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Chevy Classics!

Chevrolet used to have an advertising campaign that touted, “Baseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet.” Supposedly, General Motor’s largest division attempted to indoctrinate consumers into believing that a Chevrolet was as mainstream as Main Street, USA. In many ways this campaign worked. For generations now the Chevrolet division has been serving up cars that have been snapped up by Americans, particularly those seeking their first car. Let’s take a look at three Chevy classics that have shaped the respected US automaker.

Corvette – In 1953, the Chevy Corvette was released and the auto market hasn’t been the same since. This two seat ragtop paved the way for greater and lesser cars to enter the US market including Chevy’s own Camaro and Chevelle Pontiac’s Firebird and GTO Ford’s Thunderbird and Mustang the Dodge Charger Plymouth ‘Cuda AMC Javelin Datsun 240Z and a host of other cars. For over 50 years, the limited production Corvette has been the “halo” car for Chevrolet and is now a favorite of the baby boomer set.

Camaro – One of the original “pony cars” was the Camaro which, along with the similarly designed Pontiac Firebird, was GM’s answer in 1967 to the Ford Mustang. After the 1964 introduction of the Mustang, GM needed a response…and badly! Pony cars were famous for compact size, speed, and 2+2 seating. Add in a convertible and you had a true California cruiser. After 35 years of production, Chevy discontinued the Camaro while the Mustang is still being made. Good news for Camaro fans: A new Camaro is reportedly set to debut for the 2009 model year.

El Camino – Is it a car or is it a truck? How about: car-truck? Half car and half truck, the El Camino is essentially a car with the rear section converted into a truck bed. Introduced in 1959, the original El Camino was based on the Impala platform, then on the Chevelle, and later on the Malibu chassis. The El Camino was Chevy’s response to the 1957 introduction of the Ford Ranchero, the first production car-truck. Although not meant for heavy duty truck use the El Camino, when equipped with adjustable shock absorbers, was able to carry its share of weight in its bed.

Other cars from Chevy that have been memorable include: the Venture, Nova, Caprice, and Chevelle while some truly forgettable models include the Chevette, Monza, and Vega.

Chevrolet’s current line up is a far cry from yesteryear’s fleet, but with over 25 cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs models being marketed today, the Chevrolet name continues to impact and shape the American automotive industry.

Copyright 2005-2012 — Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance automotive writer covering classic, current, and future models. He manages Mazda Spiano, an informational website for this car.


57 Chevy An American Classic

When the 1957 Bel Air went on sale, nobody – not even Chevrolet – expected to make history. Instead, it became one of the landmark images in American pop culture one of the most recognizable cars the world has ever known. Today, automakers still hail the 57 Chevy as a perfect example of good design and great timing coming together. What we call the 57 Chevy was actually 19 distinct models. All 19 models were based on a single frame or platform, the basic structure of the car. The 1957 models were the final year in that frame’s life. It had been the backbone for Chevrolet’s model line for the 55, 56 and 57 model years. The only other car Chevrolet sold then was the Corvette. Ford and Chrysler had all new frames and styling for their 57 models. They should have mopped the floor with the aged GM model, but Chevrolet outsold Ford by 126 cars in 1957. It sold 1,522,536 units of the various 57 Chevy models and 6,339 Corvettes. The best-selling 1957 model was the Two-Ten four-door sedan, with a base price of $2,174.00. The least expensive was the $1,885.00 One-Fifty Utility two-door sedan. The most expensive 1957 model was the Bel Air Nomad two-door station wagon with a $2,757.00 base price. It was Chevrolet’s lowest-selling model. Chevrolet sold just 6,103 Nomads that year, trailing the Corvette by 236 sales. Some of the options for that year included, seat belts and a racing-style over-the-shoulder security harness. Other options included a tissue dispenser, electric razor, wheel spinners, backup lights and a gas filter. The cars came in 16 solid colors and 15 two-tone combinations. Many 57 Chevy’s featured a prism on the dashboard. It was intended to refract light from traffic signals so the driver could tell when the light changed without learning forward under the nearly vertical windshield. The cars came with a choice of seven engines a standard 235.5 cubic-inch 140-hp straight-six 162-hp 265 cubic-inch V8, and eight versions of the 283 cubic-inch V8 with power ranging from 185 to 283 horsepower. The 57 Chevy was the first American car with fuel injection. The optional 283 cubic-inch fuel-injected V8 produced 283 horsepower. It was the second American engine to develop one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement, coming a year after the 355-hp 354 cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi. Ten assembly plants built the 57 Chevy Family: Atlanta, Baltimore Flint Janesville, Wis. Kansas City, Mo. Los Angeles Norwood, Ohio Oakland, Calif., St. Louis, and Tarrytown, N.Y. Many designers and car enthusiasts say they believe the 1955 Chevy was the best looking model, but the 57 model year brought more defined tailfins, bullet-shaped bumper protectors, bombsight hood ornaments and other elements that gave the bargain-priced Chevrolet just enough zing to grab buyers’ fancy. The 57 Chevy had style, the buzz born of racing success and demographics on their side. They hit the used-car market just as early baby boomers got driver’s licenses and went looking for affordable wheels. The 57 Chevy embodied the spirit of Chevrolet, great looking, groundbreaking and affordable.

Joyce Boulan is the owner of a website pertaining to the 57 Chevy, where you can find deals on all models of this classic car or find parts or accessories for the one you own. Visit http://www.57chevy-auction.com

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