How much did a Chevy Chevette cost in 1978?
A Chevy Chevette cost about $3,600 in base form in 1978.
The price varied by body style, transmission, and options, with two- and four-door hatchbacks and choices like automatic transmission or added features affecting the sticker price.
Price range in 1978
Below are representative MSRPs from the era to illustrate typical configurations and what buyers could expect during that year.
- Base 2-door hatchback with manual transmission: approximately $3,600
- Base 4-door hatchback with manual transmission: approximately $3,800
- Models with automatic transmission or higher trim levels: around $3,900–$4,000
- Popular options (air conditioning, upgraded radios, and other features): adds a few hundred dollars
Prices varied by region, dealer, and specific option packages; the figures above reflect typical MSRP ranges for 1978 rather than fixed prices at every dealership.
Inflation-adjusted value
In today's dollars, the base price of about $3,600 from 1978 would roughly translate to about $16,000–$18,000, depending on the inflation index used. This puts the Chevette in line with other compact cars of the era when adjusted for general price changes over time.
Summary
In 1978, the Chevy Chevette carried a base price in the mid-$3,000s, with final sticker prices rising toward $4,000 for higher trims or if automatic transmission and extra options were selected. The exact price depended on body style and equipment, and today’s inflation-adjusted value places it in the neighborhood of the mid-teens thousands of dollars, illustrating its role as an affordable entry point in the late 1970s automotive market.
