The Chevrolet Chevelle debuted in the 1964 model year as a mid-size automobile from Chevrolet. It was produced throughout the remainder of the 1960s and 1970s and was one of General Motors' most successful models. Chevelle models ranged from economical family cars (by the standards of the day) to powerful coupés and convertibles. The Malibu was at first an upmarket submodel of the Chevelle but later became a model in its own right. The Chevelle chassis (based on the reengineered GM A platform) provided the platform for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a very successful model itself. The Chevelle lineup was originally envisioned as a Chevy II replacement; however, Chevy II sales filled the niche for the Chevrolet Corvair, which could not outsell its competition.
A utility version of the Chevelle station wagon, the El Camino, was part of the lineup. The El Camino outlived its passenger car counterpart until its demise in 1988; some suggest that sales of the Chevrolet S-10 pickup led to the El Camino's demise.
The Chevelle SS represented Chevrolet's entry into the hot mid-size muscle car battle. Early 1964 and 1965 Chevelles had a Malibu SS badge on the quarter panels; after 1966, the Malibu badging disappeared except for those sold in Canada. The Chevelle SS was the high performance version and had its own line of engines and performance equipment. The engines available included a 350, a 396—rated at 325, 350 and 375 hp, and the venerable 454—rated at 390 and 450hp. It was the 454 that made the Chevelle a legend. The LS-6, with 450 hp and 500 ft·lbf of torque would rocket this car through the 1/4 mile in low- to mid-13s at 105 to 108 mph- Corvette ZR-1, Ferrari Testarossa, and Porsche 911 stomping ground. After 1972, the engine ratings went south quickly. 1972 would be the last of the great Chevelle SS models. With the top engine rated at 245 net hp (183 kW), the car was a good performer, but not nearly as muscular as its previous iterations.
Many customers, however, chose the Chevelle as an economical family car that, while not as expensive to operate as larger models (including the Chevrolet Impala), had enough room to seat a family of five in reasonable comfort. Popular convenience items ranged from power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission, air conditioning and stereo radio; plus appearance items including vinyl top, full wheel covers and whitewall tires.
The Chevelle nameplate became superfluous in the mid-1970s, as it was tied to the Malibu name in sales literature (as in, Chevelle Malibu), and it was retired after the 1977 model year.
On screen
- Chevrolet Chevelles appear in the background of a number of Dirty Harry films including The Enforcer and Magnum Force.
- A 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu appeared in Quentin Tarantino's cult movie Pulp Fiction. It is the car owned and driven by Vincent Vega.
- A 1964 Malibu sedan was in the movie Repo Man, starring Emilio Estevez.
See also
External links
- Custom Chevrolet Chevelle
- Chevy Chevelle at Muscle Car Facts — A year by year account