The Chevrolet Chevelle is a

mid-sized car from Chevy, first rolling off the assembly line in 1964. It was

manufactured from 1964 through 1977 and was one of General Motors most

triumphant cars. Chevelle models ranged from easy on the pocket family cars to

convertibles and powerful coupes. The Malibu was at first the top trim level of

the Chevelle line, and it replaced the Chevelle name entirely after 1977. The

Chevelle chassis, based on the reengineered GM A platform, provided the platform

for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a very successful model itself.

The Chevelle was anticipated

to compete with the equally sized Ford Fairlane, and to return to the Chevrolet

lineup a model comparable in size and concept to the popular 1955-57 models.

Early drawing photos show what would eventually be the Chevelle wearing Nova

nameplates, the name that was used for the top trim level in the smaller Chevy

II series. From 1964-69, the Chevelle was the groundwork for the similar

Beaumont, a re-trimmed model sold only in Canada by Pontiac dealers.

A two-door station wagon was

available in 1964 and 1965 in the bottom-line Chevelle 300 series. Four-door

hardtops, dubbed Sport Sedans, were available from 1966 through 1972. Two-door

hardtops and convertibles were produced from 1964 to 1972, while four-door

sedans and four-door wagons were offered throughout the entire run. In line with

other Chevrolet series, the two-door hardtops were called Sport Coupes. An

assortment of models of wagons was sold with exclusive nameplates: Nomad

(1968-1972), Nomad Custom (1968), Greenbrier (1969-1972), Concours (1967-1972),

and Concours Estate (1968-1972).

The El Camino, a utility

pickup, was part of the Chevy lineup and, depending on the year, was available

in the 300/300 Deluxe trim level, Malibu trim level and the one-year only SS396.

The El Camino outlived its passenger car counterpart until its end in 1987.

The Chevelle underwent a

redesign for the 1973 model year. The so-called "colonnade hardtop" styling

featured frameless door glass and fixed "B" pillars. Rear windows on coupes no

longer could be opened, no doubt encouragement from GM to purchase the

increasingly popular optional air conditioning. The Front suspension was based

on the Camaro and Firebird which greatly improved handling. Engine choices

ranged from the 250 I6 to the venerable 454 V8. Hardened engine valve seats and

hydraulic camshafts made these engines reliable for many miles, and allowed them

to accept the increasingly popular unleaded regular gasoline. Cross flow

radiators and coolant reservoirs that prevented air from entering the system

prevented overheating. Swivel bucket seats and center console for automatic and

manual shift cars were offered in every model as was the instrument gauge

cluster. Power front disc and rear drum brakes were standard. Power accessories,

air conditioning and AM/FM tape stereo were more prevalent these years and

provided a pleasing drive. A power moon roof was an option in 1973 and 1975.

The station wagon, available

in 6 or 9 passenger seating, featured a rear hatchback door which allowed for

easier entry and loading. The Chevrolet El Camino and GMC Sprint were based on

the Chevelle. Yearly design changes to the front and rear mark the aesthetic

differences as in preceding years. The 1973 to 1977 Chevelles were top sellers

for GM as was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, which used the same A-body platform.

The 1973 model offerings

started with the top luxury Laguna series with its distinct urethane nose,

followed by Malibu and then deluxe models. A Super Sport SS package was

available for Malibu coupes and for the only time, station wagons. The Super

Sport SS option included a black front grille, SS emblem on the interior and

exterior, body side striping, rally wheels with white letter tires, F41 sport

suspension with front and rear sway bars, and a 350 or 454 V8. A 4 speed Muncie

transmission was available with 350 or 454 equipped cars on any model.

In 1974 the Laguna S3 coupe

replaced the "Super Sport SS" as the sporty performance option on the Chevelle.

The nomenclature S3 referred to sport and 3rd generation Chevelle. It sported a

special urethane nose, body side striping, Laguna S3 emblem, rally wheels, 4

spoke steering wheel and F41 sport suspension with front and rear sway bars.

Radial tires on 15" wheels and radial tuned suspension provided road grip and

retractable 3 point seat belts were introduced and still used in new cars today.

A 400 engine was new this year. The 454 was the top engine and available with

the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 or Muncie 4 speed transmissions.

With the Laguna nameplate

now bearing the sporty model in the Chevelle line, the top-line series for 1974

became the Malibu Classic, offered in sedan, coupe and station wagon models.

Unlike the '73 Laguna, the Malibu Classic used the same grille work as lesser

Chevelle models but added a spring-loaded hood ornament. Inside, Malibu Classic

featured luxurious interiors with notchback bench seats (or optional Strato

bucket seats) upholstered in cloth or vinyl, carpeted door panels and wood grain

instrument panel trim, and vertical opera windows on coupes or exterior wood

trim on station wagons. Also for 1974, the base Chevelle Deluxe series was

dropped, leaving the plain Malibu as the low-end series.

The 1975 Laguna S-3 debuted

as a 1/2 year model in February and sported a new sloped front nose designed for

NASCAR. H.E.I. or High Energy Ignition provided spark to the spark plugs with

minimal maintenance and increased power. The larger distributor cap also

provided better high RPM performance by decreasing the likelihood of the spark

conducting to the wrong terminal. The 454 and Turbo Hydra-Matic 400

transmissions was available for the first half of the model year and then the

400 was the top engine choice. In 1976, the Chevelle was available with the new

5.0 liter 305 V8 the 350 and the 400. 1977 offered the Malibu Classic as the top

model and the 350 was the top engine. A Chevelle S.E. or special edition was

available and provided front and rear spoilers, rally wheels, special graphics

and sport suspension. Only 50 or so were built. When GM downsized its

intermediate models for 1978, the Chevelle name was dropped and all models took

the Chevrolet Malibu name.

The 1973 to 1977 Chevelle

was the top car in the NASCAR circuit in the 1970s. The car was so popular and

successful on the track that Chevrolet developed a new front nose in 1975 that

lead to the aerodynamic cars of today. The car dominated the field so much that

NASCAR imposed a carburetor restrictor plate for all Laguna’s. Drivers that

raced 1973 to 1977 Chevelles include Darrell Waltrip, Junior Johnson, Benny

Parsons, Cale Yarborough, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Bobby Isaac, Lennie Pond,

A.J. Foyt, Ricky Rudd, Dale Earnhardt and female racer Janet Guthrie.