Chevrolet Chevelle

We continue our journey of learning about muscle cars with the Chevrolet Chevelle.The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in three generations for the 1964 through 1977 model years. Part of the GM A-Body platform, the Chevelle was one of Chevrolet's most successful nameplates. Body styles include coupes, sedans, convertibles and station wagons. Super Sport versions were produced through the 1973 model year, and Lagunas from 1973 through 1976. After a three year absence, the El Camino was reintroduced as part of the new Chevelle lineup. The Chevelle also provided the platform for the Monte Carlo introduced in 1970. The Malibu, the top of the line model through 1972, replaced the Chevelle nameplate for the redesigned, downsized 1978 models.The Chevelle SS represented Chevrolet's entry into the muscle car battle. Early 1964 and 1965 Chevelles had a Malibu SS badge on the rear quarter panel. Chevelles with the mid-1965 Z16 option priced at US$1,501 in 1965,[1] had the emblem on the front fender, as well as distinct in-house style numbers, 737 for the hardtop, 767 for the convertible;[2] The $162 Super Sport package was available on the upscale Malibu two-door hardtop and convertible models, the option added special exterior brightwork with SS emblems and the 14-inch full-disc wheel covers from the Impala SS. Inside was a vinyl bucket-seat interior that featured a floor console for models equipped with the optional Muncie aluminum four-speed-manual or Powerglide two-speed automatic instead of the standard three-speed manual. Malibu SS also got a four-gauge cluster in place of engine warning lights, and a dash-mounted tachometer was optional. The available 283-cubic-inch four-barrel V-8 engine rated at 220-horsepower was the same rating as the 1957 Chevy Power-Pak 283 engine.

While the 1964 Malibu SS may have recalled past glories, the future was available over at Pontiac. There, Chevelle’s Pontiac Tempest corporate cousin had a 389-cubic-inch V-8 to create the 325 horsepower (242 kW) Pontiac GTO, followed quickly by the 310-horse 330-cube-inch Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. That was all it took for Chevy to break GMs 326-cubic-inch ceiling for intermediate-car engines. Starting in mid-1964, the Chevelle could be ordered with the division’s 327-cubic-inch V-8, in either 250 or 300 hp (224 kW). Both used a four-barrel carb and 10.5:1 compression and could hold their own against 289 Ford Fairlane and 273 Plymouth Barracudas. But muscle fans would demand more, and get it. For 1965, Chevrolet also offered the 350-hp 327 V8 as Regular Production Option (RPO) L79. Still, for those “sensible” buyers, the Chevelle was appealing and Chevy built 294,160 this first year, including 76,860 SS models.[3] After 1965, the Malibu SS badging disappeared except for those sold in Canada. Only 201 Malibu SS396 big-block-equipped cars were produced in 1965. Of those original Z-16s, some 75 still exist and are accounted for.