(first posted 7/18/2016) When this series covered the Ford division last year, that Top 10 list (here are Part 1 and Part 2) featured Fords of all different stripes: luxurious, sporty, flashy. Being a full-line brand with little in the way of internal competition, the brand’s range could (and continues to) flourish and offer a wide variety of cars for a wide variety of tastes. One would think, then, that Chevrolet’s historical position at the bottom of a very tall totem pole of divisions might have meant the variety of models would be more constricted. After all, Pontiac was the sporty brand and Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac were more upscale, so wouldn’t Chevrolet simply offer basic, lower-end models? Wrong.
Corsica XT
Years produced: ?
Total production: ?
In the early years of the long-lived Corsica, Chevrolet offered some unique variants. There was a handsome five-door hatchback, launched in 1989 that must have triggered PTSD flashbacks in buyers of the unreliable Citation because it was axed after just three years on sale. It was a shame as it offered a roomy interior and a 39 cubic-foot cargo area with the rear seats folded down.
Also introduced in 1989 was the sporty Corsica LTZ sedan. This was even shorter-lived, being axed after 1990. The LTZ came standard with the 2.8 V6 (no four available) as well as stiffer shocks, front and rear stabilizer bars, a quicker-ratio power steering unit and 15-inch wheels in Goodyear Eagle GT tires. A five-speed manual was optional. Cosmetic enhancements included a grille-less fascia with red Chevrolet badge and, inexplicably, a luggage rack. For its second and final year, the LTZ added standard bucket seats and a bigger 3.1 V6. But the Corsica seemed to dwell more on the lower end of the compact market and the LTZ was undoubtedly a slow seller even with its slightly sharper handling albeit commensurately stiffer ride. It didn’t help that the LTZ cost around $2500 more than a base V6 while offering only the aforementioned performance and aesthetic enhancements and nothing more in the way of convenience features. This Corsica was an enthusiast’s special.
While the hatch and LTZ were rarities then and remain extremely uncommon sights, there is one Corsica that has them beat in terms of exclusivity. The Corsica XT was apparently a LTZ with standard leather trim and a bodykit by a 3rd party supplier. I say “apparently” because there are so few references to the XT anywhere. It doesn’t seem to appear in Chevrolet’s promotional material of the time, Consumer Guide doesn’t mention it and no press photos seem to exist. There’s also no definitive answer as to how many were produced and in what years.
So, enjoy these photos of the rarest of all Corsicas. And if anybody has any more information on this unique model, please feel free to share in the comments.
Heritage Monza, Vega and Chevette
Years produced: 1976
Total production: 2,620 Vegas; an unknown number of Chevettes and Monzas
When I first introduced this series, I’m sure many Curbsiders figured that when I eventually featured Chevrolet I would mention the “Spirit of America” Nova, Impala and Vega of 1974. After all, these are one of the most well-known and memorable Chevrolet special editions around these parts even if they may have been forgotten by enthusiasts less enamored with the esoteric. A funny thing happened on the way to publication, however: I found something even more obscure.
Two things, actually. There was a Spirit of ’76 option available on some Chevrolets to commemorate the bicentennial. Alas, it wasn’t anywhere near as interesting to behold as the “Heritage” interior, option code 1776. This striking trim was available on the Monza, Vega (excluding the Cosworth and Estate Wagon), and Chevette (excluding Woody, Sport, Rallye and Scooter models). On the Chevette, it cost $182, the Vega between $111 and $143, and the Monza just $45.
Chevrolet didn’t want you to make a fashion faux pas and equip your subcompact Chevy with a clashing interior/exterior color combination, so code 1776 was only available on Chevys in particular paint colors like white, black, silver and red. By offering the Heritage interior option only on their smallest cars, Chevrolet effectively guaranteed there would be no survivors as a lot of these Vegas, Chevettes and Monzas were thoroughly used up and scrapped. Perhaps one day, however, someone will open the doors to a derelict barn and find a dusty Chevette with special bicentennial trim. Stranger things have happened.
Venture Warner Brothers Edition
Years produced: 2000-03
Total production: ?
