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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 08:57 AM
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Default 1974 option question

Need some help. I am looking at a 74 with L82 and 4 speed. The only option on the car is power brakes J50. It appears the car was ordered for performance. How can I determine if car has FE7 Gymkhana suspenion or Z07 off road suspension & brake options. I do not have access to tank sticker at this time (believe it still may be on tank).

Thanks for all the great feedback I get from you Guys & Gals....

Be safe and be well
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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 09:47 AM
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If it has Gymkana suspension the will be a rear sway bar attached to the rear trailing arms, connected by a linkage, not the long bolt/spacer/rubbers like aftermarket. Also the rear sway for that suspension package is only 7/16" dia. Pretty useless if you ask me.
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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 09:47 AM
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The L-82 is an option. Without factory documentation, you may not be able to determine how the car was originally equipped. You could look for evidence of FE7 or the Z07, but since these were options and available over the counter from Chevrolet dealerships, any or all of the packages could have been added by previous owners.

While you're looking at the car, ask the seller for any and all paperwork he/she may have for the car.


Last edited by Easy Mike; Apr 24, 2013 at 09:49 AM.
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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 10:12 AM
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Don't know where the OP is located, as he doesn't have it listed (should be made mandatory) but in Canada I got a package from GM Vintage which told me everything about my car from the VIN. Including all options, build date, dealer it was shipped to, and much more. Great investment for $40. But I heard GM in the US doesn't offer this.
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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by toolman0114
...I heard GM in the US doesn't offer this....
Correct. The records do not exist and GM did not track them. In Canada, you have the info available because the Canadian government kept records of new cars being imported.

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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Correct. The records do not exist and GM did not track them. In Canada, you have the info available because the Canadian government kept records of new cars being imported.

GM Canada, not the govvamint.
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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 11:48 AM
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Correct, GM Canada kept the records, Not the G'ment

Originally Posted by Mike Ward
GM Canada, not the govvamint.
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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
GM Canada, not the govvamint.
Oooops. I was going to suggest you folks thank the cats in Ottawa for having automotive hobbyist forethought during a time when no one else was thinking about it, but I suppose that will not be necessary.


Last edited by Easy Mike; Apr 24, 2013 at 02:41 PM.
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Old Apr 24, 2013 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
GM Canada, not the govvamint.
Yep! I used that service for my former 1979. My current 1974 was originally sold in the Western USA so I can't get the same info.

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/shopping/parts/vintage

Some of the info appears on this poster.


Last edited by Paul L; Apr 24, 2013 at 02:06 PM.
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Old Apr 25, 2013 | 08:26 AM
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The only thing I want to know is the exact birth date of my car (I know it was in May sometime). Since the car was painted (used to be Red), the trim tag isn't there so I may have to pony up the 40.00 just to find that out.

I have been able to find out everything else on the Vintage form Paul displayed on my own.
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Old Apr 25, 2013 | 07:58 PM
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....according to the Corvette Black Book, power brakes came with Z07. I think the close ratio 4spd did too. Is yours a wide ratio or close?

...the two or three Z07 '74s I looked at did NOT have a rear sway bar.

...Again, according to the Black Book, Z07 had heavy duty power brakes, thicker heavier front sway bar, heavy duty shocks & springs. Wouldn't know how to tell any of these features from the standard ones unless the part numbers/spring tags/sway bar tags were still visible or legible on the suspension components. The front calipers were of a dual pin type, not the common single pin ones.

As Mike already pointed out, this parts can easily be changed.
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Old Apr 26, 2013 | 04:21 AM
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Originally Posted by 74Ken
The only thing I want to know is the exact birth date of my car (I know it was in May sometime).
Your VIN should tell you the date.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/.../D...nline-Corvette.

Cheers,
Gav
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Old Apr 26, 2013 | 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by thegavel
Your VIN should tell you the date.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/.../D...nline-Corvette.

Cheers,
Gav
Damn, Didn't work,
"Unable to decode VIN. Please check the number and try again."
Checked the Ownership and it was the same as the one on the appraisal.
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Old Apr 26, 2013 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 74Ken
...Didn't work...Unable to decode VIN...
You can get close with your consecutive unit number. The Corvette Black Book lists ending serial numbers for each month. Find the month which includes your serial number; subtract the prior month from your month to get the number of cars assembled in your month. Use a perpetual calendar to determine the number of working days in that month. Count Saturdays but exclude Sundays and any known holidays. Divide working days into the monthly production total and get an average daily figure. Start with the prior month's ending VIN and add your average daily figure to it until you reach the day where your VIN comes up.

Not perfect, but it will get you in the ball park. The Joker would be a work stoppage at the plant. If memory serves, there were a couple of strikes at St. Louis during 74 production.


Last edited by Easy Mike; Apr 26, 2013 at 08:48 AM.
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Old Apr 26, 2013 | 09:04 AM
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If you have an iPhone you can install the corvette birthday app. Punch in the last 5 of the VIN and it gives you the approx date.
Or message me with the VIN and I'll do it for you. I have it on my iPhone
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Old May 31, 2013 | 04:26 PM
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I have a 1974 454 Vette, no air, ps, tilt tele,. Have not been able to documents the car as a Zo7 car, but the car has all the Zo7 options except the two pin calipers. The previous owner had calipers replaced and let the cores go. The car has both front and rear stabilizers, the 7 leaf spring, the M21 Muncie, and the 3.55 performance third member. The car is all original with leather option, silver over silver, but the car was repainted black appox. 4 years ago. Original matching numbers.
Can anyone help in documenting this car?
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Old May 31, 2013 | 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by HVN
I have a 1974 454 Vette, no air, ps, tilt tele,. Have not been able to documents the car as a Zo7 car, but the car has all the Zo7 options except the two pin calipers. The previous owner had calipers replaced and let the cores go. The car has both front and rear stabilizers, the 7 leaf spring, the M21 Muncie, and the 3.55 performance third member. The car is all original with leather option, silver over silver, but the car was repainted black appox. 4 years ago. Original matching numbers.
Can anyone help in documenting this car?
I think Z07 had a special proportioning brake valve . Again this something that I suppose you could add to any car, the brake pads i think were the MEGA expensive now rare HD variety.very difficult to locate NOS
mine has all the same options plus AC M21 3:36 , and mine is not a Z07, I've only seen ONE 1974 that I know is Z07 for sure and i studied it in person , a met brown L82 that included full documentation from original owner . It sold DIRT CHEAP and was frame off. I remember the car stance was pretty high...

You need the tank sticker or window sticker that came with the came to prove it that it is Z07 or paper work from the original owner/dealer when the car was ordered. otherwise like Mike says, you can add the parts to make it a Z07 .
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