1974 · Chevrolet · United States
1974 Chevrolet El Camino SS: Nameplates Deleted, the Option List Grows
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.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
This record's own key facts state that Chevrolet's 1974 El Camino data pages define RPO Z15 as an SS option on the El Camino Classic, model 1AD80, adding an SS grille and tailgate emblems, upper body-side and tailgate stripes, body-colored sport mirrors, G70-14 white-lettered tires, Turbine I 14x7 wheels, and a special-pattern seat, with the El Camino and Classic nameplates themselves deleted from the car. Its overview field is empty for this year, so the key facts carry the year's introductory description on their own.
This record's own key facts also state that the standard 1974 El Camino V8 was the 145-net-horsepower L65 350, and that the LS4 454 could be ordered with Turbo Hydra-matic or, if special suspension or radial tires were also fitted, the M21 close-ratio four-speed. A separate production-totals source gives 51,223 El Caminos built for 1974, of which 4,543 carried SS equipment, and this record's own production notes add that the SS figure had previously been held only as an unverified Wikipedia lead citing the very same production-totals page, a lead now resolved because that page has since been read directly.1
This record's own production rows carry exactly those two figures, 51,223 total and 4,543 with SS equipment, and its own notes state plainly that no Chevrolet factory production report was found for this year, so both counts rest on the single production-totals source rather than a separately sourced factory tabulation. Package contents and pricing, by contrast, are documented directly from the 1974 GM information kit, which this record treats as a distinct and separately attributed source from the production-totals page.1
This record's own prices section lists the base El Camino at $3,139.45 and the El Camino Classic at $3,277.45 with the 350-2 V8, both effective for cars produced from December 13, 1973. Its options section prices Z15 SS Equipment at $250.25, available only on the Classic with an optional engine and transmission, and the LS4 454 option itself at $273.00; the same options section runs to more than thirty further line items, from a $12 performance axle ratio to a $461 air-conditioning package, each one individually priced and sourced to the same factory information kit.
This record's own engines section documents a 145-horsepower L65 350 standard and not for California registration, a 160-horsepower LM1 350 available only when California emission certification is ordered, a 150-horsepower LF6 400 requiring Turbo Hydra-matic and unavailable in California, a 180-horsepower LT4 400 for California only, and a 235-horsepower LS4 454 with dual exhausts. Its transmissions section documents a standard three-speed for L65 and LM1, Turbo Hydra-matic across every engine, and the M21 close-ratio four-speed limited to the LS4 with special suspension or radial tires.
This record's own paint section lists sixteen solid colors by code plus nine vinyl-roof colors, several of the vinyl choices cross-referenced to a specific list of body colors they could be paired with. Its interiors section documents more than twenty trim-and-carpet combinations by code and description, none carrying a production count in this record's own fields, and its specifications section documents a 116-inch wheelbase, curb weights of 3,950 pounds for the V8 Standard El Camino and 3,975 pounds for the V8 Classic, and a GVW range of 5,200 to 5,750 pounds on G78-14B tires; its conflicts and unpublished leads sections are both empty for 1974.
Fact sheet · 1974 · United States
The numbers
1974 Chevrolet El Camino — 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.
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
- Chevrolet's 1974 El Camino data pages define RPO Z15 as an SS option on the El Camino Classic (1AD80): SS grille and tailgate emblems, upper body-side and tailgate stripes, body-colour sport mirrors, G70-14 white-lettered tires, Turbine I 14x7 wheels and a special-pattern seat, with the El Camino and Classic nameplates deleted.
- The standard 1974 El Camino V8 was the 145 net hp L65 350; the LS4 454 (235 net hp) could be had with Turbo Hydra-matic or, with special suspension or radial tires, the M21 close-ratio 4-speed.
- Chevrolet's price schedule for El Caminos produced from December 13, 1973 lists the El Camino at $3,139.45 and the El Camino Classic at $3,277.45 (350-2 V8); SS Equipment (Z15), for the Classic with an optional engine and transmission only, cost $250.25, and the LS4 454 $273.00.