When the Lumina range – including the APV minivan – was launched in 1990, Chevrolet’s advertising featured Mickey Mouse, Goofy and the gang arriving at the red carpet in the new Lumina models. There were competitions to win a new Lumina and a trip for your family to Disney-MGM Studios. Almost a decade later, Chevrolet and Warner Brothers had a promotional tie-up, with the Lumina APV-replacing Venture minivan being offered in a special Warner Brothers trim for 2000.
Again, there were TV commercials featuring animated characters meeting the real-life van. Exterior badging featured Bugs Bunny and the WB Edition had a monochromatic exterior treatment similar to the more upscale Oldsmobile Silhouette. The WB Edition’s defining feature, however, was a rear-seat video entertainment system, including a flip-down, flat 5.6 inch color screen, and an audio system with separate second- and third-row headphone jacks. Although an extremely common feature in family haulers now, this was quite novel for the time although it used a VHS player located under the dash. A child safety seat built into the second-row bench was also standard on the Warner Bros.
Unfortunately, the Venture’s crash safety was lacking, as was build quality and, by many accounts, reliability. The WB Edition also packed a hefty price tag: in 2003, MSRP was $31,490, with all-wheel-drive available for an extra $2,300. At least for the price a WB Edition buyer received the extended-length body, as well as leather seats, front side airbags and various power accessories. Also included in the price was a collection of WB VHSs, a blanket, girls’ pajamas and other odds and ends. The option was discontinued for 2004 as the Venture wrapped up production. Breaking the pattern, Chevy’s replacement minivan, the Uplander, featured no promotional tie-in.
Cobalt SS Turbo Sedan
Years produced: 2009-10
Total production: ?
Those seeking a sporty, compact 2016 Chevrolet are out of luck. The capable Cruze has a turbocharged 1.4 engine but, with only 153 hp and 177 ft-lbs of torque, it is merely a substitute for a larger displacement, naturally aspirated engine. Cast your mind back a few years, though, and you may recall the various hotted-up versions of the otherwise rather forgettable Cobalt. First, there was a supercharged version of the 2.0 Ecotec with 205 hp and 200 ft-lbs. Not bad, but something came along in 2008 to blow it out of the water: a turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0 four packing 260 hp and 260 ft-lbs, available only with a 5-speed manual. Those were V6 luxury sedan figures in a 3000 pound body, and resulted in a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds. But while the coupe is probably the most commonly seen Cobalt SS, Chevy introduced an SS sedan for 2009.
Chevrolet had a long history of selling sporty compact coupes but had never offered much in the way of a focussed, performance compact sedan. It was strange, as cars like the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution had been available for some time. Oddly, Chevrolet did market a Cobalt SS sedan from 2006-07 but this featured a naturally-aspirated 2.4 engine with 171 hp. That was at a time when Chevrolet was applying the SS nameplate to pretty much everything.
It seems like the short life of the turbocharged Cobalt is another case of GM getting a car right – well, except for its cheap interior – and then axing it without a replacement. The Cobalt SS, after all, received glowing praise from critics, with Car & Driver saying it had “…such excellent wheel and body control… the ride-and-handling balance demonstrates a level of expertise—dare we say passion?—Chevrolet has heretofore only achieved with the Corvette.” Then, just a handful of years later, the Cobalt SS disappears and there’s no Cruze SS to replace it? Why?
Well, let’s consider for a moment that GM had some higher priorities than sporty compacts at the time, such as remaining financially solvent. But while Chevrolet has yet to offer another spicy compact like this, the turbocharged Ecotec did reappear in a North American compact. The Buick Verano Turbo is down only 10 hp from the Cobalt SS but features a vastly nicer interior, more creature comforts, more sound-deadening and, if you’re interested, it’s still available at Buick dealerships. But, oh dear, not for much longer: the Verano disappears for 2017.
Chevelle Malibu SS Wagon
Years produced: 1973
Total production: Exact figure unknown. 28,647 ’73 SS Malibus were made in total, including both wagon and coupe.
Offering a dedicated performance trim level of their mid-sized wagon was very much an anomaly for Chevrolet. Consider this: the Malibu SS Wagon was offered only for 1973, then there was an 11-year gap until the Celebrity Eurosport, then a 16-year gap until the Malibu Maxx SS.
