1974 Chevrolet Corvette - ORANGE / BLACK - Many LARGE Pictures!! Fresh Resto!!!

1974 Chevrolet Corvette Base / Coupe Description

Up for sale is a stunning fresh “frame on” restored 1974 Corvette. Before the restoration, the car had 90,640 original miles. I did NOT reset the odometer to ZERO as the title does show the car’s actual mileage, and I felt it was best to keep EVERYTHING about this car original, and matching the information on the title.

Since the restoration I have driven the car 879 trouble free miles. The mileage will increase slightly until the car is sold as I truly enjoy getting behind the wheel and enjoying the experience this car brings each and every time!!!

It was apparent that this car was NEVER driven in winter weather and that it was in such well taken care of condition before the restoration was started, that it did not need or require having the body removed to restore this beauty to its (in my opinion) better than original factory new condition! There was a tremendous amount of time spent paying attention to detail during the restoration…and it shows! Below you will find a breakdown of what this car is equipped with, and what was done during the restoration…so grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage), get comfortable, and PLEASE read on!!

Factory options include:

• L48 350 cu. In. engine – Numbers Matching
• TH400 transmission
• Deluxe Interior with Leather Seating
• Air Conditioning
• HD Cooling (Now a top-of-the-line Dewitt’s Aluminum Radiator)
• GM “Corvette Hot Kit” Flex Fan Kit *** (Replaced fan clutch systems which were prone to failure and insufficient engine cooling)
• Power Steering
• Power Brakes (all 4 calipers are rebuilt with stainless steel sleeves)
• Power Windows
• AM/FM – STEREO
• Rear Luggage / T-Top Carrier Rack ***
• Luggage Rack T-Top carriers and strap ***
• T-Top Storage Bags
• Tank Sticker – Build Sheet

*** Denotes Dealer Installed Options

I will now break the restoration down into sections and highlight the bright spots of each section below:

BODY

Body/Paint: During the restoration, the body was stripped bare to remove its single repaint and original factory orange paint. The body was then sealed with an epoxy primer, followed by a 2K primer, and finished off in a beautiful base coat/clear coat finish. The cars original color combination was Orange Metallic with a Saddle Deluxe Interior…which in my opinion was not the prettiest color combination back then – so it was improved and changed to a stunning Omaha Orange over Black Deluxe Interior. The result is an eye-popping, head turning, attention getter that gets compliments and thumbs-up everywhere it is driven!!!

Body Panels / Components: Much time was taken to ensure the proper alignment of the hood, doors, headlight doors, and bumpers. Just look at the pictures and see for yourself! The doors also received new exterior mirrors, and new exterior door handles. The original urethane bumper covers were replaced with new flexi-fit fiberglass bumper covers to ensure a lifetime of care free appearance!! Notice the front, this front end retains its original metal grills, including the hard to find metal center grill which really completes the look!!

Headlights: Replaced both headlight vacuum actuators and actuator relays. Replaced all headlight vacuum system lines, filter, and check valve. The vacuum operated headlights come up and go down together in perfect sync…a very rare attribute for these cars!!!!

Passenger Doors: To restore the factory door to body alignment, the door hinges and door detents on both sides were restored and adjusted. The door latch mechanisms were cleaned and relubricated. As a result, the car seals tightly, the doors close with that tight, new car “schoomp” sound, the windows roll up and seal as they should, and the body lines are arrow straight.

Trim: During the restoration, ALL of the stainless steel trim, including the roof panel trim (both sides), windshield trim, and T-Top T-Bar trim was removed and machine polished to a chrome like finish. A truly beautiful touch which always gets noticed!

In addition, the power window tracks were all cleaned and re-lubricated for smooth operation. Window height and lower stops are adjusted to factory specs.

INTERIOR

The interior is equally as beautiful. It not only looks better than new, it smells like new too!!! Here is a list of major interior components replaced:

Seats: The seats were disassembled, restored, and the seats recovered with new Corvette America leather seat covers. Restoration of the seats included complete disassembly frame inspection, and restoration of the seat tracks. When adjusting seat position, the seats move as if on ice! The seat belts were replaced with brand new OE style dual retractor belts that are MADE IN THE USA from Seat Belt Solutions. When choosing replacement belts, SAFETY was my main concern. Seat Belt Solutions is the ONLY company whose belts meet FMVSS 209/302 standards – The same standards followed by the auto manufacturers themselves!!

