Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. 1976.

The Chevrolet Chevelle was a car of medium size produced by the division of Chevrolet of the us-based manufacturer of General Motors in three generations from the years 1964 to 1977. Part of the platform, the Chevelle was one of the brands most successful of Chevrolet. The bodies, which include coupes, sedans, convertibles, family, and pickup (El Camino). Versions Super Sport's were produced up to model year 1973, models and Lagunas from 1973 until 1976. After an absence of three years, The Camino was reintroduced as part of the new line of Chevelle. The Chevelle also provided the platform for the Monte Carlo Introduced in 1970. The Malibu, the top model of the line until 1972, replaced the mark Chevelle, the redesigned, more compact models of 1978.

History

The Chevelle was introduced on 26 September 1963 as a vehicle of medium size of the fleet of Chevrolet. It was, basically, a bigger version the Chevrolet Chevy II and smaller version of the Impala. The Chevelle was intended to compete with the Ford Fairlane, and to return to the lineup of Chevrolet a model similar in size and concept of the most popular models from 1955 to 1957.

The Chevelle was built on a new platform "To" and had a wheelbase of 112 inches (2845 mm). The suspension was double wishbone of unequal length in the front and a rear suspension live axle with 4 arms. The base model was the series 300, while the Malibu SS was the highest model of the line.

The Chevelle was produced from 1964 to 1977. In 1978 it became the Malibu, which had once been a choice of mouldings and trim for the Chevelle. During the prototype stage in development, took the emblem Nova. When it was conceived, the designers of Chevrolet hoped that the Chevelle's would bring back the enthusiasm that the owners of Chevy had for the models from 1955 to 1957 Bel Air.

Coupes two-door without studs (hardtops) and convertibles, four-door sedans, family four-door and pickup (El Camino) are offered throughout the entire run. In accordance with other series of Chevrolet, hardtops , two-doors were called Sport Coupes (coupes sports). Hardtops , four-door dubbed Sport Sedans (sports sedans), were available (1966 to 1972). A family of two-door was available in 1964 and 1965 in the series 300.

Several pickup trucks to family type were sold with emblems exclusive: Greenbrier, Concours, and Concours Estate. Six-cylinder and V8s were offered to all levels. The Chevelle was the basis for the Beaumont, a model re-decorated sold only in Canada by dealerships Pontiac until 1969

Super Sport (SS)

The Chevelle Malibu Super Sport (SS) represents the entry of Chevrolet in the battle of the muscle car. The Malibu SS was offered in a "Sport Coupe" (sports coupe, also known as the hardtop) and configuration convertible. Both the 1964 and 1965 Malibu SS could be ordered with a V8 or a 6 cylinder engine in line. After 1965, the badge, the Malibu SS was replaced by Chevelle SS 396, a package as the option of high-performance Z-16 became available that it became an own series in 1966, 1968 was the last year of the SS 396.

In 1968, the series SS 396 was extended to the line of The Road, as well, and it turned out to be the only year that The Road received its own series of SS 396. The base engine in the Chevelle SS 396 was the 325 hp (242 kW) engine 396 V8 with 360 hp (268 kW) (1966), 350 hp (260 kW) (1967 and 1968), and versions of the 375 hp (280 kW) as options.

In 1969 the series SS 396 was abandoned and was offered the Option of Regular Production, in English; Regular Production Option (RPO) Z25 as an option team SS. The team SS RPO Z25 was made available in the series Malibu sport coupe, convertible and pickup, as well as the series 300 Deluxe 2-door coupe (in this case sedan with studs) and 300 Deluxe series 2-door sport coupe (hardtop). This was the only year RPO Z25 was offered as an option on other series than the series Malibu between 1969-1972.

The Chevelle SS 396 300 Deluxe 2-door with studs were more rigid and less heavy than their cousins coupes hardtop, these models were most often ordered with one thing in mind, drag racing.

1964-1965

The first generation of Chevelle appeared in 1964, available in sedan, hardtop, convertible, and family. Offered a wide range of six-cylinder engines in the line up to the 327 V8. The model 1964 is distinguished by its clean grill grid, square grid and four headlights. The grill of 1965 has a great divider horizontal that joins the sets of headlights with a grid pointed. This was the first year for a Chevelle SS396 package special.

In 1965 a package of option Z16 gave the Chevelle SS 396 convertible with an internal frame of high resistance to minimize the flexibility of the chassis, all models SS also have a suspension system, high performance tires F70x14 (195/70-14) high-performance thin strip of red or white on the new rims rally steel 14-inch, while Chevelles standard had tires 7.35 x 14 inches.

1966-1967

The 1966 model introduced a redesign of the Chevelle with a body more slender, with rear panels sculpted type "bottle of Coke" is more pronounced than the previous model, and the coupe 2-door without studs with special treatment of the rear window. For 1966, the model SS has its own black grille and emblem identification "SS 396" in the center, the Chevelle regular use a chrome grille. A hardtop 4-door "Sport Sedan" is joined to the series of Malibu this year.