Neither of those later models could offer what the Malibu SS Wagon did: namely, V8 muscle and rear-wheel-drive. While in some years the vaunted SS badge was available on six-cylinder Chevys, Option Z15 ($243) was only available in conjunction with the 350 cubic-inch V8 or the big 454. Transmission choices were a 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic or a 4-speed manual. With the switch to SAE net horsepower figures and the adoption of low-lead fuel, Chevy V8s had taken a hit in the numbers: the 350 was rated at 145 hp (2-barrel) or 175 hp (4-barrel), while the 454 had 245 hp and 375 ft-lbs. 0-60 times for the 454-equipped coupe were in the realm of 9 seconds, so the 4,027 pound wagon would have been a bit slower considering its 400 pound weight penalty over the coupe.
In the tape-striped 1970s, the ’73 SS package was remarkably subtle. Visual modifications were limited to badges, some blackout treatment, and turbine wheels in raised white-letter tires. Perhaps also surprising in the tape-striped 1970s were actual performance modifications in the form of front and rear stabilizer bars. Inside, there was full instrumentation and you could still opt for a rear-facing third row in the SS wagon, bringing the occupant total to 8.
Ultimately, a car like this was always going to have very niche ongoing appeal. What is more surprising is how little appeal these have with collectors. Some, like the pictured example, have appeared on online sales sites but a lot of enthusiasts don’t realize the SS wagon even exists. And it’s a shame, because these are some of the coolest, rarest wagons to ever come out of Detroit.
Family haulers that can haul, Bugs Bunny and patriotic cloth trim. Chevrolet sure has had some variety in their special editions and limited-run models! Stay tuned for part two.
Related Reading:
Curbside Capsule: 1974 Chevrolet Nova Spirit of America
Curbside Classic: 1980 Chevrolet Citation X11 Club Coupe
Automotive History Capsule: 1981 Chevrolet Malibu “Iraqi Taxi”
I have found one press photo of the Corsica XT (see attachment).
Also, this: http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=132967 lists the options included under BBC 88-88.
I was ready to assume that was some sort of dealer package. I still occasionally see a “Ciera Gold” around here that was a regional dealer package, but I’m not sure what it included. There was a similar “Southern Gold” package on the RWD Cutlass Supreme.
Is the 1989 Corsica the earliest use of the LTZ trim level in the Chevrolet line? The Caprice offered the LTZ from 1991 to 1993. Followed by the Lumina LTZ from 1997 to 1999.
I think so, and it used the LTZ name differently than its current definition of top Chevy trim (minus the King Ranch-fighting High Country Silverado, of course).
Did LTZ actually stand for anything? LS and LT were Luxury Touring and Luxury Sport, respectively.
LTZ as Luxury Touring Sport? With the Z referencing sport like Z28 or ZR1?
For both the Caprice Classic LTZ and Lumina LTZ, both cars featured the sport F41 suspension RPO.
LTZ as in can’t go any further in the alphabet, this is our ultimate car? 🙂
I have an ’88 Chevrolet New Product Guide, and it only mentions CL and LT trim levels.
Great job William in tracking down the Corsica XT. I thought I knew Corsicas well but had never seen or heard of this one. I had wondered why so many early LT, the trim level on the first sporty ones, lacked aluminum wheels. Now I have the answer, to set apart the XT.
On the heritage bicentennial Chevies. I wonder how popular these were on models aimed at young people. Wearing one’s patriotism on their sleive, or car seat, seems to fly in the face of the youth movement at the time. I think that cloth would have been better in an Eldorado. Their owners would have lapped it up.
The Corsica XT is an interesting vehicle. I do not ever remember seeing one like that over the years. The NADA Collectible Guide does not even list it under the option packages—a true unicorn.
I remember the advertisement for the Bicentennial Chevys but can’t recall having seen one during that period. Good job on all of these vehicles.
I remember the WB edition of the Venture. My daughter, who was about six at the time, walked up to me in her most businesslike demeanor and said “Dad. I just found out that they make a van with a screen in the back so we can watch movies. We have to get one of those.” My reply was either “We’re not trading in a perfectly good Club Wagon that is bigger and better just so you can watch a movie.” or maybe “Read a book.”
