This 1974 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is more than just a pretty face. It is rock-solid, while its paint shade gives it a striking sense of presence. However, the warmed V8 under the hood should deliver the performance buyers expected during the badge’s glory days. It has no apparent needs and is a turnkey proposition, ready to head to a new home. The seller has listed the Camaro here on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bidding sits below the reserve at $8,200, but you can bypass the auction process by selecting the BIN option at $16,000.
Chevrolet performed a significant facelift to the Second Generation Camaro for the 1974 model year, introducing larger bumpers that complied with safety regulations and a sloping grille that improved aerodynamics. It increased the car’s overall length by approximately seven inches without detracting from its sleek styling. This Z28 left the line that year, finished in striking Midnight Blue with Black and White graphics. I find these cars more attractive than the Z28 that emerged later in the decade, because the stripes were more subtle. The paint retains a healthy shine and, with no visible cosmetic imperfections, makes a positive first impression. Rust can be an issue with these classics, but the seller’s image gallery supports their claim that this car is rust-free. They recently fitted new bumper fillers, and the trim and chrome are in good order.
The interior images suggest that the first owner focused on performance when ordering this Camaro. They didn’t tick the boxes beside air conditioning, power windows, power locks, or cruise control, but did opt for a console. The photos confirm that this interior is a driver-grade proposition, with no visible issues in its Black vinyl upholstery. The carpet is extremely clean, as are the dash and pad. The console has a couple of discolored spots, and the installation of the aftermarket radio/cassette is pretty ordinary. However, a bit of tweaking should fix the stereo, while plastic dye might address the console issue if nothing else works.
The Z28 Camaro was still a reasonable weapon in 1974, with Chevrolet quoting power and torque figures of 245hp and 280 ft/lbs for its 350ci V8. However, this car may deliver more, with the seller describing the small-block as “warmed over.” They don’t elaborate on any internal changes, but the motor wears an upgraded carburetor, aftermarket headers, and a new dual exhaust. They recently rebuilt the four-speed manual transmission and fitted a new fuel tank. The seller describes the engine as healthy and says they would drive this classic anywhere. With summer fast approaching, it promises years of motoring pleasure for its new owner.
A close inspection will undoubtedly reveal minor flaws, but it would be fair to classify this 1974 Camaro Z28 as an exceptionally tidy driver-grade vehicle with no significant needs. It has already attracted eighteen bids, and with an extremely healthy Watch List tally, I suspect that the action is far from over. The seller’s BIN figure looks very competitive, and although values have dropped during the past year, the situation appears to have stabilized. That may be the first sign of a rebound, meaning that buying now could be a wise investment strategy. Would you hit the button to guarantee taking this Camaro home, or would you take your chances in the auction?
Might want to put an air filter on that. The foam insert is missing. That said, the three pedals are cool, and these cars are easy to fix and keep on the road as long as they aren’t rusted in certain areas. Someone will buy it.
I had a K10 in this color, with silver and Hawaiian blue pin striping. This color is sharper in person.
My favourite year for the Camaro..i love the brash stripes that year.One of our neighbours bought a dark red 74′ and i loved the stripes..the joy of youth :P
I bought a red 74 Z Type LT early in 1975 when I was 19, and yes, it was the joy of youth! I really loved that car, and had it for many years – pure fun to drive.
Honestly, it is a bit of a shame they didn’t leave the L-82 stock. 245 net was not too far off of the LT-1, which had a 270 net rating in ’72, which worked out to something closer to 325 gross. I know owners of this very car that claim the performance was as good as anything ’65-’70.
love the rag on the jack pad.
Glad you like the graphics as so many people don’t. This is a good looker. Equipped like so many of the era. Air wasn’t offered in a Z28 until ’73. In a couple years expectations would begin to change.
Somebody correct me if I’m wrong. but I believe this car kicked off the mercifully brief wild stripe era that ran from 1974-80.
Actually, 1974 was not only the end for the Z28 until its return in 1977 (unfortunately coming back without the L82 350), but the last year for any kind of large striping, such as been on the 70-73 models, through the end of the second generation’s run in 1981.
Sorry , I meant in the auto industry generally. There was a bunch of tape and stripe cars during that era – Volare Road Runner, Aspen R/T, Mustang Cobra II, Mustang King Cobra, Hornet AMX, Monza Spyder, Nova Shark, Starfire Firenza, etc
Pretty decent z28 here with a manual trans!
Love these 74 Zs!! This one looks good in blue and even has 3 pedals!!
I may have missed this, but I was curious on the gearing of the rear end. Great lookin’ car
The In-Your-Face graphics (factory) aren’t for everyone, but I always liked them.
@Dean Akers… Possible 3.73 gears?
Okay, just wondering. Thanks.
So it Could also be 2:79.
My 74 Z 4 speed came with 3.73 gears; I believe the automatic Z’s that year were 3.42.
Love it! I remember these well, although I was always in the camp that liked them better without the stripes. They were good runners for ’74, but those were bad years for rust. I had one (not a Z) with 2 barrel 350 auto. My first car with AC! Fairly gutless but a nice driver. Had some bubbles above the rear tires, I saw it again a year after I sold it and the rear quarters were gone. Not many survived that fate so this one is a pretty rare one. There’s some more desirable but I think it’ll bring a good price. If I were in the market I’d consider it!
This is a nice, clean, solid looking 74 Z for $16k. I don’t think it will be for sale for very long.
Back in 1977, I was a fresh USCG Fireman Appentice on the USCGC Chilula. My first CG unit out of Cape May Bootcamp. I drove down from NJ to her homeport in Atlantic Beach, NC in my 1974 Camaro Type LT 4 speed. The LT with it’s two barrel was not the T/A’s 6.6 Pontiac engine. And certainly not the Z’s Corvette L82 motor as found in this Z…..
One day in nearby Morehead City, at a small used car lot, sat a 74 Z28 in the same dark blue metallic as this car. Alas, making something like minimum wage + a 3 year car payment on my Camaro at $157.00 per month meant that I was not getting that Z28. But here we are, 50 years later, and looking at this car brings back those memories. These cars have the cachet but are highly underated. And yes, I love the billboard decals. It is said that the decal printer made an error in the printing process; thus the white background of the billboards were originally meant to be clear. So in effect, every White 74 Z28 you see with the billboards is the way GM had originally intended….
Great story! I also heard that about the graphics; they would have really been toned down without the white, especially on dark colors. That said, I liked the result on my red car, although understandably it’s not for everyone.
My favorite Camaro year as well. Just beautiful.