74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

**lyndon sharpton** · July 2, 2006, 09:00 PM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

can you post some pics of it? It has been a long time but a friend of mine had a 74 BB 4speed car with out PS! it was a pain to drive in the parking lot, but on the open road it was nice. it was blue with a blue int and white top. I think it had AC just not the power stearing, he sold it an the people that bought it put power on it. I dont rember why he order that car with out PS, but he had some reason.

**Worth Wollpert** · July 3, 2006, 12:34 AM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Lyndon, thanks.

It's currently in the shop getting some new tires (I hope I'm doing the right thing tire-wise, I told them to put on some nice new Goodyears) but like I said I'm not sure if I need to put tires on it that "belong" back in 1974 etc. I get the car back Wednesday (hopefully) so I'll snap a few pics and post some then if I can figure out how. If email would be easier I'd be happy to send them that way to anyone who is interested. My email is at the bottom of my first post in this thread, just drop me a line.

Thanks again to all!

Worth

**Harmon C.** · July 3, 2006, 04:38 AM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Worth
I will answer your question you ask. A 74 454 convertible is one of the most wanted to a collector of a 74. The last year of the 454,low convertible production,and if a four speed I would like it best but an automatic is many peoples choice now days. The low milage and condition if great could make it worth 25 K. If you have some pic's it would help to tell the condition. On this forum everyone will tell you to keep it original and I think you should also. If those take off tires were Firestone 500's or Goodyear Stealguards they were original to the car in type and should be saved for judging if you would ever want to.

Enjoy your 74 and feel lucky to have smething this nice of your Dads and never sell it.

Lyle
Feel free to E-Mail me off line with questions if you want.

**Harmon C.** · July 3, 2006, 04:42 AM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Sorry no edit I see it is a manual in the subject line.

**Worth Wollpert** · July 3, 2006, 07:11 AM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Hmm...I haven't actually put the tires on yet...so stuff like that does matter?

How would I go about finding out what exact tires were on it when it rolled out of the factory? There are some Firestones on it now, but I don't recall the exact type. They're not in good enough shape to leave on, but maybe I should try to replace them with "originals"?

I tried google, but there is a massive amount of misinformation.

Anyone know which tires I need to keep it original?

**Dick W.** · July 3, 2006, 07:34 AM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Drive it to the Northwest Chapter Regional in Vancouver, WA. There will be plenty of us to look at the car and offer suggestions. (Sell it to me maybe )

**Harmon C.** · July 3, 2006, 07:49 AM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Worth
Your 74 came with Goodyear Steelguards or Firestone 500 GR-70-15 steel belted radials. Their are no reproduction tires of this size. I would stay with one of the two original brands in a 225-70 R-15 that is as close as you can get for your 74. Their are many different opinions on what is considered original. NCRS calls parts original only if they are just like the part on the car when picked up at the dealer new. I quote an example from a Hemmings Motor news ad. This corvette is all original. Candy apple exterior,tuck and pleated interior,engine all chrome,and finnaly the chassis completely blacked out. This person has a different idea on originality than I do.

Lyle

**David M.** · July 3, 2006, 10:22 AM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Worth, I was a new member last year and posted simular questions. There are several manuals and other literature that pertain to the car and your questions. Start with some of the many resto mail order books. They will not only inform you and give you a good parts supply but the books and literature is available for purchase too. All these have dot coms: Corvette America, Mid America Motorworks, Eckler's, Rik's, Year One, DocRebuild etc...Start with the chassis, Service & assembly manuals. Yes, save all the original parts.

**Bill E.** · July 3, 2006, 02:58 PM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Hello Worth:

Check out www.nadaguides.com and www.manheimgold.com for info on values. Depending on the condition and originality, you'll find you have a valuable car.

The rubber bumper cars have slowly appreciated as the more collectible early models now exceed many people's budgets. Any money, within reason, that you spend to keep your car original should be protected in the long-run. At least that's what I tell myself regarding my '74 convertible.

Even if you never plan to have the car NCRS judged, keep all documentation, repair bill, etc, and every part, nut and bolt that you remove from the car. Bill

**Allen W.** · July 3, 2006, 03:10 PM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Worth I have an early 73 coupe that I bought new. It came with the mentioned Firestone 500 tires. You should know that there was a massive recall of these tires. Big national news. Maybe in 1975. I forget exactly. Seems the tires split circumventially near the rim area. So there may not be many of these tires around for those guys into Top Flight judging for these era cars. By the time the recall happened I had already replaced my tires with BFG tires as mine seems to split overnight. However I think my spare is still original. If you are making this a driver a lot of people use the BFG T/A white letter tire as it reminds them of the 70's era and look.
You sound like a young guy and I thought you might be interested in some old history.
Allen

**Worth Wollpert** · July 3, 2006, 03:15 PM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Allen, thanks. I'm sort of young, I guess...just turned 31...I had no idea about the recall, but I'm happy to get the info.

I'll wander up to the goodyear dealer today and see what he has to say.

Thanks for the info.

**Worth Wollpert** · July 3, 2006, 03:17 PM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Hey Dave,

Working on getting it driveable right now. When is the meeting, and where can I find schedules of similar stuff? NCRS.org?

**Worth Wollpert** · July 3, 2006, 03:20 PM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Thanks for the help Bill, wow it really is worth some dough. I'll keep everything. Thanks.

**Dick W.** · July 3, 2006, 04:25 PM

Re: 74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

Worth, if you are talking about the Regional in the Vancouver, WA, it starts Thursday July 13th and ends Saturday 15th. A very small meet but a good place to start learning about NCRS.

74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

74 Convertible 454 (manual) -- some questions

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