I had forgotten all about the 1973 SS wagon. GM was really hedging its bets in 1973. They were trying for some new model names and concepts (Laguna, Grand Am, Cutlass Salon) while hanging onto the stalwarts (Malibu SS, GTO and Cutlass Supreme.)
I don’t even remember the others. What is strange was that I pretty much knew everything being done by all of the US manufacturers in the mid 70s, but if I ever knew about that bicentennial seat upholstery, I have long since blocked it from memory. Would there have been anything more depressing in, say, 1982 than a 76 Chevette with those seats?
That option was in our Saturn Relay and it saved our sanity. We strapped the toddlers into their seats, put a Baby Einstein video into the DVD player, and it was the best backseat nanny ever. I also discovered that SpongeBob SquarePants is a hilarious radio show. The voice acting is recorded first, then sent into graphical design. This means that the scripts are often performed as a radio show with the voice actors doing their hilarious best before anything is drawn. When the toddlers watched these shows, my wife and I enjoyed them just as much without video.
As to the other vehicles, Corsica and Cobalt needed those enhancements badly. They were nice designs but were cheaply executed. The cheapest interiors I ever experienced was in those cars. Kmart beach towels were better interior fabric than what was on those seats. It was stunning how the plastics in those cars rotted so quickly in the sun, after a year these cars looked like they were made of old cheese. That mouse-fur interiors were incredibly bad. My Ford Festiva interior clearly showed that an inexpensive car could still have a nice quality interior.
My dad had (what I believe) was a 1990 Corsica LTZ with the 3.1 V6, in gray. I remember him telling stories about how it ‘had the biggest engine available, plus upgraded suspension’, so that must have been it. He says it was difficult to drive in rain and snow, due to its light weight and power. He owned it 1990-95, and i was born in ’90, so my.only memory of that car is a jackrabbit take-off with the front wheels chirping through the first 2 or 3 gears.
What a childhood memory.
Fascinating .
.
The ’73 Wagon with four speed would be fun , not to difficult to wake up a 350 CID V8 .
.
-Nate
Oh, how 1970s is that Heritage pattern!
I think I had a shirt with that same pattern!
Looking at it made my eyes cross. Some of those eagles looked like drunken chickens.
We had it on a couch.
“Say Jasper, what comes after 75?”
“76?”
“Ah, that’s the spirit!”
– The Three Stooges
I vomited that pattern once. I think it was spaghetti and milk.
About 6 or 7 years ago, we redid the walls in my sister’s room, which of course involved stripping off about seven or eight layers of wallpaper to get down to the bare plaster. Going through the paper was like stepping into a time machine–and right around the mid-’70s chronologically was some mildly chintzy “Spirit of ’76” pattern.
I’ve seen, and still see, a good number of WB Ventures around these parts.
Also I remember the Corsica LTZ well, at least in sales brochures…hard to remember one in real life, however. My ’88 was a base model 5-speed, it didn’t even have air. And I think Corsica was the first use of “LTZ”.
Most of these, however, are totally unfamiliar. ANY ’73 Chevelle SS was and remains a rarity, I saw far more Laguna S-3s, which were more attractive by virtue of not having the equivalent of a chromed 6×6 for a front bumper. (That said, a neighbor up the road has a black ’73 SS that he’s worked on for years.) I never knew it came as a wagon, but as a wagon guy I’d like to have seen more than just one year. The ’74-’75 styling was much more attractive to my eyes.
I think I might have seen at least 1 example of every vehicle here EXCEPT the Heritage upholstered small Chevys. All things considered, I would think an ultra-patriotic upholstery pattern would have been a bigger seller with Impala or Malibu customers.
Could the Corsica XT have been a regional special like the “New England” edition Fords I see advertised on TV or the sports team editions Ford and Volvo have done?
The Turbo Cobalt SS is one of those cars every enthusiast talked about for a time but seldom witnessed. I barely need one hand to count the number I’ve ever actually seen, GM themselves practically treated them like a dirty little secret. The EVO/STI really wasn’t valid competition, EVO/STI buyers were never cross shopping Chevys, no matter what they were, and what they were were still FWD cars with none of that hard earned rally pedigree . The turbo Cobalt always seemed more like a Neon SRT4 killer way late to the party.
