The Chevrolet Chevette is a front-engine/rear drive subcompact manufactured and
marketed by Chevrolet for model years 1976-1987 in three-door and five-door
hatchback body styles. Introduced in September 1975, the Chevette superseded the
Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact and sold 2.8 million units over twelve
model years. The Chevette was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for model
years 1979 and 1980.
The Chevette employed General Motors' global T platform. Worldwide, GM
manufactured and marketed more than 7 million T-cars — rebadged variants using
the T platform — including the Pontiac Acadian in Canada, Pontiac T1000/1000 in
the United States (1981-1987), K-180 in Argentina, Vauxhall Chevette, Opel
Kadett, Isuzu Gemini, Holden Gemini and, as a coupe utility pickup, the Chevy
500. A T-car variant remained in production in South America through 1998.
The Chevrolet Chevette was first launched by General Motors (Brazil) in 1973 as a
two-door sedan. A four-door sedan followed in April 1978, and then a three-door
hatchback was added in November 1979. The hatchback had unique bodywork for Latin
America, longer than the European Kadett City and with a notch at the base à la
the period Ford Escort. A three-door station wagon version, called the "Marajó"
in Brazil, was added in September 1980, as was a sporting version of the
hatchback called the 1.6 SR with a mere four more horsepower, achieved by a
somewhat higher compression ratio. In 1983 the Chevette received a thorough
facelift with rectangular headlights, with the turn signals located underneath
the headlights, a flatter hood and single-piece grille. The dash was also new, as
were ventilation windows in the front doors. Mechanically, the 1.6 was now also
available to run on gasoól and a five-speed manual gearbox was available as an
option.
The Latin American Chevettes underwent a series of facelifts, in 1978, 1983, and
a major one in 1987 which meant new headlights and a black plastic grille. Where
available, the station wagon used the Chevette name outside of Brazil.