Flooring / Carpet: The bare floors were cleaned and lined with a foil backed insulating heat barrier before the carpeting was installed. The new 80/20 loop carpet came from ACC (the LEADER in automotive carpet) and fits like you would expect---perfectly!!! The rear cargo area was given an additional layer of jute to act as a heat barrier and sound deadener. The storage compartments received a new outer frame and individual door frames. The compartment door locks were cleaned and re-lubed, and the doors adjusted to ensure proper operation.

Doors: The door panels are new Corvette America panels. All original interior door trim was removed and restored right down to the little crossed flag emblems on the interior door handles. The original deluxe wood trim on both doors and the console center plate were removed and restored using virgin wood laminate that was stained and varnished to look not only match perfectly, but also to look better than original and last MUCH longer. Again, details make the difference!

Console: The A/C and heater controls were removed and restored, not only mechanically and electrically, but cosmetically as well and work very smoothly and as they should on all selections. The shifter was removed and lubricated and works smoothly. There was also a new dust/water seal installed under the shifter itself.

Under Dash Air Handler / Ductwork, A/C and Heat: The air handler was removed and all vacuum solenoids were tested and verified for proper operation. New seals were installed throughout the air delivery system to ensure factory new performance. While the air handler was out, a new heater core was also installed and sealed to factory specs. The A/C and heat work much better than you would expect in a car of this age. Of major importance; the original factory A/C will keep you VERY cool----how cool you wonder? How do center vent temperatures of 38º to 40º sound?? See the picture at the bottom of the page I took of a thermometer inserted in the center vent on an oppressive day in July when the outside temp was 90º with 88% humidity and a dew point of 75º. Today’s NEW cars do NOT cool that well!!!!

Radio: The original factory AM/FM-STEREO radio worked perfectly from day one! The radio was cosmetically restored, and also received two new in dash Delco 10Ω speakers to ensure the best sound possible.

Gauges: All gauges were tested and verified for proper operation prior to install. The clock was removed and restored and keeps beautiful time! All of the dash lamps were placed with new, and look GREAT at night! Did I say details????

Miscellaneous Interior: Look at how well the interior components line up, such as the console center plate, gauges, speedometer/tachometer, center gauge bezel, t-top headliners, rear storage compartment doors…the list goes on and on. Again, attention to detail pays off! A couple of other new interior parts include the interior rear view mirror glass, and visors.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION / UNDER HOOD

Both the engine and transmission were completely rebuilt to stock specifications using parts MADE IN THE USA! The proper break-in procedure was used for initial cam and engine break-in. High ZDDP oil was used during break in and on the 500 mile oil change the proper amount of ZDDP was added to the oil to ensure years of trouble free operation! All engine components were also restored or rebuilt as needed as follows:

Carburetor: Completely disassembled and overhauled. Re-adjusted to GM factory specs.

Alternator: Completely disassembled and overhauled. All internal electronic components (diode trio, regulator, brushes…) were replaced with US MADE parts. Both inner and outer bearings were replaced.

Distributor: Completely disassembled and checked for wear. New tach drive gear and bushing were installed and properly lubed. New Delco points / condenser were installed. New shaft lubricator pad and upper shaft seal installed. New 7MM plug wires and AC R45 spark plugs were also installed

A/C Compressor: Completely disassembled and inspected. The compressor looked like new inside!! Installed all new seals in compressor and housing. Replaced old style ceramic shaft seal with new and improved double lip shaft seal. Adjusted clutch to factory specs.

Windshield Wiper: The wiper transmission linkage was removed, cleaned and re-lubricated. The motor was tested for proper operation. The washer pump was removed and rebuilt including both the upper seals AND the washer pump piston seal itself. Washer fluid is delivered to windshield through the “on arm” tubes, and works exactly like you would expect it to!!

Engine Cooling: The radiator was replaced with a MADE IN THE USA Heavy Duty Dewitt’s Aluminum radiator. Engine cooling is NOT in issue in this car! The engine runs at a constant temperature of 195º without A/C and a steady 200º with the A/C on – both in local traffic and 70mph highway speeds….NEVER a degree higher!!!!!