I remember the commercials for the Chevy Venture featuring Warner Brothers characters but I had no idea there was a Warner brothers edition van. FWIW my family’s 2001 Nissan Quest had an identical sounding factory installed video entertainment system too, had a VHS player in a center console between the front seats.
I’ve only seen ’73 SS wagons in pictures, never in real life. I wanted my parents to get one back then, or a Caprice Estate.
Would have been cool for Chevy to offer 68-72 Chevelle SS 396/427/454 wagons!
Chevy Ventures are going extinct, along with other U bodies. Saw a WB version used as a work van, with ladders on the roof. Far from its original ad campaign. Do the contractors watch old movies on breaks? 😉
Love anything featuring Bugs Bunny! My hero…
Hey, Zackman, just a heads-up that the old Looney Tunes cartoons with Bugs Bunny and pals air daily on the Boomerang Network (which is an offshoot of the Cartoon Network). Seems the Cartoon Network now airs much newer ‘Toons so the old LT/Merrie Melodies are featured on Boomerang. Sometimes I’ll watch them. No Speedy Gonzales, though. I reckon he’s too un-PC these days.
Here’s a (Wisconsin) dealer trying to get an ’88 XT off the lot in August of 1989:
Bud Weiser? What a great name for a car dealer.
David Letterman had a long standing part of his show where they would talk to this guy out in the middle of nowhere. I think he owned a very sleepy gas station. It was pretty funny. Oh I almost forgot to mention that his name was Dick Assman. They called him Assman the gas man. You just can’t make this stuff up.
Hated Letterman. Aside from a couple spots in the 80s, we never found him funny – just opinionated and too political and later just a grumpy old man.
NBC Letterman was sharp, funny, and original. He was at his best in the late 12:30 time slot.
CBS Letterman at 11:30 competing with Leno’s Tonight Show? Not so much.
Family member recently bought an ’07 Cobalt LS rental grade automatic. Her first car. Not the greatest looking, kinda stubby, but actually a nice running little car with smooth ride, nice handling and somewhat peppy 2.4 engine.
One week after buying it off Craigslist for 2k (125k miles) she stuffed it into the back of a BMW in the rain. ABS was still unfortunately optional on these, I think about the last year before it was standard. No collision insurance, liability only. Managed to get it repaired for $1800.00 using the internet for headlamps, hood latch and grille, and local aftermarket hood, bumper cover and radiator support. Too new for U-pull, so about $600.00 in parts. A local bodyman I know did a great job repairing it for a fraction of the repair (5-6K) estimates.. Lucky the air bags didn’t go off, or it probably wouldn’t have been worth fixing.
A long way of saying I would love to get one of these super rare Cobalt SS Turbo Sedans. 5.5 0-60 in this bland little machine would be a fun little sleeper!
Is it just me, or do those girls in the Corsica ad look uncomfortable? Like they were expecting to be in an ad for some 70’s luxobarge, and got stuck in a Corsica instead?
I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me, but for some reason, they look REALLY out of place.
Yikes, $31,490 for the WB edition 2003 Venture seems salty. I wonder how much of that went to Warner Bros. for licensing.
When I first saw these, particularly when the Road Runner character was featured, I always recalled how Chrysler got a sweetheart deal to license the Road Runner back in 1968. Nonetheless, I’ve read that the licensing fee was still the most expensive thing on the car since almost everything else was already in production (mostly on the GTX). The only additional part Chrysler had to add for the Road Runner was a ‘Beep-beep’ horn (it’s a military unit, painted purple) and have an additional hole drilled in the radiator core support to accept it.
I suspect that GM, OTOH, paid a whole lot more for the cartoon character licensing in 2003.
I recall seeing a few of those ’73 SS wagons in the misty past. I reckon the only reason I remember is because those taillights remind me very much of 1968 Chevrolet Bel Airs and Biscaynes with their 2 tails on each side embedded into the back bumper. Those ’73 wagons look very similar in that regard.
The current Chevy Traverse CUV has taillights that look like ’68 BelAir wagon’s.
For the longest time there was an Impala Coupe with the Spirit of ’76 option that ran around my home town for many years. I also remember a white Vega with the Heritage cloth interior. It was driven for years by the proverbial little old lady. I hadn’t thought of that car until this write-up – totally forgot about it!
