Chevrolet Chevelle
ONE OF CHEVY'S MOST SUCCESSFUL MUSCLE CARS
One of Chevrolet’s most successful nameplates, the Chevelle has rightfully earned its tough-fought crown as the “King of all Muscle Cars”. Spanning the course of thirteen years and three generations, the Chevelle’s A-Body platform birthed coupes, sedans, wagons, and spin-offs like the El Camino and Monte Carlo. Unquestionably considered muscle-car royalty, the Chevelle is the epitome of classic American performance, and with the car’s sleek styling, dynamic range of powerful drivetrains, and famous reputation on the streets as a dominating brawler – it’s one of the hottest collector vehicles on the classic car market today.
1964-1967
FIRST-GENERATION
The 1960’s bred huge competition between the domestic Big Three automakers, and GM’s answer to keeping up with the Joneses (or more accurately, the Ford’s) was the stunning new A-Body platform and its first entry, the 1964 Chevelle. The Chevelle SS immediately enters the muscle car wars in ’64 and ’65, badged then as a Malibu SS, until the moniker was dropped for the ’66 Chevelle when the SS396 became a series of its own and the game completely changed. “Coke-bottle” styling, smooth contours, broad grilles, and a flying buttress roofline take over the look of the ‘mid-year’ models, culminating in the redesigned 1967 Chevelle: arguably the most popular Chevelle ever made.
1968-1972
Second-GENERATION
An all-new, sharply sculpted body with tapered fenders and a rounded beltline highlights a redesign for 1968, including a shorter wheelbase and rear-quarter “kick-up” that gives the Chevelle an aggressive stance. Despite only minor aesthetic upgrades in ‘69 and the SS becoming an option rather than a separate series, the Chevelle is championed as America’s most popular mid-sized car, outsells every competitor, and rules all muscle cars. 1970 is a pinnacle year, a favorite by a majority of enthusiasts, and a best-seller both then and now. SS396, SS454, and COPO editions debut, and dealers like Yenko and Baldwin push the limits with custom builds. ’71 and ’72 cars get single-headlights and a final restyle, and these popular years are widely considered to be the last Chevelle muscle cars.
1973-1977
Third-GENERATION
EPA regulations, choking emissions standards, and intrusive safety standards killed off the muscle car era across all makes, and the Chevelle was not immune to the heavy axe of the government. But even under the yoke of oppression, creativity still finds a way to thrive, and the 3rd and final generation of Chevelles carved out a way to live in these otherwise uninteresting times in American motoring. With the most extensive redesign in the model’s history, including a new chassis and sturdier frame, the Chevelle remained a popular seller with only modest changes through the final years. Coincidentally enough, these final Chevelle bodystyles were extensively used by NASCAR.