Ultimate Muscle Car History Of Chevy Chevelle SS! Powerhouse That Brings Smile On Your Face Everytime You Switch The Ignition Key!

Bazerko

11 years ago

Ask yourself rather silly rhetorical question: If you are about to attend a local car show, which is the most likely mid size hot rodder you are gonna see? The answer is rather simple and I bet we are all thinking the same: Chevrolet Chevelle.

Chevelle was and still is Chevrolet`s bestselling vehicle and there are many reasons for that. It`s comfortable, ferocious and a mean opponent to all hot rodders.

The Chevelle was launched on September 26^th, 1963 and constantly built and modified between 1964 and 1977. Now and then, it is available in all colors, designs and styles. Anything you wish for, Chevelle`s got it. If you are a coupe sports guy, Chevelle has a wide variety of choice for your every wish. If you are a family gal and you want place for your children, Chevelle has some top notch four-door wagons to offer you.

After the creation of the Impala, Chevrolet realized that they needed new mid-size awesome model like the Chevelle. The base for the then new model was an A-body platform and it went as a straightforward competitor to the Fairlane model.

1964 Chevrolet Chevelle!

In 1964, after the official launch of the Chevelle, the exact measurement of the wheelbase was 115-inches, the same length of the `55-`57 Chevy. The Super Sport model was originally launched with a performance of 220 horses and a 283ci V8 engine. This was very enthusiastic.

By the middle of 1964, Chevelle upgraded its engine up to 300 horsepower, which was resulting from a direct competition. Back in the past, the competition was roothless but Pontiac still stands as the brand that designed the first muscle car, the new tri-Power 389 GTO, that boosted 325 horses. Soon after the Pontiac launch, Oldsmobile offered their mid-size Cutlass 4-4-2, with 330ci engine, boosting 310 horsepower.

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1965 Chevrolet Chevelle!

In 1965 the Bow Tie guys upgraded the Chevelle again, increasing its power from 327 to 350 horses, with the well known L79 engine, that soon after took its place as a standard SS `65 engine. And that`s how the muscle car era begun folks. But things weren`t so bright for Chevelle fans since only 201 Chevelle Super Sports cars were to be built with the 1965 engine.

The only way to possess this engine was to buy it as a full option package. At the time was known as RPO Z16 and it was nothing like anything before it. That monstrosity of an engine came along with 375 horses396 dubbed the L37.

The base came from the convertible version of the Chevelle and the rear axle and the power brake system came from the Impala. Quite a combination, don`t you reckon? In order to enhance the traction and the handling, the Z16 was given a hard suspension together with a Munice 4-speed manual transmission. The combination gave the driver a more personal experience while driving.

Chevrolet used every ace in their sleeves to prove that the Chevelle wasn`t only a hot rodder, but a pleasant, cozy drive as well. So, they included a tachometer, a 160 speedometer and an elegant seat belts in order to emphasize the safety of their vehicle. The car was also equipped with padded dash, remote driver`s side mirror and an AM/FM radio.

The exterior of the Z16 Chevelles resembled very much the look of the other `65 Chevelles. All these car had a rear valance panel that later grew into standardized equipment for all Super Sport models, except for the Camaro, at least back in the sixties.

You must consider the rarity and the uniqueness of this Chevelle, though it`s not the fastest or even the most wanted SS model. Nevertheless, nobody can deny the importance of this car since it was the stepping stone for all the future muscle beasts.

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1966-1968 Chevrolet Chevelle!

1966 was the year when the models were upgraded with rear and front fascias, front disc brakes as well as a dual master cylinder for the `67 model. A collapsible steering column and a warning light were added to the redecorated Chevelle model. Nineteen-sixty eight prepared a whole new look for the Chevelle and it`s A-body cousins. A shorter wheelbase was featured, together with the famous long-hood, short-deck decor, together with a tapered front fenders, the new design provided the Chevelle the desired muscular look . Once again the 375hp 396 was an option and boost the enthusiasm of the immense SS block.

