Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1974 Corvette.
The 1974 Chevrolet Corvette represents a pivotal generation of American sports car engineering, a model whose enduring presence is measurable through decades of owner feedback spanning 1990 to 2025. Across this extensive service record, complaint frequency has varied dramatically—from just 8 reported complaints in 1992 to a peak of 588 in 2008—revealing the model's sensitivity to both production-era component quality and the aging processes of different build populations. This complaint data positions the 1974 model within a broader dependability trajectory that researchers can trace across multiple decades, offering concrete empirical grounding for assessing its long-term reliability relative to both earlier and later iterations. For researchers studying automotive longevity, the Corvette's sustained complaint tracking provides an unusually robust dataset for understanding how initial engineering choices translate into decades of real-world ownership experience.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 182.7 in |
| Overall width | 67.7 in |
| Overall height | 46.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 96.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3336 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Corvette of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Stingray L82 Convertible 5.7L V8 | 7.40 sec | 15.80 sec | 250 hp | RWD |
| 1973 | Stingray LS4 Coupe 7.4L V8 | 6.40 sec | 14.60 sec | 275 hp | RWD |
| 1973 | Stingray LS4 Coupe 7.4L V8 | 6.40 sec | 14.70 sec | 275 hp | RWD |
| 1973 | Stingray L82 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 6.70 sec | 15.10 sec | 250 hp | RWD |
| 1975 | Stingray Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.70 sec | 16.10 sec | 165 hp | RWD |
| 1976 | Stingray L82 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.10 sec | 15.30 sec | 210 hp | RWD |
| 1971 | Stingray LS6 Coupe 7.4L V8 | 5.30 sec | 13.80 sec | 425 hp | RWD |
| 1971 | Stingray LS5 Coupe 7.4L V8 | 5.70 sec | 14.20 sec | 365 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
REMANUFACTURERD REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, PART NOS. 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019, AND 16-7020, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002, TO APRIL, 25, 2003., AND FOR USE ON 1965 THRU 1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTES. THE SUBJECT BRAKE… Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ALL UNSOLD INVENTORY WILL BE REPURCHASED AND WILL PROVIDE A FULL REFUND TO CUSTOMERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY…
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.