1974 Chevrolet Corvette C3

1974 was the final year that the Corvette was offered with the Big Block engine, continuing the transformation from muscle to touring sports car. The Corvette had been under 'attack' from some-time due to rising emissions and insurance standards. So Chevy finally stopped offering the 454-cubic-inch engine and also removed the dual exhausts from the small block. The exhaust was collected into a single catalytic converter from which it would then split into two twin mufflers and tailpipes. Unleaded fuel was introduced by Petroleum refineries and General Motors was forced to re-engineer their vehicles to run on the lower octane.

Along with new safety regulations, increased insurance premiums, and the oil crisis of the 1970s, President Richard Nixon imposed a 55 miles per hour speed limit on the nation's highways before his resignation in 1974. This safety measure also had an economic impact, limiting the supply of gasoline to save energy.

The 1973 Corvette had received several updates including radial tires became standard and this was the only year that combined the new soft body-colour front with chrome rear bumpers. Other major changes for 1973 were a new domed hood, body colour urethane plastic front bumper, and a fixed rear window which created more luggage space. A new coolant recovery system had been introduced, steel-guard beam doors to protect occupants and new chassis mounts.

The 1974 Stingray was the first year of the revised spoiler-less, body-coloured rear end incorporating the now mandatory energy-absorbing bumper. Coupes received factory shoulder belts, and resonators were added to the dual exhaust system to further reduce noise internally.

For the 1974 model year, 32,028 coupes and 5,474 convertibles were sold. 3,494 were equipped with the LS4 big-block engine, making them one of the rarest of all big-blocks. The base price of the coupe was $6,000 which included the 350-cubic-inch 195-hp engine. Power steering was the most popular option.

The Chevy Mark IV 'big block' engine had first appeared in Junior Johnson's 1963 Chevy on the NASCAR circuit as an engineering prototype. By mid-1965, it was ready for production with 396 cubic-inches of displacement. In full-sized cars, it replaced the truck-based 409. A limited run of 200 were installed as the Z16 package in the Chevelle SS-396, with more that followed in 1966. As for the Corvette, it replaced the 375 horsepower fuel-injected engine. Many enthusiasts, especially the mechanics, were pleased to see the 'fuelie' supplanted by a motor that had more grunt with far less fuss. The big-block Corvette quickly became the car to beat, both on track and on the street. It reached its zenith in 1969 with the 427 cubic-inch ZL1 all-aluminum V8 engine, rated at a highly conservative 430 horsepower. It was joined by the triple-carburated 400 HP and 435 HP versions of the 427, available from 1967 through 1969.

1974 Chevrolet Corvette C3 photo
Coupe
Chassis #: 2
View info and history
The engine continued to grow, reaching 454 cubic-inches, but despite its size, it was one of the tamest. Rated at 390 horsepower, the singular version was first fitted to the 1970 Corvette. Things got better in 1971, with an optional LS6 with 425 horsepower. 1972 brought a new industry standard for engine rating, with the 454 rated now rated at 270 hp. It increased by 5 hp for 1973 but went back to 270 hp for 1974, its final year.

The Corvette was restyled and improved annually, lasting in this form well into the 1980s. The Stingray name was replaced in 1984 by the sixth generation of America's classic sports car. All Corvettes that followed were based on the small-block architecture, going forward through the LT1, and into the modern LS-series engines.

1974 was the final year for the big block, and it was the only year of the big-block combined with the all-plastic bumpers. The anti-theft alarm key activator was moved from the rear panel to the front left fender. Tailpipes were now turned down as the new bumper cover eliminated the tailpipe extensions.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2005

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1974 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Vehicle Profiles

1974 Chevrolet Corvette C3 vehicle information
Coupe

Chassis #: 2

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1974 Corvette C3
$6,375-$33,950
1974 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Price Range: $6,155 - $6,375

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

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

Corvette C3

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 390.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 400.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 430.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 435.00hp
$4,350 - $4,661
38,762
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 390.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 400.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 430.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 435.00hp
$4,425 - $4,765
98.00 in.
$4,765 - $4,765
17,316
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 370.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 390.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 460.00hp
$5,130 - $5,470
98.00 in.
$5,130 - $17,000
21,801
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 270.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 385.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 425.00hp
$5,300 - $5,535
27,004
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 255.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 270.00hp
$5,245 - $5,296
30,463
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 190.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 275.00hp
$5,690 - $5,920
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 400.00hp
$13,990 - $13,990
37,501
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 270.00hp
$6,155 - $6,375
38,665
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 165.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 205.00hp
$6,855 - $7,115
46,558
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 180.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 210.00hp
$7,600 - $7,600
49,213
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 180.00hp
8 cyl., 351.80 CID., 210.00hp
$8,650 - $8,650
46,776
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 170.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 185.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 350.00hp
$9,450 - $13,670
53,807
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 225.00hp
$10,220 - $10,220
40,614
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 305.00 CID., 180.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 190.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 230.00hp
$13,140 - $13,140
40,606
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 190.00hp
$15,300 - $15,300
40,606
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 349.97 CID., 450.00hp
$15,300 - $15,300
25,407
98.00 in.
8 cyl., 349.97 CID., 200.00hp
$18,300 - $22,600

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