Autoblog

Chevy moves to trademark Chevelle nameplate, but why?

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill

According to a report from GM Authority, General Motors has applied for a trademark on the "Chevelle" nameplate, filing the request under the "exterior badges for vehicles" category of the "goods and services" section of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. And while you certainly could argue that this is simply to protect the Chevelle nomenclature that represents a large part of Chevrolet history, GM Authority has a couple of good reasons why you might want to think otherwise.

First of all, GMA points out that companies don't necessary file trademarks for the sake of keeping up on records. Basically, if a company wants to complete the registration of a trademark, it needs to file a legal document called a SOU (Statement of Use), which requests that the applicant show the current business reason for filing the trademark. That said, a company can prolong the time it has to file an SOU by up to three years which does, sort of, account for using the trademark on a future product.

But what sort of future product? GM Authority suggests - and stay with us here - that the Chevelle name could be applied to a new coupe to slot in above the Camaro but below the Corvette. In other words, Chevrolet could bring a version of the Code 130R concept (pictured) into production, call it the Camaro, and then have the Chevelle act as a replacement for the Camaro as we know it today, meaning the 130R-based car would instead take the shape of a sort of Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ fighter as we earlier reported.

Another option would be to slap the Chevelle name on the replacement for the Chevrolet SS sedan, which just made its introduction earlier this year. GM Authority states that the Holden VF Commodore on which the current SS is based will only be around for another three years, so this would still be within the timing of the trademark filing's Statement of Use.

Of course, this could all be nothing - or it could be something else entirely. Only time will tell. Let us know what your best guess is in Comments.

Chevy moves to trademark Chevelle nameplate, but why? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet Dick Eytchison and his '65 Chevelle autocrosser

Zach Bowman — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Classics, Sedan, Videos, Chevrolet, Racing

There are few things we love more than seeing well-sorted classic cars being put to task. It seems we're in good company on that front. Dick Eytchison shares our belief that, "you just don't appreciate them unless you get out there and drive them."

Over the years, Dick has whipped his 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle sedan into an autocross terror. With a breathed-on 383 crate V8 spitting out around 400 horsepower, the Chevelle has no deficit of grunt. Of course, getting a mid-sixties muscle bruiser to sprint in a straight line has never been an issue; it's getting the machine to go right and left that's the challenge.

The 68-year-old weekend racer ditched the factory rear end for a stout Ford nine-inch with a Truetrac limited slip, and a set of Baer brakes on all four corners bring the machine down from speed. Up front, 13-inch rotors get pressed by four-piston calipers, while the back axle makes due with a couple of 12-inch discs.

A full suite of Hotchkis goodies, including A-arms, sway bars and spindles, help keep the machine planted, as do Bilstein shocks on all four corners. The finished product looks right at home dodging cones. We dig it. Check it out in the video below.

Continue reading Meet Dick Eytchison and his '65 Chevelle autocrosser

Meet Dick Eytchison and his '65 Chevelle autocrosser originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Tom Cruise Jack Reacher trailer features Chevelle SS

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, Celebrities

Lee Child's novels about the fictional former military MP Jack Reacher are ready to hit the odeon, and they'll be coming with Tom Cruise as the title character. We should know by now better than to compare movies to their source books, and this looks like another reason not to: the literary Reacher is six-foot, five-inch, 210-250 pounds, the 50-year-old Cruise... isn't. Reacher likes silence, Cruise likes the pithy line; Reacher isn't a good runner, Cruise will undoubtedly showcase his sprinting skills.

One difference that might work out for us, though, is that whereas Jack Reacher doesn't have a driver's license and isn't a very good driver in the books - he hitchhikes or takes a bus to the action, mostly - Cruise's take drives a sweetly red Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and judging by this just-released trailer, he does so through anything and anyone. Scroll down to watch Cruise and the prominently featured Chevy muscle car.

Continue reading New Tom Cruise Jack Reacher trailer features Chevelle SS

New Tom Cruise Jack Reacher trailer features Chevelle SS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thou Shalt Not Clone: Fraudster convicted over fake 1965 Chevelle Z16

Zach Bowman — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:43:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Etc., Government/Legal

No matter how hard you try, you can't out run the Internet. Just ask Bobby Patton. The man thought he could pull a quick one by representing a 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle as an incredibly rare, incredibly valuable Z16.

