I don’t know about you, but I always find the sight of a stock 1970s pony car refreshing. So many of them have been lowered, raked, painted loud colors, striped, supercharged, and otherwise altered that it’s instructive to see one as your neighbor may have bought it in, say, 1974. That’s what you’re looking at here, a stock 1974 Chevy Camaro Sport Coupe in a nice shade of what appears to be Medium Red (which, interestingly, could be ordered with or without the “metallic”). The seller here on eBay in Newbury, Ohio, says that it has 34,000 original miles (the odometer in the pictures says 33,274), and although it’s been sitting for most of the ten-plus years they’ve owned it, it’s a running, driving vehicle that looks like it would be an easy rehabilitation project. Thanks to reliable Barn Finder Curvette for sending it our way; the high bid is currently $6,200.
The 1974 Camaro and its corporate cousin the Pontiac Firebird are one-offs in one way; they had updated front and rear styling with five-mile-per-hour bumpers, but they kept the original 1970-73 back window; in 1975, the familiar wraparound backlight took its place. While some will argue that the Pontiac handled the new bumper regulations with more aplomb (Author raises hand: He owns a ’74 Firebird.), Chevy didn’t do a bad job, and the Camaro still looked great, if not quite as great as the ’73.
While the Sport Coupe seen in our ad came standard with a 250-cubic-inch six, this car has one of the optional 350 small-blocks (the seller doesn’t say which). Given this car’s single exhaust, I’d argue that it’s the 145-horsepower two-barrel. Considering the car’s low mileage, I’m going to say it’s seen some damp storage over the years, not a surprise if Ohio is as changeable as Michigan (where I live) in terms of temperature and humidity. This is the only engine picture we get in the ad, but we can tell that the Camaro has power steering and power brakes, so it should drive like a newer car; these second-generation Camaros and Firebirds handle amazingly well.
We can also see that the Camaro is a lightly optioned car, with an AM radio and Turbo Hydra-matic transmission.
The black vinyl buckets and console appear to be in great shape.
Now for the bad part: The seller says that they’ve “done nothing to the car since owning it other than [changing] the oil and refreshing the air in the tires over the years.” Those tires clearly need to be replaced, and who knows what else is just waiting to go bad from sitting? The driver’s side floor pan is also in need of replacement, which means that the seller’s invitation to check the car out before bidding might not be a bad idea.
The bumper appears to be a little tweaked from this view as well, but if a little bumper attachment massaging, a readily available floor pan, and a set of tires are all it needs, this could be an opportunity to own a Camaro that’s more uncommon than you’d think for being one of 151,008 sold in 1974. How often do you see an unmodified 1974 Camaro Sport Coupe?
There’s a lot to like here. This is how so many Camaros, especially in the mid 70’s rolled off the assembly line. White wall tires included. Even in non Z28 trim, they are a handsome car. I’d adress whatever needs it has and keep it the way we see it.
if the miles are that low why are there a/m mods valve covers, wires. they offer no docs to back up the claim other than an odometer pic.
Nice looking Camaro!!
If actually as described, this is attractive. If mine, I’d source a 4 speed, massage the engine a bit, refresh the suspension, then just enjoy it. Much, much better deal than that similar vintage Firebird from yesterday…
Yeah, why do people have to swap out the valve covers for those cheezy things? Leave original cars original. Can’t recall the last time I saw a Delco AM radio. Nice Camaro.
Im with you, Aaron,
At the very least they put mag wheels on them. A totally stock pony/muscle car is rare. This is a very pretty Camaro. I love the rims and white walls. Despite the huge bumpers, this era Camaro was very attractive to me. I could not own or drive this car, however. I would get too many tickets. Even in my 1984 Camaro Berlinetta I got speeding tickets weekly. Funny thing was I wasnt driving the Camaro any differently than my car before that, a 1974 Mercury Marquis. Just goes to show they target these cars.
I personally think the odometer has rolled based off the provided pictures listening shows a video of them driving it but also says its been sitting in the garage for several years. Buy it fly back and pick it up stop at a auto parts place and get 5-7 inline fuel filters and some other fluids you might need and a tool kit or hit a harbor freight and get some tools, check the tires for dry rot and cruise home. I think it’s a nice clean driver’s car.
1974 is my favorite year Camaro. This one is clean and looks good with the Rally wheels and whitewalls.
Considering it’s an Ohio car and the owner stating the rot in the driver’s side floor, a good set of underside photos would have been nice also. He’s going to need more than just a odometer pic to prove the mileage claim, otherwise it means nothing. These were really nice looking cars still even with those new bumpers.
It may not be a desirable year or a Z28 but it’s a nice solid Camaro with a 350 in it. I don’t mind the bumpers because it will make it easier to park downtown Boston! From the video it sounds like it has a two barrel carburetor?
If I got this car…
-change to Cragar SS rims, raised white tires with 275s out back.
-change to four barrel intake/carburetor
-dual exhaust
-upgrade stereo system
-larger front and rear swing bars.
-If the hole is not too big, then patch
-Cruise!!!!!!!
Plenty of fresh-ish paint under its hood; both red and black. Mileage claim is questionable at best, but this ’74 has potential as a driver.
I always find it odd when no effort is made to make the engine compartment look presentable. I find the mileage claim doubtful, and what’s with swapping the stock valve covers (and losing the spark plug wire grommets) for these ugly things? But it looks like it’s sold, so good luck to the new owner.
First wife and I had a brown 74 Camaro equipped much like this one. Drove it a lot of miles! Replaced the stock tires with a set of G60 BF Goodies on the stock Rallies- who doesn’t like white letters better than whitewalls? We did end up putting dual exhaust on it which improved the sound, but did nothing for the rust bubbling up on the rear fenders. Traded it for a really sharp 80 Monte Carlo. Saw it a year afterward, the rear quarters were gone! Sad, but in Indiana that was the way it was with 70s Chevys! If bought right his car would be fun but pretty gutless without significant upgrades. Good luck!
Camaro 1982-1985 was available with a 4 cylinder option. Compared to that, this 1974 is a 1970 Z28 with 4 speed.
SOLD for $7,501.
12 bids.