Chevrolet Chevelle
Manufacturer	Chevrolet
Parent company	General Motors
Production	1964-1977
Successor	Chevrolet Malibu
Class	Mid-size
Layout	FR layout
Platform	A-body

First generation
Also called	Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Production	1964–1972
Assembly	Atlanta, Georgia Baltimore, Maryland Fremont, California Kansas City, Kansas Van Nuys, California Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada Flint, Michigan Framingham, Massachusetts
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible 2-door sedan 4 door sedan 4-door hardtop 4-door station wagon 2-door station wagon
Engine(s)	194 in³ Inline-Six I6 230 in³ Inline-Six I6 250 in³ Inline-Six I6 283 in³ Small-Block V8 307 in³ Small-Block V8 327 in³ Small-Block V8 350 in³ Small-Block V8 396 in³ Big-Block V8 402 in³ Big-Block V8 427 in³ Big-Block V8 454 in³ Big-Block V8
Wheelbase	116 in (2997 mm) 1968 Sedan 112 in (2845 mm) 1968 Coupe/Convertible
Curb weight	3520 lbs (1600 kilos) for 1968 3260 lbs (1482 kilos) for 1970 SS 454
Related	Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pontiac Grand Prix Oldsmobile 442 Buick Special

Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

The Chevrolet Chevelle pronounced "shavell" was a mid-sized automobile from Chevrolet debuting in 1964. It was produced from 1964 through 1977 and was one of General Motors' most successful cars. Chevelle models ranged from economical family cars to powerful coupes and convertibles. The Malibu was at first the top trim level of the Chevelle line, and it replaced the Chevelle name entirely after 1977. The Chevelle chassis (based on the reengineered GM A platform) provided the platform for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a very successful model itself. Chevrolet Chevelle at the Garden Grove, California weekly car show, May 7, 2004. ... Automakers, also known as carmakers, automobile manufacturers, motor manufacturers, or the automobile industry are companies that design and manufacture automobiles. ... Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds second largest auto company by sales revenue as of the first sales quarter of 2007 (behind Toyota Motor Company). ... It has been suggested that Chevrolet Classic be merged into this article or section. ... Car classification is subjective since many vehicles fall into multiple categories. ... A mid-size car, frequently referred to as an intermediate, is an automobile with a size between that of a compact and a full-size or standard-size car. ... In automobile design layout is the place where both the engine and driven wheels are. ... In automobile design, an FR, or front-engine, rear wheel drive means a layout where the engine is in the front of the vehicle and drive wheels at the rear. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The General Motors A platform (commonly called A-body) was a mid-size car automobile platform. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 377 pixelsFull resolution (1060 × 500 pixel, file size: 79 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Hotlanta redirects here. ... Nickname: Motto: The Greatest City in America,[4] Get in on it. ... Fremont (IPA: ) is a city in California that was incorporated on January 23, 1956, from the merger of five smaller communities: Centerville, Irvington, Mission San Jose, Niles, and Warm Springs. ... Kansas City is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Wyandotte County; it is part of the Unified Government [1] which also includes the cities of Bonner Springs and Edwardsville. ... Van Nuys is a district within the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. ... Oshawa (estimated 2004 population 150 000; metropolitan population 296 298) is a city on Lake Ontario located approximately 60 km east of downtown Toronto in Ontario, Canada. ... Church in Sainte-Thérèse Sainte-Thérèse is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada northwest of Montreal, in the Regional County Municipality of Thérèse-de-Blainville. ... Nickname: Location of Flint within Genesee County, Michigan. ... Framingham is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA and the only such named town in the United States. ... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... Saab 900 Convertible 1962 Rambler American Convertible can also refer to a convertible (security) A convertible (sometimes called cabriolet in British English) is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof (aka soft top or top in USA, hood in UK). ... A Toyota Camry, a recognizable sedan The Ford Five Hundred, a full-sized sedan The 3-box design, indicative of a notchback sedan, as illustrated on a full-size luxury sedan. ... A Toyota Camry, a recognizable sedan The Ford Five Hundred, a full-sized sedan The 3-box design, indicative of a notchback sedan, as illustrated on a full-size luxury sedan. ... A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ... The Chevrolet inline 6 of the 1930s through 1970s was the base engine in many popular cars, including the Chevrolet Camaro. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The Chevrolet inline 6 of the 1930s through 1970s was the base engine in many popular cars, including the Chevrolet Camaro. ... The Chevrolet inline 6 of the 1930s through 1970s was the base engine in many popular cars, including the Chevrolet Camaro. ... // Chevrolets small-block V8 is a famous automobile engine. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... // Chevrolets small-block V8 is a famous automobile engine. ... // Chevrolets small-block V8 is a famous automobile engine. ... // Chevrolets small-block V8 is a famous automobile engine. ... Big block is the term used to describe the large displacement V8 engines that were developed in the USA during the 1950s and 1960s. ... Big block is the term used to describe the large displacement V8 engines that were developed in the USA during the 1950s and 1960s. ... Big block is the term used to describe the large displacement V8 engines that were developed in the USA during the 1950s and 1960s. ... Big block is the term used to describe the large displacement V8 engines that were developed in the USA during the 1950s and 1960s. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kerb (sometimes mis-spelled as curb by Americans) weight is the total weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating consumables (such as motor oil and coolant), a full tank of fuel and not loaded with either passengers or cargo. ... The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is an American mid-size car. ... The Pontiac Grand Prix is an automobile produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors. ... 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 The Oldsmobile 442 (pronounced four-four-two) was a muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. ... 1940 Buick Coupé Straight 8 Special 4. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 425 pixelsFull resolution (1138 × 605 pixel, file size: 116 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 425 pixelsFull resolution (1138 × 605 pixel, file size: 116 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Karl Benzs Velo model (1894) - entered into the first automobile race An automobile or motor car (usually shortened to just car) is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor. ... Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds second largest auto company by sales revenue as of the first sales quarter of 2007 (behind Toyota Motor Company). ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... Saab 900 Convertible 1962 Rambler American Convertible can also refer to a convertible (security) A convertible (sometimes called cabriolet in British English) is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof (aka soft top or top in USA, hood in UK). ... It has been suggested that Chevrolet Classic be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into List of GM platforms. ... The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is an American mid-size car. ...

