Being forced to part with a project build due to circumstances beyond your control can be frustrating, and making that decision is never easy. However, that is the one faced by the owner of this 1974 Corvette Convertible. With so much of the hard work completed, it will fall to a new owner to add the finishing touches. The seller has sunk an incredible $30,000 into the build, but it could be yours for a fraction of that figure. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Palm City, Florida. The seller set a BIN of $6,500, although there is the option to make an offer.
Chevrolet sold over 37,000 Corvettes in 1974, but under 15% of buyers selected the Convertible version. This one left the factory in Corvette Orange, but it now wears Black primer. The fiberglass beneath is in good order, and it appears that only basic surface preparation is required before the buyer lets loose with the spray gun. This is where their options broaden because performing a color change would be pretty straightforward. There might be another shade in the Corvette color palette that takes the new owner’s fancy, or they could opt for a custom look. The bumpers are new and custom molded, and while the top frame is present, the soft-top requires replacement. The positive news with this ‘Vette is more than skin-deep because it seems structurally sound. The frame has been stripped and refinished in POR-15, and there are no reported birdcage issues. The seller supplies a significant collection of parts, including a new L82 hood, to assist the buyer in bringing this build to a fitting conclusion.
Some readers may wonder where the $30,000 went on this Corvette, and we must delve below the surface to discover the answer. What powerplant originally called this engine bay home is unclear, but it has made way for a 350ci of 1970 vintage. It is anything but average, having received a rebuild that included a 0.030″ overbore and the installation of a more aggressive camshaft. The engine drags in great amounts of air and fuel via a Holley carburetor, with the 3″ headers and new Magnaflow dual exhaust dumping out the spent gases. The seller describes the small-block as a beast, and we can only speculate on its power output. It sends its ponies to the road via a five-speed manual transmission from a 1986 Firebird. That isn’t the end of the story because a four-row competition aluminum radiator keeps that 350 cool, the braking system features new Wilwood calipers, and the remaining hydraulic components are from Tremec. The list continues with a new fuel tank, sender unit, emergency brake cables, starter, and solenoid. The buyer needs to finish the finer details. Still, they will eventually slip behind the wheel of a car featuring performance well beyond what the original owner would have envisaged in 1974.
One aspect of this Corvette requiring significant TLC is its interior. A complete retrim is needed, although the seller includes a set of door trims in unspecified condition. Parts are missing, and the shopping list is likely to be long. This shot shows my only concern with this car as a viable project. The windshield frame on the driver’s side looks slightly odd. I’m unsure whether that is due to crumbling seals or if what we see is developing rust. That would motivate me to undertake an in-person inspection to confirm there are no deeper issues. If there are problems, they could cast doubt over this classic. The seller states this ‘Vette originally featured power windows, but there are no signs of the switches. It was also ordered with a tilt/telescopic wheel, but they are the only visible factory options.
Notwithstanding the question surrounding potential rust in the windshield frame, this 1974 Corvette is a promising project. It is far from finished, but with so much work completed and the amount of money already spent, it could be a smart buy for the right person. Someone hands-on could address most of its shortcomings in a home workshop, and the most expensive part might be whipping the interior into shape. However, I keep being drawn back to the windshield frame. Do you think it is as solid as the seller claims, or is there a problem that would compromise the build’s viability?
That top will clean right up.
“Rolls Royce and Corvette restoration specialist”, according to the ad
I am not seeing the 30k numbers adding up to the product
I guess the hours for the frame off added up significantly.
I have in my past flipped two 74 verts but both had original drivetrains and hardtops.
One Chocolate and one Silver.
This non original trans and engine opens up possibilities but not to Corvette lovers who like purity.
The 1974 is still one of the vettes unappreciated on sale price.
Good luck on sale.
The windshield frame issues are scary, but even if they turn out to be minor, there’s a lot of money that still needs to be spent to bring this car all the way back from the dead. Besides paint, carpets, door cards, window regulators and a new top, the gages appear to be missing. Replacing those gages with factory originals or reproductions could get expensive. If you can’t find a new instrument cluster, there’s always aftermarket gages from Dakota Digital or similar outfits, but then it might make sense to upgrade the fuel system to EFI, for an easier interface to the electronic gages. All of this will add to your costs to finish the build.
This sounds like a nice father and son weekend project. If they are experienced body and paint men, and really good car upholsterer’s. And they’re flush with cash.
Don’t confuse a coating of POR-15 with a frame off job. At 30K in costs already, I was expecting frame off, but this clearly only has a POR-15 coating painted onto the frame, which is great at hiding issues.
Plus, thinking that a ’74 convertible can be worth 40K is not correct. There may be one or two of those out there, but would be the best of the best.
After saying all that, at least his asking price is in the right range.
Why would you even consider spending $30k supposed dollars on a Ratty run of the mill 74 Vette? Sorry I would not even bother with this for the amount of work and ROI will never be recouped.
Hercule Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, Dick Tracy, Columbo, Jim Rockford, Kojak, and Lassie would be unable to figure out where $30,000 was spent on this car due to lack of evidence. They might agree some form of larceny is suspected. Shame.
you forgot Scooby Doo and those darn kids!
I would do the requisite work required to ensure safety and reliability, leave the paint (er, primer…), do an adequate interior refresh, tune the engine and enjoy the hell out of it…..
It would be my “Mad Max” tribute Vette/resto-mod!
👍🤓
Speaking of safety. I replaced the seat belts in the 77 Vette I recently sold. The $400 spent was well worth my peace of mind. What condition is your seat belts?
If you have a leaky T-Top of Convertible, the water pools in the seatbelt pocket.
Few are paying 30k for a restored one
$30K my……….
Unless this guy got badly taken by a really sheisty shop, and/or dramatically overpaid for the car and is factoring that in, I don’t see how there could possibly be $30k invested. At least he’s got it priced realistically enough for what it is.
Sad. What are the gaps on the frame in pic #8? Also noting that the exhaust ends at headers, which must be an attention-getter. The new parts can perhaps be moved to a more promising vehicle–and I don’t mean the ’61 convertible that recently appeared here.
Lots of mysteries, where is this located? Could it be a victim of flooding with owner retaining the wreck under an insurance claim?
Wow, I’m not a restoration specialist but I don’t see where 30k went
Just go Joe Dirt and drive as is.