Vehicle Description
History
The Chevrolet Corvette (C3) was a sport car that was produced by
Chevrolet for the 1968 through 1982 model years. Engines and
chassis components were mostly carried over from the previous
generation, but the body and interior were new
For 1974, a new rear bumper system replaced the squared tail and
chrome rear bumper blades introduced in 1968 with a trim, tapering
urethane cover carrying an integral license plate holder and
recesses for the trademark round taillights. Underneath sat a
box-section aluminum impact bar on two Omark-bolt slider brackets
similar to the system used in the nose which allowed the Corvette
to pass federal five-mph impact tests at the rear as well as the
front.
The new rear design was quite beautiful, and more up-to-date than
the 60's shape that it replaced with the vast majority of
enthusiasts embracing the new design. For the 1974 model only,
casting limitations mandated left and right bumper covers with a
vertical center seam.
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.
Features & Options
The 1974 Corvette here at Skyway Classics has a correct 425 Code
Red interior with the also correct 14L Silver exterior it came with
from the factory.
Turning to the red interior, it has all the power options you would
expect as well as performance gauges, console, sport steering
wheel, air, stereo system, and more. The 1974 Corvettes most
notable improvement over the previous models was that the 1974
Coupe now featured an integrated shoulder belt/lap belt assembly
for the first time. The locking mechanisms in the shoulder
restraints also changed design from a pull-rate type (which would
catch based on the amount of force applied to the belt) to a
swinging-weight type that was activated by the car's
deceleration.
The market's growing preference for performance automatic
transmissions resulted in a more durable Turbo Hydra-Matic.
Designated by RPO M40, the transmission was no-cost upgrade to
consumers and is installed in this Corvette.
The 1974 Stingray is equipped with the L48 195 horsepower
small-block that has been upgraded with a lot of performance parts
and upgrades including headers, aluminum intake, performance carb,
high-performance spark plug wires, chrome valve covers and air
cleaner, and more. Resonators were added to the dual exhaust system
on 1974 models which further helped quiet the interior. The
radiator and shroud were revised for better low-speed cooling. 1974
was the end of an era for the Corvette with the last true dual
exhaust systems, the last without a catalytic converter.
It was capable of 0-60 in 6.8 seconds comparable to the 6.5 second
time of the 1968 small-block rated at 300 hp, proof the 1972-74
Corvette engines had ample power regardless of reduced horsepower
and net (bhp) ratings.
Car and Driver magazine said: "...We think the front and rear
together produce a 'molded' shape that speaks of function rather
than decor." Chevrolet commented on the new tailpiece in the '74
Corvette sales brochure: "Take the styling. We wouldn't just change
it for the sake of change. But when we made the rear bumper
stronger, we made Corvette's rear styling look different. And, we
think better..."
Hi-Performance Cars magazine in a L48, L82, and LS4 comparison
test, September 1973, said: "Our choice for the all-around best
performer must go to the base 350 L48 engine...The L48 delivers all
the acceleration you'll ever need on the road in a steady, forceful
manner...in addition it runs cool, idles smoothly, and can cruise
all day at 100 mph (160 km/h). The L48 took 6.8 seconds to reach 60
mph (97 km/h), the L82, 6.7 seconds and the LS4 454, 6.4 seconds.
On the Bridgehampton road course and over the ride and handling
course at Suffolk County Raceway, the base L48 coupe was again our
choice...the L-82 had the same balance as the L48 but if we weren't
at the right rpm through a corner, or in the wrong gear, the
(L82's) lack of torque made itself felt once again...the L48 was
the best balanced of the three."
Availability
The 1974 Corvette we have at Skyway Classics is a great example of
those C3 Corvettes and will take you anywhere you would like to go
in Corvette Style.
So give us a call at 941-254-6608.
We also finance! Check out our financiers here at
https://www.skywayclassics.com/financiers
In the meantime, check out all our vehicles on our Skyway Classics
blog here at https://www.skywayclassics.com/blog
