Restorations are almost never cheap, even if you do most of the work yourself. However, given enough time, quality parts and workmanship, most every project can be turned into a personal work of art like this 1974 Chevy Chevelle Laguna S3.
First, a bit of history. The Chevelle Laguna took its moniker from the California beach town, as did the Chevelle Malibu. The Type S3 replaced the defunct “SS” as the performance trim level of the Chevelle. The 1974 production run yielded 15,792 units of the Laguna Type S3 coupe. Few remain today, and they are beginning to find some traction in the collector car market.
The 1974 Chevy Chevelle Laguna S3 featured a urethane front end (introduced with the 1973 model year), a new grille and parking lamps. The rear was also redesigned, with a chrome rear bumper replacing the body-colored steel unit on the 1973s, and slightly revised taillights. Chevelle Laguna S3s came equipped with a console, a vinyl roof, vertical rear quarter windows (as opposed to the triangular units from the previous year), bodyside striping, Laguna S3 badges, stiffer shocks and springs, a front stabilizer bar, radial tires on Rally wheels, and front swivel bucket seats. The dash housed a driver-oriented six-gauge instrument binnacle. A number of engine options were available, including our feature Chevelle Laguna’s 175-horsepower 400 cubic-inch Small Block V8, that transmits power through a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic.
This Chevy Chevelle Laguna S3 has been the subject of a painstaking restoration, leaving nothing untouched. The exterior is coated in a lustrous finish of Antique White over a burgundy lower, topped by a burgundy vinyl roof. The chrome rear bumper has been refinished, and stainless trim has all been highly polished. Glass is crystal clear and weatherstrip appears to be fresh. Body color painted Rally wheels are dressed with polished stainless trim rings and center cap, and shod in raised white letter BFGoodrich radial rubber.
Inside the Chevelle Laguna S3 is trimmed in a rich red color. The swivel bucket seats show no appreciable signs of wear. Carpets are recent. The dash is free from cracks or fading of any kind. The original Delco AM-FM stereo is fitted. The equipment list is extensive, with power steering, power brakes with front discs, tilt wheel, air conditioning converted to R134a, sports steering wheel, and a full complement of gauges.
Beneath the hood of the Chevelle Laguna S3, the engine bay is the picture of cleanliness, with original components and finishes throughout. The numbers-matching, Small Block V8 is backed by the original automatic trans.
The undercarriage of the Chevelle Laguna S3 is as clean as the rest of the car, with everything appearing showroom new. No leaks or drips are noted on this flawless restoration.
The sale of this spectacular 1974 Chevy Chevelle Laguna S3 includes restoration photos, build receipts, owner’s manual, and maintenance records. It is being offered by Streetside Classics for an eye-watering $62,995
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Comments
Very nice car. I always like that trim/package. I especially like the tasteful two-tone paint work. Funny thing, that price is certainly eye-watering, but I’d be willing to bet they spent more than that on the resto by the looks of it. But a fantastic car.
My neighbor has one of these. Maybe these body styles will become popular in the future? There was another nose on these cars that had wedge shaped grille.
These cars are going to ha be a tough time. They rusted easily and few were saved. The expense to restore will be more than the value mostly due to the inability to get repo parts and the lack of NOS parts.
The 75 and 76 got the slanted nose. Chevy was trying to keep their teams from running Oldsmobiles as they had an even better speedway nose.
Earnhardt SR won his first championship with Chevy but also ran the Olds at the high speed tracks.
I like the 75 nose but the 73 tail.
Talking about the nose/front makes me question why the front of this car (bumper) didn’t match the rear? Or better to maybe ask why the rear wasn’t matched to the front?? Personally, I like the nice chrome bumper more, but the front of this car does have a really well integrated body-colored bumper. But what doesn’t make sense to me is why two styles?
Dan the only reason this car existed was to make it legal to race.
While not as outlandish it was a Chevys Superbird.
$63,000???
175hp out of a 400ci V8…
Such were the times post 1970.
It was way before my time, but it seems that it was a bad time to be a car guy. Although anemic, it is still a good looking car!
No it was not great but keep in mind this 175 hp was net hp. In 1971 they went from gross hp to net.
In 1970 this would have been 250 HP.
Note that today we are way past what most average V8 engines made back in the 60’s.
The L88 and big power engines were rare then as now and pale to what we have now.
I had a turbo 4 that would out run most stock muscle cars of the 60’s.
Now the 6o’s engines were cheaper and easier to make more power from mods than today.
A few cheap mods would up that to 250-260 HP which would move this size car around pretty well. It was actually a great time to be a car guy as 0-60 times were only a small part of the equation. Now we have faster vehicles with no style, color or beauty so it’s getting harder to be a car guy for many in these sad current times.
I was ugly then, and it’s ugly now.
I’m currently restoring a 77 Pontiac Lemans, similar body lines and engines. Why you ask, well it was the first car my wife and I purchased after we got married and I didn’t have the heart to get rid of it after the brakes failed and the wife refused to drive it again (after replacing the master). I have managed to increase the HP from the pitiful 170 to over 310 with relatively simple upgrades (350 chev SB) and keeping it smog compliant, including dual cats. This has been my retirement project and it has helped me retain my sanity during the epidemic. I’m not doing the restore for the money, I would love to get $63,000 for my car, but these cars are not worth that much, sorry Streetside Classics. But I must admit, this Laguna looks beautiful, excellent restoration.
Loved the instrument cluster and center consoles on those Pontiacs.
This car is not near worth as much as they are asking. You could buy a Mopar matching numbers big block close to that same asking price.
I had a74 350 2bl and paying 1400 bucks for it then back in 84 being my first car I thought it was too much.
I never thought it was a contender in performance either in handling or engine but I wish I still had it because if it’s rarity if nothing else.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought they produced a limited amount of 454 versions although meek in performance as well but probably worth far more then just a small block.
Not worth the 62k asking price but a good 20k car for sure.
All I know is when I drive mine in the Car Shows drive night a lot of people point to it and many picture takers and it is true there was very few made in comparison and it is the rarest car chevy made mine is white no vinyl top but has the maroon bottom lines it was rebuilt in 2005 I need the rear bumper to trunk filler if anybody has it
I had a 74 Laguna with the 454! Dated my wife in it around 78-79. Traded for 76 Monte Carlo. Wish we still had them both. Huge mistake! Maybe some day…
I am having one (white and red) and was satisfied of it, but would be ready to sell at a good price, since storage became a problem; original paint; 62500 mi; in good condition to ride; bought new; always stored in winter; so, no rust.