The Chevelle was intended to compete with the similarly sized Ford Fairlane, and to return to the Chevrolet lineup a model similar in size and concept to the popular 1955-57 models. Early design photos show what would eventually be the Chevelle wearing Nova nameplates, the name that was used for the top trim level in the smaller Chevy II series. From 1964-69, the Chevelle was the basis for the similar Beaumont, a re-trimmed model sold only in Canada by Pontiac dealers. 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria 1957 Ford Fairlane 1966 Ford Fairlane GTA 1997 Ford Fairlane Ghia The Ford Fairlane was an automobile model sold between 1955 and 1971 by the Ford Motor Company in North America. ... The Chevrolet Nova or Chevy II was an American compact car introduced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in 1962. ... Pontiac is a marque of automobile produced by General Motors and sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 1926 to the present. ...

Four-door hardtops were available from 1966 though 1972. A two-door station wagon was available in 1964 and 1965 in the bottom-line Chevelle 300 series. Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ...

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 1987. The Chevrolet El Camino, (El Camino, Spanish for The Road) A car built by Chevrolet in the United States, was produced in response to the success of the rival Ford Ranchero. ...

Chevelle SS

1969 Chevelle SS396

The Chevelle SS represented Chevrolet's entry into the muscle car battle. Early 1964 and 1965 Chevelles had a Malibu SS badge on the rear quarter panel (the sought-after Z16 option had the emblem on the front fender, where 201 Malibu SS 396s were produced); after 1965, the Malibu SS badging disappeared except for those sold in Canada. The Chevelle SS, which became a regular series of its own in 1966 called the SS 396, was the high performance version and had its own line of engines and performance equipment. The performance engines available included 396 in³ V8s - rated at 325, 350 and 375 hp respectively (the mid horsepower 396 was rated at 360hp for 1966 only and 350hp thereafter). The SS396 series only lasted three years from 1966 through 1968 before being relegated to an option status just like air conditioning or a radio. The 1966 and 1967 model years also saw the limited run of the 'strut back' 2-dr sport coupe with its own model number, 17, as opposed to model number 37 used on previous and later 2-dr sport coupes. The 1968 model year was also the first year of the SS396 El Camino with its own series/model identification of 13880. Almost all the goodies (big block engine, suspension, transmission options, etc.) of the SS396 could be ordered on the 1966 and 1967 El Camino but, sadly, the SS396 series was not available until the 1968 model year. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Super Sport, or SS, is an option package offered by Chevrolet on many of its vehicle lines since 1961. ... The Pontiac GTO is a classic example of the muscle car. ...

Two prototype Z16 Chevelles were built at the Baltimore plant and all regular production Z16 Chevelles were built at the Kansas City plant. Whether these 2 prototypes and the 1 reported convertible are included in this 201 figure isn't known. The 1 convertible was reportedly special built for Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen but is commonly called the 201st Z16 Chevelle. Unfortunately there's no known documetation available on this car and to date no known photos of it have surfaced which leaves its existence in doubt.

For Chevelle enthusiasts who wanted a high-performance mid-sized car but with a hot small-block V8, rather than the big-block found in the SS 396, the regular Chevelle and Malibu models were available with a 350-horsepower 327 cubic-inch V8 (option code L-79) in 1965 and 1966. That same engine was also offered for 1967-68, but downrated "on paper" to 325 horsepower, the same as the standard 396 found in the SS 396.

