Marque: Chevrolet - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand
Chevrolet
Chevrolet has been America’s top selling and best known marque within General Motors for generations, and as quintessentially Uncle Sam and Stars and Stripes as it’s possible to get.
Paradoxically, Louis Chevrolet was actually Swiss born at La Chaux de Fonds, Neuchatel on Christmas Day 1878, the son of a watch and clockmaker Josef Chevrolet. The family moved to its native…
Chevrolet Corvette
From humble beginnings in 1953 and only 4640 cars sold in the first three years which very nearly killed the model off, the Corvette went on to become America’s favorite sports car. Originally built with a separate chassis and a GRP body, a tradition that continued up until the advent of carbon fibre and composites the Corvette was initially powered by the trusty 235ci Stove-bolt six engine, until 1955 when it received a V8 engine that it so richly deserved. The Sting Ray model of 1963 brought forth a completely redesigned body and for one year only Bill Mitchell’s controversial split rear screen. Engine power had increased significantly with 327ci V8, 396 V8 and the huge 427ci big block rated up to a massive 435bhp and tree pulling torque. Third generation cars were built from 1968 - 1982 with the body mostly unchanged other than several facelifts. Fourth generation cars in 1984 incorporated a major redesign in chassis and body. Still in production and with every generation of Corvette delivering improvements in handling, power and comfort from its predecessor, there’s something to appeal to everyone with later models making good neo-classics.
Chevrolet Bel-Air
Introduced in 1950 the Bel-Air reached its zenith with the models produced in 1955, 1956 and 1957 also colloquially referred to as the Tri-Chevs, which nowadays enjoy a cult following and are the most collectable. Two-tone paintwork was very much in vogue during the period and worked particularly well with the ’55 and ’56 models, the former easily identified by its ‘eggcrate’ styled front grille. 1956 cars received a slightly revised frontal aspect and engine options included the 235cistraight-six, 265ci V8 and the 282ci V8, with either three speed manual or fussier two-speed Power glide automatic transmission. Underpinnings comprised of a brand new tubular chassis, upper and lower A-arm front suspension with coils springs and a live axle to the rear with semi elliptic leaf springs. The 1957 Bel-Air sports fi ns ‘n’ chrome styling and many of the accoutrements seen in much larger cars such as the Cadillac. An anodized metal ribbed panel was neatly moulded into the rear quarter panel and the fuel filler cap was hidden away behind the nearside tail fin. The 283ci V8 was also available with fuel injection but at a hefty $500 extra didn’t find many takers!
