1974 · Chevrolet · United States
1974 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna Type S-3: The SS Is Gone, and Emissions Rules Now Sort the Engine List
The SS was gone; the new Laguna Type S-3 coupe carried the Chevelle's performance image, with a 235 net hp 454 still on the engine list.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
No Chevelle SS was offered for 1974. In its place, Chevrolet introduced the Laguna Type S-3, a 2-door Colonnade coupe that MotorWeek describes as the car that carried the Chevelle's performance image forward once the SS name was retired. MotorWeek puts combined Type S-3 production at 32,680 across its full three-year run from 1974 through 1976, but no source this record can cite breaks that figure down by individual model year, so the 1974-only count is recorded as unknown rather than estimated from the multi-year total.1
The 1974 engine range ran from a 100-net-horsepower 250 six up to a 235-net-horsepower 454, with a pair of 350s and a pair of 400s in between, and emissions rules split several of those choices by state. The 350-2 barrel L65, rated 145 horsepower, was the standard V8 everywhere except California; the 350-4 barrel LM1 at 160 horsepower was available only with California emission equipment, and the 400-2 barrel LF6 and 400-4 barrel LT4 followed the same California/non-California split at 150 and 180 horsepower respectively. The top engine, the 235-horsepower LS4 454, cost $349.00 as a May 1974 option and came bundled with a heavy-duty battery, power brakes, and high-energy ignition, but it also required power steering and either the M21 close-ratio 4-speed or the M40 automatic, options a buyer had to add on top of the engine itself.2
Chevrolet's May 1974 price schedule shows the Laguna Type S-3 positioned as the most expensive Chevelle coupe: $3,560.45 against $3,311.45 for a Malibu Classic coupe, $3,058.45 for a plain Malibu coupe with V8, and $2,915.70 for a Malibu coupe with the base six. That roughly $645 spread between the cheapest six-cylinder Malibu and the Type S-3, before adding the 454 or any other options, put the performance-image coupe well above the rest of the lineup even before a buyer touched the order form.
Chevrolet's own 1974 dealer information kit shows just how narrow the Type S-3's launch actually was. Through early 1974 the coupe was available only with the vinyl-roof option, and the sole color combination offered at the very start of production paired an Antique White body and Dark Red vinyl roof with Dark Red cloth bucket seats and red striping, before the fuller six-color, three-stripe palette recorded elsewhere in this file became available. A separately reported figure of 15,792 Type S-3s built against 312,265 Malibu sedans and coupes circulates in secondary sources, but it traces only to Wikipedia and a syndicated newspaper column rather than a Chevrolet report, so it is held as an unverified lead rather than treated as a fact here.
The Type S-3's standard equipment separated it from other Chevelles beyond styling. Rally wheels, RPO ZJ7, were standard rather than optional, and buyers could add the $119 Sport Roof package, RPO Z25, a touring vinyl roof with rear quarter louvers offered only on the Type S-3 coupe, along with S-3-specific white-lettered or white-striped steel-belted radials, RPO QRZ and QQZ. Variable-ratio power steering, a $124 option on other Chevelles, came standard on the Laguna line that included the Type S-3, one more way the car was set apart from the Malibu and Malibu Classic coupes it was priced above.
Fact sheet · 1974 · United States
The numbers
1974 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 — The SS was gone; the new Laguna Type S-3 coupe carried the Chevelle's performance image, with a 235 net hp 454 still on the engine list.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Laguna Type S-3 production across 1974-1976: 32,680.1
- 454 V8 rated 235 net hp for 1974.2
- Chevrolet's May 1974 price schedule lists the Laguna Type S-3 coupe (1AE37, V8 only) at $3,560.45 MSRP, and the LS4 454 option at $349.00.
- The 1974 dealer book notes the Laguna Type S-3 was available only with the vinyl roof option until early 1974, and that the only colour combination at the start of production was Dark Red cloth seats in an Antique White body with a Dark Red vinyl roof and red striping.
