Looking at a '74 - Any Advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 389
Likes: 128
From: Santa Maria CA
Looking at a '74 - Any Advice
I'm looking at a clean, well maintained 1974 C3. Resale Red, black interior, auto. Don't know yet if it's a J or T engine. $7,000 range.
Any thoughts or opinions? Any major issue this year I should be aware of?
Any thoughts or opinions? Any major issue this year I should be aware of?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville VA
Originally Posted by RaceMic
I'm looking at a clean, well maintained 1974 C3. Resale Red, black interior, auto. Don't know yet if it's a J or T engine. $7,000 range.
Any thoughts or opinions? Any major issue this year I should be aware of?
Any thoughts or opinions? Any major issue this year I should be aware of?
Your $7K 'investment' will grow and grow and grow because these either need 'a little' maintenance (resulting in 'well, it's just as cheap to get a crate motor') or some nice thing you want (like paint, tires, full-blown VBP suspension, headers, interior, hydroboost, and rack & pinion steering...)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: In the Beautiful Shenandoah Valley of VA
Do a search on rust issues, which don't restrict themselves to '74s. That's you're biggest concern. Take someone with you who is knowledgeable about Corvettes of this vintage. That's the best way to set your emotions aside while you're looking it over. And that will keep you from making a mistake.
Steve
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
Originally Posted by PureSilver
Run fast in the opposite direction!!!
Your $7K 'investment' will grow and grow and grow because these either need 'a little' maintenance (resulting in 'well, it's just as cheap to get a crate motor') or some nice thing you want (like paint, tires, full-blown VBP suspension, headers, interior, hydroboost, and rack & pinion steering...)
Your $7K 'investment' will grow and grow and grow because these either need 'a little' maintenance (resulting in 'well, it's just as cheap to get a crate motor') or some nice thing you want (like paint, tires, full-blown VBP suspension, headers, interior, hydroboost, and rack & pinion steering...)
Make sure you check for rust. Check the window frame, behind kick panel and the dog legs (near mount 3).
Take someone who can look at the car rationally. If this is your first vette, you might be blind sighted.
Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Millersville Maryland
I picked up my 74 in October of last year and am loving it. Recently installed a set of Heddmans I picked up from one of the members here (Harps) and am having the side exhaust hooked up this week. I don't worry about the $ I am putting into it because I am making it they way I want it; and that is the best advice I can give you. Sure if you have to but alot in it to get it to run down to the local 7-11 to get milk than you have a problem, but working on these is half the fun of owning them. 
Look for rust, mostly in the frame and birdcage. Run you hand in the inner fender wells to see if it has been repaired from an accident. Look underneath and see if there are any leaks in the engine. Check for puddles that sort of thing. 74's are the last year for true dual exhaust and BB, but just for that they are not worth the price of the Chrome's....yet.
oh and Pure silver....78's
J/K
Look for rust, mostly in the frame and birdcage. Run you hand in the inner fender wells to see if it has been repaired from an accident. Look underneath and see if there are any leaks in the engine. Check for puddles that sort of thing. 74's are the last year for true dual exhaust and BB, but just for that they are not worth the price of the Chrome's....yet.
oh and Pure silver....78's
J/K
