Chevrolet Chevelle

The Chevelle was a mid-size vehicle that was built between 1964 and 1977. The car was intended to compete with the similarly sized Ford Fairlane and supplement the Chevrolet range with a model that was based on the popular models from 1955 to 1957 in terms of size and concept. In the model range of the 1960s, the Chevelle and its luxury version Malibu occupied the mid-range between the Corvair and Nova and the large Impala and Caprice models.

The Chevelle model range extended from affordable sedans and station wagons to high-performance coupés and convertibles. The more powerful versions were called Chevelle SS. From 1978, the name of the luxury version Malibu became the type designation for the entire model series.

The range of engines was diverse. Small and big block V8 engines as well as L6 engines were offered in various dimensions. The names of the engines were „Hi-Thrift“ and „Turbo-Thrift“ for the straight sixes, „Turbo-Fire“ for the small blocks and „Turbo-Jet“ for the big blocks. The engines, regardless of whether they had six or eight cylinders, were installed longitudinally. They had OHV valve timing with two overhead valves per cylinder.

Power was also transmitted in very different ways. Manually, automatically, via a steering wheel gearshift or via a gearshift on the center tunnel. The sliding-wheel gearbox had a choice of three or four gears and overdrive on request. The automatic Powerglide torque converter transmission had two gears and was available from 1950 to 1973 before it was replaced by the Turbo Hydra-Matik transmission with three forward gears.

In the 1966 model year, all Chevelles were given a new body with a modern trapezoidal shape and a more pronounced hip bend above the rear wheel cut-outs. The front grille also included the front edges of the fenders and the rear lights were given narrower housings. Two-speed windshield wipers and a windshield washer system were standard equipment, as was a dimming interior mirror. A height-adjustable steering wheel, electric windows, brake booster and power steering were still extras that could be ticked alongside the 16 exterior colors and six interior colors.

The 3-door station wagon of the Chevelle 300 series was discontinued, but the Chevelle Malibu series received a new model in the form of a 4-door hardtop sedan.