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Type S-3, three model years combined1 Laguna Type S-3 · 2-door Colonnade coupe · US Covers 1974-1976 together; not a 1974 figure. | 32,680 | built, multi-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevelle total (series scope not stated by compiler)3 Chevelle line (scope not stated) · not stated by source Uncited compiler figure; whether El Camino, Laguna, Malibu Classic and station wagons are included, and whether the count is built or sold, is not stated. Separately scoped from every other row here; do not add or subtract. | 362,492 | not stated (compiler production column), model-year | Reported |
No 1974 Chevrolet production report or option report was located. The 1974-only Type S-3 figure is recorded as a lead.
Whole-year figure added 2026-09-29 from conceptcarz.com only (one unattributed compiler; no Chevrolet production report seen). The page also prints four component figures inside its total; they are not recorded as rows. Chevrolet's own year-end production report, a period trade digest (Ward's) that states a Chevelle total and its scope would corroborate or replace it.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Type S-3 Colonnade hardtop coupe 1AE37, V8 | $3,560.45 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; excludes destination, taxes, options, 1974-05-15 |
| Malibu Classic Colonnade hardtop coupe 1AD37, V8 | $3,311.45 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; excludes destination, taxes, options, 1974-05-15 |
| Malibu Classic Landau coupe 1AD37 Z03, V8 | $3,487.45 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; excludes destination, taxes, options, 1974-05-15 |
| Malibu Colonnade hardtop coupe 1AC37, V8 | $3,058.45 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; excludes destination, taxes, options, 1974-05-15 |
| Malibu Colonnade hardtop coupe 1AC37, six | $2,915.70 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; excludes destination, taxes, options, 1974-05-15 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 454 4-bbl2 454 cu in · 4-barrel | 235 hp (SAE net) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 400 4-bbl2 400 cu in · 4-barrel | 180 hp (SAE net) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 350 4-bbl2 350 cu in · 4-barrel | 160 hp (SAE net) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| L22 · Turbo-Thrift 250 six 250 cu in · 1-barrel | 100 hp @ 3,600, 175 lb-ft @ 1,800 (SAE net) | standard six (Malibu Classic and Malibu only) | Not yet sourced |
| L65 · Turbo-Fire 350-2 V8 350 cu in · 2-barrel | 145 hp @ 3,800, 250 lb-ft @ 2,200 (SAE net) | standard V8; not available in California | Not yet sourced |
| LM1 · Turbo-Fire 350-4 V8 350 cu in · 4-barrel | 160 hp @ 3,800, 245 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net) | optional, $49.00; only with California emission equipment | Not yet sourced |
| LF6 · Turbo-Fire 400-2 V8 400 cu in · 2-barrel | 150 hp @ 3,200, 295 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE net) | optional, $113.00; not available in California | Not yet sourced |
| LT4 · Turbo-Fire 400-4 V8 400 cu in · 4-barrel | 180 hp @ 3,800, 290 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net) | optional, $162.00; only with California emission equipment | Not yet sourced |
| LS4 · Turbo-Jet 454-4 V8 454 cu in · 4-barrel | 235 hp @ 4,000, 360 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE net) | optional, $349.00 (includes heavy-duty battery, power brakes, HEI); dual exhaust; requires power steering; M21 4-speed or M40 | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
LS4RPO |
Turbo-Jet 454-4 V8 | $349 | Not yet sourced |
LT4RPO |
Turbo-Fire 400-4 V8 | $162 | Not yet sourced |
LF6RPO |
Turbo-Fire 400-2 V8 | $113 | Not yet sourced |
LM1RPO |
Turbo-Fire 350-4 V8 | $49 | Not yet sourced |
C60RPO |
Four-Season air conditioning ($440.00 with LS4) | $492 | Not yet sourced |
G80RPO |
Positraction rear axle | $47 | Not yet sourced |
G92RPO |