For 1967 your front bumper and grille received a cosmetic surgery modest, making it look cleaner and more sporty than the Chevelles, 1966. The rear panel of the model SS also received the treatment of a black band that was not on the previous models. The rear lights were surround around the corners of the rear panels. For 1967, buyers could order a Chevelle SS with front disc brakes and the automatic transmission three-speed Turbo 400 and a steering column and steering wheel energy-absorbing.

Engines

Engines available from 1964 - 1967⁷

• L6 - 194 in - 2.5 l - 120 hp (89 kW) (standard Chevelle - 1964-67)
• L6 - 230 plgs3 - 3.8 l - 140 - 155 hp (103 - 114 kW) (standard Chevelle - 1964-67)
• L6 - 250 plgs3 - 4,1 l - 155 hp (114 kW) (standard Malibu - 1964-67)
• V8 - 283 plgs3 - 4,6 l - 194 - 220 hp (143 - 162 kW) (standard Malibu - 1964-67) (optional Chevelle - 1964-67)
• V8 - 327 plgs3 - 5.4 l - 250 - 345 hp (184 - 257 kW) (Malibu SS - 1964 - 65) (optional-Malibu - 1964-67)
• V8 - 396 plgs3 - 6.5 l - 325 - 375 hp (239 - 276 kW) (Chevelle SS-396 - 1966-67)

The Chevrolet Chevelle was restyled for 1968, and won a body-extra - a new family. The design included a longer hood and a trunk cut short with a wheel case front extended backwards. The bodies now rest on two sizes of wheelbase, the shortest of 2800 mm (112 in) reserved for the coupe and the longest of 2.946 mm (116 in.) for sedans and family members four-door. In the front, the double headlights were mounted in metal frames, individual square. At the grill stand out moldings full-width with a space such as air intake black finish. On the front fenders and above the left headlight are located emblems Chevelle in italics. The standard equipment includes armrest front, heating, defroster, and all the safety features of General Motors.

The Chevelle Malibu was the top model not high performance (SS) in the alignment Chevelle. Versions Malibu had rear lights unique, with the reverse lights re-positioned in the rear bumper.

Engines

Engines available from 1968 - 1972

• L6 - 230 plgs3 - 3.8 l - 140 - 155 hp (103 - 114 kW) (standard Chevelle - 1968-72)
• L6 - 250 plgs3 - 4,1 l - 155 hp (81 - 114 kW) (standard Chevelle - 1968-72)
• V8 - 307 plgs3 - 5.0 l - 194 - 220 hp (96 - 147 kW) (standard Malibu - 1968-72) / (optional Chevelle - 1968-72)
• V8 - 327 plgs3 - 5.4 l - 250 - 274 hp (184 - 202 kW) (optional Malibu - 1968-72) (optional Chevelle - 1968-72)
• V8 - 350 plgs3 - 5.7 l - 175 - 270-hp (129 - 199 kW) (Chevelle SS - 1968 - 72) / (optional Malibu - 1968-72)
• V8 - 396 plgs3 - 6.5 l - 300 - 375 hp (221 - 276 kW) (SS-396 - 1968-72)
• V8 - 402 plgs3 - 6,6 l - 239 - 330 hp (176 - 243 kW) (optional SS-396 - [RPO Z25] - 1970-71)
• V8 - 454 plgs3 - 7.4 l - 270 - 364 hp (199 - 268 kW) (optional SS - [RPO Z15] - 1970 - 72)

The Yenko Chevelles

Have been registered Malibus (Chevelles) in racing dyno run, with engines of factories with more than 470 hp, such as the 1970 Chevelle LS6 are renowned for their power, muscular power and extraordinary, among the best in the Chevelle, Yenko, created by Don Yenko a muscle car with over 500 hp. Some dealers ordered the package created by Yenko to sell them as their own supercars.

Third generation (1973-1977)

1973 marked the introduction of the third generation Chevelle, and after three years with little change to any model, the entire line underwent a change of image comprehensive. This year also marked the last year of the legendary line SS, as well as the notion of Chevelle as the car is all-powerful (all-American muscle car) of all americans (although Chevelles were going to be strong contenders in NASCAR through the mid-70's). Dilution of the product reached its lowest point and the package of the SS were technically only available in the rural Chevelle.

Introduced as the luxury line of high-end of the Chevelle, the Laguna eclipsed the Malibu sustained place for a long time as models most luxurious ones. The Malibu was retained as a car of the middle level, with the Deluxe replacing the simply called the Chevelle as the base model.

The version of the 1974 model Laguna replaced the SS as the top line. In 1977, when the name of Chevelle ceased to exist to give way to the Chevrolet Malibu, a car lighter and more compact, which continued the saga with the derivatives of the Chevelle, as The Camino and Monte Carlo.

Engines

Engines available between 1973 - 1977

• L6 - 250 plgs3 - 4,1 l - 100 - 110 hp (74 - 81kW) (standard, Deluxe and Malibu)
• V8 - 307 plgs3 - 5.0 l - 145 hp (107 kW) (standard on Deluxe and Malibu)
• V8 - 350 plgs3 - 5.7 l - 145 - 170 hp (107 - 125 kW) (standard on Laguna) (optional on others)
• V8 - 402 plgs3 - 6,6 l - 175 hp (129 kW) (optional on all)
• V8 - 454 plgs3 - 7.4 l - 265 hp (195 kW) (optional on all)