Chevrolet Chevette

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Chevrolet Chevette

Also called:	Pontiac T1000 Pontiac 1000 Pontiac Acadian
Manufacturer:	General Motors
Production:	1976–1987
Predecessor:	Chevrolet Vega
Successor:	Chevrolet Sprint Chevrolet Spectrum
Class:	Subcompact
Body style:	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Layout:	FR
Platform:	GM T platform
Engine:	1.4 L I4 1.6 L I4 1.8 L Isuzu diesel I4
Transmission:	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Related:	Opel Kadett C Vauxhall Chevette Isuzu Gemini
Similar:	Dodge Omni Volkswagen Rabbit AMC Spirit Toyota Tercel Renault Encore/Alliance

The Chevrolet Chevette was Chevrolet's version of GM's worldwide T platform of the 1970s, which was also sold as the Vauxhall Chevette, Opel Kadett, Isuzu Gemini and the Holden Gemini, among others. The T-car was actually first launched in Brazil under the Chevette name in 1974, as a two-door sedan; the Brazilian Chevette line eventually included a 3-door hatchback and a 2-door station wagon (named Marajó), as well as a pickup (named the Chevy 500), and was produced until 1994.

Production of the Chevette in the US started in late 1975 for the 1976 model year. Initially there was a 3-door hatchback with 1.4 or 1.6 L gasoline I4 engines, and a 4-speed manual transmission. A 3-speed automatic transmission was optional with the 1.6 L engine, and "Rally" or "Woody" option packages could be had, as well as a loss-leader "Scooter" which was a 2-seater with painted instead of chromed headlight bezels and very basic trim inside and out. The Canadian market also received a Pontiac clone named the Acadian. Very early Chevettes can be identified by a hood that wraps down to the bumper, round headlights and a slightly curved tail with tri-color taillights rimmed in chrome.

The Chevette, along with the Vega-derived Chevrolet Monza, essentially replaced the ill-fated Vega as Chevrolet's import-fighting small car. The Chevette was functional and inexpensive. However, it lacked the technological advances bestowed on the Vega such as an aluminum engine, and it was based on the dated rear-wheel drive layout which dropped rapidly out of favor with the acceptance of the Volkswagen Rabbit.

[edit] Annual changes

1978: Slightly modified grille with a grid design, grille and headlight frames chromed, a 5-door model on a longer wheelbase was added, gas cap door added, the 1.4 L engine and "woody" pack were dropped.
1979: Holley 2-barrel carburetor now standard on all models. Front fascia facelifted. Hood now flat, no longer wraps down to bumper; large chrome grille with new-style square headlights.
1980: Rear fascia facelifted. Squared-off hatch, wraparound taillights with black frames, turn signals built in with brake light. Round gas filler door now made from plastic.
1981: New style steel wheels, "dog dish" hubcaps discontinued. US models received a new Computer Command Control feedback system on gasoline engines. Pontiac T1000 introduced, which was identical to the Acadian except for fender badges, becomes available in the US and is essentially a rebadged Chevette, sharing taillights and trim with the Chevette, along with standard chrome trim around the windows. Diesel engine first listed as option in late 1981. 3.36 axle ratio introduced.
1982: Diesel engine now optional (1.8 L Isuzu unit). 5-speed manual transmission now optional on gasoline-powered cars (standard with diesel). 5-door Scooter optional for the first time. GM THM180C (THM200C for diesel model) is now offered as the standard automatic transmission, which includes a locking torque converter for greater fuel mileage.

Chevette painted as The General Lee.

1983: Makeover for the front and rear fascias of the car; Chevette CS introduced. Chrome grille and trim discontinued and replaced with black trim. Scooter and base Chevettes sport a black grille and end-caps for the bumpers while Chevette CS models offer white trimmed grille. Chevette S model offered with red instead of white highlights.
1984: Scooter dropped, T1000 dropped the "T" designation and became simply 1000.
1985: Base Chevette dropped.
1986: Federally mandated third brake light mounted on rear hatch glass.
1987: Diesel engine dropped. Final model year for Chevette. At the low end, the Chevette, along with the Chevrolet Sprint was replaced by the tiny Geo Metro in 1989, and by the small Chevrolet Spectrum (introduced for 1985). In the United States, the Pontiac 1000 was replaced by the Korean Pontiac LeMans for 1989, and in Canada, the Acadian was replaced by the Firefly (introduced in 1985).

[edit] Trivia

Chevrolet executive James McLernon was in charge of getting the Chevette up and running in America. His success in bringing the car into U.S. production ahead of time and under budget attracted the attention of Volkswagen chairman Toni Schmucker, who hired McLernon to run Volkswagen's Pennsylvania plant for the Volkswagen Rabbit.
Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline has a song titled Chevette as the first track of their 1997 CD Some Kind of Zombie. The song describes lead singer Mark Stuart's childhood as related to his family's car, a Chevrolet Chevette.

[edit] Awards

Car Talk 2000"Tom: The fifth Worst Car of the Millennium is the Chevy Chevette. As one reader described it: 'An engine surrounded by four pieces of drywall.' Ouch!