For the 1969 model year, the SS396 series (138xx) was dropped and the Super Sport became a performance option. In 1969 the SS option could be orded on the 300 Deluxe 2-dr coupe (13437) and 2-dr sedan (13427) as well as the Malibu 2-dr sport coupe (13637), convertible (13667), and El Camino (13680). In 1970 the SS option was limited to the Malibu series (2-dr sport coupe, convertible, and El Camino). In both 1969 and 1970 the SS option included the 396/402 as the base engine keeping the option alive as a performance-oriented choice. This changed in 1971 when the SS option could be ordered with any optional V8 and became more of a dress-up option than a performance option.

Previous to 1970, GM had a restriction stating that no mid-size car could have an engine with a displacement over 400 in³, though some inventive people figured out ways around this through the dealership; 1968 and 1969 were the times of the COPO (Central Office Production Order), in which a car was ordered by the dealer with a larger than allowed engine in it for racing purposes.

In 1970 GM dropped the displacement rule, and that was when the bigger engines came out, resulting the addition of an SS 454 line to the existing SS 396 series. The first change was that the 396 engine was bored out to 402 in³ , but the car kept the 396 badging, as so much advertising had been put into the 396 namesake that they didn't want to change it. Most notable was the 454 in³ LS5 V8 rated at 360 hp and the LS6 at 450 hp. It was the 454 that made the Chevelle a legend. The LS6, with 450 hp and 500 ft·lbf of torque, would rocket the Chevelle through the 1/4 mile in low to mid-13 second times at 105 to 108 mph.

For 1971, GM mandated that all divisions design their engines to run on lower-octane regular, low-lead or unleaded gasoline due to tightening emission requirements and in anticipation of the catalytic converter that would be used on 1975 and later models, necessitating the use of unleaded fuel. To permit usage of the lower-octane fuels, all engines featured low compression ratios (9 to 1 and lower; well below the 10.25-11.25 to 1 range on high performance engines of 1970 and earlier). This move reduced horsepower ratings on the big-block engines to 300 for the 402 cubic-inch V8 but surprisingly, the LS-5 454 option got a "advertised" five-horsepower increase to 365. The LS-6 454 option, which was originally announced as a regular production option on the Chevelle SS for 1971, was dropped early in the model year and no official records indicate that any '71 Chevelles were assembled with the LS-6 engine.

In the face of declining musclecar sales following the "insurance surcharge" wrath of 1970, the Chevelle SS - at least in base form - changed from a specific performance car to a trim package, much like the original 1964-65 Chevelle SS models that pre-dated the introduction of the SS 396 in 1966. For 1971, the base Chevelle SS engine was a two-barrel 350 cubic-inch V8 rated at 245 gross (165 net) horsepower and optionally available was a four-barrel carbureted version of the 350 V8 rated at 275 gross (200 net) horsepower. The big block engines of previous years were now extra-cost options including the 402 V8 rated at 300 gross/270 net horsepower; and LS-5 454 V8 with 365 gross and 285 net horsepower. Chevrolet specifications for 1971 included both "gross" and "net" horsepower figures for all engines to ease the transition to 1972 and later years, when Chevy and other manufacturers only listed the "net" horsepower ratings.

The 1972 Chevelle SS had a top engine rated at 270 net hp (201 kW) conforming with GM's decree that all engines were to be rated at their net engine ratings. Despite the lower rating there was no evidence that power had actually changed on production cars of that year. All other engines on the SS roster were unchanged from 1971.

In mid-1971 and continued through 1972, the base Chevelle coupe was offered as the "Heavy Chevy" model featuring special striping and other appearance items. The "Heavy Chevy" was available with any V8 engine offered in the Chevelle roster ranging from the 307 two-barrel to the 402 four-barrel. However, the 454 big-block was only offered with the "SS" package and not available with the "Heavy Chevy" option.

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 Chevrolet Impala is an automobile built for the Chevrolet division by General Motors. ... Power steering is a system for reducing the steering effort on cars by using an external power source to assist in turning the wheels. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... An automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. ... Note: in the broadest sense, air conditioning can refer to any form of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. ... Label for 2. ... Vinyl roof refers to a vinyl covering for an automobiles top. ...

Chevelles in NASCAR

The Chevelle was a NASCAR stock car. Mechanics such as Smokey Yunick built them and Drivers such as Curtis Turner drove them. Jeff Burton (99), Elliott Sadler (38), Ricky Rudd (21), Dale Jarrett (88), Sterling Marlin (40), Jimmie Johnson (48), and Casey Mears (41) practice for the 2004 Daytona 500 The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ...

