THE 1974 CORVETTE 

 

1974 red corvette original advertisement

1974 red Corvette original advertisement

 

Thank you for joining us again here at Hobby Car Corvettes, located in Martinsburg PA, as we continue the series, C3 Vette Rundown. In each post of the series, we will highlight the changes and upgrades, or in some years, lack thereof, for each year of the third generation of Corvettes. We started six posts ago with the launch of the third generation in 1968, and today we bring you a thorough rundown of the seventh year in, the 1974 Chevrolet Corvette. Wasting no more time, let’s see what 1974 has in store!

 

FUEL RATIONS, END OF AN ERA

 

1974 yellow corvette brochure

1974 yellow Corvette original advertisement

The release of the 1974 Chevrolet Corvette came around during hard times. As a result of international disputes, an oil embargo was placed against the United States. Though the embargo ended in March, and was not long lasting, the impact was. With a severely low supply of oil, gas prices soared and people found themselves waiting in long lines to fill their cars when more gas arrived.

 

 

1974 orange Chevrolet Corvette original advertisement

1974 orange Chevrolet Corvette original advertisement

As a result, people began to question the necessity and impact of fuel guzzling vehicles. In response to these ponderings, the 1974 Corvette would be the last year to have the option of a big-block 454 cubic inch V-8 engine. 

 

In addition, all Corvette engines of the future would solely run on unleaded gasoline. We will see more changes as a result of this event in the 1975 Corvette.

 

1974 CORVETTE AESTHETICS

 

We had mentioned in the 1973 post, that the days of the dual chrome bumpers were gone. In 1973, Corvette introduced the front “rubber bumper”, which consisted of a steel frame covered with a urethane skin matching the Corvette’s exterior paint color. In 1974, this would be applied to the back bumper as well. The rear urethane skin was made of two sections divided by a seam down the center of the rear fascia. This is a notable design, unique to 1974 Corvettes, making them easy to pinpoint.

 

“Have you noticed how legends tend to improve with time?”

 

1974 orange Corvette original advertisement

1974 orange Corvette original advertisement

 

On the inside, there were few changes made. Most notable, would be the change in seatbelt design. The 1974 Coupe now featured an integrated shoulder belt/lap belt combo. This of course is the design we are all familiar with today, and is federally mandated, but this was a notable change for vehicle drivers and passengers of yesteryear. The convertible models still offered the option of the separate shoulder belt and lap belt.

 

1974 CORVETTE MECHANICAL CHANGES

 

1974 Corvette original documents

1974 Corvette original documents

Slightly more changes were made to the mechanics, than to the interior, but still not many. As a result of these changes, the standard RPO ZQ3 engine’s output increased slightly to 195 horsepower.

 

Because preference was growing for performance automatic transmissions, engineers took to enhancing the durability of the turbo hydra-matic. This transmission was a no-cost upgrade and installed in nearly two-thirds of the 1974 Corvettes.

 

 

1974 Corvette original documents

1974 Corvette original documents

A brand new option for Corvette, first offered in 1974, was the Gymkhana Suspension Package. A bargain performance package, this option could be added for only $7.00! Included in the Gymkhana package was a higher-rate spring assembly and firmer, specially calibrated shocks.

 

This option was a variation of Chevy’s F41 option. This option included the above features, plus heavy-duty brakes.

DID YOU KNOW

 

The Corvette rear “seam” is a feature unique to the 1974 Corvette, and makes it easy to identify a Corvette from this year.

 

The 1974 Corvette sales hit near record numbers, totalling 37,502 Corvettes sold this year!

 

The 1974 Chevrolet Corvette was the first to cost over $6,000, selling at $6,001.50 for the Coupe.

 

CONCLUSION

 

As the years race by, Corvette continues to impress, as an innovative influencer in the luxury sports car industry. Over the past six years, since the launch of the third generation, we have seen labor strikes, tighter regulations, and oil embargos. But the proud and inspired makers of Chevrolet Corvettes have not been discouraged. The one of a kind design continues to impress, and even more so, the power output never ceases to amaze us considering the obstacles Chevrolet has faced. Still in 1974, a Corvette equipped with the 250 brake horsepower L82 engine, could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in approximately 7.5 seconds.

 

1974 yellow corvette brochure

1974 yellow Corvette original advertisement

 

Join us again next week, as we will be releasing our C3 Series posts weekly from here on out! If you have enjoyed our rundown so far, we have plenty more to come. As always, we are here at Hobby Car Corvettes, to share our knowledge and our passion with other Corvette lovers. Drop us a line and tell us your Corvette stories! We love to connect.