- Team Chevelle's production-totals page gives 51,223 El Caminos built for 1974, of which 4,543 carried SS equipment.1
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino, all series (total)1 2-door sedan pickup · not stated | 51,223 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino SS (RPO Z15)1 El Camino Classic SS · 2-door sedan pickup · not stated This is the same figure this record previously held only as an unverified Wikipedia lead citing this same page; the page has now been read directly. | 4,543 | built, model-year | Reported |
Production is sourced to Team Chevelle; no Chevrolet factory production report was found for this year. Package contents and price are documented in the 1974 GM information kit.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| El Camino 1AC80, 3-passenger, Turbo-Fire 350-2 V8 (L65) | $3,139.45 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; excludes destination charges, state and local taxes, license fees, options (prices effective with vehicles produced commencing December 13, 1973; page published February 15, 1974), 1973-12-13 |
| El Camino Classic 1AD80, 3-passenger, Turbo-Fire 350-2 V8 (L65) | $3,277.45 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; excludes destination charges, state and local taxes, license fees, options (prices effective with vehicles produced commencing December 13, 1973; page published February 15, 1974), 1973-12-13 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| L65 · Turbo-Fire 350-2/SE V8 350 cu in · 2-barrel | 145 hp @ 3,800, 250 lb-ft @ 2,200 (SAE net) | standard El Camino engine; not for California registration | Not yet sourced |
| LM1 · Turbo-Fire 350-4/SE V8 350 cu in · 4-barrel | 160 hp @ 3,800, 245 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net) | optional; available only when California emission certification is ordered | Not yet sourced |
| LF6 · Turbo-Fire 400-2/SE V8 400 cu in · 2-barrel | 150 hp @ 3,200, 290 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE net) | optional; Turbo Hydra-matic only; not for California registration | Not yet sourced |
| LT4 · Turbo-Fire 400-4/SE V8 400 cu in · 4-barrel | 180 hp @ 3,800, 290 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net) | optional; Turbo Hydra-matic only; available only when California emission certification is ordered | Not yet sourced |
| LS4 · Turbo-Jet 454-4/DE V8 454 cu in · 4-barrel | 235 hp @ 4,000, 360 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE net) | optional; Turbo Hydra-matic or M21 4-speed (4-speed with special suspension or radial tires only); dual exhausts | 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.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| M15 · 3-speed (standard), column shift | L65 and LM1 | Not yet sourced |
| M40 · Turbo Hydra-matic | every engine | Not yet sourced |
| M21 · 4-speed close-ratio, floor shift | LS4 only, with special suspension or radial tires | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
Z15RPO |
SS Equipment (El Camino Classic with optional engine and transmission only; D35 sport mirrors, SS emblems, upper body striping, special instrument cluster, PE1 14 x 7 Turbine I wheels, G70-14/B white-lettered tires), black striping Z15/19A or white striping Z15/11A | $250.25 | Not yet sourced |
YA2RPO |
Estate, Custom El Camino (Classic only; not with Z15) | $131 | Not yet sourced |
LM1RPO |
Turbo-Fire 350-4/SE (California YF5 only) | $46 | Not yet sourced |
LF6RPO |
Turbo-Fire 400-2/SE (requires M40; not California) | $51 | Not yet sourced |
LT4RPO |
Turbo-Fire 400-4/SE (requires M40 and YF5) | $97 | Not yet sourced |
LS4RPO |
Turbo-Jet 454-4/DE (requires M40 or M21 and N41; includes UA1 and J50) | $273 | Not yet sourced |
M40RPO |
Turbo Hydra-matic, with 350 or 400 engines | $216 | Not yet sourced |
M40RPO |
Turbo Hydra-matic, with LS4 454 | $237 | Not yet sourced |
