Originally Published:
3/29/00
Last Update:
(A Complete Redesign)
September 29th, 2004
 		 About Me
 
 
THE HISTORY OF A LEGEND
THE CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
     1964 marked the first year for the Chevelle. It was a mid-size car to fill the gap between the Chevy II/Nova and the much larger full-size Impala. The Chevelle debuted with many models to choose from. Models included an SS, a Malibu, a 300, a convertible and two and four door station wagons. These were full perimeter frame vehicles with a 115 " wheelbase. Engine options consisted of six and eight cylinders. The six cylinder engines were a 194 and a 230 cubic inch
inline engine. Two different 283 cubic inch V8 engines as well as three different 327 cubic inch V8 engines were available. The 327 engines came in a 250 or a 300 horsepower version.

 
     The Chevelle body remained basically the same for the 1965 model year. Slight changes in grille, nose, and tail lights comprise the notable differences. 1965 also featured the introduction of the famed 396 Big Block. L37 was the Regular Production Option code for this 375 horsepower rat motor. However. The only way to get this engine was to order the Z16 Option Package. In addition, the same six cylinder engines were available. The small block 327 had a 250 and a 300
horsepower version. The most horsepower available was 350. That engine did not appear until late in the model year.

 
     Many changes to the body including roof, fenders, grills, lights and others lend the longer, stouter look of the 1966 Chevelle. Rear window treatment now used a window that was set "in", giving the rear roof pillar a more aerodynamic appearance. The same engines were offered and the big block was available in 325, 360, and 375 horsepower versions. Also in 1966, all Chevelle Super Sports had a big block engine. No small block was available with the SS package.

 
     1967 remained mostly unchanged with only minor differences to front and rear end styling. Engine choices now include a 230 cubic inch and 250 cubic inch inline six cylinder, a 283 cubic inch V8, and a 275 and a 325 horsepower 327 cubic inch V8. The big block now came in a 325, 350, or 375 horsepower version.

 
     A major restyling was in the works for the 1968 model year. The body no longer had the square, boxy look of the earlier Chevelles. The body was now rounded and used a long hood, short deck layout. The wheel base was reduced to 112" for the two doors and was 116" for the four doors. A change in VIN location made it visible on the dash through the lower left corner of the windshield for the first time. Engine choices included the same six cylinders and the same big blocks, but, the small blocks were slightly different. The 327 choices remained unchanged but the
283 was replaced by the 200 horsepower 307 cubic inch small block .
     1969 shared the same body style as the prior year with only front and rear changes to bumpers and lighting. Six cylinder engines again remained as well as the 307 V8. The 350 cubic inch V8 was available in two different horsepower versions: 250 and 300. The difference was due to two and four barrel carburetors. The 396 big block was available in 325, 350, and 375 horsepower versions. Although the big block was still named the 396, displacement was actually increased late in the model year to 402 cubic inches. Chevrolet spent large sums of money in the 1960's to promote and advertise the 396 and because of this, opted to retain the 396 name.

 
     1970 marked some changes that made this vehicle the most unique among Chevelles. The 1964 and 1965 body styles were similar as well as there respective front and rear ends. The same held true for 1966 and 1967 , 1968 and 1969, and 1971 and 1972. 1970, however, was the only vehicle that had four headlights, two for each side, and a straight vertical grill that did not have a rearward sloping angle. Tail light treatment was unique in that the lights were square and mounted in the bumper. Previous years were mounted in the body panels and succeeding years were mounted in the bumper but used two round lenses. Small block and big block engine choices remained similar. However, the 325 horsepower version 396 was no longer available and now the 350 horsepower was standard on the SS. In addition, there was the newest Mark
IV, one of the most respected and revered engines of all times. The legendary LS6! It was a 454 cubic inch big block V8 that utilized a Holley carburetor, aluminum high-rise intake, solid lifter camshaft, and a compression ratio of 11.25:1. This ground pounding big block put out 450 horsepower and an unruly 500 lb./ft. torque. According to test runs by Car Craft Magazine in that era, the best quarter mile e.t.'s they ran in an LS6 '70 Chevelle was 13.12 seconds at 107 +
miles per hour. Only about 4,475 LS6 equipped Chevelles were produced for 1970.