I know in the late 1990s, there was a Lumina LTZ which was the “performance version” with the 3.8 V6. For the past 5-10 years, most of the Chevy lineup can either be LS (base model), LT (mid level) or LTZ (top of the line).
Not listed here,and something I’ve only seen one of, was the 1976 Monza Spyder in the Towne Coupe Body style, rather than the more widely advertised hatchback. I believe Motor Trend did a test of one. I’ve seen exactly one, only because my sister bought it brand new. Black with a white interior, it was even more of an oddball because it also had the half vinyl roof with the opera window. The Motor Trend test car did not have this, so it had a slick top and the standard larger rear quarter window. My sister kept that car for only two years, because she was now a mom of two and needed something bigger. Do in 78, it was traded on a 78 Malibu wagon. I wonder what ever happened to that little Monza…
Looking online for something about the (1976) Bicentennial interior fabric, I found this enlighting interview with GM designer Suzanne Vanderbilt, who seems to have had a hand in it. (It’s a fascinating interview overall; search for “bicentennial” to find the references): http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Vanderbilt/Vanderbiltinterview.htm
Aha! Ms. Vanderbilt at left in photo; nice essay about her here: http://www.core77.com/posts/50777/Suzanne-Vanderbilt-GM-‘Damsel-Turned-Pioneering-Auto-Designer
Very interesting! That said, this bit made me pause:
“From 1963 to 1965, Vanderbilt took a sabbatical from GM to pursue an MFA in metalsmithing at Cranbrook Academy of Art. …upon returning to GM she found that she had been demoted, “working for people that had been working for me…I, essentially, had to begin again. And, it took four years to move back up again.”
Yeah that’s a bummer, but you did kind of peace out to do your own thing. So those other loyal employees should just bow down when you decided to come back for your own benefit? GTFO with that noise. Ms. Vanderbilt was clearly tone deaf…
cji, the core77 article (with the upholstery pic) has the writer’s slant on things, quoting that tiny slice of SV’s (U-Michigan website) full interview, which gives us lots more context. SV did assure GM she intended to resume employment , which core77 doesn’t mention; page 45 of the transcript (the earlier link I posted) covers her post-sabbatical/return, if you’re curious.
Thanks for that. I was just reading thru the link you suggested. I’m still not on board with her perspective; somebody had to reprise her role when she left. Her expectation of having it magically set in suspension is bizarre to me.
An uncle had a WB edition Venture minivan. He bought it lightly used, so I really only noticed because I saw the logo on the tailgate. In due time it was replaced with an Uplander (he was a GM man through and through, must have been as it seems the U-body vans only sold to diehards).
The Chevelle SS wagon? I only knew of it from books, until I actually encountered one in Richmond late one night at the grocery store. I didn’t get a chance to talk to the owner, and it’s not original paint, but it *looks* legit. Correct badges and wheels, and that seems like something that no one would go to the trouble to fake. 350/6 passenger. I’ve seen it once since but it was under a cover; if I ever see it again I’ll try to get some better photos and write it up. Very cool car on rarity value alone.
Another photo (sadly not any better):
My parents owned two Chevy Corsica’s one was 90 LT and an 89 LTZ I remember the seats being different even though the LT seemed to have sportier seats. The 2.8 had a very distinct sound over whatever was in the LT other than that,a red strip, and a nose job they seemed the same . Oddly neither had any cup holders though. Did they put a 3.1 in the 90 LTZ?
That Malibu SS wagon reminds me of another sporty rarity that my grandparents owned, a 1973 Chevelle Laguna four door sedan. It was apparently another one-year special, but I’ve never been able to find any pictures of one.
In 73, there were two Laguna wagons, an Estate and one without the wood trim. There was a four door sedan and a Coupe as well. In 74, the Lagunawas only available as the type S-3 coupe. Here’s a 73 sedan with non-stock wheels.
Laguna for ’73 was the top of the line Chevelle, but Middle America rejected the rubber front ends, going for the plainer Malibu with big chrome.
