Chevrolet Chevette

Chevrolet
Chevrolet Chevette, model year 1978
Chevette
Production period:	1975-1987
Class :	Compact class
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.4–1.6 liters (39–55 kW) Diesel engine : 1.8 liters (38 kW)
Length:	4031-4188 mm
Width:	1570 mm
Height:	1328-1344 mm
Wheelbase :	2395-2470 mm
Empty weight :	847-961 kg
successor	Geo Metro

Two models from the US car brand Chevrolet , which belongs to the General Motors Group, bear the name Chevrolet Chevette . On the one hand the small car (Subcompact) built from 1975 to 1987 ; on the other hand, the lower middle class model, also manufactured by GM in Brazil , which was produced from 1973 to 1993. Both vehicles were based on the Opel Kadett C .

Chevrolet Chevette (USA)

The Chevette was based on GM's T platform and was thus related to the Opel Kadett C , the British Vauxhall Chevette , the Isuzu Gemini in Japan and the Brazilian Chevrolet Chevette. However, the US Chevette was adapted to the local conditions (especially with regard to the installation of an air conditioning system (subject to a surcharge)) so that this model appeared later.

The Chevette was also sold as Pontiac Acadian in Canada in the first few years , before Pontiac brought its own Chevette variant with the T1000 , which was then also offered as Pontiac Acadian in Canada.

History by model year

1976

For the 1976 model year, the Chevrolet Chevette appeared in the autumn of 1975, initially only as a three-door station wagon. In addition to the basic model, there is a slimmed-down entry-level model called the Scooter, which does without chrome jewelry and a rear seat bench, but is the cheapest car on the US market at US $ 2899; also the equipment lines Sport , Rally and Woody (with wooden foil decoration on the side) with enriched equipment. Four cylinders with 1400 cm³ (39 kW) and 1600 cm³ (45 kW), coupled with a four-speed gearbox (three-speed automatic on request), provide the drive.

Distinguishing features of the early Chevette (up to and including model year 1978) are the headlights embedded in caves (as known from the Chevrolet Camaro), the split radiator grille and the strongly rounded rear in the area under the rear window.

1977 Chevette three-door with non-original hubcaps

1977

The Woody equipment is no longer required, the sport and rally packages are replaced by the Rally Sport equipment. The rear seat bench is now standard on the scooter , but can be omitted (at a reduced price). The Sandpiper package in white or the special color golden yellow with decorative stripes on the C-pillars is new. With changes to the carburetor, the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine now delivers 47 kW, the smaller 1.4-liter now 43 kW. Nine new colors are in the program.

1978

In addition to the three-door, a five-door appears on a 76 mm longer wheelbase. The apparently too weak 1.4 liter (especially in connection with automatic and / or air conditioning) is out of the range, the 1.6 liter with still 46 kW is standard, a 50 kW version is available for an extra charge. The basic equipment of the regular Chevette (not the scooter) has been expanded to include 18 previous extras (radio, center console, front spoiler, etc.), and ten of the 14 paint colors available are new.

1979

The Chevette receives a facelift with rectangular headlights and a wide, continuous radiator grille, the rear remains unchanged for the time being. The 1.6-liter has a double carburetor and now has an output of 52 or 55 kW. On request, a sports suspension with rear and front reinforced anti-roll bars is available under the code F41.

1980

In this model year, the rear is lifted and made more angular, the rear window and the rear lights are enlarged. In addition to the 14 paint colors, there are 5 two-color combinations. The fuel filler flap is now round (previously square).

1981

The windshield is now glued flush; Also new are the silver steel rims and the black radiator grille with chrome highlights. For the first time there is the power steering in conjunction with automatic and air conditioning. The engine is electronically controlled and still has an output of 52 kW, the more powerful version is no longer available.

1982

For a surcharge of around 20%, the customer can order a 1.8-liter four-cylinder diesel (38 kW) from Isuzu (standard consumption: 5.9 l / 100 km in the city, 4.3 l over the country). The petrol engine with a five-speed gearbox is available as an option, with diesel it is standard. The power of the petrol engine drops back to 49 kW. For the first time, the scooter is also available with five doors.

1983

The Chevette is getting another small facelift with a lower front spoiler, bumpers in body color (scooter: black bumpers) and a number of black anodized chrome parts. New model Chevette S in a sporty design with even more black.

Chevrolet Chevette Facelift 1983

1984

The scooter is no longer part of the program. The basic Chevette now with black bumpers, with chrome inserts on request. A new trim level is the Chevette CS with body-colored bumpers, center console, cigarette lighter and radio.

1985

The basic model is no longer available, only the CS remains available. The diesel is no longer available in conjunction with automatic. Eight new colors, on request Z13 sports trim package with radiator grille, bumpers and rims in black.

