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The Chevelle was introduced on September 26, 1963 as a mid-sized vehicle for the Chevrolet fleet. It was basically a smaller version of the Impala.
Muscle cars were associated with small vehicles with low weight and very few amenities but large amounts of horsepower from massive engines. The entire Detroit market had been stricken by creating faster, more vehicles. The Chevelle flirted with this definition but went a step farther and added versatility and convenience. When introduced in 1963, its 327 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 300 horsepower was no match for the 389 cubic-inch V8 that the Pontiac GTO concealed under its hood. In the years that followed, Chevrolet would answer the challenge with larger, more powerful engines.
The Chevelle was built atop a new A-frame platform and had a 112 inch wheelbase. The suspension was unequal-length double wishbones in the front and a 4-link live-axle rear suspension. The vehicle could be ordered in 2 or 4 door bodystyle. The base model was the 300 series while the Malibu SS was the top-of-the-line model.
During the 1964 model year, over 76,800 Chevelle SS's were produced. Two engine sizes were available, the 283 and 327 cubic inch. Horsepower ranged from 195 through 300 depending on the engine and configuration.
The muscle car market was beginning to heat-up and Chevrolet needed to prove that they still had what was needed to compete. In 1965, Chevrolet unleashed a limited edition 396, known as the Z-16 package. The 201 examples that were produced featured 375 horsepower, highly-modified suspension and power-assisted steering, and anti-roll bars in the front and rear. The gear ratio on the Muncie 4-speed transmission was raised from 3.31 to 4.56. The 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were still available. The base engine still produced 195 horsepower while the top of the line Z79 327 was now producing 350 horsepower. Production was down by over 4000 SS's from the previous year, now at 72,500.
Chevrolet was catching up in the horsepower battle. In 1966, the 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were no longer being offered. Rather, the 396 became the standard engine with the horsepower outputting between 325 to 375 depending on the configuration. The greater the horsepower the vehicles received, the greater the need to modify the other components of the vehicle. All Chevelles were outfitted with stiffer springs and shocks to counter handling problems.
The SS name was switched to SS396 to highlight the 396 cubic-inch engine lurking underneath the hood. A new bumper, roof line, and dual hood scoops were applied to the vehicle to give it an updated and more aggressive look. For 1966, 72,272 examples were produced. Part of this success is credited with the competitive price, styling and vehicle performance.
Front disc brakes and new tires were added in 1967. A three speed automatic was added to the 3 and 4 speed manual, and two speed automatic transmission options. The 396 engine producing 325 horsepower was still the standard power plant. The L34 engine saw a reduction in horsepower by 10 to comply with new GM corporate policy regarding one-BHP per ten-pounds of curb weight. The 375 horsepower option was removed from the line-up.
In 1968, the Chevelle SS was redesigned. The rear of the car was shortened while the front was stretched giving it a fast-back appearance. The wheelbase decreased by three inches. The L78 375 horsepower engine option was re-added to the line-up. The zero-to-sixty time was rated around 6.5 seconds while the quarter-mile time was 14.5 seconds. Unfortunately, sales were down considerably hovering around 57,600.
The SS 396 became an option package for the Chevelles in 1969. By the end of the year, the 396 was increased to 402 cubic inches. A limited number of 427 cubic-inch power plants were offered. With over 86,300 vehicles sold in 1969, the Chevelle SS was gaining ground in the popularity battle.
For 1970, production was down to just below 53,600 Chevelle SS's. However, horsepower was up, way up. The horsepower ranged from 350 to 450 horsepower from the 402 and 454 powerplants. With the LS6 454 engine, the vehicle could race from zero-to-sixty in just over 6 seconds. The quarter mile could be reached in 13.7 seconds.
In 1971, the muscle car era was beginning to decline due to safety and government regulations. As a result, the engines were detuned and horsepower and sales plummeted. Nearly 20,000 Chevelle SS's were sold. The base engine was the L65 350 cubic-inch V8 producing 245 horsepower. The top of the line engine, the LS5 454 V8, was still at muscle-car status with its 365 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs of torque. The Chevelle's borrowed from the Monte Carlo design and received single headlights.
The trend of detuning continued in 1972 as manufacturers were buckling under the increasing government regulations. The base L65 V8 engine now produced 165 horsepower. The Ls5 454 V8 produced 270 horsepower. During the 1972 model year, 5,333 examples of the Chevelle SS were produced.
The Chevelle was redeisgned again in 1973 to help stimulate sales. Thecar grew in size and growing farther away from its sporty car image. The 'colonnade hartop' models replaced the pillarless hardtop versions. The convertible option was no longer offered.