For those of us who aren't soaked in obscure General Motors model history, Z16 models featured brakes lifted from full-size sedans of the day, a unique rear axle, a stiffer boxed frame borrowed from a convertible and a uniquely trimmed L37 396 V8. Other details like special trim work, badges, VINs and various engine and axle stampings help identify the hopped up Malibu models from their kin.

Patton missed the memo on those details, apparently, opting instead to slap some 396 badges on the fender and call it a day. While that may have been enough to fool a local car show judge, it became an issue when he listed the coupe on an auction site for $100,000. Jeff Helms, the owner of a site dedicated to nothing but Z16 models, quickly pointed out that the Chevelle boasted a fake VIN copied from a photo on his website. Patton then attempted to defend himself, saying he bought the car that way.

Patton closed the auction after four days, but not before the Ohio State Patrol got wind of the suspicious '65. Officers contacted the previous owner, who proved the car had been sold with 327 emblems. It didn't take long for Patton to face charges of Tampering with Records, Possessing Criminal Tools, Telecommunications Fraud and Attempted Simulation. He pleaded guilty to the first charge and received two years of probation. Head over to Hemmings for the full tale, and remember, the Internet is watching.

Thou Shalt Not Clone: Fraudster convicted over fake 1965 Chevelle Z16 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler spokesman and NFL star Ndamukong Suh crashes his... Chevy?

Zach Bowman — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Celebrities

There are two types of bad luck; the kind that finds you and the kind you find for yourself. Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh seems to have wandered straight into a run of the latter. NFL fans may recall that Suh is on a two-game suspension after stomping on a Green Bay Packer player during a game on Thanksgiving Day. Now the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Suh was involved in an accident in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. According to the report, Suh lost control of his 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS while passing a taxi at 1:15 a.m., whereupon he slid into a light pole, a tree and a drinking fountain.

Despite the carnage, neither Suh nor his two passengers were injured in the ordeal. Portland Police Sgt. Peter Simpson has said that the Lions player wasn't drunk or "driving crazy." We're not saying we're speaking from personal experience, but the last time we checked, law enforcement tends to have sharper words to say about failing to maintain control of a vehicle and damaging public property.

The real curiosity here is that Suh wasn't piloting a vehicle from the automaker he advertises for, Chrysler (click through to the jump to refresh your memory). Then again, if you had the choice between a '70 Chevelle and a 2011 Chrysler 300, which would you chose?

Continue reading Chrysler spokesman and NFL star Ndamukong Suh crashes his... Chevy?

Chrysler spokesman and NFL star Ndamukong Suh crashes his... Chevy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Project American Heroes Chevelle brings $250,000 for charity

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Specialty

Project American Heroes Chevelle - Click above for high-res image gallery

The top seller in Barrett-Jackson's first Orange County auction on Saturday was a very special Chevy Chevelle. Built by Route 66 Motorsports and chronicled by Super Chevy Magazine, it's known as the Project American Heroes Chevelle, and it brought a cool quarter of a million bucks for the Armed Forces Foundation. This Chevelle is the third in a series of souped-up muscle cars built for this particular charity, which supports the families of injured veterans.

The car itself is a 1970 Chevelle, with an intercooled, supercharged GM Performance Parts LSA engine where you might expect to see an LS5 or LS6 big block. Detroit Speed & Engineering did the suspension, the binders are Baer's new "6P" brake system, power is routed through a TCI Automotive 6x 6-speed 4L80E transmission, and the end result of these and about 30 other component contributors is one badass Chevelle that sold for $250,000 on Saturday afternoon. Take a look at the gallery below to see some shots of this very special Chevy, the color guard that escorted it onstage, and the cheerleaders that helped keep the crowd revved up during the auction.

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Armed Forces Foundation Chevelle

Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Project American Heroes Chevelle brings $250,000 for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Badass Chevy Chevelle isn't as fuelish as it seems

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Diesel

1970 Duramax Chevrolet Chevelle custom - Click above for high-res image gallery

The clean exterior of this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle hides a wicked little secret - if you take a look at the photo above, you'll see what we mean. The bundle of plumbing you see spilling out of the engine bay tells only part of the story - that's no overworked Chevy small block in there, it's a Duramax diesel that has been pushed to new heights thanks to an outrageous custom twin-turbo setup. The stripped-out interior and racing slicks out back show the true purpose of this ride.

