1974 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Inexpensive fun doesn't have to include some off-brand '80s leftover. Instead, you can have this very clean 1974 Chevrolet Corvette, complete with T-tops and a V8, all for the price of a used Honda. At this price, why the heck WOULDN'T you put a Corvette in your garage?

No, it's not a show-stopper, but it sure looks good for its age. It was painted a few years ago and the point wasn't to make a show car out of it, but rather to create a fun, fast C3 that could go anywhere without worries. And at that, they succeeded. Fit and panel alignment are par for the course in the mid-70s Corvette market, but the paint shines up well and looks great hammering down the street. The '74s were the first to use the urethane bumpers front and rear, leading to a very clean, monochromatic look that even Larry Shinoda admits is closer to what the designers had in mind when they first sketched the C3. And to find one this clean and unmolested is no easy feat.

The black interior shows a lot of new pieces, including the seats and door panels, and it's pretty obvious that this car has always been loved. Closing the door seals this 'Vette up like a tomb, and while the carpets show a little bit of fading, there's nothing that needs attention, just go out and drive! The factory gauges look quite good in the vintage Corvette's interior and they all work as they should, framed by an aftermarket 3-spoke steering wheel with a leather rim. A new AM/FM/CD stereo in the center stack, and cold A/C make this a Corvette you can drive every day without complaints, and if you're not using the A/C, why not pull off the T-tops and enjoy this Corvette as the General intended? In terms of get-in-and-have-fun, this car needs nothing more than an enthusiastic new owner.

The original, numbers-matching 350 cubic inch V8 is still providing the power and it looks great sitting under the hood with its chrome air cleaner and matching valve covers. No, it's not detailed for show, but you get the things Corvette guys expect, including Chevy Orange paint on the block, "ram's horn" exhaust manifolds feeding a throaty dual exhaust system, and a 4-barrel carburetor up top. It's got great throttle response and low-end torque, making it a lot of fun to drive and this is one hobby car that will always be affordable to own because of the simple hardware. The TH400 3-speed automatic was still standard equipment, even on small block 'Vettes, so you'll never have to worry about hurting it and the original rear end is just as tough. It's quite solid underneath, albeit not restored, and the handsome Rally wheels look awesome with 225/70/15 white-letter radials wrapped around them.

Bargains exist, and this Corvette is proof. Fast and still looking great, you can easily own the icon you never thought you could afford. Call today!