M21RPO |
4-speed close-ratio (LS4 454 with F40 or radial tires only) | $197 | Not yet sourced |
G80RPO |
Positraction rear axle | $45 | Not yet sourced |
G92RPO |
Performance axle ratio (L65 with M40) | $12 | Not yet sourced |
YD1RPO |
Trailering axle ratio | $12 | Not yet sourced |
YJ9RPO |
Exterior Decor, El Camino without vinyl roof | $30 | Not yet sourced |
YJ9RPO |
Exterior Decor, El Camino Classic | $5 | Not yet sourced |
J50RPO |
Power brakes | $49 | Not yet sourced |
AU3RPO |
Power door locks | $47 | Not yet sourced |
N41RPO |
Power steering | $117 | Not yet sourced |
A31RPO |
Power windows (Classic only) | $78 | Not yet sourced |
C60RPO |
Four-Season air conditioning, without LS4 (includes J50) | $461 | Not yet sourced |
C60RPO |
Four-Season air conditioning, with LS4 454 | $412 | Not yet sourced |
UA1RPO |
Heavy-duty battery | $15 | Not yet sourced |
AK1RPO |
Custom deluxe belts, bench seat | $10.50 | Not yet sourced |
AK1RPO |
Custom deluxe belts, bucket seats | $9 | Not yet sourced |
VE5RPO |
Deluxe bumpers front and rear | $24 | Not yet sourced |
V30RPO |
Front bumper guards | $15 | Not yet sourced |
YF5RPO |
California emission certification | $20 | Not yet sourced |
U35RPO |
Electric clock | $17 | Not yet sourced |
D91RPO |
Conquista (Classic only; not with vinyl roof, Estate or Z15) | $122 | Not yet sourced |
D55RPO |
Console (bucket seats with M40 or M21) | $59 | Not yet sourced |
D24RPO |
Color-keyed litter container | $5 | Not yet sourced |
V01RPO |
Heavy-duty radiator | $21 | Not yet sourced |
K76RPO |
61-amp Delcotron generator | $26 | Not yet sourced |
A01RPO |
Soft-Ray tinted glass, all windows | $43 | Not yet sourced |
U05RPO |
Dual horns | $4 | Not yet sourced |
U14RPO |
Special instrumentation (Classic only; clock, tachometer, ammeter, temperature) | $88 | Not yet sourced |
ZJ9RPO |
Auxiliary lighting, El Camino | $21 | Not yet sourced |
ZJ9RPO |
Auxiliary lighting, El Camino Classic | $17.50 | Not yet sourced |
B37RPO |
Color-keyed floor mats, 2 front | $7 | Not yet sourced |
D33RPO |
LH remote-control outside mirror (not with Z15 or D35) | $13 | Not yet sourced |
D35RPO |
Sport mirrors, body-colored (included with Z15) | $26 | Not yet sourced |
D34RPO |
Visor vanity mirror | $3 | Not yet sourced |
B84RPO |
Body side moldings | $35 | Not yet sourced |
B93RPO |
Door edge guards | $6 | Not yet sourced |
BX8RPO |
Front fender, body side and tailgate moldings (not with Z15) | $40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Two-tone paint (includes bright roof outline moldings) | $31 | Not yet sourced |
U63RPO |
AM pushbutton radio | $65 | Not yet sourced |
U69RPO |
AM/FM pushbutton radio | $135 | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl roof cover | $62 | Not yet sourced |
N33RPO |
Comfortilt steering wheel (M40 or M21 only) | $46 | Not yet sourced |
F40RPO |
Special front and rear suspension, without GR70/HR70 radial tires | $17 | Not yet sourced |
|
Strato-bucket seats, swing-out type, El Camino | $133 | Not yet sourced |
|
Strato-bucket seats, swing-out type, El Camino Classic | $97 | Not yet sourced |
ZJ7RPO |
Rally wheels (radial tires only; included with Z15 with radials) | $44 | Not yet sourced |
PE1RPO |
Turbine I 14 x 7 wheels (included with Z15 without radial tires) | $110.50 | Not yet sourced |
P01RPO |
Full wheel covers (not with Z15) | $26 | Not yet sourced |
N95RPO |
Wire wheel covers (not with Z15) | $82 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
50 |
Beige, Cream | Not yet sourced |
19 |
Black | Not yet sourced |
36 |
Blue, Aqua (Metallic); two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
26 |
Blue, Bright (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
24 |
Blue, Light (Metallic); two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
29 |
Blue, Midnight (Metallic); two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