The Chevelle was built by Mike Racke and was recognized as one of Popular Hot Rodding magazine's Top Ten Builds this year. We couldn't agree more.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Duramax Chevelle

SEMA 2009: Badass Chevy Chevelle isn't as fuelish as it seems originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Like Chevrolet Chevelles? Mecum Auctions has a deal for you!

Drew Phillips — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Auctions, Chevrolet

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mecum Chevelle collection

We're used to hearing about big-time auctions from the likes of Barrett-Jackson, RM, Christies, etc., but you can add one more to the list: Mecum, based out of Marengo, Il. The firm's auctions can be viewed live on Discovery HD, and they've already booked cars like an original Shelby Daytona Coupe for their 22nd annual Spring Classic Auction in May.

Also going up on the block will be Dana Mecum's personal Chevelle collection. The cars will be sold as a group, meaning the winning bidder will be taking home a total of eight Chevelles ranging from a 1965 SS hardtop with a 327ci V8 to a numbers-matching 1970 convertible with a 450-hp LS6 V8 and four-speed transmission. Check out the gallery below, as well as descriptions for each vehicle in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Mecum Chevelle Collection

Continue reading Like Chevrolet Chevelles? Mecum Auctions has a deal for you!

Like Chevrolet Chevelles? Mecum Auctions has a deal for you! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fast and Furious muscles up

Alex Nunez — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:22:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Celebrities

Click above image for photo gallery

OntarioStreetCar caught sight of a transporter loaded with Detroit Muscle being used in the filming of the fourth installment of The Fast and the Furious saga, innovatively titled, Fast and Furious. This is one truck we'd gladly hijack with a crew of accomplices driving tuned Civics, as it's hauling, at minimum, a pair of Chargers, a Chevelle SS, and the wicked Torino GT you see above. Not included in the attached gallery are studio shots of Vin Diesel with a Grand National and yet another Chevelle, both of which you can see at OntarioStreetCar. The F&F films may be light on plot, but they're long on car porn, and we can say without a hint of embarassment that we are totally going to see this movie. Thanks to Jesse for the tip!

Gallery: Fast and the Furious movie car transporter

[Source: OntarioStreetCar]

Fast and Furious muscles up originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the market for something Unique? Check out their auction online

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Ford

We've covered the scandal involving Unique Performance from the very beginning, and it now looks as if this sordid tale finally might get a bookend. If the idea of scraping off 13 gallons of bondo doesn't scare you, maybe you'd be interested in bidding on one (or more) of the 44 leftover Mustang body shells that are available for viewing here. Mustang not your thing? Prefer the Camaro? How 'bout the Chevelle? Even if you're not interested in any of its cars, Unique Performance owned plenty of other stuff, too. Take a look at these automotive lifts, for instance. There is some good stuff here, and you'll be helping to pay off the company's assorted debts in the process.

If you find yourself interested in anything on the Unique Performance ~~fire sale~~ auction list, you can inspect the works on Tuesday, March 25 from 9AM to 4PM. Lets hope that these classics end up in better hands than they were in at this company. Thanks for the tip, Cam!

[Source: Rosen Systems / 67 Mustang Blog]

In the market for something Unique? Check out their auction online originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gravity Racers going on the block at Barrett-Jackson

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:02:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions

Mention Barrett-Jackson auctions to most enthusiasts and the first thing that will pop into their heads will probably be muscle cars. American iron from the '60s and '70s dominates the typical catalog. Chevelles, 'Cudas, Vettes, and Mustangs that are so rare and in such good condition that the million dollar winning bids seem almost a bargain. Sure, there are the occasional European sports cars sprinkled in, and European and American pre- and post-war classics still command strong money. But muscle cars and their high horsepower V-8s are what fill the seats nowadays. So it comes as a bit of a surprise that one of the featured collections of cars being offered in January will not only be sans V-8, but without engines entirely.

No engines doesn't mean low tech, however. The 16 featured cars are gravity racers built by the world's top auto manufacturers, including Bentley, General Motors, Nissan, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Audi, Mazda, Porsche and Pininfarina. They were a part of this year's Extreme Gravity Racing series. They will be going on the block with no reserve during the 36th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz in mid-January.

