Chevrolet Chevelle
|
|
1969ChevelleSS.jpg
The Chevrolet Chevelle was created in 1964 as a midsize model automobile from Chevrolet. It was produced throughout the 1960s and 70s and was one of General Motors' most successful models. Chevelle models ranged from economical family cars (by the standards of the day) to powerful coupes, although many survivors are from the latter group. The Malibu was at first an upmarket submodel of the Chevelle but later became a model in its own right. The Chevelle chassis provided the platform for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a very successful model in its own right.
The Chevelle Malibu SS represented Chevrolet's entry into the hot midsize muscle car battle. The Chevelle SS was the high performance version and had its own line of engines and performance equipment. At first caught napping with just a 327 in³ (5.4 L) V8, the Chevelle SS would soon sport powerful 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8s and eventually the most powerful rated engine in muscle car history, the LS6 454 in³ (7.4 L) 1970. The Chevelle, along with the Pontiac GTO, remains one of the most popular cars from this era—and for good reason. Its strong performance at a reasonable price made it popular on the street and at the track.
Many customers, however, chose the Chevelle as an economical family car that, while not as expensive to operate as larger models (including the Chevrolet Impala), had enough room to seat a family of six in reasonable comfort. Popular convenience items ranged from power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission, air conditioning and stereo radio; plus appearance items including vinyl top, full wheel covers and whitewall tires.
The Chevelle nameplate became superfluous in the mid-1970s, as it was tied to the Malibu name in sales literature (as in, Chevelle Malibu), and it was retired after the 1977 model year.
On screen
Chevrolet Chevelles appear in the background of a number of Dirty Harry films including The Enforcer and Magnum Force.
A 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu appeared in Quentin Tarantino's cult movie Pulp Fiction. It is the car owned and driven by Vincent Vega.