The 1974 model year was marked with some significant changes for the mighty C3 Corvette. It was the first year that Chevrolet produced the car without its iconic chrome rear bumper and the last where buyers could order their new Corvette with the 454ci big-block under the hood. This 1974 Convertible is a spotless survivor that features that motor, and its overall presentation is extremely impressive. The owner has decided that the time is right for it to find a new home, so he has listed this highly-optioned classic for sale here on eBay. It is located in Portland, Oregon, and while the owner has set a BIN of $23,000, he is open to considering offers. Once again, Barn Finder Larry D has been using his keen senses to spot this classic for us. So thank you so much for that, Larry.

Few colors will catch the public’s attention more effectively than Mille Miglia Red, which is what we find gracing the panels of this Corvette. The owner has recently had the paint buffed, and it shines so brightly that it almost requires sunglasses if you want to look at it for an extended period. The presentation is first-rate, with no visible signs of flaws or issues. The fiberglass is equally impressive. There are no apparent problems in the supplied photos, suggesting that the car has suffered no accident damage or ongoing abuse. A contrasting Black soft-top provides all-weather protection, and this seems to be in as-new condition. The owner supplies no information on the state of the frame or birdcage, but the lack of surface corrosion across other areas of the car gives us cause to be quietly optimistic. Its cause on that front has been helped because it has spent most of its life in sunny California. The trim and badges shine as impressively as the paint, while the wheels have no visible problems. Some enthusiasts don’t look upon the updated rear bumper treatment kindly, and I admit that it did mark a radical change from the purity of the chrome. However, I am willing to cut it some slack by emphasizing one feature. The way Chevrolet chose to recess the taillights has achieved an almost “frenched” look, reminiscent of the classic hot rod scene. For me, it is what saves the rear from looking pretty unexciting.

By 1974, time and tightening regulations impacted the Corvette, and it marked the end of the road for the 454-equipped cars. This classic features its numbers-matching big-block, which added $250 to the Convertible’s $5,765 sticker price. The original owner also chose to tick the boxes beside the 3-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The 454 was no longer an engine capable of rotating the earth on its axis, but it could still manage to produce a respectable 270hp. That should be enough to allow our feature car to cover the ¼ mile in 14.8 seconds. The engine bay of this vehicle presents well for a survivor of this age, and it does not flatter to deceive. The owner says that the car runs and drives well, and, refreshingly, he doesn’t make outrageous claims about the mileage. The odometer shows 16,000 miles, but it has rolled over. Even so, the bulletproof nature of the drivetrain should mean that it has years of reliable service to offer its next owner.

For an original survivor, this Corvette’s interior presents pretty nicely. Deteriorating plastic trim can be a bug-bear after years of UV exposure, but it has not plagued this car. There is none of the discoloring or brittle appearance, while the dash and pad are equally impressive. The Saddle trim shows no evidence of any problems beyond some wrinkles, and while the carpet might be faded in a few spots, it remains pretty presentable. Someone has fitted a radio/cassette player, and refreshingly for a C3 Corvette, the installation looks nicely integrated. The shape of the radio recess can make this a difficult feat to accomplish, so hats off for this job. There are no other aftermarket additions, but power windows and a tilt/telescopic wheel should make for a pleasant and comfortable driving experience.

The big-block C3 Corvettes were brutal cars with adequate straight-line performance to satisfy most enthusiasts. By 1974, the cars had lost that edge, but they could still hold their own in some illustrious company. This Convertible marks the end of an era, and for those hooked on horsepower, the C3 Corvette had commenced its downward spiral. There is something to be said for owning the last of the breed, which we find with this classic. I suspect that it will find a new home quite readily, and it will be interesting to see if that new home belongs to one of our loyal readers.