Although it was an evolution of the previous year’s offerings, the 1974 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 LT was longer and heavier than its predecessor. The changes were forced upon the new model to comply with tighter safety standards, although the impact on performance wasn’t as dramatic as many feared. This ’74 Z28 is a tidy classic with a genuine 29,000 miles on the clock. It presents well as a driver-quality vehicle and has no apparent need. It is listed here on eBay in Plano, Texas. It has a BIN of $33,900 with the option to make an offer. We always appreciate input from our readers, meaning I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this beauty.

The Second Generation Camaro remained essentially unchanged for 1974, although buyers couldn’t help but notice the larger bumpers required by legislation. They added seven inches to the vehicle’s length, looking unwieldy next to their predecessors. The original owner ordered this Z28 in Code 74 Medium Red, with the seller indicating the car wears an older repaint in that shade. It presents nicely, with a good shine and consistent color. A few chips and marks prevent it from achieving perfection, but the presentation could be described as “high-end driver quality.” The stripes look crisp, but the best news is this Camaro’s complete lack of rust. This is a rock-solid classic that has no sheetmetal needs. The trim and glass look good, as do the distinctive Z28 wheels.

Powering the Camaro is the L82 version of the 350ci V8. This small-block should pump out 245hp, which was unchanged from the previous year. The power feeds the Posi rear end via a three-speed TH-350 automatic transmission equipped with a shift kit. Considering the ’74 Camaro was an evolution of the previous year, it would be fair to expect identical performance. However, 1974 brought a weight increase of 183lbs, largely courtesy of the larger bumpers and other required safety upgrades. While a ’73 Camaro Z28 took 15.6 seconds to cover the ¼-mile, this car should take 15.9 seconds to complete the same journey. More fascinating is a top speed decrease from 125mph to 114mph. The seller states this classic is in excellent mechanical health. The small-block received a recent rebuild, and this YouTube video confirms it runs and drives well. They claim it has a genuine 29,000 miles showing on its odometer, but they fail to mention supporting evidence.

As with the previous year, buyers could combine the Z28 option with the LT package for 1974. The latter brought a few luxury touches, although it would never transform a Camaro into a limousine. The original owner ordered this car so equipped, and its interior remains unmolested. The upholstered surfaces wear Black vinyl that looks pretty nice. There may be a flaw on the driver’s seat, although it could be a trick of the light. The console lid looks warped, and the “plastic chrome” surrounding the gauge bezel has worn. This latter problem should not cause too many headaches because that type of paint in a “marker pen” form for $20 will turn the issue into a memory. The factory AM/FM stereo radio is inoperative, but that seems to be the extent of the problems. There’s no crumbling plastic or evidence of abuse and no aftermarket additions. The original owner equipped the car with air conditioning and power windows, although I can’t spot any other luxury features.

Chevrolet elected to discontinue the Camaro Z28 after 1974. That was a strange decision considering it had a market success on its hands. A sales total of 13,802 represented a 17% increase over the previous year and was a sales record for the badge. This Z28 looks like a gem and would suit an enthusiast seeking a tidy and rust-free driver. The BIN is at the top of the current market, although making a lower offer would be a great opening strategy. Would you be tempted to follow that approach or throw caution to the wind and hit the button?