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{{ | {{unsourced|article|date=December 2008}} | ||
{{unencyclopedic|article|date=December 2008}} | |||
<small>{{ otheruses4|the automobile, Pontiac T1000|the character in ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]''|T-1000}}</small> | |||
[[Category:Chevrolet vehicles| | {{Infobox Automobile | ||
[[Category: | | image =[[Image:Chevette_1977.JPG|250px|1977 Chevrolet Chevette]] | ||
| boxcolor = darkgreen | |||
| name = Chevrolet Chevette | |||
| manufacturer = [[General Motors]] | |||
| production = 1976–1987 | |||
| class = [[Subcompact]] | |||
| layout = [[FR layout]] | |||
| platform = [[GM T platform|T-body]] | |||
| body_style = 3-door [[hatchback]]<br>5-door [[hatchback]]<br>2-door [[station wagon]]<br>[[pickup truck|pickup]] | |||
| engine = 1.4 L [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>1.6 L [[Straight-4|I4]]<br>1.8 L [[Isuzu]] [[diesel]] [[Straight-4|I4]] | |||
| transmission = 4-speed [[Saginaw]] [[manual transmission|manual]]<br>5-speed [[Borg-Warner T-5]] manual<br>3-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]] | |||
| predecessor = [[Chevrolet Vega]]<br>[[Pontiac Astre]] | |||
|assembly= [[Lakewood Assembly]], [[Atlanta, Georgia]] | |||
| successor = [[Chevrolet Sprint]]<br>[[Chevrolet Spectrum]]<br>[[Pontiac Firefly]]<Br>[[Pontiac LeMans]]<br>[[Pontiac Sunburst]]<br>[[Geo Metro]] | |||
| aka = Pontiac T1000<br>Pontiac 1000<br>Pontiac Acadian | |||
| related = [[Opel Kadett]] C<br>[[Vauxhall Chevette]]<br>[[Isuzu Gemini]] | |||
}} | |||
The '''Chevrolet Chevette''' was [[Chevrolet]]'s version of [[General Motors|GM]]'s worldwide [[GM T platform|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 (car)|sedan]]; the Brazilian Chevette line eventually included a 4-door sedan, a 3-door [[hatchback]], and a 2-door [[station wagon]] (named [[Chevrolet Marajó|Marajó]]), as well as a [[pickup truck|pickup]] (named the [[Chevrolet Chevy 500|Chevy 500]]), and was produced until 1994. Chevettes are also a car used in racing in Dirt Track Racing. It has its own series. The Chevette was the last [[rear-wheel drive]] [[subcompact]] for the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], although in [[Mexico]], it was last survived by the 2004 [[Volkswagen Beetle]]. | |||
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 OHC [[gasoline]] [[Straight-4|I4]] engines, which varied over the years the Chevette was produced between 53-70 rear wheel horsepower. A 4-speed [[manual transmission]] was standard, and a 3-speed [[automatic transmission]] was optional. "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 bumpers and very basic trim inside and out. A rear seat was optional on the Scooter. The Canadian market also received a Pontiac version 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 essentially replaced the [[Chevrolet Vega|Vega]] as Chevrolet's import-fighting small car. The Chevette was functional and inexpensive. It was the best-selling small car in America for the 1979 and 1980 model years. 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]]. | |||
The front-wheel drive [[Chevrolet Cavalier]] was launched upscale from the Chevette for the 1982 model year. The Chevette continued through the 1987 model year, when a version was offered at US $4,995 to compete with the Hyundai Excel and Yugo GV. | |||
==Beyond commuter duty== | |||
[[Image:ChevetteV8.JPG|thumb|left|175px|A 1980 Chevette with a 500-cubic-inch (8.2 L) Cadillac engine]] | |||
Being a cheap, lightweight, and readily available compact, Chevettes occasionally find their way into [[dirt track racing]] or [[drag racing]], the latter of which will usually demand much more than the stock four cylinder would ever be capable of. The Chevette being rear wheel drive, and being compatible with many common GM components made the vehicle favorable to upgrade for racing and performance purposes where other compact cars were not. In Europe, where the [[Vauxhall Chevette]] HS was successful [[rally car]], a common swap is the lightweight [[Rover V8 engine|Rover]] [[V8 engine]], requiring somewhat extensive fabrication. Common in the US and also requiring extensive fabrication is the [[GM 60-Degree V6 engine|GM 60-Degree]] [[V6 engine]] and the [[Chevrolet Small-Block engine]]. The [[GM Ecotec engine]], is also suitable and can be fitted with sidedraft Weber carburetors in place of the engine's standard fuel injection system. | |||
==Annual changes== | |||
*1977: Rear seat made standard equipment on base Scooter model. "Sandpiper" trim package introduced.[[Image:FastChevette.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1978 Chevette 3-door]] | |||
*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. Also available in Canada was an OHC 1.8l engine and a sport package | |||
*1979: Holley 2-barrel carburetor now standard on all models. Front fascia face-lifted. Hood now flat, no longer wraps down to bumper; large chrome grille with Chevrolet "Bow-Tie" emblem and new-style square headlights. | |||
*1980: Rear fascia face-lifted. Squared-off hatch, wraparound taillights with black frames, turn signals built in with brake light. Round gas filler door now made from plastic. | |||
*1981: Diesel engine now optional (1.8 L [[Isuzu]] unit). 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 shared all body stamping with the Chevette, and had a black grille and standard chrome trim around the side windows. Diesel engine first listed as option in late 1981. 3.36 axle ratio introduced. Power steering was now available. | |||
*1982: 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. | |||
*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, The Pontiac Version known as the 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. 1987 was the final model year for Chevette, and production ended on [[December 23]], [[1986]]. At the low end, the Chevette, along with the [[Chevrolet Sprint]] was replaced by the [[Geo Metro]] in 1989, and by the [[Chevrolet Spectrum]] (introduced for 1985). In the United States, the Pontiac 1000 was replaced by the Korean-built [[Pontiac LeMans]] for 1988, and in [[Canada]], the Acadian was replaced by the [[Pontiac Firefly|Firefly]] (introduced in 1985). | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:83-85_Chevrolet_Chevette_1.jpg|1983-1985 Chevette CS 5-door | |||
Image:1986PontiacAcadianScooter.jpg|1986 Pontiac Acadian | |||
Image:'80-'82 Pontiac Acadian 5-Door (Orange Julep).JPG|1980-82 Pontiac Acadian 5-door (Canada) | |||
Image:'79 Chevrolet Chevette 3-Door (Orange Julep).JPG|1979 Chevrolet Chevette 3-door | |||
</gallery> | |||
{{commonscat|Chevrolet Chevette}} | |||
{{Early Chevrolet cars}} | |||
{{Chevrolet}} | |||
[[Category:Cars of Brazil]] | |||
[[Category:Chevrolet vehicles|Chevette]] | |||
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]] | |||
[[Category:Subcompact cars]] | |||
[[Category:Hatchbacks]] | |||
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1976]] | |||
[[Category:1970s automobiles]] | |||
[[Category:1980s automobiles]] | |||
[[Category:Goods manufactured in the United States]] | |||
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