66 |
Bronze (Metallic); two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
59 |
Brown, Golden (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
46 |
Green, Bright (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
44 |
Green, Medium; two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
49 |
Green, Dark (Metallic); two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
74 |
Red, Medium (Metallic); two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
55 |
Sandstone; two-tone with 11 upper | Not yet sourced |
64 |
Silver (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
69 |
Taupe, Dark (Metallic) | Not yet sourced |
11 |
White, Antique | Not yet sourced |
vinyl BB |
Vinyl roof, Black (all exterior colors) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl DD |
Vinyl roof, Medium Blue (24, 26, 29 or 11 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl FF |
Vinyl roof, Brown (50, 59, 64, 69 or 11 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl EE |
Vinyl roof, Cream-Beige (50, 19, 59, 55, 69 or 11 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl GG |
Vinyl roof, Medium Green (44, 46, 49 or 11 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl HH |
Vinyl roof, Dark Red (19, 74, 64 or 11 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl LL |
Vinyl roof, Russet (66 or 11 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl RR |
Vinyl roof, Medium Saddle (50, 19, 66, 59, 49, 69 or 11 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl WW |
Vinyl roof, Silver Taupe (19, 64 or 69 only) | Not yet sourced |
vinyl AA |
Vinyl roof, White (all exterior colors) | 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 |
|---|---|---|
CBB1 / CBB2 |
Black cloth, bench (1) or bucket (2); El Camino bench and Classic bench/bucket | Not yet sourced |
VBB1 / VBB2 |
Black vinyl, bench or bucket; El Camino and Classic | Not yet sourced |
CBE1 |
Black cloth bench with blue carpet; El Camino | Not yet sourced |
CBR1 / CBR2 |
Black cloth with red carpet, bench or bucket; El Camino bench, Classic bench/bucket | Not yet sourced |
VBR1 / VBR2 |
Black vinyl with red carpet, bench or bucket; El Camino and Classic | Not yet sourced |
CBU1 |
Black cloth bench with russet carpet; El Camino | Not yet sourced |
VBU1 / VBU2 |
Black vinyl with russet carpet, bench or bucket; El Camino | Not yet sourced |
VDD1 |
Midnight Blue vinyl bench; El Camino | Not yet sourced |
CDD1 |
Midnight Blue cloth bench; Classic | Not yet sourced |
VGB1 |
Medium Green vinyl bench, black door/headliner; El Camino | Not yet sourced |
CGG1 |
Medium Green cloth bench; El Camino and Classic | Not yet sourced |
VGG1 / VGG2 |
Medium Green vinyl, bench (El Camino, Classic) or bucket (Classic) | Not yet sourced |
VNG1 / VNG2 |
Light Neutral vinyl with green trim, bench or bucket; El Camino | Not yet sourced |
VNN1 / VNN2 |
Light Neutral vinyl, bench or bucket; El Camino and Classic | Not yet sourced |
CNN1 |
Light Neutral cloth bench; Classic | Not yet sourced |
VSS1 / VSS2 |
Medium Saddle vinyl, bench or bucket; Classic | Not yet sourced |
VWB1 / VWB2 |
White vinyl with black trim, bench or bucket; Classic | Not yet sourced |
VWD1 / VWD2 |
White vinyl with blue trim, bench or bucket; Classic | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight, 1AC80 V8 | 3,950 lb | El Camino (Standard), standard equipment |
| Curb weight, 1AD80 V8 | 3,975 lb | El Camino Classic, standard equipment |
| Wheelbase | 116 in | El Camino |
| GVW rating | 5,200 to 5,750 lb | El Camino, G78-14B tires |
Identification
Read a 1974 Chevrolet VIN
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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 Chevelle and Malibu SS 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.
- 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.
- 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.