Original 1969 Chevy advertisement for the company's 1970 Chevelle SS 396, "In ten seconds, your resistance will self-destruct."
The Chevrolet Chevelle was a mid-sized automobile produced by Chevrolet in three generations from 1964 through 1977, and it was one of Chevrolet's most successful car lines. Body styles included coupes, sedans, convertibles, and even…station wagons. The ever popular "Super Sport" versions were produced through the 1973 model year.
During the 1960s, the automobile marketplace was changing significantly and featured increased competition in the smaller-sized car segments. Responding to the success of American Motors’ compact Rambler American and Classic models that made AMC the leading maker of small cars for several years, the U.S. domestic Big Three automakers – General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler – began to design and produce their own respective rivals to AMC’s.
Ford released their mid-sized Fairlane in 1962, and Chevrolet responded with the 1964 Chevelle based on a wholly new design. Built on a 115-inch (2,900 mm) wheelbase, the new Chevelle was similar in size, simplicity, and concept to what was classified as the "standard-sized" 1955–1957 Chevrolet models. The Chevelle was the U.S. auto industry's only all-new car for 1964 and was positioned to fill the gap between the small Chevy II and full-sized Chevrolet models.
Chevrolet positioned the Chevelle to bridge the gap between its Impala and Chevy II/Nova. By mid-1964, Chevy had already swapped out its top engine from a 220 horsepower 283cid to a 327 that made 300 horsepower instead. The move signified GM throwing the Chevelle into the ring as a fierce competitor in the fast-growing performance niche.
By the time the 1965 model year rolled around, Chevy improved the Chevelle further again with a boost to a 350hp L79 engine for the Super Sport (SS) trim model. While this was one of the key components that marked the beginning of the muscle car era, to the dismay of many eager enthusiasts, a mere 201 SS Chevelles were made in all of 1965.
The 1970’s brought in new Chevelle styling and better engine packages. Taillights were mounted to the bumper as a result of the federally mandated bumpers, and the car received an available air scoop for cowl induction to boost performance. This would be the first year the Chevelle SS got twin racing stripes, and the 1970 Chevelle was often seen in movies of the era (especially ones that featured car chases).
Chevrolet more or less killed the classic design in 1973, with the introduction of the Colonnade body style and the SS was downgraded to a simple appearance package by then. The SS would be replaced by the Laguna Type S-3 in 1974 – the world had to say unfortunate goodbyes to the big block Chevelle.
Dimensions: 8 inches wide by 11 inches high.