1974 CORVETTE

  • Major changes for 1974 involved the following:
    • A restyled, sloping rear end
      • elimination of the conventional rear bumper and replaced by a body-color urethane bumper
      • The new rear end eliminated the last vestiges of the long-lived rear-deck-lid spoiler and replaced it with a smooth-surfaced rear deck and a body-colored resilient urethane extension covering the actual rear bumper and including the circular taillights
      • The new rear end met federal energy-absorbing standards
      • It added 30 pounds to the weight of the Corvette
      • The rear cap section was of a two-piece design for 1974, but was changed to a one-piece design with a pair of fake bumperettes molded in for 1975
      • The increased weight of the rear end cap necessitated minor suspension changes such as revised front and rear sprig rates.
    • A new optional "Gymkhana" suspension featured
      • a 0.9375-inch (23.8 mm) diameter front stabilizer bar
      • heavier-duty front suspension bushings
      • front springs with a 550 lb/in rating
      • rear springs with a 304 lb/in rating
    • The power steering, seat belts, and radiator were improved.
    • The alarm system activator was relocated
    • Ten exterior colors were available
      • Bright Yellow
      • Classic White
      • Corvette Gray
      • Corvette Medium Blue
      • Corvette Orange
      • Dark Brown
      • Dark Green
      • Medium Red
      • Mille Miglia Red
      • Silver Mist
    • All convertibles came with a choice of Black or White soft tops
    • Interior colors were
      • Black
      • Dark Blue
      • Dark Red
      • Neutral
      • Saddle
      • Silver

I.D. NUMBERS

  • The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
  • Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67*4S400001 to 1Z67*4S437502
  • Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67*4S400001 to 1Z67*4S437502
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2ZCorvette
    3 & 467convertible
    37coupe
    5*Engine type where * is replaced by the following
    • J = ZQ3 350-cid V8, 195-hp, 4-barrel
    • T = L82 350-cid V8, 250-hp, 4-barrel
    • Z = LS4 454-cid V8, 270-hp, 4-barrel
    641974
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13400001 to 437502production sequence
  • Engine serial number
    1 to 70001001sequential production number
    8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
    9 to 11Carburetion & transmission CodeEngineCompressiontransmissionCarburetor
    CKZ350-cid 195-hp V-89.0:1manualfour-barrel
    CLB350-cid 195-hp V-89.0:14-speed manual with NB2four-barrel
    CLA350-cid 195-hp V-89.0:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel
    CLC350-cid 195-hp V-89.0:1THM-400 automatic with NB2four-barrel
    CLR350-cid 250-hp V-89.0:14-speed manualfour-barrel
    CWM454-cid 270-hp V-88.25:14-speed manualfour-barrel
    CWR454-cid 270-hp V-88.25:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel
    CWS454-cid 270-hp V-88.25:1THM-400 automatic with NB2four-barrel
  • Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
  • The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 74-1YZ67 identifies a Corvette Stingray convertible
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 74-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
  • The body number is the production serial number of the body.
  • The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
  • The ten 1974 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • 946 = Bright Yellow
    • 910 = Classic White
    • 917 = Corvette Gray
    • 922 = Corvette Medium Blue
    • 980 = Corvette Orange
    • 948 = Dark Green
    • 968 = Dark Brown
    • 974 = Medium Red
    • 976 = Mille Miglia Red
    • 914 = Silver Mist
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorVinyl UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Black400404
    Silver406407
    Neutral408 
    Dark Blue413 
    Saddle415416
    Dark Red425 

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
Z37
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger		$6002353232,028
Z67
2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger		$576635325,474

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO ZQ3)Optional Engine (RPO LS4)Optional Engine (RPO L82)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid454 cid350 cid
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"4.251 x 4.00"4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio9.0:18.25:19.0:1
Brake horsepower195 @ 4400270 @ 4400250 @ 5200
Torque275 lb-ft @ 2800380 lb-ft @ 2800285 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Camshaft high-performance camshaftHigh-performance camshaft
Fuel supplyRochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Model 4MVRochester Quadra-Jet four-barrelRochester four-barrel with 2.50-inch diameter dual exhaust system

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission
close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter 		Automatic Transmission
Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (optional)

CHASSIS

FeatureConvertibleCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length185.5 inches (4.712 m)185.5 inches (4.712 m)
Overall width69.0 inches (1.753 m)69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height 47.4 inches (1.204 m)
Ground Clearance4.5 inches (11.4 cm)4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread58.7 inches (1.491 m)58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread59.4 inches (1.509 m)59.4 inches (1.509 m)
TiresF70-15F70-15
FrameFull-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspensionIndependent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
SteeringSaginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle typeSprung differential, Hypoid gear
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area11.75" front and back
Total swept area461 sq. in.
Wheels8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1

OPTIONS

RPOCustom interior trim$154
RPO A31Electric power windows$86
RPO A85Custom shoulder belts$41
RPO C07Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$267
RPO C08Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop$329
RPO C50Rear window defroster$43
RPO C60Air conditioning$467
RPO FE7G81Gymkhana suspension$7
RPO G81Positraction rear axle, all ratios$12
RPO J50Power brakes$49
RPO L82350-cid 250-hp V-8$299
RPO LS4454-cid 270-hp V-8$250
RPO M21Four-speed close-ratio manual transmissionn/c
RPO M40Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissionn/c
RPO N37Tilt-telescopic steering wheel$82
RPO N40Power steering$117
RPO QRMWhite stripe nylon steel-belted radial tires GR70 x 15$32
RPO QRZGR70 x 15 raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires$45
RPO U05Dual horns$4
RPO U58AM-FM radio$276
RPO U69AM-FM radio$173
RPO UA1Heavy-duty battery$15
RPO UF1Map light$5
RPO Z07Off-road suspension and brake package$369

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • 95.6% had power steering (up from 91.5% last year)
  • 88.3% had power brakes (up from 79.3% last year)
  • 63.1% had power windows (up from 46% last year)
  • 77.7% had air conditioning (up from 70.8% last year)
  • 33.7% had four-speed manual transmissions (down from 41.2% last year)

1974 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1974 Corvette

1974 Corvette

1974 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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