1974 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Start talking vintage sports cars and the second-generation Stingray is almost always directly referenced. Offered in two body styles, and equipped with engine options that spanned 149 cubic inches, the C3 was capable of satisfying nearly every gearhead who took interest. And that legacy of universal appeal has continued for over 60 years, giving fans and aficionados the parts and inspiration to enjoy their favorite car pretty much indefinitely. Take this '74 drop-top, for example. Thoughtfully rehabilitated during a ground-up restoration, this tastefully detailed Chevy turns a universally appealing platform into a Main Street super star! Ready to hit the road in a brash, head-turning classic? Check out this stunning Corvette!

BODYWORK/TRIM

'All Corvettes are red' is a common generalization, but it's certainly hard to argue with the aesthetic appeal of this sizzling Torch Red roadster! That pigment protects a solid profile that was massaged into shape during the car's 2016 body-off restoration. That rebuild paired a restored convertible frame and fresh White canvas, installed by Coffman Corvette of Mansfield, Ohio, with all-new brightwork. And today, this sinuous Stingray rolls as a spectacular piece of iconic American muscle that's detailed to better-than-new standards.

With such a cleanly styled body, ornamentation could have easily ruined the C3's presence. Thankfully, Chevrolet did a great job of placing form over function and keeping brightwork to a minimum. At the front of this Chevy, a new bumper centers monochromatic grilles and clear parking lamps between an ornate header emblem and an exaggerated chin spoiler. Above that scowling clip, a raised Cowl Induction Hood draws the eye to stainless-trimmed glass that's reflected in a factory driver's mirror. At the sides of that hood, flush door poppers and polished rocker guards frame shaved fenders and clean marker lamps. And at the back of the car, an '82 Corvette bumper centers a tasteful duck tail spoiler over ornate taillights, polished exhaust tips and simple “corvette” lettering.

ENGINE

Professionally rebuilt by Precision Engines of Port Clinton, Ohio in June of 2014, this Vette's 412 cubic inch Chevrolet big block turns 381 dyno-proven horsepower into 428 lb./ft. of pavement-scorching torque. Power originates when wind whips from a polished air cleaner in to an electronically choked Edelbrock 4-barrel, which dumps 750cfm of air and fuel in to an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake. That air/fuel mixture travels to iron Chevy heads, which hide hardened valve seats between polished valve covers and a .030 overbore. Sparks get sequenced from a Pertronix Flame Thrower distributor to Taylor STREETHUNDER plug wires. Those wires fire balanced internals, which rotate a Comp hydraulic cam and hydraulic, flat-tappet lifters. Spent gases roar through fully restored exhaust manifolds. Charge comes courtesy of a fresh alternator, which spins opposite a modern AC compressor. Cooling is provided by an efficient aluminum radiator. And details like polished pulleys, stainless fuel lines, a polished Edelbrock breather and a colorful Edelbrock fuel filter give the big mill a little extra flash.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Peer under this low-slung roadster and you'll find a familiar factory chassis that's straight, solid and ready to roll. The car's stout big block twists torque through a rebuilt 700R4 4-speed. At the edges of that drivetrain, a fully rebuilt chassis benefits from a Performance Suspension Kit. That kit pairs a 360-pound monoleaf, 550-pound coils and trusty Bilstein shocks with a 1.125-inch front sway bar, a .750-inch rear sway bar and poly adjustable strut rods. Factory power steering keeps turns tight while power-assisted discs keep stops short. Spent gases traverse chambered pipes. And all that high-quality hardware rolls on handsome alloy wheels, which spin 255/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As around cross-flag center caps.

INTERIOR

Slip in to this Stingray's conservative Black interior and settle on firm leather buckets that are dressed in tight, weather-free hides. A familiar dash founds a correct Delco AM/FM radio between rebuilt telemetry and a leather map pocket. At the base of that dash, a tapered console frames modern air conditioning and a factory shifter. Below that console, “Stingray” branded floor mats split the difference between stainless-trimmed foot pedals and stain-free carpet. At the edges of that carpet, weather-free door panels hang simple hardware in front of factory power windows. And in front of the driver, a tilting column spins a sporty, satin-spoke steering wheel.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

• A few restoration photos
• Restoration receipts
• A copy of the car's Cam Card
• DYNOmite dyno results

With its hot motor, racy body and comfy interior, this solid sports car is an attractive, well-done classic. And best of all, being a Corvette Stingray, its appeal is nearly universal. If you're in the market for a no excuses collector car with an unbeatable combination of style and performance, this Chevy is your kind of ride!

----------

SUMMARY
* The beneficiary of a frame-off restoration that was completed in 2016
* 402 ci Chevrolet Big Block V8 / 381 dyno-proven horsepower
* 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission
* Modern air conditioning / Leather interior
* Performance Suspension
* Tastefully modified body / Torch Red paint / White canvas top
* Power steering / 4-wheel power disc brakes
* 15-inch alloy wheels
* Chambered exhaust
* Sale includes: Restoration photos / Restoration receipts / A copy of the car's Cam Card / DYNOmite dyno results