While Chevrolet’s Corvette Stingray had become softer and more refined by 1974, it could still produce excellent performance figures if the original owner ticked the right boxes on the Order Form. Such is the case with our feature car, with its engine bay housing the L82 version of Chevrolet’s venerable small-block V8. The vehicle presents superbly, which is hardly surprising considering it has a genuine 13,000 miles showing on its odometer. After being in the care of the same family for more than four decades, it is time for this classic to find a new home. Located in New Baltimore, Michigan, you will find the Stingray listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has rocketed to $13,650 in a No Reserve auction.
It isn’t easy to know where to start with this Corvette. The seller believes that its Code 68 Dark Brown paint is original, and while it isn’t perfect, its overall condition is well above average. The depth of shine is impressive, and its flaws seem to be limited to a few minor cracks and marks. The fiberglass hiding beneath is perfect, with no cracks, spiderwebs, or issues around the bonding strips. The beauty with this car is more than skin-deep, with the frame exhibiting little more than the occasional light dusting of surface corrosion. The seller provides no information on the state of the birdcage, but the lack of corrosion across the rest of the car gives us cause to be confident that it is structurally sound. The trim and badges share a common trait with the tinted glass in that everything appears flawless. The Rally wheels, trim rings, and center caps look perfect and are wrapped in a fresh set of BF Goodrich tires. These are a story in themselves because the seller fitted them in December to replace the original tires! He has retained those and includes them in the sale if the buyer wants.
If the Corvette’s exterior presentation is impressive, its interior serves up more of the same. Trimmed in Saddle leather, the seats show nothing beyond some light wrinkles, which are part of the character of aging leather. The remaining upholstered surfaces are spotless, as is the carpet. The plastic shows no evidence of deterioration other than a few marks and peeling in the area around the heater controls. There are no signs of flaws or cracks on the dash and no visible aftermarket additions. The interior isn’t drowning in optional extras, although the AM/FM radio and power windows are welcome inclusions.
While buyers in 1974 could still order their new Corvette with a big-block under the hood, many enthusiasts believe that the L82 version of the company’s legendary 350ci V8 was a better option. There was little to separate the two on power and performance, but those with the 454 under the hood tipped the scales a healthy 200lbs heavier than the L82-equipped examples. With much of that weight hanging over the front wheels, the 454 version was less precise and satisfying on twisting roads. The L82 in this Stingray is numbers-matching, as is the rest of the drivetrain. It should produce 250hp, which finds its way to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. If the driver pointed the car at a ¼ mile, the journey would be a memory in 15.1 seconds. That figure remains well short of the times produced by earlier versions of the C3 Corvette, but in the prevailing circumstances of tightening emission and safety regulations, it stacked up pretty well. The seller claims that the Corvette has a genuine 13,000 miles on the clock but doesn’t indicate whether he holds verifying evidence. However, its known ownership history means that it is possible. The car runs and drives perfectly, with the motor firing on the first turn of the key. He supplies this YouTube video that provides a walk-around and allows us to hear that sweet small-block running. It sounds perfect, with no unwanted noises or smoke that would indicate mechanical issues.
If this 1974 Corvette Stingray is all the seller claims, it is an extraordinary vehicle. Low mileage Corvettes will emerge from the woodwork occasionally, but one that is this nice and with such a low odometer reading is a rarity. It is little wonder that it has already attracted twenty-eight bids. The Coupe version is more common and generally commands a lower value than the Convertible, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the bidding sails well beyond $20,000 before the hammer falls on this auction. If an original ’74 ‘Vette is on your Wish List, this auction could be worth watching.
Neither the 454 or the 350, hang over the front wheels in any early Corvette.
Corvettes are not like “regular” cars, with the engine over the front crossmember. The engine is mounted low in the frame, behind the front crossmember, in 63-82 Corvettes. Depending on options, the 454 has a near perfect 50/50 or 51/49 weight balance. Small blocks have a 50/50 to 49/51 balance. And big blocks came with heavier duty springs, a larger front sway bar, and a rear bar (that small blocks didn’t). I’ve had friends who autocrossed big block Corvettes, and I’ve crewed on a 66 427 vintage road racer, and they all handle as well as anything else, and better than most.
It looks like a nice car. Having owned a 74 4 speed L-82 in the 70’s, I know these cars run pretty good. 14.0’s with just minor tweaks like recurving distributor and jetting the Q-Jet. I never cared for the one year only 74 brown, but there seemed to be plenty around, I knew 3 people who owned brown ones.
Give me the big block option 🤝🙌
The V8’s are also set back a ways on 2nd gen Camaros & Firebirds. Even more so the V6’s. Superior front end, steering & handling, compared to 1st gens.
Nice example, only thing lacking is AC
Ready for NCRS judging from the looks of it. Very nice car. I agree with Adam, $25,000 , maybe more.
That’s exactly what I was thinking, Frank.
25K and you will have a VERY nice ’74.
Those undercarriage shots make the low mileage claim very believable.
Last fall I flew out to West Plains MO where this car was for sale at a motorcycle dealer, Mega Motorsports. My first Corvette, 16 Corvettes ago, was a Brown, Saddle Leather, L82, 4 Speed that I’ve been looking for for since 2013. I knew this was not my old car based on the VIN, but since it was identical I thought I would invest some air points and take a look. My notes I took and just looked at show the miles are change from what I saw, the tire date codes did not support they were original, no documentation to support the miles, and wear around the car convinced me it was taken care of, but in my opinion over 100k miles. Looks like new owner has done some buffing because the paint did not look that good. Bumpers have been replaced which is common on ‘74’s. Don’t take my word for it, Be careful to do your due diligence before bidding or complete a professional pre-purchase inspection.
Thanks for the post, Michael.
Just goes to show how important and in-person inspection is. This one looks really good compared to most, but that documentation is really important when originality is being claimed.
No A/C, brown, nah
I believe the 454 got HEI in ’74 – mid model year – would there still be the shield over the distributor?
Is 1 exhaust pipe supposed to be lower than the other? –>
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/j-0AAOSwn3piIqo-/s-l1600.jpg
Did any vettes this gen get GM’s hidden radio antenna in the windshield?
Odd if no.
Also odd that Chevy waited several model years to make its ’70 sport mirrors available on the vette.
1975 first year for HEI, although GM was known to mix and match parts and pieces during the end of a model year production run. This one was not that late in the run according to the VIN.
Rockauto shows both a pts/condenser, & a HEI distributor available for a ’74 350 & ’74 454 vette, & nova, camaro, etc. with 350 v8s(but not for ’73s). So like on big ’74 Pontiac V8s, the changeover to HEI was approx mid model year, like on my june made ’74 Pontiac 400.
Good thing Pontiac’s troublesome UNITIZED ignition was not optionally offered on earlier model Chevy v8’s – or anyone else’s …
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/0304pon-pontiac-ignition-option/
No aftermarket octopus wire/cap sets were ever made. lol
& even expensive replacement dealer ones were not ez to come by – perhaps impossible to find anywhere today – would have to be NOS.
Bid to $20,000 with 21 hours to go.
Nice low-mileage ‘Vette! I didn’t know these were available with functioning cowl-induction (learn something new everyday on Barn Finds) but this looks like a fun driver with the 4-speed.
SOLD for $22,900. Not too bad.
It didn’t go “well above” $20K; only $22,900 after 81 bids. Somebody picked this sweet ‘Vette up for the price of a used Camry! I’ll bet the seller is disappointed it didn’t go a lot higher. I would be.