How much horsepower does a 1973 Chevelle Laguna have?
In 1973, the Chevelle Laguna did not have a single horsepower figure. Depending on the engine and equipment, output ranged roughly from 145 horsepower in base 350 V8 configurations to about 270 horsepower in the top-tier 454 big-block setups.
During the early 1970s, automakers tuned engines for emissions and fuel economy, which led to a broad spread in horsepower across even the same model line. The Laguna offered several V8 options — a 350, a 400, and the 454 — with horsepower dictated by carburetion, exhaust, and emissions gear. As a result, two Lagunas could have very different performance, even if they wore the same badge.
Engine options and horsepower ranges
Before listing the common engine choices in the Laguna lineup for 1973, note that horsepower figures reflect SAE net ratings for the era and vary by configuration:
- 350 cubic inch (5.7 L) V8 — roughly 145–180 hp (SAE net), depending on carburetion and emissions equipment.
- 400 cubic inch (6.6 L) V8 — roughly 180–210 hp (SAE net).
- 454 cubic inch (7.4 L) big-block — roughly 230–270 hp (SAE net) for higher-output configurations with four-barrel carburetion.
In short, the Laguna's performance range spanned these powerbands, and the exact number depended on the engine choice and factory specs.
How to verify horsepower on a specific Laguna
To determine the exact horsepower of a given vehicle, inspect the original window sticker or build sheet, and decode the engine block code. The VIN and options list will reveal whether the car carried a 350, 400, or 454 engine, along with the corresponding horsepower rating for that configuration.
Understanding the ratings
Horsepower figures from 1973 reflect SAE net ratings, which are lower than the earlier gross ratings. This difference matters when comparing numbers across eras, and real-world performance can vary with wear and tuning.
Summary
The 1973 Chevelle Laguna offered multiple V8 engine options, resulting in a broad horsepower range from about 145 hp on the base 350 up to around 270 hp with the 454 big-block. The exact figure for any given car depends on the engine, carburetion, and emissions equipment, which you can verify via the car’s documentation and engine code.
How much horsepower does a 73 Chevelle have?
245 horses
The Chevelle engine was detuned to run on low lead fuel.
The 350 engine was rated at 145 net horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor; 175 horses with a four-pot carb. The optional big-block 454 now netted 245 horses.
What is the difference between a Chevelle and a Laguna?
While lesser Chevelles (except the Malibu SS option) came standard with either a 250-cubic-inch six-cylinder or a 307-cubic-inch two-barrel V8, Lagunas came standard with a 145-horsepower 350-cubic-inch two-barrel V8.
What was the fastest car in 1973?
The fastest production car in 1973 was likely the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB, which was unveiled that year and called the fastest in the world at the time, while the De Tomaso Pantera is often cited as the fastest production car for that model year based on performance metrics like its 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds. For racing, the Porsche 917/30 was the most powerful race car, winning the Can-Am season with over 1,500 horsepower.
This video discusses the fastest American muscle cars of 1973: 55sFreedom MuscleYouTube · Jul 3, 2025
Production cars
- Ferrari 365 GT4 BB: Called the fastest car in the world when it was unveiled in 1973.
- De Tomaso Pantera: Often cited with performance figures like a 6.0-second 0-60 mph time and a top speed of 175 mph.
- Porsche 911: Another fast production car of the era, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds.
Race cars
- Porsche 917/30: The most powerful race car of the time, with over 1,500 horsepower, it dominated the 1973 Can-Am season.
Other notable high-performance cars
- Chevrolet Corvette: Had a 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds.
- Pontiac Trans Am 455 Super Duty: A powerful American muscle car that could run the quarter mile in 13.8 seconds.
How much is a classic Chevelle Laguna worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $18,075 for a 1976 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 in good condition with average spec.
