74 Ls4 value

[cdr63corv]

Hey wondering if any body could tell me what its worth. Found a 74 454 # matching motor, automatic, air, power everything. Needs a paint job, interior, carb rebuild, and the brakes are froze and brake lines need replacing. Overall in pretty ruff shape. My knowledge is limited on the c3s. Have a 63 but dont know the price difference for parts etc. between. Or is this one to pass on and look for one thats done. The body looks unhit and not stress cracked up. Thanks for any help.

 

[92ghost]

74 was the last year for the big block 454. IMO That in itself is worth a second look if it's a # matching and it sounds like it is. I took a ride in a friends 74, 454, with 4 speed and totally stock (don't know what gear ratio in the rear). It was not the tire shreading monster that I thought it would be, and with only 270 HP it's probably the most enimic big block in stock form that ever came out in a vette. He was lucky to get 14 mpg on the highway too. That said, the 74 is considered to be a classic. I like the style and sleek look of the 74 model with the molded bumpers. (no chrome). I would buy it and restore to original condition, but again that is my opinion.

BTW. I believe the CR was 8.0-1. If you wanted to boost to 9.5-1 and add a bigger cam and some head work, you could easily add HP for relatively cheap. Other BB owners on this site could give a better estimate.

 

[basilio]

'74 LS4

It sounds like a very collectable vehicle.
You can't go wrong with the big block --no more are made and none are going to be made!

Although it does not have the HP of some of the earlier BB, it is a very fast car in stock form when it has been looked after. There is no regular production vette after '74 with more HP until the ZR-1 of 1990!

I believe Car &Driver tested an LS4 and the 0-60 was 6.4sec, 1/4 mi. was 14.6 at 99 mph, top speed was 132 mph!

The look of the '74 in my opinion is the best of the C3. The lines are the cleanest of the entire series without chrome and without the little black bumperettes that begin the following year.

This was the last year of the dual exhaust, no catalytic converter, possible use of leaded fuel, and first year of the Gymkhana suspension!

You can't go wrong it a '74 BB. The price depends on how much your heart tells you its worth and your brain tells you how much time and effort you would like to put into it.

 

[MidShark]

Well, let's talk $$$. Always a little tough on limited info. and no pics, but here's my .02:
A nice '74 BB coupe (you didn't say that it was a vert.) can be had for $14,000-$18,000. If this car needs paint, ($4000-$5000) interior, ($2000) brakes, ($1000) and misc. ($2000), back this out from an already done car, and you are in the $4000-$8000 range. Of course, these numbers are very general, and, depending on how much you can do yourself, can vary greatly. You say the car is pretty rough. That would make me leery of the underside of the car. Is the frame good? What about the rear end, suspension, etc.? Could get expensive.
The closer you are to the low end of this price range, the better, obviously. There are two 454 project cars on Collectorcartraderonline right now, one is $4000 and the other is $6000. If they want considerably more than that, maybe you'll want to shop around a little more. Does sound like it could be a diamond in the rough, if it's basically solid and you're up for a big project.
Dick

 

[cdr63corv]

I forgot to say it is a coupe. I know how one thing can lead to another to another to another etc. next thing you know youll never be able to get your money back out. All the gaskets are dry rotted etc. There was a lot of oil on the floor. He said he drove it in the shed when it was parked. But who knows. Thanks though.

 

[Paul Borowski]

One thing you can do is go to "www.collectorcartraderonline" put in year 1974-1974 and it'll bring up many, many '74s nationwide if you choose "nationwide" search. You can even put LS4 or 454 in the search engine to sort the bigblock cars out further. I do this alot looking at Corvettes. Then, it'll help you get comparitive prices to what you're looking at.

 

[Lee74C3]

I own a 74 LS4/Automatic Coupe. I bought it about a year ago for $17,000. It's NCRS Top Flight, AC, Pwr Windows, Leather, AM/FM Stereo, etc. Overall, it is a very nice, quiet, tight, car. While only 270 HP (Net), the car runs very strong and has a ton of torque!

Here is what I think you need to look for...
1) Is the interior hot when you drive it? This is a big deal if you are not capable of taking the dash apart (far apart) and rebuilding the heater box, RS Cowl Plenum Vent, Heater Core, gaskets, and bunches of other small parts. This can be a near fatal case of the "While I'm in there, I'll fix this."

2) Does the AC work?

3) Brakes, $1,000 -$1,500 to fix them yourself

4) Frame, Suspension, Front Cross-member, Rear Trailing Arms

5) Exhaust System

6) Interior... seats, carpeting, dash pad, door panels?

I was fortunate. My car had a frame off restoration in the early 90's and all I have had to do is #1 & 2 and can do the work myself.

If you are not real handy, you may want to consider an early C4 which can be purchased in pretty nice condition for $8,500 - $12,000.

I like my car... but it is a LABOR of love.

 

[born2saw]

Check these out:

http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/...l.jhtml?paId=121491338&aff=national&src=&cid=

http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/...l.jhtml?paId=121624592&aff=national&src=&cid=

 

[Jack]

Hey wondering if any body could tell me what its worth. Found a 74 454 # matching motor, automatic, air, power everything. Needs a paint job, interior, carb rebuild, and the brakes are froze and brake lines need replacing. Overall in pretty ruff shape. My knowledge is limited on the c3s. Have a 63 but dont know the price difference for parts etc. between. Or is this one to pass on and look for one thats done. The body looks unhit and not stress cracked up. Thanks for any help.

Sounds like about 6 or 7K tops for this rough BB coupe.