Filed under: Hatchbacks, Chevrolet, Misc. Auto Shows
Woodward Dream Cruise 2007: V6 'Vette, as in Chevette
We saw a lot of cars during our weekend on Woodward Ave., but I only remember seeing one Chevette. And it just happens to be the only Chevette I've ever seen with a V6. Yeah, I know, it's not unheard of to stick a 6-cylinder in one of Chevy's first economy cars, but upon seeing this too-hot hatch I said, "That ain't right."
Phil of Berkley, Mich., bought this particular Chevette brand new in 1976. Twelve years ago, he decided it was just lacking something. But what? Oh yeah. It lacked two extra cylinders, a supercharger and, of course, nitrous.
He says even after all the mods, including side exhaust an some super-nonstandard rear tires, the thing is quite streetable and still gets 27 mpg.
Check out more photos of this V6 'Vette in our galleries.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AlexP 8:06PM (8/20/2007)
Why am I under the impression that few people care about Woodward and its retromobiles?
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Greek Boy 8:42PM (8/20/2007)
Why?
Because you don't know what you are talking about, while barely having experienced life while typing away on your parents computer.
Many people who have fun while there, beg to differ with a young kid like yourself.
Don 8:12PM (8/21/2007)
No, no, no Alex...you're confused with how little we care about YOU.
AlexP 9:25PM (8/20/2007)
No I mean, I've seen barely any comments from people concerning Woodward cars on Autoblog... Which I find rather odd, since this blog is targeting automotive enthusiasts.
... And I've had my own computers since I was 11, thank you.
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Pat 9:34PM (8/20/2007)
so two maybe three years?
Das Boese 10:58PM (8/20/2007)
Most people probably just enjoy the photo galleries instead.
AlexP 11:29PM (8/20/2007)
I guess they are, seeing they are pretty great pictures.
I gotta say though, that's one of the most dated vehicles I remember seeing (exception: vintage cars parading and such) back 10 years ago.
I haven't seen any since... I'd say 96.
Man, those were the days, lol.
Esprit bird 10:19PM (8/20/2007)
Chevette...buddy of mine popped a Buick 3.8 in it from his LaSaber and gets around 35 mpg with a new tranny, why he did it? i dont know.
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robz4 11:02PM (8/20/2007)
My neighbour son has one of these Chevettes with more than 400,000 kms on the odometer and still running fine.He had it since new and gave him to his son (who drives the crap out of it) and the car still has the original engine and transmission. You could not kill these cars with a bazooka .....okay maybe and RPG ;)
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Stoneman 7:33AM (8/21/2007)
You are right.....those little cars were indestructible. I love the fact that they were rear wheel drive. I never had one, but if I did the car would probably have a V8 stuffed in it. :)
Those little cars would be perfect for auto cross events.
Bus Rand 12:43AM (8/21/2007)
Give AlexP a break. I knew a dude in 1980 something who had a chevette with a 2 barrel webber conversion that ran pretty darn good. It didn't get 27 mpg so I question the mileage claim, but if it's true that's some serious tuning. A good car but you can't beat the old slant six valiants/dusters/darts, etc. for sheer indestructablilty.
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nagmashot 5:22AM (8/21/2007)
The Chevette is based on the Opel C Kadett... The Opel C Coupe is still extrem popular in slalom and hill climb racing in europe... light and RWD and pretty easy to mod.. I love that cars... would be shame to forget them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS-bpJdHMHs&mode=related&search=
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Valentin 5:56AM (8/21/2007)
Yeah the Chevette is very famous in the German Opel scene, as it is a product of the Big Brother from America ! In fact, the Opel Kadett C remains very popular, and doing research on the net you can easily find modified Kadetts with 3.6 Liter V6 under the hood!
Calebe 8:05AM (8/21/2007)
what i find odd is that In the USA, the 4 door sedan was never sold. GM maketed it in England but all the USA got was the 3 and 5 door version.
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Phil L. 9:11AM (8/21/2007)
My '79 Chevette was the "Scooter" level (lowest available - didn't even include a radio; interior panels were basically vinyl-coated cardboard). I got it for a song - and was surprised how much fun it was to drive. Yes, you really can get the rear end to step out. Poor build quality meant I spent a lot of time under the hood, the but basic design was durable and easy to maintain.
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A&W 10:36AM (8/21/2007)
This car makes me wish for a modern version of it. There is just something cool about rear wheel drive even in a tiny car like this. Hope VW brings their rear engined,rear drive car to the US when/if they build it.
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Nick 11:30AM (8/21/2007)
I had an 83 'Vette in college that my buddies and I bought for $250. We "pimped" that thing with a custom duct-tape paint job and a stereo system that consisted of a cassette walkman and two portable speakers glued to the dashboard. We drove the hell out of that thing, and we had one 90-degree elbow turn right by our condo that I always took swinging the end out. The RWD light car was a blast to drive.
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keith 11:55AM (8/21/2007)
I got hit from behind in my Karman Ghia by a Chevette - enough damage to total the car (at that time the car was only worth $800). The Chevette with its chrome steel bumpers suffered no visable damage.
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Preston M 2:48PM (8/21/2007)
I find it ironic that you're talking down to a fellow poster about maturity when it was you who jumped his ass, making unwarranted assumptions about him and his personal life, after he was just asking a simple question.
Seems a little odd, doesn't it?
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