"The gravity racers are pure speedsters that embody a style of racing exhibited during the golden era of automobiles," said Craig Jackson, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "They are engineered for raw competition and demonstrate absolute perfection, with no need for horsepower or supercharged engines. These racers represent the best of the best in automotive design and would be the crown jewel of any collection."

[Source: Barrett-Jackson via Sports Car Market]

Gravity Racers going on the block at Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Foose and your money... Die-cast collectibles from the king of custom

Chris Tutor — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Ford

Once upon a time filling a garage with Chip Foose dream cars involved either a check with lots of zeros or help from Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie. Now anyone with a "minimum deposit required" from their bank can park Foose's creations next to their daily driver. Yes, of course we're talking about scale models. Foose Design is currently accepting $28 checks for each of five 9-inch-long models. There's the '67 Mustang "Fastback," the '70 Monte Carlo, the '71 Chevelle, the Impression and the '06 Stallion (shown). The 1/20th scale cars have opening hoods, trunks and doors, chrome wheels shod with real rubber and are pretty close to the actual Foose visions. Note that the '36 Ford "Impression" Roadster does not come with an equally diminutive version of the Detroit Autorama's Ridler award.

Check out the rest of the available models after the jump.

[Source: Foose Design]

Continue reading A Foose and your money... Die-cast collectibles from the king of custom

A Foose and your money... Die-cast collectibles from the king of custom originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Chevelle Project - another fan project for GM

John Neff — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 07:07:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Truck, Wagon, Etc., Chevrolet, GM

After reading our post yesterday about supporters at GMInsideNews creating dream lineups for General Motors, Autoblog reader Josh Oliver wanted us to know that the Cheers and Gears Underground project had done something similar called the Chevelle Project. This is no hobbled together collection of Photochopped images, but rather a complete portfolio of a possible rear-wheel drive Chevelle lineup including a sedan, coupe, convertible, sportwagon and resurrected El Camino. Pay particular attention to the SS models (SS Convertible shown above), which are not the shells of their former selves that are sold today.

The Chevelle Project website is a polished affair the presents each proposed model with a gallery of renderings from multiple angles; a spec sheet that includes powertrain choices, mileages, dimensions and capacities; a chart that compares each model with potential competitors; and an Overview page full of marketing speak that could've been written by General Motors itself.

It's quite remarkable how far the Cheers and Gears Underground people went with their efforts. The Chevelle Project took a year and a half to complete and was announced on March 15th, 2005. The site does say that more nameplates will get the "Underground" treatment in the future, so hopefully we'll see another model from them in the near future.

[Source: Cheers and Gears Underground]

The Chevelle Project - another fan project for GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 07:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CNN reports Top 10 Muscle Car Stars

Alex Nunez — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM

CNN Money has published a list of the "Top 10 Muscle Car Stars" as compiled by Kelley Blue Book. Some of the picks are obvious, such as the Hemi 'Cuda convertible, GTO Judge convertible, and the venerable Plymouth Superbird. More of a surprise is the presence of the Ford Torino Talladega, which is labeled as an up-and-comer in the muscle car marketplace. With values currently in the $30,000 range, the Torino is still attainable by those who don't have six-figure budgets to work with.

Also, despite lists like this one, it's always good to remember that one doesn't need a paddle at Barrett-Jackson to get into the game. Local newspapers and weeklies are always a great place to start. Sure, you may not find a concours-level, numbers-matching, rare-engined stunner, but you can find great bargains that are as much or more fun to work on and to drive.

All that said, here's the top 10 list as reported by CNN:

1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible - $2,000,000
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-454/LS-6 convertible - $369,000
1969 Pontiac GTO "Judge" convertible - $205,200
1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster - $329,100
1969 Dodge Charger R/T-440 hardtop - $170,000
1968 Shelby GT-500-KR convertible - $191,000
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28/SS coupe - $91,700
1970 Oldsmobile 442/W-30 hardtop -$85,960
1970 Plymouth Superbird-440 hardtop - $107,500
1969 Ford Torino-Talladega hardtop - $37,100

Read the whole story for photos and expanded descriptions of the cars listed.

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear what your favorites are in the comments section.

Photo: Alex Nunez

[Source: CNN Money]

CNN reports Top 10 Muscle Car Stars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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