaller version of the Impala. Muscle cars were associated with small vehicles with low weight and very few amenities but large amounts of horsepower from massive engines. The entire Detroit market had been stricken by creating faster, more vehicles. The Chevelle flirted with....
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Related Reading : Chevrolet Chevelle History

One of General Motors most successful vehicles, the Chevelle was a mid-sized car that was introduced in 1964 and was produced until 1977. The Chevelle models ranged from economical little family cars to commanding coupes and stunning convertibles. The Malibu was originally the top trim level in the Chevelle line which eventually replaced the Chevelle name entirely after 1977. Based on the reengineered....
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1974 Chevrolet Chevelle

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1974 Chevelle
$4,500-$33,950
1974 Chevrolet Chevelle Price Range: $3,049 - $4,500

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1974 Chevrolet Models
$2,085 - $2,400
$2,810 - $3,105
$3,160 - $3,700

Chevelle

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
386,739
116.00 in.
8 cyl., 307.00 CID., 115.00hp
8 cyl., 250.00 CID., 145.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 145.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 175.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 215.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 245.00hp
$2,750 - $3,790
362,492
116.00 in.
347.84 CID.
, 402.76 CID.
, 451.58 CID.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 100.00hp
6 cyl., 250.01 CID., 110.00hp
$3,049 - $4,500
333,243
116.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 105.00hp
8 cyl., 305.00 CID., 140.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 145.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 165.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 175.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 235.00hp
$3,640 - $5,115
328,216
112.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 305.00 CID., 145.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 170.00hp
$3,935 - $3,935

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