Chevrolet Chevette

Chevrolet Chevette
1983–1987 Chevrolet Chevette 3-door hatchback
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet (General Motors)
Also calledPontiac Acadian/T1000/1000
Isuzu Gemini
Production1975–1986
Model years1976–1987
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact
Body style3/5-door hatchback
LayoutFR layout
PlatformT-body
RelatedOpel Kadett
Isuzu Gemini
Daewoo Maepsy
Vauxhall Chevette
GMC Chevette
Opel K 180
Isuzu Piazza
Powertrain
Engine1,471 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)
TransmissionFor 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
Wheelbase2-door: 95.3 in (2,420 mm)
4-door: 97.3 in (2,470 mm) (from 1978)
Length163.8 in (4,161 mm)
Width61.8 in (1,570 mm)
Height52.2 in (1,325 mm)
Curb weight1,843–2,035 lb (836–923 kg)
Chronology
SuccessorChevrolet 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 Introduced in North America in September 1975, the Chevette superseded the Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact, and sold 2.8 million units over 12 years.[1] The Chevette was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for model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]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference GM was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Philip H. Dougherty (September 26, 1975). "Advertising". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Robert Irvin (October 12, 1975). "...While U.S.A.'s Chevette Challenges Foreign Mini-Cars". The New York Times.
  4. ^ John Pearley Huffman (October 23, 2011). "Missteps; Skeletons in the Closet". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference curbside was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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