Production continued until 1977.
Muscle cars were associated with small vehicles with low weight and very few amenities but large amounts of horsepower from massive engines. The entire Detroit market had been stricken by creating faster, more vehicles. The Chevelle flirted with this definition but went a step farther and added versatility and convenience. When introduced in 1963, its 327 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 300 horsepower was no match for the 389 cubic-inch V8 that the Pontiac GTO concealed under its hood. In the years that followed, Chevrolet would answer the challenge with larger, more powerful engines.
The Chevelle was built atop a new A-frame platform and had a 112 inch wheelbase. The suspension was unequal-length double wishbones in the front and a 4-link live-axle rear suspension. The vehicle could be ordered in 2 or 4 door bodystyle. The base model was the 300 series while the Malibu SS was the top-of-the-line model.
During the 1964 model year, over 76,800 Chevelle SS's were produced. Two engine sizes were available, the 283 and 327 cubic inch. Horsepower ranged from 195 through 300 depending on the engine and configuration.
The muscle car market was beginning to heat-up and Chevrolet needed to prove that they still had what was needed to compete. In 1965, Chevrolet unleashed a limited edition 396, known as the Z-16 package. The 201 examples that were produced featured 375 horsepower, highly-modified suspension and power-assisted steering, and anti-roll bars in the front and rear. The gear ratio on the Muncie 4-speed transmission was raised from 3.31 to 4.56. The 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were still available. The base engine still produced 195 horsepower while the top of the line Z79 327 was now producing 350 horsepower. Production was down by over 4000 SS's from the previous year, now at 72,500.
Chevrolet was catching up in the horsepower battle. In 1966, the 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were no longer being offered. Rather, the 396 became the standard engine with the horsepower outputting between 325 to 375 depending on the configuration. The greater the horsepower the vehicles received, the greater the need to modify the other components of the vehicle. All Chevelles were outfitted with stiffer springs and shocks to counter handling problems.
The SS name was switched to SS396 to highlight the 396 cubic-inch engine lurking underneath the hood. A new bumper, roof line, and dual hood scoops were applied to the vehicle to give it an updated and more aggressive look. For 1966, 72,272 examples were produced. Part of this success is credited with the competitive price, styling and vehicle performance.
Front disc brakes and new tires were added in 1967. A three speed automatic was added to the 3 and 4 speed manual, and two speed automatic transmission options. The 396 engine producing 325 horsepower was still the standard power plant. The L34 engine saw a reduction in horsepower by 10 to comply with new GM corporate policy regarding one-BHP per ten-pounds of curb weight. The 375 horsepower option was removed from the line-up.
In 1968, the Chevelle SS was redesigned. The rear of the car was shortened while the front was stretched giving it a fast-back appearance. The wheelbase decreased by three inches. The L78 375 horsepower engine option was re-added to the line-up. The zero-to-sixty time was rated around 6.5 seconds while the quarter-mile time was 14.5 seconds. Unfortunately, sales were down considerably hovering around 57,600.
The SS 396 became an option package for the Chevelles in 1969. By the end of the year, the 396 was increased to 402 cubic inches. A limited number of 427 cubic-inch power plants were offered. With over 86,300 vehicles sold in 1969, the Chevelle SS was gaining ground in the popularity battle.
For 1970, production was down to just below 53,600 Chevelle SS's. However, horsepower was up, way up. The horsepower ranged from 350 to 450 horsepower from the 402 and 454 powerplants. With the LS6 454 engine, the vehicle could race from zero-to-sixty in just over 6 seconds. The quarter mile could be reached in 13.7 seconds.
In 1971, the muscle car era was beginning to decline due to safety and government regulations. As a result, the engines were detuned and horsepower and sales plummeted. Nearly 20,000 Chevelle SS's were sold. The base engine was the L65 350 cubic-inch V8 producing 245 horsepower. The top of the line engine, the LS5 454 V8, was still at muscle-car status with its 365 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs of torque. The Chevelle's borrowed from the Monte Carlo design and received single headlights.
The trend of detuning continued in 1972 as manufacturers were buckling under the increasing government regulations. The base L65 V8 engine now produced 165 horsepower. The Ls5 454 V8 produced 270 horsepower. During the 1972 model year, 5,333 examples of the Chevelle SS were produced.
The Chevelle was redeisgned again in 1973 to help stimulate sales. Thecar grew in size and growing farther away from its sporty car image. The 'colonnade hartop' models replaced the pillarless hardtop versions. The convertible option was no longer offered.
Production continued until 1977.
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com