Performance axle ratio | $12 | Not yet sourced |
YD1RPO |
Trailering axle ratio | $12 | Not yet sourced |
UA1RPO |
Heavy-duty battery (included with LS4) | $15 | Not yet sourced |
J50RPO |
Power brakes (included with C60 and LS4) | $52 | Not yet sourced |
VE5RPO |
Deluxe bumpers (standard on Z03 Landau and Laguna) | $25 | Not yet sourced |
V30RPO |
Bumper guards (standard on Laguna) | $34 | Not yet sourced |
YF5RPO |
California emission certification | $21 | Not yet sourced |
U35RPO |
Electric clock | $18 | Not yet sourced |
D55RPO |
Console | $63 | Not yet sourced |
V01RPO |
Heavy-duty radiator (V8; $15.00 six) | $22 | Not yet sourced |
C50RPO |
Rear window defogger | $36 | Not yet sourced |
AU3RPO |
Power door locks, coupes | $50 | Not yet sourced |
YJ9RPO |
Exterior decor, Malibu Classic | $15 | Not yet sourced |
K76RPO |
61-amp Delcotron | $26 | Not yet sourced |
A01RPO |
Soft-Ray tinted glass | $48 | Not yet sourced |
U05RPO |
Dual horns | $4 | Not yet sourced |
UF7RPO |
Econominder gauge package | $42.50 | Not yet sourced |
U14RPO |
Special instrumentation with tachometer | $88 | Not yet sourced |
B37RPO |
Color-keyed floor mats | $14 | Not yet sourced |
D33RPO |
LH remote-control mirror | $14 | Not yet sourced |
D35RPO |
Sport mirrors (standard on Z03 Landau) | $27 | Not yet sourced |
B84RPO |
Body-side moldings with vinyl insert | $38 | Not yet sourced |
U63RPO |
AM radio | $65 | Not yet sourced |
U69RPO |
AM/FM radio | $135 | Not yet sourced |
U58RPO |
AM/FM stereo radio | $233 | Not yet sourced |
UM1RPO |
Stereo tape with AM radio | $195 | Not yet sourced |
UM2RPO |
Stereo tape with AM/FM stereo radio | $363 | Not yet sourced |
A42RPO |
Six-way power seat | $113 | Not yet sourced |
CA1RPO |
Sky Roof, electric sliding metal top | $325 | Not yet sourced |
K30RPO |
Cruise-Master speed control | $69 | Not yet sourced |
Z25RPO |
Sport Roof, Laguna Type S-3 coupe only (touring vinyl roof, rear quarter louvers) | $119 | Not yet sourced |
N41RPO |
Variable-ratio power steering (standard on Laguna) | $124 | Not yet sourced |
N31RPO |
Sport steering wheel | $15 | Not yet sourced |
N33RPO |
Comfortilt steering wheel | $49 | Not yet sourced |
F40RPO |
Special suspension (no charge with GR70/HR70 radials) | $17 | Not yet sourced |
M40RPO |
Turbo Hydra-matic ($247.00 with LS4) | $225 | Not yet sourced |
M21RPO |
4-speed close-ratio | $219 | Not yet sourced |
QRZRPO |
GR70-15/B white-lettered steel-belted radials, Laguna Type S-3 | $167.05 | Not yet sourced |
QQZRPO |
HR70-15/B white-stripe steel-belted radials, Laguna Type S-3 | $176.80 | Not yet sourced |
ZJ7RPO |
Rally wheels (standard on Laguna) | $46 | Not yet sourced |
PE1RPO |
Turbine I wheels, 14x7 | $110.50 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
19 |
Laguna Type S-3 lower body: Black (Tuxedo) | Not yet sourced |
66 |
Laguna Type S-3 lower body: Bronze (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
74 |
Laguna Type S-3 lower body: Red, Medium (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
64 |
Laguna Type S-3 lower body: Silver (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
69 |
Laguna Type S-3 lower body: Taupe, Dark (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
11 |
Laguna Type S-3 lower body: White, Antique | Not yet sourced |
stripe 59A |
Laguna Type S-3 stripe: Brown, Golden | Not yet sourced |
stripe 74A |
Laguna Type S-3 stripe: Red | Not yet sourced |
stripe 11A |
Laguna Type S-3 stripe: White | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
CBB2 |
Laguna Type S-3 cloth bucket seats, black | Not yet sourced |
MBB2 |
Laguna Type S-3 sport cloth bucket seats, black | Not yet sourced |
VBB2 |
Laguna Type S-3 vinyl bucket seats, black | Not yet sourced |
CHH2 |
Laguna Type S-3 cloth bucket seats, dark red | Not yet sourced |
VHH2 |
Laguna Type S-3 vinyl bucket seats, dark red | Not yet sourced |
CSS2 |
Laguna Type S-3 cloth bucket seats, medium saddle | Not yet sourced |
VSS2 |
Laguna Type S-3 vinyl bucket seats, medium saddle | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase2 | 116 in | as listed by SS396.com (body not stated) |
