Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized car from Chevy, first rolling off the assembly line in 1964. It was manufactured from 1964 through 1977 and was one of General Motors most triumphant car. Chevelle models ranged from easy on the pocket family cars convertibles and powerful coupé. The
The Chevelle was anticipated to compete with the big ford fair lane, and to return to the Chevrolet lineup a model comparable in size and concept to the popular 1955-57 models. Early drawing 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 Chevelle was the basis for similar
A two-door station wagon was available in 1964 and 1965 in the bottom line Chevelle 300 series. Four-door hard top, baptized sports sedan, was available from 1966 through the 1972nd Two-door hard tops and convertibles were produced from 1964 to 1972, while four-door sedan and four-door wagons were offered throughout the run. In line with other Chevrolet series, the two-door hard
top was called Sport coupé. A range of models of wagons was sold with exclusive nameplates: Nomad (1968-1972), Nomad Custom (1968), Greenbrier (1969-1972), Concours (1967-1972), and Concours Estate (1968-1972).
El Camino, a utility pickup, was part of the Chevy lineup and, depending on the year, was available in 300/300 Deluxe trim level,
The Chevelle underwent a redesign for the 1973 model year. The so-called "colonnade hardtop" styling featured frameless door glass and solid "B" pillars. Rear windows on coupés could no longer open, no doubt encouragement from GM to buy the increasingly popular optional air conditioning. Front suspension was based on the Camaro and Firebird which greatly improved 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, and allowed them to accept the increasingly popular unleaded regular gasoline. Cross flow 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 each model, which was the instrument gauge cluster. Power front disc and rear drum brakes were standard. Power accessories, air conditioning and AM / FM bands, stereo were more prevalent in those years and gave a pleasant drive. A power moon roof was an option in 1973 and 1975.
The station wagon, available in 6 or 9 passenger seating, featured rear hatchback door which allowed for easier entry and loading. 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 to 1977 Chevelle was the Top Sellers for GM as was Oldsmobile Cutlass, which used the same A-body platform.
1973 model offers started with the top luxury Laguna series with its various urethane nose, followed by
In 1974 the Laguna S3 coupe replaced the "Super Sport SS" as the sporty performance option on the Chevelle. The nomenclature S3 mentioned sports and 3rd generation Chevelle. It played a special urethane nose, body side stripes, Laguna S3 emblem, 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, 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 Hydra - Matic 400 or
With the Laguna nameplate now bearing the sporty model in the Chevelle line, top-line series in 1974, Malibu Classic, offered in sedan, coupe and station wagon models. In contrast to the 73 Laguna used in Malibu Classic same lattice work as less 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 fabric or vinyl, carpeted door panels and wood grain dashboard trim, and vertical opera windows on coupés or exterior wood trim on station wagons. Also for 1974, the base Chevelle Deluxe series was dropped, leaving the plain
1975 Laguna S-3 debuted as a 1 / 2 year model in February and played a new sloping front nose designed for NASCAR. H.E.I. or High Energy Ignition provided the spark plugs with minimal maintenance and increased power. The larger distributor cap also provided better high RPM performance by decreasing the likelihood that spark implement to the wrong terminal. The 454 and Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 transmission was available for the first half of model year and then the 400 was the top engine choice. The 1976 Chevelle was available with the new 5.0 liter 305 V8 the 350 and 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 sports suspension. Only 50 or so were built. When GM downsized its intermediate models for 1978, Chevelle name was dropped and all models took the Chevrolet Malibu name.
The 1973 to 1977 Chevelle was the top car in the NASCAR circuit in 1970. 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 restrictors plate for all Laguna's. A driver who ran from 1973 to 1977 Chevelle include Darrell Waltrip, Junior Johnson, Benny Parsons, Cale Yarborough, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Bobby Isaac, Lennie Pond, AJ Foyt, Ricky Rudd, Dale Earnhardt and female racer Janet Guthrie.
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