What year was the last Chevy Chevette made?
The last Chevy Chevette was built in 1994, in Brazil.
Across markets, the end of the Chevette varied: Production in the United States and Canada ended in 1987, while the model lingered in Brazil until 1994. This piece traces the timeline and explains what those end dates mean for a vehicle that helped define subcompact motoring in the late 20th century.
Timeline: end dates by market
The list below shows the main endpoints for Chevette production in the regions where the nameplate existed under GM. Note that the model's name and design evolved in different countries.
- United States and Canada: 1987
- Brazil and some Latin American markets: 1994
These dates reflect official production runs, not necessarily the availability of used cars on dealer lots or remaining fleet supply.
Regional variations
In North America, the Chevette was phased out as GM shifted toward newer subcompact lines and replacements like the Chevrolet Spectrum for a brief period. In Brazil, the Chevette outlived its North American siblings, evolving through several regional updates before its final generation ended in 1994, by which time the market had moved on to newer GM products such as the Corsa-based line.
Context: why the Chevette ended when it did
Chevette production ended in large part due to changing consumer preferences, tightening safety and emissions standards, and GM's restructuring of its subcompact lineup in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The model's older platform and the arrival of more modern hatchbacks left the Chevette with limited competitiveness in major markets, prompting the split between regional end dates.
Summary
The last Chevy Chevette was produced in 1994 in Brazil, marking the final chapter for the nameplate worldwide. North America had already closed its chapter in 1987, highlighting how a single model can have a very different ending depending on regional market conditions.
When did Chevy stop making the Chevette?
December 23, 1986
The last Chevette was manufactured on December 23, 1986, at Lakewood Assembly – following the end of production at Wilmington Assembly in September, 1985. The last Chevette manufactured was a light-blue two-door hatchback shipped to a Chevrolet dealer in Springdale, Ohio.
Was the Chevy Chevette a good car?
The Chevy Chevette was a good car for its time, primarily because it was affordable and offered excellent fuel economy during the era of the 1970s oil crisis. It was a utilitarian, reliable, and inexpensive entry-level vehicle that sold well for model years 1979 and 1980, and many owners have fond memories of its dependability. However, it was a mechanically simple car with low horsepower and lacked style, which led to criticism for being a less advanced option compared to its front-wheel-drive Japanese and European competitors.
Pros of the Chevette
- Fuel efficiency: It was designed to be a gas-sipper, achieving up to 40 MPG on the highway with its base engine and even higher figures with its optional diesel engine.
- Affordability: The Chevette was an inexpensive new car with low operating costs, which made car ownership accessible for many people.
- Reliability: Many owners found the car to be dependable, with GM focusing on building a car that was mechanically sound and built to last.
- Success: It was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for model years 1979 and 1980, with 2.8 million units produced over its lifetime.
Cons of the Chevette
- Lack of power: With 52 horsepower in its base 1.4-liter engine and a maximum of 74 horsepower in later models, acceleration was slow.
- Basic and unstylish: The car had a boxy, utilitarian design with minimal options, and its rear-wheel-drive platform made for an awkward driveline tunnel that reduced passenger room.
- Outdated technology: It was a technologically crude car compared to its competitors, which were already moving to front-wheel-drive.
- Quality issues: Some models had reported mechanical issues and poor construction, and certain parts, like the floor, were known to rot out over time.
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 $15,663.
What is the rarest Chevy ever made?
The rarest Chevy ever made is the 1969 Corvette ZL1, with only two units ever built. This ultra-limited production car featured an all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch engine and was a factory-built race car disguised as a road-going Corvette.
You can watch this video to learn more about the rarest Chevrolet Corvette, the ZL1: 55sAmerican ClassicsYouTube · Apr 6, 2025
- Ultra-rare production: Only two were ever manufactured due to the high cost, with the ZL1 option alone adding thousands of dollars to the base price.
- Powerful engine: It was powered by a special all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch V8 engine, a more powerful and lighter version of the L88 Corvette's engine.
- Purpose-built for racing: The ZL1 was essentially a street-legal race car, making it a highly sought-after and significant model for collectors.
- High value: Today, these cars are considered "unicorns" and have sold for millions of dollars at auction.
