A (Slightly) Smaller Chevrolet

The early 1960s saw the major automobile makers suddenly coming to grips with the concept of a small car. There were a number of reasons for this, among them the growing need for suburban families to have two cars in their driveway. The biggest factor, though, was the massive success American Motors had when it introduced the Rambler American.

In the midst of this small car revolution that saw the introduction of the Chevy Corvair and the Chevy II, came the need for cars that were larger than compacts but more practical than a full size automobile. Enter the mid-size car. For Chevrolet, in 1964, that mid-sized car was the Chevelle.

Built on the popular General Motors A-body platform, the Chevelle would be one of the company’s biggest successes in the 1960s and 1970s. The first generation ran from 1964 through 1966 and came in a number of trims, including the very popular Super Sport package. These early Chevelles actually sported the Malibu SS badge but provided some nice performance perks, running all the way up to a 396 cubic inch V 8. In fact, the Chevelle SS396 became its own series in 1966. That year also saw a lot of design changes that would continue into 1967.

Our feature car is a second generation Chevelle, a 1967 SS396. In addition to the 396 big block V 8, these cars were offered with either a three speed or four speed manual or one of two automatic transmission. The car pictured here has the three speed automatic.

1968 saw the advent of the second generation Chevelle which ran through the 1972 model year. This brought sweeping changes both in design and what was under the body. Falling in with the trend for more pure muscle in the power plant, Chevelles could come with engines ranging from a 320 cubic inch in line six all the way up to a 427 cubic inch big block V 8 and even a 454 big block V 8.

By the end of the 1960s the Chevelle was considered “America’s most popular mid-sized car.” As part of their marketing plan, GM juggled the various Chevelle trims with the biggest casualty being the SS396 losing its stand-alone status. 

The third generation arrived in 1973 and ran through 1977. Due to a vast number of new government regulations there were a lot of changes, not only to the Chevelle, but to the industry as a whole. Eventually following the 1977 model year the Chevelle retired but has left behind a lot rolling into car shows and other events all across the country.