The United States was set to celebrate its Bicentenary in 1976, but Chevrolet started the party early by releasing the Spirit of America options package across various badges in 1974. The Impala was one of the beneficiaries, but the company only sold 2,500 examples. That makes these classics fairly rare today, and the first owner’s selection of paint shade raises the stakes. It presents nicely as a survivor-grade vehicle, with scope for the buyer to improve its appearance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting the Impala listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Spanaway, Washington. The seller set their price at $12,500 for what appears to be a turnkey classic.
The 1974 Impala Spirit of America was an interesting vehicle from a cosmetic standpoint. Chevrolet strongly marketed these cars in a Triple-White paint-and-trim combination, although some buyers bucked the trend by opting for the optional Bright Blue Metallic paint. This Impala is one of those cars, and although it is a matter of personal taste, I think this version of the Spirit of America looks classier than the more common alternative. The package didn’t merely include the paint; buyers also received fender skirts, subtle Red, White, and Blue stripes, additional unique badges, and White Rallye wheels. The presentation of our feature car is extremely clean, with no major cosmetic shortcomings. The paint shines well, the panels are straight, and the vinyl top is very clean. I can’t spot any evidence of rust, while the spotless wheels and sparkling trim round out an exterior that should turn more than a few heads.
Every ’74 Impala Spirit of America featured White interior trim with subtle Red and Blue stripes on the door trims and wheel center. The only variation was to the dash, with buyers able to choose from Red, White, or Blue. This car features the latter, and the interior condition looks quite tidy. The driver’s-side front seat has a seam separation, but the rest of the interior is free of significant damage or deterioration. There are no engine bay shots. However, the Impala features a 350ci V8, a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The seller confirms that this survivor is numbers-matching, and while the small-block only delivers 160hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque, it would be an effective highway cruiser. Although not stated explicitly, the indications suggest this is a turnkey classic.
This 1974 Chevrolet Impala is a tidy survivor that would turn heads. The paint and trim combination forming the Spirit of America package ensures that it stands out for the right reasons. Addressing its interior shortcomings could be fairly easy without resorting to a complete retrim. They aren’t urgent, allowing the new owner to enjoy this classic as-is while planning their strategy for the future. The seller’s price looks competitive when compared to recent successful sales, and with the Impala having been on the market for a relatively short time, I believe it will find a new home fairly quickly.
All I see here is bulk compared to the original ’58 Impala. Doesn’t even have enough power to get out of it’s own way.
1974 pretty much the last year before precipitous horsepower drop of 75 due to catalytic converters. It’s a big car, no doubt, but with a 454 4bbl and dual exhaust, they went pretty good.
I had two 73 Impalas with 350 2 barrels. Not stormers, but they weren’t slugs.
A red dash would just look odd on this car. I just thought these only came in white paint. I mostly love Barn Finds for the history lessons.
White & dk blue if memory serves me, but Google AI will say too.
I remember seeing the Vega,Malibu,Nova,Caprice in White White interior with red/blue pinstripes lined up at a dealership called Hory Chevrolet in Larchmont NY I was a new car brochure kid back then and got all 4 brochures
Straight panels on a GM product? Say it isn’t so!
My dad and mom test drove the all white version of this in ’74. The next day or so, they decided to buy it. Unfortunately, before dad could return to the dealership, he was killed in an accident at work. So mom kept their ’72 Flame Orange Buick Skylark, which eventually became my car.
I’m so sorry for your loss. So sad.
https://youtu.be/qKJcA2foaH4?si=kio0vNTcQFDeIjOB
Lol Primo. ⛱️
As just an Impala it’s a really good looking car in that blue.But as a Spirit of America version,you really want the white version to show off the special..i just cant see it much here..Just a good looking regular Impala.
I grew up driving a 74 Impala.
A tank.
There’s one exterior shortcoming that the dark paint conceals a bit: bumper fillers are gone, front and rear.
Yeah, I spotted that too. The photos aren’t good quality, but around the vinyl top’s C-pillar trim-piece things look pretty hinky to me. I’ll bet that up-close this is one rough Chevy.
