Hi All,
New to the site here.I am in Clearwater Fl. and own a 1974 Chevelle Laguna S3 454 4 speed.I was told by the second owner that it is 1 of 21 built with the big block 4 speed,Although I have not been able to verify this I have only seen 1973 4 speeds and only automatics with the big block on other sites,so I think I have a very rare car.Any input is appreciated

Your car is rare. Whether its 1 of 21 or 1 of 210 or 1210. I've never seen one ever. I bet there is even fewer left. Any docs with the car to prove what it is?:yes:

I have the build sheet and states correct 454 with 4 speed and 3:42 posi rear,swivel buckets,console,S-3 Laguna package

Real 454 1974 Chevelles have a Y for the fifth digit in VIN # (1E37Y4XXXXXX)....if the 4 speed transmission is original the production sequence number should be stamped on the case....This sequence number should match your VIN #....ALSO if the 454 engine is original to the car a production sequence number matching the VIN # should be stamped on it and the engine suffix code should indicate a 4 speed transmission (CXM for 4 spd or possibly CWA for manual). CWA would only prove manual transmission....

Thanks for your reply, the vin does have the correct Y as the 5th digitI have not gone under to check the trans code but the engine code does match and has CXM.

Thanks for your reply, the vin does have the correct Y as the 5th digitI have not gone under to check the trans code but the engine code does match and has CXM.

I would think you are in pretty good shape. It would be excellent to find a matching tranny.........
:thumbsup:

These cars have been overlooked for too long. Although heavier than earlier Chevelles, they did have a better handling suspension. The swivel buckets were very nice and the Lagunas had a very nice dash layout. Don't let the low horsepower rating fool you. With nothing more than headers, Cam Dynamics 272 Energizer cam, and tuning, these cars can run well into the 13s. Read any of the old road tests and the hipo cars weren't really doing any better.

I would think you are in pretty good shape. It would be excellent to find a matching tranny.........
:thumbsup:
It probably does have the matching trans but I have not been under to verify that yet,build sheet does state 4 speed and it has a 4 speed but I need to check the case for matching numbers.
it does have a mild cam,not sure which and factory exhaust manifolds, edelbrock TM2R alum intake that the carb sits cocked to the side a little(neat)

If you want something really neat, install a Chevy rectangular port intake. It works as well or better than most intakes and gives the Chevy hipo look. Our son has a '74 454 in his '69 Chevelle and this is what we used with a 750 Holley, along with the CD272 cam, and headers. First time out it rant 13.6s at 102.4 mph. 2.2-2.4 sixty foot times. Probably very low 13s with traction. Some tuning no doubt would help a little too. Not bad for a mild, low dollar 8-1 motor.

984 4speed a bodys built in 74 big block only eng to get 4 speed. those numbers came from the Chevelle Report (ncoa mag. now gone)

still a pretty rare car even at about a 1000 made. it would be cool to see it nicely restored to original type condition. has to be a labor of love though, the $$$ aren't there to justify a $25K restoration. you can't even make that work on most of the older SS chevelles. still, i have a sort of affinity for the 'stragglers' of the muscle car era, the last of an era; kinda like an old hippie...

yeah, it's rare. but since it didn't come with a solid cammed LS6 under the hood and was built 4 years too late, it will probably never be roth much. but i'd bet that if you parked it next to a Barret Jackson caliber '70 LS6 convertible at a car show, it would probably get just as many looks...
i've heard rumors of a few '74 Montes with 454's and 4 speeds.. that is probably the only "genuine" rare car i'd really go out of my way to own.

i've heard rumors of a few '74 Montes with 454's and 4 speeds.. that is probably the only "genuine" rare car i'd really go out of my way to own.

I actually worked with a guy that had one! Then the idiot yanked the engine, trans and swivel buckets and stuck it all in a ratty old 69 C-10 long bed stepside pickup. :clonk:
The Monte body (was rust free clean and straight) is still out behind his dads machine shed with no whells sitting on the ground sunk in to the point you can't even open the doors anymore.:mad:

Great information guys, does the 984 number include monte carlos and el caminos also?
I am restoring this car to resell and my target selling price will be 20 -25k.Car is allready painted,interior is at the upholstery shop,car has 62k original miles and runs great.Glass ,trim and top are in great shape.
Coulda made it a davey allison or cale yarborogh nascar replica.

984 4speed a bodys built in 74 big block only eng to get 4 speed. those numbers came from the Chevelle Report (ncoa mag. now gone)
Abodys production number includes monte carlos chevelles and el caminos ,is this correct?

yes total a bodys, also 21,902 Lagunas, 16,098 ls4 454 a bodys, 3,772 3.42 axle all a bodys