What happened to the Chevy Chevette?
The Chevy Chevette was a compact car produced by General Motors from 1976 to 1987. It was a popular and affordable option for many American consumers during its heyday, but ultimately fell out of favor as the market shifted towards larger and more feature-rich vehicles. This article explores the history and legacy of the Chevette, examining its key features, market performance, and the factors that contributed to its eventual demise.
The Chevette's Humble Beginnings
The Chevette was introduced in 1976 as a response to the growing demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars in the United States. Designed to be a basic, no-frills transportation option, the Chevette was a rear-wheel-drive, four-door hatchback that offered a simple and straightforward driving experience.
A Decade of Popularity
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Chevette found success in the market, becoming one of Chevrolet's best-selling models. Its affordability, fuel efficiency, and compact size appealed to a wide range of consumers, from young families to college students. The Chevette's popularity was further bolstered by its reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs.
The Decline and Demise
As the 1980s progressed, the Chevette began to lose its luster. Changing consumer preferences, increased competition from foreign automakers, and the rise of more sophisticated compact car designs all contributed to the Chevette's decline. By the mid-1980s, the Chevette was seen as outdated and lacking in features compared to its rivals.
In 1987, General Motors discontinued the Chevette, marking the end of an era for the once-popular compact car. The Chevette's legacy, however, lives on as a symbol of a simpler time in the automotive industry, when basic transportation was the primary focus for many consumers.
How many miles per gallon did a 1979 Chevy Chevette get?
Chevette sales totaled more than 451,000 units – a figure that would rank it second only to Chevrolet's new Citation, which had a much longer model run (sales had started in April 1979). Consumer Guide testers managed "an honest 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway".
When did Chevy stop making the Chevette?
It was ultimately built for model years 1976-1987. To no one's surprise, the Chevette was the best-selling small car in America from 1979 and 1980.
How much did a 1980 Chevette cost?
The list price of a 1980 Chevette hatchback sedan was $4,418, about $12,750 in inflation-adjusted 2015 dollars.
When did they stop making Chevettes?
1976-1987
It was ultimately built for model years 1976-1987. To no one's surprise, the Chevette was the best-selling small car in America from 1979 and 1980.
How much is a Chevette worth today?
Q: What is the lowest sale price of a Chevrolet Chevette? A: The lowest recorded sale price was $5,800 for a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette Scooter on Apr 27 2022. Q: What is the average sale price of a Chevrolet Chevette? A: The average price of a Chevrolet Chevette is $16,693.
How much was a Chevy Chevette brand new?
This isn't just any Chevette, either. It's a 1987 model, the last year for what is arguably one of the worst economy cars ever built. It gets better, because this one only has 47 miles on the odometer. Documentation in the car shows it had a starting price of $4,995 back in 1987.
Was the Chevy Chevette a good car?
Overall, we find the Chevette to be a car well suited to American conditions. It's happy at the 55-mph limit, nimble in metropolitan traffic, and offers its driver a fair amount of pleasure. The only category in which it really falls down is performance.
What is the recall on the Chevy Chevette?
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. said Friday it is recalling 491,000 Chevrolet Chevette and Pontiac T-1000 models -- nearly half the models built from 1980-82 -- to fix a carburetor problem that could lead to engine fires.
Was Chevette a good car?
Overall, we find the Chevette to be a car well suited to American conditions. It's happy at the 55-mph limit, nimble in metropolitan traffic, and offers its driver a fair amount of pleasure. The only category in which it really falls down is performance.
What car replaced the Chevy Chevette?
Two years later, in our August 1984 issue, we tested the Chevette's supposed replacement, a rebadged Suzuki called the Chevrolet Sprint (which would later morph into the Geo Metro).