Someone’s been playing with this Impala. The blue Spirit of America Impalas had a red and white stripe that started at the front bumper, ran over the front wheel opening and then ran the length of the rest of the car right along the lower body line above the rocker area. White Spirit Impala’s had the same stripe, but in red and blue. The side moldings, the full length upper pinstripe and the pinstripe on the hood are not original too or correct for a Spirit of America Impala. Correct reproduction Spirit of America stripe kits are available for the Vega and Nova Spirit of America editions, but not the Impala.
The Spirit Impala’s came with either a white interior with a blue dash, carpet and rear package shelf, or a white interior with an Oxblood (darker red) dash, carpet and package shelf. There were no white dashboards in any 74 Chevrolets.
Besides the Impala, Vega and Nova Spirit editions, there was also an El Camino Spirit of America in white with a red and blue “hockey stick” stripe. The El Camino stripe started at the bottom of the front bumper and went up to the top of the fender, ran down the top side of the body, around the tailgate and back to the other front fender. It was basically the same stripe as the El Camino SS stripe, but in red and blue. Besides the stripe, the El Camino editions also had an eagle emblem on the front fender similar to the one on Vega’s and Nova’s. The El Camino editions I think only came with the white interior with the blue dash and carpet.
Thanks for such a comprehensive explanation.
Funny, the way U.S. automakers “got onto the bicentennial bandwagon” with patriotically-themed models; and just about every State issued special bicentenial plates too.
No such corporate enthusiasm for this year’s 250th. Lots of reasons I suppose, but kinda sad nonetheless.
And finally, as I observed in a previous comment, this Chevy is probably just a case of lipstick-on-a-pig.
A senior couple who attended church with us back in the little town where I grew up has this color combo. They must have ordered it as it had power windows, locks, and bench seat. I think they stayed with the 350cid. This vehicle may have been repainted as, if memory serves, our friends’ car had a red/white/blue bodyside tape stripe that ran the length of the car just above the lower body crease. May have also had a corresponding tape stripe on the lip of the deck lid. No vinyl bodyside molding. Regardless, a nice looking car and the blue and white scheme did appear to have been more rare than the triple white. Hope it finds a good home.
Back in the late 70’s when I was in high school a classmate had a nova that had spirit of america stickers on the quarter panels. I am pretty sure that it was silver and owned by a guy named Mike. Only one I ever saw, I think he crashed it
I had an all white one with a 400 4bbl. That thing just floated down the road.
i have never seen 1 of these in blue. appears to be in solid shape and fairly priced. my guess it won’t last long.
What’s with the mileage? Seller lists it at 140,000. Odometer shows 14,xxx but the leading “1” is misaligned. Rolled back? Nice looking Impala in any regard.
My guess is they thought the 10ths of a mile was a number for a 6 digit odometer, which this is not obviously. Probably actually mileage is 114k.
I have an LS swapped 74 with the bowed in back window. I don’t like the back window on this 1. I see these fukn time to time.
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The Bicentennial was special and so many companies got in on the program. Although ’74 was a jump of the gun, Chevrolet did a nice job with these. I recall our local dealer had two Impalas and one each of the Nova and Vega. One of the Impalas was blue like this but without air. The other was triple white with red accents and more loaded with air and I believe the 400 sb. I still like the prior sport coupe roof line but blending the Custom side glass and new backlight kept it fresh for the final two years.
At this affordable price, a Future DONK, unfortunately!
A RARE survivor ! 1974 was a slow year for auto sales, due to the economic recession and the oil crisis . I also recall the gas lines of ’74 . Even so , there were still buyers for the big American cars like this Chevrolet Impala . Today , these luxury cars are in demand and bring good prices on the market .
I am the seller, I have no secrets with this car. It is not perfect, and definitely has been painted some many years ago. But it is in original condition for a fair price. Frame and body are in good condition, bumper fillers are missing but also are available also the blue dash is crack and again also available. Please let me know if you find another in like or better condition in the same price range.
Point taken.
Most of the commentators seem to agree with you.
I hope you are successful.