Chevrolet Chevelles for Sale

Chevroletâ€™s first mid-sized model was introduced for 1964 as the Chevelle, intended as a â€œright-sizedâ€ offering to fit between the full-sized main-line models like the Impala and the compact Chevy II. This was initially intended to revive the dimensions o...

Chevroletâ€™s first mid-sized model was introduced for 19...

Chevrolet’s first mid-sized model was introduced for 1964 as the Chevelle, intended as a “right-sized” offering to fit between the full-sized main-line models like the Impala and the compact Chevy II. This was initially intended to revive the dimensions of the 1955 Chevrolet, based around the same 115-inch wheelbase, which has been so favored with consumers. General Motors considered this its “intermediate” car line, and it was immediately popular. The Chevelle was offered in multiple body styles over three generations between 1964 and 1977, with a fourth-generation downsized model continuing the line under the Malibu name from 1978 to 1983. Chevelles have long been very popular with car enthusiasts, particularly muscle car fans since the line included numerous high-performance models and a degree of racing pedigree in drag racing and NASCAR. Today, Chevelles are still very popular with car enthusiasts, which is reflected in their current market values.

The Super Sport versions of the Chevelle were initially based more on trim and appearance items than actual performance, but that soon changed, and the 1965 SS 396 “Z16” model kicked off a string of big-block-powered Chevelles that include some quite rare variations—these are the most valued examples today. Though Chevelles with the SS badge tend to be the most desired, perhaps the most valuable Chevelles are the “COPO” models—this acronym stands for Central Office Production Option, (or Production Order, depending on the source), and yielded a small run of 427-powered non-Super Sport Chevelles produced during the 1969 model run. The 1970 SS 454 with the LS6 option was a regular production model, but also seen as the pinnacle of Chevelle performance. The Z16 SS 396 Chevelles of 1965 are also very rare—only 201 were built—and these are also blue-chip collector items. Starting with the 1966 models, Chevrolet offered the L78-code 396, rated at 375 horsepower. These were not listed in sales brochures and produced in relatedly low numbers through the early part of the 1970 model year. Today, these L78 Chevelles are also quite valuable. A very small number of Chevelles were produced with the L78/L89 option, which gave the 375-hp 396 a set of exotic aluminum cylinder heads.

Generally speaking, any good example of a Chevelle Super Sport is a desirable car, with the 1966-1970 models being the most favored. All Chevelle SS models during these years came standard with a 396 big-block engine (325 hp for 1966-1969; 350 hp for 1970). The 1971-’72 models, though very similar in appearance to the 1970, have traditionally been worth less, as power figures during those model years began to decline, and in 1972, a small-block engine could be ordered in a Super Sport. Also, for 1972 came the Chevelle “Heavy Chevy,” a lower-cost model with the look of a muscle car but a sedate small-block as standard equipment (hotter engines were available as options).

For 1973, GM again redesigned its intermediates, launching what has come to be known as the “colonnade” era. Chevelles of this generation grew to a 116-inch wheelbase for sedans and wagons (coupes remained at 112 inches), while its hardtop body styles were discontinued, leaving a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and four-door wagon; there was no longer a convertible either. The Super Sport lasted for one more year but was gone for 1974. However, a new variant was launched with this generation in the Chevelle Laguna, which featured unique front-end styling and other trim variations that was initially available on any Chevelle body style, including the wagon. Later, the Laguna would gain the “Type S-3” designation and was offered only has a two-door coupe, effectively replacing the Chevelle SS as the performance model, though it was really aimed more at appearance and more luxurious appointments. For 1975-’76, the Laguna had a distinctive sloped front end that was created in part to yield better aerodynamics for NASCAR racing.

The Mark IV big-block engines were mostly gone after 1974, though the 400-cu.in. small-block was now available; the small-block 350, in two-barrel and four-barrel form, was a staple for this generation of Chevelle, though the 305-cu.in. version was also used late in the generation. The TH-350 three-speed automatic transmission was by far the most common choice for the 1973-77 Chevelle, though the heavier-duty TH-400 was still available in certain applications and three-speed manual gearboxes were still available, though rarely used. The four-speed manual was available early in the generation behind certain engines. For 1976, Chevelle Malibus got a styling update with stacked rectangular headlamps.

When the Chevy intermediates were again redesigned for 1978 and downsized, the Chevelle name disappeared, leaving the Malibu nameplate to carry on.