| Chevrolet Chevette | |
|---|---|
 1983–1987 Chevrolet Chevette 3-door hatchback | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
| Also called | Pontiac Acadian/T1000/1000 Isuzu Gemini |
| Production | 1975–1986 |
| Model years | 1976–1987 |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Body style | 3/5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | T-body |
| Related | Opel Kadett Isuzu Gemini Daewoo Maepsy Vauxhall Chevette GMC Chevette Opel K 180 Isuzu Piazza |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1,471 cc (89.8 cu in) 1,599 cc (97.6 cu in) 1,817 cc (110.9 cu in) 4FB1 OHC diesel I4 (1982-1986) |
| Transmission | For gasoline models: 4-speed Saginaw manual 5-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual 3-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic TH200 (1976–81) 3-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic TH180 (1977–87) For Diesel Models: 5-speed manual 3-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic TH200C |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2-door: 95.3 in (2,420 mm) 4-door: 97.3 in (2,470 mm) (from 1978) |
| Length | 163.8 in (4,161 mm) |
| Width | 61.8 in (1,570 mm) |
| Height | 52.2 in (1,325 mm) |
| Curb weight | 1,843–2,035 lb (836–923 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Chevrolet Sprint Chevrolet Metro |
The Chevrolet Chevette is a front-engine, rear-drive subcompact manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet for model years 1976–1987 as a three-door or five-door hatchback. Introduced in North America in September 1975, the Chevette superseded the Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact, and sold 2.8 million units over 12 years.[1] The Chevette was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for model years 1979 and 1980.
The Chevette employed General Motors' global T platform which was co-developed by Opel and Isuzu in 1973. The first T-car model produced was the Brazilian Chevrolet Chevette released in the same year. Six months later the Opel Kadett C was released in Europe. Worldwide, GM manufactured and marketed more than 7 million[1] T-cars – either as rebadged models or locally-built versions in different countries. T-car variants were sold internationally as the Pontiac Acadian in Canada; Pontiac T1000/1000 in the United States (1981–1987); K-180 in Argentina; Vauxhall Chevette in the United Kingdom, Austria, France, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and Uruguay; Opel Kadett C in Germany; Isuzu Gemini in Japan, Holden Gemini in Australia; AYMESA Cóndor in Ecuador (from 1978); Saehan Gemini and Daewoo Maepsy in South Korea; and as a coupe utility (pickup), the Chevy (or GMC) 500 in Brazil and South America. A T-car variant remained in production in South America through 1998.
Introduced on a full-color nationwide campaign in 140–150 of the country's largest daily papers,[2] the New York Times said the "little American car holds its own with the foreigners."[3] Looking back on the Chevette in 2011, the same publication called the Chevette "haphazardly made, sparsely trimmed and underpowered."[4] Consumer Guide described the Chevette as “unimaginative to an extreme.”[5]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
GMwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Philip H. Dougherty (September 26, 1975). "Advertising". The New York Times.
- ^ Robert Irvin (October 12, 1975). "...While U.S.A.'s Chevette Challenges Foreign Mini-Cars". The New York Times.
- ^ John Pearley Huffman (October 23, 2011). "Missteps; Skeletons in the Closet". The New York Times.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
curbsidewas invoked but never defined (see the help page).