Among the various GM A-Body offerings from the mid-seventies, the Chevrolet Laguna is one of the rarer models, and it doesn’t appear in the marketplace nearly as frequently as many of the others.  These were also popular on the stock car racing circuit for a while, and one of the most famous examples was the ’74 Laguna S-3 featured in the car flick The Cannonball Run, which was inspired by Donnie Allison’s real-life Hawaiian Tropic racer.  Football legend Terry Bradshaw and stuttering Country Music artist M-M-Mel Tillis were behind the wheel in the film, but unfortunately, it’s been quite some time since this 1974 Chevrolet Laguna S-3 here on Craigslist has seen any street action.  Located in Yucca Valley, California, this project is priced at $3,300, and we’d like to thank reader Tony Primo for bringing it to our attention!

At first glance, it may not seem like there’s very much to get excited about here.  However, once you get past the noticeable wear and tear on the body, I’m seeing what looks like mostly solid sheet metal to work with.  The seller mentions that this Chevy was purchased from a 94-year-old in South Pasadena in 2007, and it’s been on California’s Planned Non-Operational status since then, so there’s a possibility that this one’s been in a climate favorable to preserving steel for decades.  Several body repairs and panel smoothing will undoubtedly be required, but overall, this one doesn’t appear to be in a bad starting point on the outside.

Sometimes the downside to weather that’s good for metal preservation is that it also tends to bake the interior, which is what it looks like has happened here.  Many of the inside components are well done, with the dash showing numerous cracks, and the front seats literally in tatters, along with the headliner.  Some good news is that the front buckets swivel, adding both fun and function for both the driver and passenger, plus it’s nice to find that this one is also equipped with a console and floor shifter.

Engine sizes in ’74 were either a 350, 400, or even 454 cubic inches, with this one featuring a 350 with a 4-barrel.  Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t include a photo from under the hood, and the small-block isn’t running.  The engine is said to still turn by hand, so at least you can rest comfortably knowing it’s not locked up.  There’s a lot of work to be done here, but for someone with a decent set of do-it-yourself skills, this one might make a worthwhile project.  Is this 1974 Chevrolet Laguna S-3 one you’d be interested in bringing back to life?