1974 Chevelle 454 – Last454 - Back on the Street

by jerry46765 Tue Aug 27, 2019 11:39 pm

My black Chevelle has been sitting for almost 10 years. When we brought it home, it was a running but we wouldn't dare to venture outside of the 6 mile radius of my shop. Everything leaked and it was electrically scary. Many major issues have been addressed over the last decade but this car kept getting pushed back in the corner for some other project of the week. This spring, I have tried to remain focused on only this one. I didn’t want to restore it, just sort out the crazy cobbled stuff that happens over the years of different owners. Updates include an engine rebuild with all the major LS6 components, complete electrical harness rebuild, new cooling system, and some new era correct shoes to fill the wheel wells. There is always more to do but we are in the driver category now and it's a step forward. It needs some new paint since the mid-80s lacquer has seen better days. Hopefully, we can get some miles in before the winter strikes.

Thanks -

1974 Chevelle 454 – Last454 - Back on the Street 1974_Clean

1974 Chevelle 454 – Last454 - Back on the Street 1974_Clean

1974 Chevelle 454 – Last454 - Back on the Street 1974_Clean_2

1974 Chevelle 454 – Last454 - Back on the Street 1974_Engine

by Keith Seymore Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:52 am

jerry46765 wrote:My black Chevelle has been sitting for almost 10 years. When we brought it home, it was a running but we wouldn't dare to venture outside of the 6 mile radius of my shop. Everything leaked and it was electrically scary. Many major issues have been addressed over the last decade but this car kept getting pushed back in the corner for some other project of the week. This spring, I have tried to remain focused on only this one. I didn’t want to restore it, just sort out the crazy cobbled stuff that happens over the years of different owners. Updates include an engine rebuild with all the major LS6 components, complete electrical harness rebuild, new cooling system, and some new era correct shoes to fill the wheel wells. There is always more to do but we are in the driver category now and it's a step forward. It needs some new paint since the mid-80s lacquer has seen better days. Hopefully, we can get some miles in before the winter strikes.

Thanks -

I seem to recall a Popular Hot Rodding article back in the day with a '74 Chevelle on the chassis dyno with "Last 454" plates on it.

Same car?

K

by bracketchev1221 Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:59 am

The car still looks very presentable. I would be very happy to be driving it. Is the engine done yet, or still needs to be rebuilt?

by thatfnthing Wed Aug 28, 2019 8:42 am

X2 -- still mighty fine to look at!

by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Wed Aug 28, 2019 9:05 pm

Yes, the car still looks great! Engine bay looks even better. But the plates, "LAST 454"? I thought 1975 was the last year of the 454?

by jerry46765 Wed Aug 28, 2019 9:11 pm

Keith Seymore wrote:
jerry46765 wrote:My black Chevelle has been sitting for almost 10 years. When we brought it home, it was a running but we wouldn't dare to venture outside of the 6 mile radius of my shop. Everything leaked and it was electrically scary. Many major issues have been addressed over the last decade but this car kept getting pushed back in the corner for some other project of the week. This spring, I have tried to remain focused on only this one. I didn’t want to restore it, just sort out the crazy cobbled stuff that happens over the years of different owners. Updates include an engine rebuild with all the major LS6 components, complete electrical harness rebuild, new cooling system, and some new era correct shoes to fill the wheel wells. There is always more to do but we are in the driver category now and it's a step forward. It needs some new paint since the mid-80s lacquer has seen better days. Hopefully, we can get some miles in before the winter strikes.

Thanks -

I seem to recall a Popular Hot Rodding article back in the day with a '74 Chevelle on the chassis dyno with "Last 454" plates on it.

Same car?

K

Hey Keith -

Yep, it's the same car. This Chevelle was etched on my brain from studying all the Popular Hot Rodding and Super Chevy magazines. It was my favorite real world project car and I am lucky to have it. I explained to my kids that this car was like Roadkill from when I was a kid. Glad you recognized it.

Thanks -

by jerry46765 Wed Aug 28, 2019 9:26 pm

bracketchev1221 wrote:The car still looks very presentable. I would be very happy to be driving it. Is the engine done yet, or still needs to be rebuilt?

Engine rebuilt. It had been apart a couple of times and had some good stuff in it. Biggest upgrade was rectangular port heads from an '80 crate motor, Comp Cams LS6+ cam, LS6 dual plane, Quickfuel 780, and GM Performance / MSD HEI with Rev Limiter. Bottom end has a GM steel crank, LS6 rods with big bolts, and set of Mahle pistons. I wanted to definitely improve performance but also return the 1974 original appearance. All the magazine project articles would emphasize that 'the heads have never been removed and the engine had never been out of the car.' I wanted it to have that look again without over-restoring it.

Thanks -

by jerry46765 Wed Aug 28, 2019 9:35 pm

g3chevy wrote:Yes, the car still looks great! Engine bay looks even better. But the plates, "LAST 454"? I thought 1975 was the last year of the 454?

Yeah I know, last year the big block 'nationwide' was 1975.
Last year for big block in the People's Republic of California was 1974.

I watch for 1975 big block Chevelle and El Camino, and they are super rare.

And thanks guys for all the comments.

Thanks -

by TW Monte Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:02 pm

It's beautiful. Nice work

by relic7680 Sun Sep 22, 2019 5:30 pm

jerry46765 wrote:
Keith Seymore wrote:
jerry46765 wrote:My black Chevelle has been sitting for almost 10 years. When we brought it home, it was a running but we wouldn't dare to venture outside of the 6 mile radius of my shop. Everything leaked and it was electrically scary. Many major issues have been addressed over the last decade but this car kept getting pushed back in the corner for some other project of the week. This spring, I have tried to remain focused on only this one. I didn’t want to restore it, just sort out the crazy cobbled stuff that happens over the years of different owners. Updates include an engine rebuild with all the major LS6 components, complete electrical harness rebuild, new cooling system, and some new era correct shoes to fill the wheel wells. There is always more to do but we are in the driver category now and it's a step forward. It needs some new paint since the mid-80s lacquer has seen better days. Hopefully, we can get some miles in before the winter strikes.

Thanks -

I seem to recall a Popular Hot Rodding article back in the day with a '74 Chevelle on the chassis dyno with "Last 454" plates on it.

Same car?

K

Hey Keith -

Yep, it's the same car. This Chevelle was etched on my brain from studying all the Popular Hot Rodding and Super Chevy magazines. It was my favorite real world project car and I am lucky to have it. I explained to my kids that this car was like Roadkill from when I was a kid. Glad you recognized it.

Thanks -

That is awesome. I actually have a couple of the mags this car was featured in. Nice to hear that you have preservation in mind....

by 76 Malibu Sun Sep 22, 2019 7:13 pm

Wow, what a great looking car with a really cool history. A Black Big Block car is ultra cool in my books.

by ant7377 Mon Sep 23, 2019 7:51 pm

What a cool car. Neat to have that magazine history with it.

by jerry46765 Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:35 pm

Thanks for the positive comments.

I just noticed that my car was ride of the week. Thank you -

by Limey SE Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:47 pm

jerry46765 wrote:Thanks for the positive comments.

I just noticed that my car was ride of the week. Thank you -

Your Welcome Jerry its well deserved It is a Very Nice Vehicle

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1974 Chevelle 454 – Last454 - Back on the Street