| Overall length2 | 209.2 in | as listed by SS396.com (body not stated) |
Identification
Read a 1974 Chevrolet VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1974
- AMC AMX The final Javelin AMX: 4,980 built, with the Go Package's cowl induction dropped and a production run that stretched into November 1974.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The Gremlin X gained a 'hockey stick' stripe. The 304 V8 remained available, but no X or V8 counts for the year were found.
- AMC Javelin The Javelin's final year: 22,556 non-AMX cars on a production run extended into November 1974.
- Buick Riviera Colonnade pillared roof; 20,129 built, 1,698 with Stage One and 4,119 with the GS handling option.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last year a 455 Stage 1 could be had in a Buick intermediate Gran Sport; 3,355 were built, 478 of them Stage 1.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Spirit of America Nova (RPO Z51) offered on the Custom hatchback per the source. Enthusiast-compiled production: 390,537 cars; Super Sport 21,419.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Colonnade-era El Camino; Chevrolet's 1974 data pages define the RPO Z15 SS option for the El Camino Classic. Team Chevelle's production totals give 51,223 El Caminos built, 4,543 of them with SS equipment.
- Dodge Challenger The last original-era Challenger shared a catalog with the Dart; the 360 replaced the 340 as the optional engine and production ended in April 1974.
- Dodge Charger The last B-body Charger before the 1975 personal-luxury redesign, with 5-mph bumpers, carried-over powertrains and an SE that accounted for 30,957 V-8 cars.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The 360 replaced the 340 in the Dart Sport, and Flory's production table counts 3,951 Dart Sport 360s at a $3,244 base price.
- Ford Maverick Grabber Grabber production fell to 23,502 by Classic Industries count.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 11,328 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird Sixth-generation personal-luxury Thunderbird; the record holds the production total and the luxury-group option prices only.
- Ford Torino The 1974 Torino grew again and added the Gran Torino Elite; the Gran Torino Sport survived only as a formal-roof hardtop, with 23,142 built.
- Mercury Cougar Outside the muscle focus: 91,670 Cougars for 1974 per Wikipedia's table.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500 again and offered a 350 for the first time: 1,800 coupes, 380 of them with the 455 W-30.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The final year: Barracuda and 'Cuda hardtops with a standard 318 and a new optional 360, and 11,734 built before the line ended.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The 245 net hp 360 replaced the 340 in the Duster's best sales year: 3,969 Duster 360s among 281,378 Dusters, with Twister, Gold Duster and Space Duster packages priced separately.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite In 1974 a GTX nameplate came with the Road Runner's optional 440 four-barrel, TorqueFlite required; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 386 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner The last Satellite-based Road Runner; production roughly halved from 1973.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A new nose and the last Super Duty: 10,255 Trans Ams, 943 with the SD-455.
- Pontiac GTO The last original GTO: a package on the compact Ventura with a 200 hp 350; 7,058 built.
- Pontiac Grand Am A revised nose and 17,083 built, only 342 with a four-speed.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The 455 remains the SJ engine as Grand Prix volume falls to under 100,000.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans With the GTO moved to the Ventura, the LeMans GT package became the intermediate performance choice, backed by 350, 400 and 455 V8 options.