 
     In 1971, minor changes were done to front and rear lighting. Headlights went from the four light system to only two lights, concealing the high/low beams into one glass bulb. Tail lights were also changed from two square lenses in the bumper to four round lenses in the bumper. Engines included a 250 cubic inch inline six cylinder, a 307 cubic inch small block V8, two 350 small blocks, and three big blocks. The smallest of the big blocks was the LS3, a 300 horsepower 402 cubic inch engine. 454 big blocks included the LS5 which was 365 horsepower and the LS6 which was detuned to 425 horsepower. Introduction of the youth
oriented "Heavy Chevy" brought about a coupe which could be ordered with any V8 except the 454. Special badging marked this vehicle on the two front fenders, deck lid. And hood, as well as a stripe running the length of the vehicle. Decals were available in black or white only. The SS package could now, for the first time, be ordered with a small block V8 power plant.

 
     Again, only minimal changes differentiate the 1972 Chevelle from the 1971. Front end changes included grill and turn signals. 1972 finalized production of the short, round body that started in 1968. Engine choices changed quite significantly due to various reasons, mainly being that of emission and fuel economy requirements. The same six cylinder was available. Horsepower ratings for the small block V8 engines decreased. The 402's horsepower went down to 240 and the 454 was only available in one version, the LS5, which put out 270 horsepower. In general, 1972 is considered by most as the last year of the true muscle car.

 
     In 1973, the Chevelle was redesigned with a totally new body that was approximately 4" longer, 1" wider, and heavier. Although it was an all around larger car, the wheel base remained the same. The body used what is often referred to as a "colonnade" style roof. This gave it a look more like that of a semi-fastback with molded in B-pilars. A convertible was no longer offered. Along with the Chevelle's new identity came a new designation. The Laguna had a European look that consisted of front and rear body-colored urethane fascias. Engine choices remained the same except the only big block was a 245 horsepower 454. Gone were the 396 and 402 cubic inch big blocks.

 
     The sporty Laguna S-3 and the top of the line Malibu Classic made their first appearances in 1974. Subtle rear quarter window changes and bumper differences were the majority of the changes. Engines ranged from the same inline six cylinder to the 350 and the new 400 cubic inch small block. The 400 was available in a 150 horsepower and a 180 horsepower version. The only big block was the 454 and the horsepower went down by 10 to 235.

 
     1975 again remained largely unchanged with the usual minor front and rear lighting changes. Engines again went down in horsepower. For example, the 454 output decreased to 215 horsepower.

 
     1976 received a new front grill and dual headlights (per side) that were arranged one of top of the other. However, the Laguna S-3 retained the two head lamp system with the urethane fascias that gained popularity with NASCAR drivers.

 
     1977 was the last year of the Chevelle moniker and the vehicle remained unchanged for its final year of production.

 
     In 1978 all reference to the "Chevelle" name was dropped in favor of the Malibu, which would become a new, smaller vehicle in 1978.

 
     The El Camino, although introduced in 1959, had always been very similar to the Chevelle body styles. Front and rear treatments, body panels, and other parts followed very closely if not the same as their sister sedans.

 
TOTAL PRODUCTION*
 

Year

Total

Super Sports

Convertibles

Laguna Type S3


 

1964

387,119

76,860

23,158

1965

397,750

81,112

19,765

1966

471,052

72,272

19,614

1967

403,963

63,006

12,772

1968

464,669

62,785

10,080

1969

503,352

86,307

8,927

1970

487,969

62,372

7,522

1971

387,025

19,293

5,089

1972

450,842

24,946

4,853

1973

451,716

28,647

1974

413,716

4,543

21,902

1975

316,928

3,521

7,788

1976

333,243#

5,163**

9,100

1977

328,216#

5,226**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# =DOES NOT INCLUDE EL CAMINO
** = EL CAMINO ONLY
It should be noted that the above information is very broad and by no means comprehensive. Options such as color availability, Option Groups, etc. change from year to year and may not be the same across an entire model line. Additional information can be obtained from various outside sources and books as well as by contacting the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020.

 
 
Note:
 This is just a fan site for these cars and in no means is it intended to be the absolute truth. I did not verify any of the information on this site with any sources whether it be dealer information or archived somewhere. I take no responsibility for any false information.