Chevelle
The Chevelle is the mean, low, wide, fast, perhaps most muscly of Chevy’s sports cars. This mid-sized model was one of Chevy’s most successful nameplates thanks to its body style and performance. Officially labeled American’s most popular mid-size car in 1969, the Chevelle was the standard to beat for Dodge and Ford.
The Chevelle pioneered safety options that many other cars in its bracket were lacking, including front disc brakes, dual master cylinders, and a collapsible steering column. Sintered brake pads were optioned for extra stopping power, and four-way power seats and cruise control helped add some luxury to an otherwise mid-level muscle car.
What helped set the Chevelle apart from others, though, was its body lines: Clean, elegant, and generally minimalist, the Chevelle’s body was modernized compared to its more opulent, boat-like, excessive competitors. Compared to other muscle of the 60’s and 70’s, the Chevelle’s wheels were tucked relatively close to its front and rear bumpers and they hugged the edge of the fender wells closely, adding stability and making the car feel more planted.
Numerous configurations were one of the Chevelle’s greatest contributions to American sports cars, though. Prospective buyers could choose between a 2-door hardtop, coupe, convertible, or sedan, or a 4-door sedan, hardtop, station wagon, and utility coupe.
Optioned powerplants included 3.8 and 4.1L inline 6s, and 5.0, 5.4, 57, 6.5, 6.6 small block, 6.6 big block, and 7.4 big block V8s. Available transmissions included 2-, 3- and 4-speed manual and automatic configurations. Few other cars offered so many combinations while maintaining a relatively performance-minded design. Chevelle set the standard for this concept.
The Chevelle marked continuous improvement among the muscle car niche, and it can be credited with spurring heated competition among the Big Three. Rolled out in 1963, the Chevelle’s original, standard 283 C.U. motor made 220 horses, but just two years later, it was pumped up to 350 horses with the introduction of the L79 for the SS trim. Although just a few Super Sports were made at this time, muscle car enthusiasts credit this motor and trim as one of the key components that marked the beginning of the muscle era.
