1974 Camaro

The Bumper Mandate

The rule covered impacts front and rear, from any angle, and it cost the Camaro more than new bumpers: the trunk and rear quarter panel were redesigned too. The added mass, hydraulic shock absorbers included, hurt both performance and fuel economy just as the first fuel crisis made both matter most. The same regulatory wave reshaped nearly every American car for 1974; the Camaro's version is just an unusually clean before-and-after. The second generation has the split-bumper identification detail.

Context

1974 sits between two more dramatic years: 1972, when the Camaro nearly died, and 1975, when the Z28 was dropped and catalytic converters arrived. It's a transition year, but the bumper restyle makes it the most visually significant of the three.

The new face, piece by piece

The data book shows how much of the car's front and rear changed around the new bumpers. A one-piece argent grille sat behind a bright anodized aluminum bumper with black rubber impact strips. The parking lamps moved up into the header panel, and a second, lower grille was set into the valance below the bumper. At the back, wraparound taillamps combined the stop, turn, marker and backup lamps in one unit. V8 cars carried their displacement in white block numerals on the front fenders. The Type LT added body-color sport mirrors, Rally wheels, bright lower body moldings and its own rear-panel nameplate. A Z28 ordered on an LT kept the LT's rear identification.

Emission controls now covered every engine in every state, with exhaust gas recirculation, heated carburetor air and fuel evaporation control, plus air injection where required. The September MVMA sheet rated the 250 six at 100 hp net; the February Power Trains table prints 110 hp at the same speed. Neither sheet explains the difference. California also had its own V8 choices: the L65 two-barrel 350 was unavailable there, while the LM1 four-barrel 350 was California-only. The L48 and Z28 engines were listed for all states. Chevrolet's own figures show the cost of the extra weight. With four passengers aboard, a six-cylinder coupe carried about 40 pounds per net horsepower.

By May 1974 a six-cylinder Sport Coupe listed at $2,935, a V8 coupe at $3,204 and the Type LT at $3,551. The Z28 package added $640. Air conditioning cost $435 and power steering $124.