Topic: 74's RULE
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2431
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Ok, maybe we don't rule, but we're not in last place anymore!! Ever since I joined, 1974's were the absolute minority, with the fewest member cars in the "Member Stats" section (found under the "Community" tab).
manget1 2006-11-02 15:02:58
I've seen a number of 74's join since I've come aboard and I'm happy to see that, but I must say, I think the true cause of not being in last place anymore is the loss of 1980 cars. 1974 now stands as 66, 1980 at 65. Those are the only 2 years with less than 70 active members.
I must say though, I do love 1980's and if they were still making a convertible in that year, I probably would have just gone for an '80 and never discovered what a special car the 74 is.
To that effect, I'm curious as to what made each of you choose the particular year you got. I suppose some of you might have just gone with what was available when you had the resources to get one, but as impatient of a person as I am, I did try to take my time.
For me, as I said, since I was a teenager, I always wanted an 80 (or 81 or 82). I just loved the nose and tail more than the rest of the C3's. But when the wife finally told me I could get one, I decided that if I was going to do this, I needed to do it right, and that meant getting a convertible!
I've never been a big fan of chrome (sorry, I know some of you will find that blasphemous), so 68-73 were kind of out from the start. Also, I knew replacement parts could be bought and that without chrome bumpers, making a 74 or 75 into a 80-82 style with nose and tail would be much easier.
I was tempted to go older due to power, but I knew I wanted the car for it's looks more than anything. As I looked at the 74's and 75's, I saw so many things that detracted me from 75. No possibility of a big block (although I didn't get one anyway); Catalytic converters meaning lack of a true dual exhaust and a sticker that says "Unleaded Fuel Only"; kilometers on the speedometer and so many other things.
I happened to find a 74 on e-bay that was just gourgeous! I didn't get it, but I loved the unique split tail and the lack of a emblem on the gas tank. With that car, I made my choice and started my search for a 74.
Long live the split-tail 74! I know there are just way too many unique attributes for the car to be forgotten or ignored.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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I too thought I wanted a late 70's or early 80's car but as I looked for a car I fell in love with the bumper cars. I found mine at a good price as well. Comparable to the price of those of later years
when I was shopping, I went to "corvettes at carlisle" with my heart set on a '73 with a 4 speed.
I came home with a '74 automatic. go figure.but i wouldn't trade her for the world.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I'm curious why this is in this forum! 
Adams' Apple 2006-11-02 18:23:46
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
For me it had to be a convertible and a bumper car (both ends 
). The great thing about the C3 is that they are still relatively easy to find and you can usually find what you want with some time, luck, and a little cash. Okay a lot of cash, either up front or along the way, or both. But it sure is fun!
). The great thing about the C3 is that they are still relatively easy to find and you can usually find what you want with some time, luck, and a little cash. Okay a lot of cash, either up front or along the way, or both. But it sure is fun!
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Willow Grove, PA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1974 Stingray Coupe LS4 454 Dark Brown Metallic with Deluxe Saddle interior
When I stumbled on my 1974, I was not looking for a corvette, I was surfing ebay for a Chevrolet Monza Spyder in my area... I did a ebay search for my 50 mile radius for "chevrolet" and I spotted this 1974 Big block in brown..... I thought it was unusual color for a corvette.....Nice color and a big block... and 1974, the year I was born....
I emailed back and forth with the seller and negotiated it down to a steal of a price once it did not sell on eBay.
I got it for almost robbery but she needed the money and had lost garage space for the corvette.....
and the rest, is history
Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
I wanted a C2 like the one I sold a long time ago, but they were way too $$$$$$. 
Love those C2's!!! 
So, I settled for my clunker '69 with CHROME Bumpers. To me the bumpers make it more sturdy and SHARP, plus only a 5 year span for chrome. 
Love those C2's!!! So, I settled for my clunker '69 with CHROME Bumpers. To me the bumpers make it more sturdy and SHARP, plus only a 5 year span for chrome. 
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2431
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]I'm curious why this is in this forum!
[/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]
I started the thread just about the membership numbers, then got curious about why people chose the particular car they own.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
Same as you James, because it's the year I was born.
About 1 month before my 30th BDay, I wanted to buy myself something special and wanted to combine that with a "new" hobby.
I always felt stupid getting an oil change done at the local garage. They could have sold me blinker fluids and muffler bearings. So I figured I could combine both problmes; get something awesome that was my age and that I would keep for as long as I could and learn a little bit about cars by playing on my own.
I didn't think I could afford a Corvette, so my first eBay search under "eBay motors" was "1974". 5 or 6 Corvettes came up amongs a few MGB and other square cars that didn't attract me at all. Right there from this search; I had the bug and you could have not talk me out of it.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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