Also installed is the much desired GM “Corvette Hot Kit”. The hot-kit was GM’s answer to the inherent problem of these cars running hot due to the restricted cooling/air flow design. In the early cars, the clutch driven fan systems were proving to move insufficient amounts of air through the radiator and condenser, and thus provided insufficient cooling and the potential for overheating. To fix this, GM offered a “Corvette Hot Kit” which included a GM 7 blade flex fan, spacer, and 4 mounting bolts…and this car has that RARE kit installed!!!

Fuel System: The fuel tank was replaced with a new GM33D fuel tank. All fuel emission lines are hooked up and working properly. All of the rubber fuel lines were replaced with new lines capable of handling today’s ethanol mixed fuels. The fuel pump is also new. All fuel lines are in outstanding condition and needed only to be flushed prior to usage.

FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION / WHEELS/TIRES:

Front: Removed upper and lower control arms and replaced all bushings. Replaced shock absorbers. Replaced and repacked front inner and outer wheel bearings. Replaced grease seals. No other front end components required replacing.

Rear: Removed and rebuilt trailing arms. Rebuild included inspecting spindles for wear – and both checked good. Installed and adjusted new inner and outer rear wheel bearings. Adjusted end play to factory specs dry, prior to grease packing. After adjustment repacked all wheel bearings and installed new grease seals. Replaced trailing arm bushings and installed new stainless steel alignment shims. Replaced shock absorbers.

Wheels & Tires: The wheels were in remarkable condition and needed only a cleaning and light sanding before being repainted. The wheel faces were shot with epoxy primer before being painted with Argent Silver base coat followed by 2 coats of clear coat. The tires are brand new Mastercraft Avenger G/T P225-70R15's. Mastercraft tires are made by the Cooper Tire Company. The trim rings (beauty rings) are new stainless steel pieces, the center caps are original restored OE Chrome/Stainless centers with the "Chevrolet Motor Division" logo embossed. The wheel and tire combo look PHENOMENAL on this car and get compliments in addition to the compliments the car receives!!!!!

.

BRAKES:

All 4 brake calipers are stainless steel sleeved calipers. Resealed all 4 calipers with new OE style lip seals. Flushed all brake lines. Replaced master cylinder with a new unit.

________________________________________________________________

Attention was consistently focused on replacing all worn or aged components with as many OEM GM parts as possible...many of which were NOS parts still in their original boxes. If NOS parts were not available, painstaking efforts were made to find replacement parts that were MADE IN THE USA!!!

Emphasis throughout the restoration was placed on restoring the car and all of its components to factory specifications using GM manuals such as the Corvette Factory Assembly Manual, GM Factory Service Manual, and the GM Factory Overhaul Manual. It is this focus and attention to detail that has resulted in the completed product presented before you today.

You must see and drive this car to appreciate it for 100% of what it is today. When you sit behind the wheel you will believe you have been transported right back to 1974!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PAYMENT

BUY IT NOW: A $100 fully refundable deposit is due and to be paid within 24 hours via PayPal at the time of purchase of the car. "Time of Purchase" is defined as the time the "BUY it NOW" feature or "Best Offer" is used and accepted to end the listing. Only the deposit is to be paid via PayPal. The balance is to be paid using one of the following methods: 1) Cash, 2) a Certified Bank Check written on a U.S. bank, or 3) a Bank to Bank wire transfer. For purchases with a certified bank check, the car and title will remain in my possession until the bank the check was written against (YOUR BANK) verifies with me that the funds have been paid to me from the account the check was written against. No exceptions. Bank to bank wire transfers will need to be verified by me at my bank to ensure the funds were received. Again, the car and title will remain in my possession until verifiable payment has successfully been made buy the buyer, and received by me (seller). Cash payments will be subject to counterfeit testing measures and legitimacy verification, and will only be accepted once verification has been made.

REFUNDS

As noted above, a FULLY REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $100.00 is due at the time of purchase. "Time of Purchase" is defined as the time the "BUY it NOW" feature is used. A refund will be issued upon written request through eBay messaging where the buyer indicates their inability to complete the sale within 3 days. Please note: The buyers inability to complete the sale will also result in the buyer being reported to eBay as a non-paying buyer. This is to ensure that I am not charged by eBay for a sale that was not successfully completed. Once the sale is complete, there will be NO refunds.

This car is being sold in an "AS IS-WHERE-IS" sale, and there are absolutely NO guarantees or warranties given, either written, orally, expressed, implied, or otherwise.