Heritage Collections: 1976 Chevy Chevette
Initial feedback of these dives into specific models found in various and sundry automaker museum collections around the globe has not been overly positive, which was unexpected given this writer thought was a general car nerdiness of the typical TTAC reader (and writers). But we amassed documentation of this sort for at least one more gallery, so yer stuck with this topic for today. We'll have something different tomorrow.
Many of the world’s automakers have curated a collection of vehicles considered to be important to the brand heritage. Some of these assemblies sprang into existence not because of a company’s desire to preserve and document its history but in spite of it while others saw the value of hanging on to key company touchstones early in the game.
[Images: General Motors]
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What do some automakers have in their vintage cupboards? Most of this week’s galleries focused on a neat vehicle currently on the books and in the care of a car company as part of its heritage collection.
We’ll use that term generically since most brands seem to have enjoyed creating distinct names for their own collection, not unlike when Detroit was busy trying to beat each other over the head back in the day by creating a ‘moonroof’ to compete with a ‘sunroof’. Marketing - amirite?
The little rear-wheel drive Chevette was introduced in September 1975, based on GM's worldwide T platform and superseding the Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact. Built all the way through model year 1987, it seemed that most everyone through the ‘80s either had a Chevette (or one of its variants) or knew someone who did.
This particular example is as close to brand new as one is likely to get, caught in a time-warp and never registered or driven. In fact, this historical example apparently still exhibits a Monroney sticker,. At the time these Chevette hatchbacks were marketed as a small and fuel efficient domestic car, meant to fight brands from Japan.
The spectre of a contemporary mid-’80s Honda Civic shopper, with its tight build quality and front-wheel drive, being cross-shopped by anyone considering an anachronistic Chevette is a conversation for another article. We also have openly wondered if the name 'Chevette' sprung to life as a 'Little Chevy' or was the result of someone drawing a line through the two Ls in 'Chevelle'. Not to mention the Corvette, of course.
Still, the Chevette found plenty of takers. Its base single barrel 1.4-liter engine made 60 horsepower and 82 lb-ft of torque, good for a rated 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway in this model year. On board were rack-and-pinion steering, front disc brakes, a front stabilizer bar, and 13-inch tires. Swing-out rear quarter windows were optional. Price? Just $2,899 or roughly $17,300 today.
