1974 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Virtually everything on this car has been rebuilt or replaced. I have a 2" thick file of receipts to prove it. First off. this is a California car. Never been on salty roads and the only rust I've encountered is minor surface rust.   Absolutely no rust in the frame or anywhere else!

When I bought the car it had some electrical issues. completely worn out suspension. cracked bumpers. and a roached interior.   Both the front and rear suspensions were rebuilt including springs. control arms. shocks. power steering. rear trailing arms (refurbished by Van Steel). steering box and steering column.   The car then received a 4 wheel alignment to factory specs.

Before I bought the car the engine had just been bored . 030 and rebuilt but still was making less than 200 hp (it only had 195 from the factory).   I replaced the smogged down stock heads with 202. 65cc heads. installed a Comp Cams 350/400 cam. roller rockers. and aluminum water pump with Zoops brackets.   Also added a polished Edelbrock intake and Holly 460 carb. The exhaust system was replaced with Patriot ceramic coated headers. 2 1/2" exhaust and Magnaflow mufflers. It now flows great and sounds awesome without being offensive! After these upgrades I figure it makes about 400 hp.  

The main wiring loom has been replaced along with all the light bulbs and most of the switches in the car. Seats were recovered in "medium saddle" leather. the cabin floor was completely insulated with "Dynamat" and new carpeting was installed.   The stock speedometer and tachometer were replaced with Stewart Warner electronic gauges and the odometer currently shows 97 miles.   I also replaced the delux door panels and dash pad as well as the center console and emergency brake handle and housing.   The clock was rebuilt and actually works!

The TH400 transmission was rebuilt and torque converter replaced last month.   A shift kit was installed and the shifts are solid! All the body mounts have been replaced.   All the badges and emblems are new. The front and rear bumpers were replaced with stock looking "Truflex" bumpers and all the tail lights and headlights replaced. The damaged passenger side window was replaced with an NOS window that has the correct "Astro Ventilation" markings.

The entire car was stripped to the gel coat and painted with House of Kolor "Chrome Yellow" base coat/clear coat paint.   The convertible top is perfect and Coast Corvette in Anaheim CA made the electric windows work perfectly and seal into the top channels.   The door handles were replaced and the electric windows rebuilt with all new parts. The TA Radial tires and "Torq Thrust D" mags are new and. the original rally rims and caps are included with the car.

The luggage rack was upgraded to a stainless steel unit and even the antenna was replaced.   The stock hood was modified with an L88 hood scoop and the under-side painted body color.   The hood being painted yellow instead of the ugly factory black makes a world of difference in the way the car shows.

Now the bad; the turn signals work - but don't cancel. The front oil pan seal is not 100% sealed and drops about a drop of oil per week. The AC is not hooked up. I have all the AC parts - hoses. lines. brackets. condenser. etc. but. to me. the AC unit is just extra weight.   You can get it installed if you want it but personally I don't like it so its all in a big box.

The engine starts right up courtesy of the Pertronix ignition and the Optima Yellow Top battery.   The electric fans kick on at about 180 degrees and the temperature never goes above 190.   All-in-all its a great car and I get a continuous flow of honks and thumbs up every time I drive it. But its time for me to move on and let somebody else enjoy this classic.

Here are some interesting things about the car. It was built in October 1973 so its an "early" model. It's actually registered as a 1973 but it's a 74 for sure. It is one of 5. 74 convertibles made and probably only half that many survive. This one is special because it was "fully loaded" with tilt telescope steering column. power windows. power brakes. power steering. AM/FM radio. custom leather interior. shoulder belts. and Air Conditioning. 1974 was also the last year without a catalytic converter and true dual exhaust.   The original color was a more subdued yellow but the current yellow is stunning! It actually got more looks and "gawks" at the Brea car show than the 63 split-window Vette with factory injection nearby.

I have hundreds of pictures of the restoration and can send you some if there is something specific you want to see.

Also published at eBay.com

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