1973-1977

The Chevelle underwent a redesign for the 1973 model year. The so called "colonnade hardtop" styling featured frameless door glass and stronger "B" pillars. Front suspension was based on the Camaro/Firebird which greatly enhanced handling. Engine choices ranged from the 250 I6 to the venerable 454 V8. Hardened engine valve seats and hydraulic camshafts made these engines reliable for many miles. Crossflow radiators and coolant reservoirs that prevented air from entering the system prevented overheating. Swivel bucket seats and center console for automatic and manual shift cars were offered in every model as was the instrument gauge cluster. Power front disc and rear drum brakes were standard. Power accessories, air conditioning and AM/FM tape stereo were more prevalent these years and provided a pleasing drive. A power moonroof was an option in 73-75. Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... Saab 900 Convertible 1962 Rambler American Convertible can also refer to a convertible (security) A convertible (sometimes called cabriolet in British English) is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof (aka soft top or top in USA, hood in UK). ... A Toyota Camry, a recognizable sedan The Ford Five Hundred, a full-sized sedan The 3-box design, indicative of a notchback sedan, as illustrated on a full-size luxury sedan. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ...

The station wagon, available in 6 or 9 passenger seating featured a rear hatchback door which allowed for easier entry and loading. The Chevrolet El Camino and GMC Sprint were based on the Chevelle. Yearly design changes to the front and rear mark the aesthetic differences as in previous years. The 1973-1977 Chevelles were top sellers for GM as was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, which used the same corporate A-body platform.

1973 model offerings started with the top luxury Laguna series with it's distinct urethane nose, followed by Malibu and then Deluxe models. An SS package was available for Malibu coupes and for the only time, station wagons. The SS option included a black front grille, SS badging on the interior and exterior, body side striping, rally wheels with white letter tires, F41 sport suspension with front and rear sway bars, and a 350 or 454 V8. A 4 speed Muncie transmission was available with 350 or 454 equipped cars on any model.

For 1974 the Laguna S3 coupe replaced the "SS" as the sporty/performance option on the Chevelle. The nomenclature S3 referred to sport and 3rd generation Chevelle. It sported a special urethane nose, body side striping, Laguna S3 badging, rally wheels, 4 spoke steering wheel and F41 sport suspension with front and rear sway bars. Radial tires on 15" wheels and radial tuned suspension provided road grip and retractable 3 point seat belts were introduced and still used in new cars today. A 400 engine was new this year. The 454 was the top engine and available with the turbo hydramatic 400 or Muncie 4 speed transmissions.

With the Laguna nameplate now bearing the sporty model in the Chevelle line, the top-line series for 1974 became the Malibu Classic, offered in sedan, coupe and station wagon models. Unlike the '73 Laguna, the Malibu Classic used the same grillework as lesser Chevelle models but added a spring-loaded hood ornament. Inside Malibu Classic featured luxurious interiors with notchback bench seats (or optional Strato bucket seats) upholstered in cloth or vinyl, carpeted door panels and woodgrain instrument panel trim, and vertical opera windows on coupes or exterior wood trim on station wagons. Also for 1974, the base Chevelle Deluxe series was dropped, leaving the plain Malibu as the low-end series.

The 1975 Laguna S-3 debuted as a 1/2 year model in February and sported a new sloped front nose designed for Nascar. H.E.I. or High Energy Ignition provided spark to the spark plugs with minimal maintenance and increased power. The larger distributor cap also provided better high RPM performance by decreasing the likelihood of the spark conducting to the wrong terminal. The 454 and turbo hydramatic 400 transmission was available for the first half of the model year and then the 400 was the top engine choice.

For 1976, Chevelle was available with the new 5.0 liter 305 V8 the 350 and the 400.

1977 offered the Malibu Classic as the top model and the 350 was the top engine. A Chevelle S.E. or special edition was available and provided front and rear spoilers, rally wheels, special graphics and sport suspension. Only 50 or so were built.

NASCAR The 73-77 Chevelle was the top car in the Nascar circuit in the 1970s. The car was so popular and successful on the track that Chevrolet developed a new front nose in 1975 that lead to the aerodynamic cars of today. The car dominated the field so much that Nascar imposed a carburetor restrictor plate for all Lagunas. Drivers that raced 73-77 Chevelles include: Darrell Waltrip, Junior Johnson, Benny Parsons, Cale Yarborough, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Bobby Isaac, Lennie Pond, A.J. Foyt, Ricky Rudd, Dale Earnhardt and female racer Janet Guthrie.

When GM downsized its intermediate models for 1978, the Chevelle name was dropped and all models took the Chevrolet Malibu name. It has been suggested that Chevrolet Classic be merged into this article or section. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Chevrolet Chevelle

• Chevrolet Chevelle SS - MuscleCarClub.com
• Chevrolet Chevelle Horsepower Ratings, Specifications, Photos - MuscleCarDrive.com
• Chevy Chevelle at Muscle Car Facts — A year by year account