The case for the Chevette

[Double02]

Following a discussion with Chris and Josh at the BBQ, it is obvious that we need a bit of backup material to justify this car. I present these:

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab206/2002BL/CECC/chevette.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab206/2002BL/CECC/Chevette_2.jpg

Note that that the decal on the top car reads 'Rally' and there was a Rally model offered. I doubt it would have been a top performer out of the box but since it was based on the same platform as the Opel Kadette it must have been possible to get the car in shape. I only like the early models, before the smooth hood and plastic grille showed up.

Discuss.

[redhatpat]

What's the question again?

I drove a friend's Chevette once. It broke down on me. I'd call it an ultimate piece of shit, but it was much worse than that.

[e30bimmer]

very nice find bruce. its defiantly one of those odd ball cars.

[B10er]

To each their own...!

No love here for the Chevette/Acadian. It couldn't have been too crappy as I still see one or two puttering about, and the 70s examples with fake wood siding is ok...but then again, any 70s car with fake wood gets a pass in my book...

Nope...if I'm gonna love a crappy car, it needs a story - some whacked out design, some bold new innovation that didn't work or catch on, some motorsport history, some something. Even the Yugo had a story...but the Chevette...hmmmmmm

[e30bimmer]

i wonder how a chevette would hold up against chris's skoda?

[B10er]

Good question...

Even the base model has a larger displacement engine than the Skud - 1400cc which puts it into a seperate class...Still the Vauxhall Chevette was rallied it seems, and looked pretty smart doing so.

But if you wanted Chevette racing...this is pretty cool...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSJkyFRRe4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n192JSb4PlY&feature=fvw

i wonder how a chevette would hold up against chris's skoda?

[Double02]

Nope...if I'm gonna love a crappy car, it needs a story - some whacked out design, some bold new innovation that didn't work or catch on, some motorsport history, some something. Even the Yugo had a story...but the Chevette...hmmmmmm

some something? How about the last surviving RWD subcompact in Canada & US, or the smallest & most fuel efficient Chevy ever, and lightest car sold in US at the time?

The only reason these didn't develop a rallying history like the Vauhall is that they were in North America. So, guys dropped V8s and V6s in them and went to the drag strip. Yawn. They also likely saw some dirt track use. If someone (not me) was interested in making one of these more rally capable I think they'd just need to spend some time on some British sites.

i wonder how a chevette would hold up against chris's skoda?

I think a 4spd Chevette would take a Skoda. 60 hp, 4.11 diff and <2000 lb.

redhatpat - was your friend's car newish or an abused and neglected beater? No point debating reliability of any POS owned and abused by a broke teenage guy.

Also, I should note that I'm unlikely to ever buy one of these. I do like them but there are too many other cars ahead of this one.

[B10er]

Like I said, to each their own...but sorry, not convinced over here.

One could create a story for pretty much any car, so one has to draw the line somewhere. I've driven these, and imho, there were more fun cars to drive at the time (Golf/GTI, Fiesta, Civic), and more interesting/weird cars (Gremlin, Yugo) at the time, but all the best to some guy out there who loves his Chevette.

Keep in mind though, I have a hate-on for most domestics from the late 1970s on...!

As far as taking a Skoda, you know what else can take a Skoda? A e30 325i, a 750iL, a GTI, a 5.0L Mustang! There are alot of cars with bigger motors than can beat a Skoda! If Skoda made a 1400cc motor or 1600cc motor instead of the largest at 1289cc, then I'd gladly take on a Chevette!

some something? How about the last surviving RWD subcompact in Canada & US, or the smallest & most fuel efficient Chevy ever, and lightest car sold in US at the time?

The only reason these didn't develop a rallying history like the Vauhall is that they were in North America. So, guys dropped V8s and V6s in them and went to the drag strip. Yawn. They also likely saw some dirt track use. If someone (not me) was interested in making one of these more rally capable I think they'd just need to spend some time on some British sites.



I think a 4spd Chevette would take a Skoda. 60 hp, 4.11 diff and <2000 lb.

redhatpat - was your friend's car newish or an abused and neglected beater? No point debating reliability of any POS owned and abused by a broke teenage guy.

Also, I should note that I'm unlikely to ever buy one of these. I do like them but there are too many other cars ahead of this one.

[motrhead]

There's nothing wrong with the Chevettes...they're little shitboxes, but they are tougher than nails. Remember, no Chevette has ever been maintained, they just get the crap beat out of 'em, so you may run across the odd dead one. My younger cousin had one for years, and he beat on it very hard. It held up well.
They have a Chevette specific ice racing class up in Ashcroft, which is where many go to die.:D
Of course it may be one of the least desirable cars I can think of...unless you drop in one of the 60 degree V-6s and a 5 speed. There was one racing at Knox mountain one year with a 280Z Datsun 6 cylinder in it. It did okay. Remember that's the same front suspension that you will find in a Fiero, so it has possibilities.
There are even some running around with an Isuzu diesel engine in them. My neighbour's Dad is still driving his. That may be the highest fuel mileage American vehicle ever? (That or the Escort diesel, not sure which.)