Thus, Laguna sedan and wagon dropped for ’74, and the coupe was a special trim model, essentially replacing SS. Malibu Classic, with hood ornament and opera windows took the top spot then, and was more in tune with market for middle class luxury.
And the S-3 coupe got a slicker nose for ’75 since by then it was as much a NASCAR homologation special than anything else.
Good article. Wish better pics of the cars. Guess why they are pretty rare. Been around the SS wagons since my parents bought one new in 73. Theirs was an SS 350 wagon. Now i have the twin SS 454
I had a 1998 Chevy Cavalier four door that came with the Z24 motor from the coupe. It had a 150 HP. Mo markings at all to indicate that it had the upside motor. Unfortunately reliability issues forced me to get rid of it in less than 4 years.
A manual trans 454 SS wagon would be the bees knees. Make mine green on green.
My family had a 1976 Chevette, and I spent quite a bit of time at the dealership around that time, and I’ve never heard of that 1776 upholstery until today. It’s misleading to say it cost $182; actually, that’s what the “custom interior” with regular cloth seats cost (meaning nicer upholstery, padded and carpeted door panels instead of hard plastic, door tops painted to match the interior color rather than the exterior paint color, and a color-keyed woodgrained dashboard). The Custom Interior was mandatory with the bicentennial upholstery, thus accounting for the $182 upcharge, and Chevy apparently threw in the deluxe seat belts (color-keyed instead of black, with silver/chrome metal instead of black plastic buckles) with the 1776 trim that normally was a separate option from the Custom Interior, so the 1776 trim actually saved you a few bucks if you wanted the fancier seatbelts.
The promo material above notes the special upholstery isn’t available on the Sport, Rally, Woody, or Scooter models, which means the 1776 trim was offered early in the model year. Partway through 1976, the Rally and Sport models were consolidated into a single Rally Sport model, with revised brochures issued. The “Rally 1.6” had IIRC some suspension and tire/wheel upgrades, extra gauges, and the 1.6L engine instead of the supposedly standard 1.4L engine (which I’ve never seen – did these actually get produced?). The Sport was simply an appearance package with stripes and blackout trim.
I know way too much about 1976 Chevettes.
I did know about the ’73 Chevelle SS wagon, but I remain mystified as to why Chevrolet offered an SS coupe, wagon, and even El Camino, but not an SS sedan.
That Chevelle wagon though… While the enthusiast in me applauds the idea, I wonder who thought the Chevelle line needed an SS wagon, and how hard it was to get that one through to production. And how many buyers looked at it and thought “Why would I want that?”
No SS sedan? 😉
Available at select Chevrolet dealers, or mailorder nationwide via Acme.
I remember WB Ventures circulating through the used car channels. I think some in the area (NW Washington state) bought it because the kids went nuts over the package, and the parents thought “well, it can’t be that bad”. Oh, but it was.
Seems like I knew of the SS wagon, and was also surprised they didn’t offer it in sedan form. I mean, if a wagon, why not the sedan?
I love the 1776 interior package. Make mine a 2D Chevette with a manual.
I wish Chevy had offered a sporty variant of the Corsica *after* the interior was updated.
I had an ’88 LT with a 2.8L for a very short time. I liked Corsicas, always had since I preferred one over a much-newer Cavalier in high school driver’s ed. This particular low mileage, one-owner trade in at the dealer I worked for was a real disappointment. I hated the 2.8L (and it hated me back), and I really didn’t like the older style interior. It was “okay”, but I much preferred the revised dash.
Overall, I also wish for better seat materials, and better quality in general. I found that my Ford Tempos seem to hold up a lot better to continued use/abuse. Interestingly enough, the Tempo GLS offered a very rare full body kit (not the 1992 with fog lamps) for like one year only. A dedicated guy with the means might have one next to his Corsica XT to match, ha! I have a pic of the rare Tempo body kit, paired inexplicably with grandma’s white stripe tires.
I’d take a Corsica with the new style interior, a 4 cylinder, and I guess an optional manual if it’s ideal. I wonder how hard it would have been to also get a tachometer instrument cluster ordered on the same car? If not, swapping one out of a Beretta is an option, I suppose. (I actually saw a Beretta for sale a week or so ago with the plain no-tachometer cluster, I didn’t think they’d came that way!)