Chevrolet Chevelle

It was Chevrolet’s intermediate sized car based upon GM’s A platform with a 115-inch wheelbase and intended to compete directly against Ford’s Fairlane model.

What is a Chevrolet Chevelle?

It was Chevrolet’s intermediate sized car based upon GM’s A platform with a 115-inch wheelbase and intended to compete directly against Ford’s Fairlane model. With Ed Cole having left Chevrolet in 1962, Semone E. ‘Bunkie’ Knudsen took over as general manager and the company went on to produce some of the most impressive cars of the decade, with the Chevelle being just one of the huge selling success stories. Introduced in 1964 the Chevelle was available in a wide variety of bodystyles, that included four-door, two-door, convertible, and estate, with the utility El Camino pickup based upon the estate. The top level of trim was the Malibu. However, the most revered and sought after model is without doubt the Chevelle SS two-door fastback coupe which went on to become a pretty potent muscle car in its own right, and nowadays is the most collectible by far.

History

Initially the Chevelle was reasonably restrained in styling and performance, with the largest engine option being a 327ci V8, and it wasn’t until 1965 when the model received a 396ci V8 engine initially as a limited edition of 200 cars with the Z-16 package that the SS became a serious contender in the muscle car wars. Indeed, in order to cope with the extra torque of the engine, the chassis needed strengthening, along with new anti-roll bars, and uprated suspension. In 1966 the 396ci engine became generally available for the SS. In 1968 there was a major redesign of the body that now featured fastback styling, and the characteristic twin front headlamps continued through. In 1969 along came the 427ci V8 rated at 425bhp, only 358 Chevelle SS models were produced with this engine. This was also the era of the COPO muscle cars, these four letters always guarantee to increase the pulse of true devotees of power and performance and stand for Central Office Production Order. In essence, a few dealers such as Nickey Chevrolet, Berger and Yenko were able to lay their hands on the most powerful factory built cars, always in a limited supply and obviously highly sought after by top drag racers of the day and they certainly didn’t come cheap either! It’s estimated that only 323 COPO 427’s were ever built. The Chevelle reached its zenith in 1970 when optioned with the 454ci LS6 V8 rated at 450bhp and 500lb ft torque. The engine featured an 800cfm Holley carburettor,
forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, four bolt mains, forged aluminium pistons, and solid lifters. This Chevelle was actually more powerful than a Corvette! With this kind of power, the SS was capable of 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds and could cover the quarter mile in 13.7 seconds at 103mph.
Naturally the Chevelle also came with all mod cons if required, things like, automatic transmission, power brakes, power steering, air conditioning, etc. Along with the demise of the muscle car in general in the early 1970’s, the Chevelle too came with downrated engines, the base 350ci V8 offered a meagre 245bhp, the mighty LS6 was no more, though the 454ci LS5 still had 356bhp on tap. For 1971 the semi-fastback styling continued, though the twin front headlamps were now replaced by single lamps. The last SS was produced in 1972, after which there was a major redesign in bodystyling and the model soldiered on until 1977 when the top of the range trim level Malibu became a model in its own right.

Driving

GM’s A bodied cars like the Chevelle will reward their owners with a most pleasurable driving experience. They are a well balanced car with plenty of performance, though if you start to push a standard specification car to its limits then it will rock and roll around corners. With drum brakes all round you’ll stop okay initially and then they will fade away. Even with servo assistance, if you’re used to driving a modern car with disc brakes and then jump into a Chevelle, initially it may be a tad unnerving, a bit of a surprise, but you’ll soon get used to them! There are all kinds of modifications available to improve handling such as disc brake conversions as previously mentioned, upper and lower wishbone suspension kits, rear anti-roll bars and much more. However, a well sorted factory original car will not disappoint.

Prices

It should be possible to purchase a runner with an MoT though requiring work for £3000-£4000. Shell out £8000-£10,000 and you’ll have yourself an excellent car, expect to pay more for concours and big block cars though.