1986

A new Chevrolet emblem adorns the radiator grille, and the third brake light, which has recently become mandatory, sits on the rear window.

1987

Elimination of the diesel engine. End of production in the summer of 1987.

Quantities

• 1976: 187,817 + 9,810 Acadians
• 1977: 133.469
• 1978: 286,144 + 11,316 Acadians
• 1979: 369.109
• 1980: 449.161
• 1981: 433,600
• 1982: 232,808
• 1983: 169.565
• 1984: 243.900
• 1985: 123.499
• 1986: 103.244
• 1987: 46.208

Total: 2,799,650

Chevrolet Chevette (Brazil)

Chevrolet
Chevrolet Chevette 1981
Chevette
Production period:	1973-1993
Class :	Lower middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , hatchback , station wagon , pickup
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.0-1.6 liters (37-60 kW)
Length:	4120-4190 mm
Width:	1570 mm
Height:	1320 mm
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :	920 kg
successor	Chevrolet Corsa

The Brazilian version of the Chevrolet Chevette appeared there in April 1973 as a two-door sedan, which was largely identical to the Opel Kadett C , and later also a less successful four-door sedan, a three-door hatchback model, called Chevette Hatch and similar to the City Kadett , under the name Marajó as three-door station wagon, as well as a pick-up. The Kadett, however, was only presented at the IAA in autumn 1973.

The Brazilian Chevette was powered by four-cylinder petrol engines of 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 liters, the latter with a single carburetor or, in the S model version, with a double carburetor. Some of the engines were also available in versions for alcohol operation.

Initially, only the two-door model with 1.4 liters (68 SAE gross hp) in the basic and SL equipment levels was available. In 1975 the sporty version of the Chevette GP with matt black decorative stripes was introduced, but it was powered by the unchanged engine of the base model. From 1976 the Chevette SL received chrome-plated headlight surrounds. In January 1977 the Chevette GP II appeared, which was more economical than its predecessor thanks to changes to the engine.

In 1978 there was a first facelift with a split grille that was reminiscent of contemporary Pontiac models. In 1979 the four-door sedan and three-door Chevette Hatch as well as the special model Chevette Jeans with denim upholstery fabrics on the seats and door panels appeared .

In 1980 the rear was lifted and the 1.4-liter was also launched as an alcohol version. In the same year, the five hundred thousandth copy of the Chevette rolled off the assembly line. In the following year, the round headlights were replaced by angular ones and the bumpers were enlarged. Another special model appeared in black with gold trim or vice versa; Furthermore, the Chevette S / R with a 1.6-liter engine came out as a real sports model.

In 1983, the Chevette received a major facelift with rectangular headlights, indicator lights arranged next to them, a continuous radiator grille and a flatter bonnet. New were the vent windows in the (front) doors, the dashboard, the 1.6-liter for alcohol operation and an optional five-speed gearbox.

In 1984 the pick-up version called the Chevy 500 appeared, which could transport half a ton of payload and remained in the program until 1995.

In 1987 another facelift was carried out; the front bumper with integrated radiator grille now reached up to the wheel arches. The luxury version SE with enhanced equipment was new to the program. Hatch and four-door models were deleted.

In 1988 the 1.6-liter, which had meanwhile completely replaced the 1.4-liter, was revised and made 81 hp instead of 73. The SE was renamed SL / E, as with the Chevrolet Monza and Opala . 1989 the production of the station wagon variant Marajo was given up in favor of the Ipanema based on the Chevrolet Kadett . From 1991 the Chevette was only available in the basic version DL, which was equipped with a catalytic converter from 1992.

In 1992, Chevrolet launched the Chevette Junior as an economy model with a 50 hp one-liter engine. In 1993 the DL gave way to the sparsely equipped L. The last Chevette rolled off the production line in Brazil on November 12, 1993. A total of 1.6 million copies were made there in 20 years; the successor to the Chevette was the Chevrolet Corsa, derived from the Opel Corsa B.

Trivia

• The fact that GM did not introduce the Chevette, which was practically identical to the Opel Kadett, under the German name in Brazil, is said to have been because they wanted to avoid associations with the military regime that had ruled there until 1985. In 1989, GM launched the Chevrolet Kadett E in Brazil, which was built parallel to the Chevette.

• A Chevette with the number plate D-Fens is left standing in the morning rush hour traffic jam by leading actor Michael Douglas in the film Falling Down .

• In an episode of the US series Scrubs (My colleague), one of the protagonists ( Donald Faison ) evades a conversation by jumping out of a moving car.

The Chevette then breaks through a bridge railing and collides with a wall.

literature

• James M. Flammang, Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1976-1999. 3rd edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0 .

Web links

Commons : Chevrolet Chevette  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Brazilian Chevette website (Portuguese)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ See report in Car & Driver, issue 10/1975