Does the odometer really matter on an old car? The seller claims 38,000 original miles but this car is worn out and has been sitting for many years. Our subject car is a convertible 1974 Chevrolet Corvette and can be seen here on eBay with about a day left on the auction. Located in Miami, Florida, the car is listed at no reserve and is currently bid to $4,250.
The engine in this convertible Corvette appears to be the L48 version of the 350 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 195 net horsepower in 1974. Optional engines in 1974 were the L82 350 cubic inch V8 (250 hp) engien and LS4 454 cubic inch V8 (270 hp) engine. If the car was completely painted on the exterior in silver, it would blend nice with the blue interior.
Equipped with power steering, power brakes and an automatic transmission, the Corvette looks untouched for the past 47 years and left in a state that has allowed it to decline. The seller states that the car is not running and had to be pulled or pushed out of the garage for the pictures. The luggage rack adds a nice touch. The bright red Corvette across the alley looks pretty cool too!
1974 was the first year for the Corvette to have front and rear integrated urethane covered bumpers. It makes for a clean look but most people prefer the chrome bumper look. Car and Driver timed the L48 engine at a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds which is fairly remarkable for such a low horsepower rating but the car is a joy to drive due to its responsive torque output. Please share you comments on what you would do with this drop top.
I tend to agree that the miles do not matter with the overall condition of the car. If there isn’t any of the Corvette rust going on and it really doesn’t go much higher, this would be a good car to paint (do it yourself if possible) and make sure it’s mechanically sound, take care of some interior things and actually use it and enjoy it instead of being terrified to take it out and drive.
Car to paint? I think someone started that job already…with a rattle can.
“very nice dash and very nice gauges. nice body lines and body gaps.” Umm, not even close. I’m guessing the hood did not come on THAT car and body gaps on the doors and tonneau are atrocious.
Musta been an open air garage. Pass.
Looks rode hard and put away wet. Frame and birdcage in case it saw the beach. Could be a nice low buck ride.Grimy mill might mean blowby from a tired motor. But–if it needs a rebuid, throw some goodies in there for more ponies. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Note to seller – Take the final bid and run.
I generally agree with your opening statement Bruce, I don’t think it really matters what the odometer says on most cars we see here on Barn Finds. Which means I get a chuckle out of our discussions about whether the claimed (usually low) odometer reading is correct. We have all seen verified low mileage cars which looked liked high mileage cars, and vice versa.
L48 base engine car.
1974 – “J” for L48 (350 cid, 195 hp)
Automatic (lower value car)
Looks like was a AC car with bracket and alum lines on passenger side.
This car has waaaaayyyyyy more miles on it than listed. The old lady 👵 routine is great till you see the tired old engine and grease packed on it.
The radiator support is missing bolts and rusting good.
The front bumper not broken off in rubber chunks is a plus.
Check the dog legs really good snd frame connects (each side of firewall and inside the side vent panel or kick panels)
Check out the underside of the front section of headlight area between the headlights just in front of hood as it has metal under fiberglass that rots and a bear to replace. One last check is the rear
Suspension leafs as they go bad too.
I have owned two 74 verts both four speeds (1 chocolate and 1 silver) and each had under45 k on clock and the engine was not crusty like this without the chrome shields.
A fun cars with low ponies but a good starter Corvette that still is not a high dollar car yet…. so nice un rusted ones go cheap. I say this needs money thrown at it. A 137 k mileage car with new paint means you could buy a real low mileage nice one.
If your a person that can work on these buy it and store the engine if Numbers match and drop a $3500 Summit engine in it for the horses and have fun driving it.
Hey Classic Steel! Liked your comment and was wondering if you’d be willing to provide some further insights to the ’74? I’m looking for 4-Speed/Convertible to rebuild. Not having a Vette (of this vintage) obviously leads to many questions.
Gaspumpchas is right, look at the grime on the valve covers. That’s at least 138,000 miles, if not 238,000 miles. I’ve seen 138,000 mile cars with leaking valve cover gaskets that weren’t near that bad. The seats and carpet look like at least 137,000 miles, or more.
Look it over good, if it was on or near the beach there could be a lot of structural damage hiding under the ‘glass. The body gaps make you question how good the frame is. The rusted out Florida Mopars you see on here are proof that vehicles from Florida can rust . . . a LOT.
A friend of mine has a silver 74 w t tops, hi po 250 hp engine, he bought the car in 77 from Malcom Connor Chevrolet in Paramus NJ w 9,000 miles on it, it now has 21,000 original miles on it. Been stored properly thru the years indoor garage, replaced all the calipers, stainless steel exhaust, 1 re paint, replaced front and rear bumper covers, nice car. Not the fastest Vette ever made, but pretty nice and original not worth a million dollars, it he’s owned it since he’s 21, so I’m sure a lot of exhilaration when a good song comes on the factory am/fm, oh wait, there are no more good songs on the radio, maybe he better get the radio converted to Bluetooth
I lived in paramus from 84 to 2007, they always had a great display on the 2nd floor
Yup was always a sight to see
Looks like a car that started out in Michigan for a bunch of years before it got that Florida title.