 

 

We currently have the following 1974 corvettes for sale:

 

 

SPECS

 

MODEL 1974 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
GENERATION C3
BODY STYLE Two-door convertible/coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive
MANUFACTURING LOCATION St. Louis, Missouri
Original Price $6,001.50 (Coupe), $5,765.50 (Convertible)
Units Produced 37,502
EXTERIOR

COLORS

Classic White, Silver Mist, Corvette Gray, Corvette Med Blue, Dark Green, Bright Yellow, Dark Brown, Medium Red, Mille Miglie, Corvette Orange
INTERIOR

COLORS

Black, Silver, Dark Red, Saddle, Dark Blue, Neutral
CONSTRUCTION Uniconstruction: fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, backboned by a steel cage outlining the passenger compartment. Principal members – underbody, front and rear end assemblies, dash panel and hinge pillars are bonded, riveted, or bolted together and to each other. Hood is plastic with bonded plastic reinforcement. Coupe: two removable roof panels and removable rear window. Frame: all welded, full length, ladder construction with 5 crossmembers. Side Rails and intermediate crossmembers box section; front crossmember box girder section. Eight body-mounting points.
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN) 1Z37J4S400001 – 1Z37J4S434464
ENGINE SUFFIX CKZ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL

CLA: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC

CLB: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

CLC: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

CLD: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC

CLH: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

CLR: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL

CLS: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

CWM: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL

CWR: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC

CWS: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

CWT: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER 3970010: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195 HP, 250HP

3999289: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP

HEAD NUMBER 333881: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP

333882: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP, 250HP

336781: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP

CARBURETOR NUMBERS ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044221: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044206: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044207: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044210: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044211: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044225: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044505: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

ROCHESTER Q-jet #7044506: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER 1112114: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP

1112526: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP

1112150: 350 CUBIC INCH, 250HP

1112247: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP

1112544: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

1112850: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP MANUAL, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS

1112851: 350 CUBIC INCH, 195HP AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA

ALTERNATOR NUMBER 1100544: 350, 454 CUBIC INCH, AIR CONDITIONING

1100950: 350, 454 CUBIC INCH

1102353: 454 CUBIC INCH

AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AA: 3.55:1 RATIO

AB: 3.70:1 RATIO

AC: 4.11:1 RATIO

AW: 3.08:1 RATIO

AX: 3.36:1 RATIO

LR: 3.36:1 RATIO

PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE AUG., 1973: 401250, DEC., 1973: 412830, APR., 1974: 425751, AUG., 1974: 433257, SEP.. 1973: 404111, JAN., 1974: 416184, MAY, 1974: 429602, SEP., 1974: 437251, OCT., 1973: 407605, FEB., 1974: 419258, JUNE., 1974: 433257, OCT., 1974: 437502, NOV., 1973: 410813, MAR., 1974: 422367, JULY, 1974: 433257

 

Options Codes, Production, & Pricing

 

CODES DESCRIPTION QUANTITY RETAIL PRICE
1YZ37 Base Corvette Sport Coupe 32,028 $6,001.50
1YZ67 Base Corvette Convertible 5,474 $5,765.50
Custom Interior Trim 19,959 $154.00
A31 Power Windows 23,940 $86.00
A85 Custom Shoulder Belts (std with coupe) 618 $41.00
C07 Auxiliary Hardtop (for convertible) 2,612 $267.00
C08 Vinyl Covered Auxiliary Hardtop 367 $329.00
C50 Rear Window Defogger 9,322 $43.00
C60 Air Conditioning 29,397 $467.00
FE7 Gymkhana Suspension 1,905 $7.00
Optional Rear Axle Ratio 1,219 $12.00
J50 Power Brakes 33,306 $49.00
LS4 454ci, 270hp Engine 3,494 $250.00
L82 350ci, 250hp Engine 6,690 $299.00
M21 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close-ratio 3,494 $0.00
M40 Turbo-Hydro-matic Automatic Transmission 25,146 $0.00
N37 Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column 27,700 $82.00
N41 Power Steering 35,944 $117.00
QRM White Stripe Steel Belted Tires, GR70x15 9,140 $32.00
QRZ White Letter Steel Belted Tires, GR70x15 24,102 $45.00
U05 Dual Horns 5,258 $4.00
U58 AM-FM Radio, Stereo 19,581 $276.00
U69 AM-FM Radio 17,374 $173.00
UA1 Heavy Duty Battery (std with LS4) 9,169 $15.00
UF1 Map Light (on rearview mirror) 16,101 $5.00
YF5 California Emission Test 4 $20.00
Z07 Off Road Suspension and Brake Package 47 $400.00

 

TRANSMISSION CODES

 

CODE TRANSMISSION
P Muncie 4-Speed, Heavy-Duty Aluminum Case
A Muncie 4-Speed M20 Wide-Range (2.52:1 1st gear)
B Muncie 4-Speed M21 Close-Range (2.20:1 1st gear)
W Warner 4-Speed, Heavy-Duty Aluminum Case
CK Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with 350 L-48 Engine
CZ Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with 350 L-82 Engine
CS Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with 454 Engine