Imperial Home Page -> Imperials by Year -> 1974 -> Specifications
HISTORIC NOTES:
97.4 percent of '74 Imperials came with power seats and 84.1 percent had a tilting steering wheel.
The new Imperial received some major restyling for '74. Its narrow, slightly protruding "waterfall" grille gave it a definite Lincoln Continental look. the wraparound front signal lights also were similar to Lincoln styling. The vertical slanting taillights resembled '73 but were larger. The circular emblem was raised from the rear deck panel to the trunk. The extremely rare 2-door Crown Coupe came standard with opera windows and vinyl covering the front portion of the roof.
Vehicle identification numbers are as follows: the first symbol designated make (Y = Imperial), the second symbol designated make (M = LeBaron), the third and fourth symbols designated body styles (23 = 2-door hardtop, 43 = 4-door hardtop), the fifth symbol designated engine (J, K, L, T = 440). The sixth symbol designated year. The seventh symbol for manufacturing plant (C = Detroit). The last six digits were production numbers starting at 100,001.
ENGINE -
V-8 440 Cast iron block
Displacement : 440 cubic inches
Bore & Stroke : 4.32 x 3.75 inches.
Compression Ratio : 8.20:1
Brake Horsepower : 230 at 4000 rpm
Overhead valves
Carburetor - Four barrel
CHASSIS -
Wheelbase : 124 inches
Overall length : 231.1 inches
Tires : LR78 x 15
TRANSMISSION -
Automatic transmission was standard.
POWER STEERING
RIBBED VELOUR UPHOLSTERY
WINDSHIELD WASHER
4-WHEEL POWER DISC BRAKES
POWER WINDOWS
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS:
Automatic beam changer ($53.20)
Automatic speed control ($97.95)
Defogger - Rear window ($32.75)
Differential - Sure-Grip ($59.80)
Door Locks (Power)
in two-door ($51.85)
in four-door ($76.45)
Emission control testing system ($29.70)
Engine block heater ($16.15)
Gas cap - locking ($4.95)
Radio
AM/FM ($194.15)
AM/FM search tuner & dual front and rear speakers ($332.80)
AM/FM stereo with 8-track stereo tape and four speakers ($432.50)
Safeguard sentinel lighting ($39.10)
Seats
Power bench seat, left 50/50 seat in four-door ($117.45)
50/50 power bench or power bucket seat, left and right ($234.90)
Leather trim seats in 4-door ($162.10)
Security alarm system ($105.20)
Shock absorbers - heavy duty ($5.40)
Sun roof - power ($615.65)
Suspension - heavy duty ($18.90)
Tilt-telescoping steering wheel ($99.60)
Trailer towing package ($276.20)
Trunk lid power release ($34.35)
Vent windows - manual ($35.10)
Whitewall steel-belted radial tires LR84 x 15 ($80.60)
IMPERIAL ACCESSORY GROUP
on two-door ($50.00)
on four-door ($55.55)
accessory floor mats
carpeted spare tire cover
mirror
right outside rearview mirror
door edge guards on two doors
A redesigned, waterfall grille for Imperial highlights an inspired neoclassical styling approach.
The oil embargo ends on March 18, 1974 but the long term effects will shape the future of Chrysler and all American car companies.
The Challenger and Barracuda names are dropped, defining in real terms the end of the muscle car.
President Nixon resigns his presidency on August 9, 1974.
Information on this page was obtained from The Standard Catalog of Chrysler 1924-1990 by John Lee and Chrysler Chronicles by James Flammang.