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1969 Chevrolet Chevelle!

The Chevelles were roaming the streets back in the `69s. Considering that now the SS wasn`t its own model, its prize drastically reduced to $ 347.60 as an optional package. However, few changes were made. A chrome, vertical bar was added at the grille and the vent window was removed. The taillights became wider and more luminant, giving a cleaner, and more beatiful look for those who seen the back of the Chevelle at traffic light meetings.

With the muscle car wars getting more and more desirable on the market, the gearheads inside GM took plenty of the 425hp/427ci L72s from the Corvette. The performance requirements were raised, and even Don Yenko of Yenko Chevrolet sold a total of 99 out of his Canonsburg, Pennsylvania dealership. The “Yenko S/C,” brand the performance of the rare Chevelle set the stage for what was in the works for the 1970 model year.

Keeping the reduced `68-`69 wheelbase, the seventies were the era of Chevelle`s style changes as well as the beginning of the muscle car period. Chevrolet stood its ground while this period. The 396 model was no longer a hit since it had a 402 cubic inch increase.

This was just the beginning. The LS-5 and LS-6 454 took the scene during this period. They were equipped with 360 horses while the LS-6 boosting 450 horses and amazing 500lb ft of torque was surely the king of the roads at that time.

One of a kind styling decorations were part of the car`s look, such as an available air scoop in a hood that didn`t lack cowl induction, grabbing air from the outside and placing it into the carburetor. The rear bumper was fitted with taillights.

This was the first year that the Chevelle SS had the twin racing stripes trimmed over the hood and the trunk lid, having the Camaro`s existing theme. This helped the popularization of the car. Nevertheless, the stripe delete option was at hand for the fans of a more appeased look.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle! The LS-6 Chevelle stands as the most powerful car of the era, boosting with loads of horsepower and we believe that all muscle car fans will agree when we say that it`s the baby of all muscle car lovers. The popularity of the `70 Chevelle continues to grow today, as it is often shown in movies and music videos, including as Vin Diesel`s hero car in the latest “Fast and the Furious” movie. The `65 Z16 still stands as the basis while the `70 LS-6 was announced to be the “ultimate muscle car” regarding the fact that it is the highest rated horsepower of the era. The 1970 was the only year when the LS-6 was available in the Chevelle. It would only live in the Corvette for 1971 and though there were rumors of a few `71 Chevelles leaving the factory with them, none have ever seen the daylight of reality.

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1971-1972 Chevrolet Chevelle!

An optional package laid on the foundations of the sport coupe, called the “Heavy Chevy” was part of the `71 Chevelle changes in style and performance. The intent while building it was to be a lost cost insurance beater. All the V8 Chevelle engines were opened for sale except for the 454 package, which was an option. As the fuel supply went down, the horsepower battle begun at the very start of 1971. This also had influence on the Chevelle SS, since it was the first time since 1965 that was available with a 2bbl 350 version and a small block. This was also the year when Chevrolet commenced the advertisement of their cars in net and gross form.

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1973-1974 Chevrolet Chevelle!

In 1973 happened the long awaited redecoration of the Chevelle, known as the “Colonnade” body style. This was also the year of the first oil embargo, the year when the SS became an appearance pacakage, when disc brakes became standard equipment and when Lagunas were available with swivel-style front bucket seats.

1975-1976 Chevrolet Chevelle!1975 was the final year for the big block Chevelle with 454ci, 4.4L V8 engines that boosted around 235 horses.

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1977 Chevrolet Chevelle!

1977 was pretty sad for Chevelle since the only performance option was 170 horsepower, four-barrel 350 and the Chevelle Special Edition offered Turbine II wheels, front and rear sway bars, front and rear spoilers, special graphics and decals, a deluxe interior and a F41 sport suspension. That was the reason why 50 of these cars were built this year.