The 1974 model year was a significant one in the production cycle of the C3 Corvette. It was the last opportunity buyers had to order their new toy with the iconic big-block under the hood. This garage find is one of those cars, and you shouldn’t let its appearance deceive you. It is a rock-solid and complete classic with a selection of desirable options. It has sat since the 1980s and is begging for a new owner to liberate it and return it to its rightful place on our roads. The seller has listed the ‘Vette here on Craigslist in Brick Township, New Jersey. They set a price of $6,400 OBO for this classic, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this promising project.

The history of this Corvette is slightly unclear, with the seller parking it in its current location in the 1980s. They don’t indicate why they did this, but the relatively dry environment is good news for potential buyers. The Dark Brown paint looks like it might be tired below the heavy layer of dust. However, what this classic lacks is significant rust that would cause the buyer sleepless nights. The seller claims the frame and birdcage are rock-solid, and the presence of nothing beyond surface corrosion on other visible surfaces seems to support that belief. The bumper covers have crumbled to dust, and the wheels aren’t original, but sourcing replacements to recapture the car’s youthful good looks shouldn’t be difficult. The chrome on the luggage rack exhibits some bubbles, although the remaining trim and glass should be acceptable following cleaning and polishing.

The seller supplies no engine photos but confirms this classic comes with its numbers-matching 454ci V8. This big-block produced 270hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, which was fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. It seems the original owner sought to combine outright performance with comfort, adding power assistance for the steering and brakes to reduce the driving effort. Emission regulations made themselves felt when this car rolled off the line, but its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 14.7 seconds proved the Corvette remained a potent package. The seller indicates this classic drove to its current location under its own power, but they pulled the engine soon after parking it. The engine hasn’t been returned to its rightful place, and the seller recommends performing a rebuild before doing so. The interior shots are limited, so assessing the condition of its Saddle leather trim is impossible. The seller admits the original radio has made way for a Pioneer radio/cassette player but is otherwise unmodified. They confirm that the new owner will benefit from air conditioning and power windows but don’t mention other factory options.

Many enthusiasts believe 1974 represented the “last hurrah” for the C3 Corvette. It marked the end of the big-block powerplant, but the take-up rate was relatively low, with only 3,494 buyers ticking that box on the Order Form. This car requires total restoration, and while the photos are limited, there seem to be very few tasks that a competent owner couldn’t tackle in a home workshop if they dream of a hands-on build. The seller’s price is affordable, and negotiating might improve the situation. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you to pursue this promising project further?