The Chevy Camaro got some styling updates in 1974, the fifth year of the second generation. Most of this was to placate increasing federal safety standards in terms of bumpers. Some think the changes were well done, while others do not. But they were hardly cowcatchers. You couldn’t miss a Z28 coming or going as the car had some of the largest decal callouts in the industry. This seems to be a mostly original ’74 Z28, found in San Antonio, Texas, and available here on craigslist for $29,500. A nod goes to Tony Primo for yet another muscle car era tip.
Another change would be made in 1975 on the Camaro where the rear glass would be somewhat wraparound for greater visibility. But, to me, the 1974 Camaro was better looking than the rest of the run. The Z28 came with a 350 cubic inch V8 and was the most potent Camaro in ‘74, as the Super Sport had been discontinued. It was rated at 245 hp SAE net, and the seller’s is paired with a Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission. The VIN and cowl tag advertise this as being a real deal “Z,” though I don’t know how many ’74 clones there might be out there.
We assume this Chevy is numbers-matching, and the 350 V8 has been treated to a new set of headers and corresponding exhaust system at 60,000 miles. It’s one of 13,800 Z28s produced in 1974 out of a total population of 151,000 (the Camaro was making a sales comeback). New Dakota Digital gauges are onboard along with a new dash pad that’s set up for air conditioning that doesn’t exist — yet.
We’re told the auto performs well and it looks good for being 52 years old. The paint and interior could be original, but something about the latter suggests a pattern from later days. The only thing on the near-term to-do list is replacing the windshield, which has a crack in it. If you’re looking for a 1970s Z28 that will announce you coming and going, could this Chevy be right for you?
Love the 74 Z28s!! Love the billboard Z stickers and the best part is a 4 speed. These ran pretty good considering…
My older bother had one and it was impressive. He owned a 72 and a 73 Z at the same time.
In the summer of 1974 I went looking for a new Z28. Around me I found 4 on dealer lots, three with with the optional “Z28” stripes and one without them. I didn’t like the 74’s “Z28” graphic/stripes then (and I still don’t) and the one Z28 without stripes was an unattractive brown color with a white vinyl top and an automatic. I ended up buying a 74 Trans Am 400 4 speed with the big crazy screaming chicken on the hood instead. LOL
Nice car but not for $30,000 need pictures of the underside and more then one picture outside the garage.
Yup,as i’ve said before..my favourite Camaro…the decals are the best in the marques history.
seems very pricey for the least desired of that gen. big bumpers, low horsepower, ugly non factory seat covers I believe? and please remove the brass pluming from home depot under the hood and the blue hoses. oem dual snorkel air cleaner is missing. not trying to be ugly, but these things really look out of place for that price.
It looks a helluva lot better than the one they pulled out of the lake a few months back! Wishful thinking on the price though, even with the four-speed. GLWTS.
Why would you put new aftermarket gauges in a 60,000 mile car. I know these are not the most desirable Z28s, but being original counts doesn’t it? I do like it though.
The brass ‘plumbing’ I believe is on/off switch to stop water going through heater core so in warmer weather it’s not adding heat into the cabin. Then when the cold weather returns, you open the switch to let the coolant back through to the heater core so you can heat the cabin. Those systems can work pretty well but that said, I would want 100% originality on this car if it were mine. I would not want that set up in my original car.
And to add to the others, I Iove it! The black decals against the white paint looks great, imo. And the 4spd tops it off. Yes these aren’t the fastest generation but they can still scoot along pretty good, and personally I’d be driving it to enjoy it, not race people.
Full disclosure: these are my favorite generation of the Camaro. Cool car.
Many people forget. that during this time we were developing the ability to identify a car from space using satellite technology. GM developed these Z28 stripes to assist NASA.
It’s not numbers matching. The listing says the original L82 engine is gone and has been replaced by a 1974 L82 from a Corvette. You have to wonder why the motor had to be replaced before 60,000 miles. Long storage and the original froze up? In which case you wonder what condition the underside is in.
The seats and door panels are definitely not original, nor are those red lap belts. Looks like it got the ’70s velour treatment, perhaps a Day 2 situation. Not saying there’s not promise here but I’d definitely want to see it in person and bring that price down significantly.
My friends son had one silver with black vinyl top and black interior they got it with a blown motor it was a 4 spd and they put a 454 in it and it had big and littles on vette rallys it was nice and very fast.
The Lt was nice too they always seem to ride low in the back .
Odd the seller is in Escondido CA, but the car is TX. Not comfortable with this type of Craigslist add. Has signs of a potential scam.
what’s up with the clown plumbing job on the heater hoses? for such a low mile car the interior looks quite modified.