The owner of this 1974 Corvette states that they bought it as a project car, but they have now been forced to sell it due to ill health. It is a tidy looking car that shows promise on the surface. Barn Finder Ikey H referred this one through to us, so thank you for that Ikey. If the Corvette has no rust issues to address in the frame or birdcage, then the $6,500 asking price would seem to represent a bit of a bargain. Located in Orlando, Florida, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on Craigslist.
First impressions of the Corvette are quite positive. The paint looks good, it has a nice shine to it, and the car appears to be complete. The owner gives us no indications of any structural rust or issues with the car. It’s a bit hard to tell for sure, but it almost looks like the gaps around the doors are a bit odd, but to be honest, I’m just not completely sure. Hopefully, one of our Barn Finds readers who is a Corvette enthusiast might be able to shed some light on this for us.
The owner states that this Corvette is a numbers-matching vehicle, fitted with a 350ci V8 engine and an automatic transmission. The car is also fitted with power steering and power brakes. It’s pretty obvious that the car currently doesn’t run, but we also don’t know whether the missing components such as the radiator are included with the car. The engine certainly looks clean and tidy, with no obvious visual problems. I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that as far as chrome under the hood goes, I’ve always felt that on a classic car if the chrome wasn’t placed there by the manufacturer, I don’t see the point in adding it down the track. That’s a personal opinion of course. The great thing about the classic car scene is that we all can have different opinions. If you disagree with me, I respect that.
This is as close as we go to getting a photo of the interior, and all that we can establish is that it appears that the interior trim is finished in Saddle. There is no indication of its condition, or whether the seats are upholstered in vinyl or leather. What we can see though is that the car has covered 51,000 miles, which the owner claims are original. What he doesn’t indicate is whether he has any documentation to back this.
Selling a project car due to ill health can be quite a challenging exercise for the owner. Having to acknowledge that your health has deteriorated to the point where you can no longer tackle the tasks that used to be easy is tough. The price on this Corvette is quite low for what it appears to be. There are some who might question the legitimacy of this one, but it may be that the owner wants to get the painful experience of selling out of the way as quickly as possible. As usual, it would be a wise move for any potential buyer to investigate the car thoroughly before parting with any money, but if the car is solid and legitimate, then it could also be a pretty good buy.
This ad is a little “smelly”, don’t ya know.
Hmmm.
Based on photos, the location appears to be a condo complex. I can’t see much in the way of mechanical work being done at a neighborhood like that, due to HOA rules. Not that work couldn’t happen in a garage, but they are typically so small that there is no space inside to do any real wrenching.
Just an observation. The seller asserts that he buys cars to fix them up….. Not in that location, I’d guess!
Some condo garages are small, but judging by the 5 garage doors visible in the pics, they look like full sized two car bays to me. Gotta wonder if the seller is referring to the cars ill health or his own, those doors do look to be sagging.
Well, you might put the plug wires on and a install a radiator. The door and hood are not closed. I like the rare color. Not sure if it is factory. Nice looking girl, but I am a chrome bumper guy myself. Numbers matching, who cares on a 1974, don’t see it here.
Not a factory color in 1974. Not sure about any other years either.
I was thinking the same thing, not a ’74 factory color. Looks like a color someone would have applied in the mid-80’s, so it’s probably an older job.
Based on the grammar and spelling, I’d stay away.
Seems a lot of car for six and a half grand to me. Nice colour ..
Shame the pound versus dollar is still so low or this would be even better deal.
Love the color…factory or not, and the style. $6,500.00? Okay. Corvettes are still head turners. Yup, a project. But, it could be okay…as in no interior shots. All the usual questions. But, if we are going to do this, then, let’s do this. We’ll have a great car when done. A project is a project. I’d buy it if I could.
There is more than just a radiator missing from that gaping hole in front of the motor. I wonder where all the pieces might be. This would make a very nice project if the pieces are there and if the “no-rust in the birdcage” comment is accurate. But to me, its a bit expensive. I wish we had pictures of the underside. I think there is quite a bit missing under the front end.
Prices rising in the 74 and following few years but with many issues too much money. Not original color, numbers matching engine?? but carb, intake, distributor, valve covers are not stock and they are just sitting on the heads even without a oil filler cap. Wouldn’t get near it especially for the asking price!
Easy fix 6500 is great for this car as paint looks great the rest is simple . The gaps change faster then you think with a piece of sandpaper, still dont care its a 74 and rear bumper should be chrome but still its a driver . These cars have no value as many were made . At the price id buy it
74 rear bumper was not chrome.
And it was a plastic two piece deal with a seam in the middle and each letter spelling C-O-R-V-E-T-T-E was attached seperately. The one-piece bumpers with full nameplates started in 1975.
@Doc- Yep. (Nice rack too)
The image posted earlier of a 1974 rear bumper disappeared . Did the luggage rack bug that many people at BF?
Yes, for some reason there is a Vette luggage rack hatred going on around here.
All I know is that I loved having one of the ’70 convertible I had. Not only did it look good, I was able to take the car on trips – like camping – and had a way to store all the stuff that was needed.