| Chevrolet Division
General Motors Corporation Detroit, Michigan |
| Engine |
250-hp, 327
cu. in. V-8 |
| Transmission |
2-speed automatic |
| Steering |
Power-assisted |
| Suspension |
Standard |
| Brakes |
Disc F, Drum R |
Check
list |
| Engine |
| Throttle Response |
Good |
| Noise Insulation |
Excellent |
| Drive
train |
| Shift Linkage |
Fair |
| Shift Smoothness |
Good |
| Steering |
| Effort |
Very
Good |
| Response |
Fair |
| Handling |
| Predictability |
Very
Good |
| Evasive Maneuverability |
Fair |
| Brakes |
| Directional Stability |
Good |
| Fade Resistance |
Good |
| Interior |
| Ease of Entry/Exit |
Very
Good |
| Driving Position |
Good |
| Front Seating Comfort |
Very
Good |
| Rear Seating Comfort |
Good |
| General |
| Vision |
Very
Good |
| Heater/ Defroster |
Excellent |
| Weather Sealing |
very
Good |
| Trunk Space |
Good |
|
The intermediate class
is where the action is, if you believe the market analysts,
and the Chevelle is all slicked up to capture as much of this
burgeoning class as possible. GM offers intermediates on two
different chassis lengths: 112-inches for the 2-door coupes
and convertibles, and 116-inches for 4-door sedans and wagons.
The result is that the GM coupes look pretty neat, but the long-chassis
cars suffer by comparison. Inside, however, the extra four inches
tell, and there is an appreciable gain in leg room and ride
comfort. Unfortunately,
the 4-door models don't offer much for the enthusiast. The
'Chevelle's road behavior is rubbery and remote; it's stable
in the sense that it resists deviating from a straight line
by rolling and understeering and serving notice with a lot
of tire squeal that it doesn't like being driven hard.
The car needs either more horsepower
or one more gear in the automatic transmission (can you believe
that you can't have a 3-speed automatic without the 396 engine,
which doesn't need it?). The new finned front brake drums
don't shorten stopping distances, but they do ward off brake
fade longer.
In sum, the Chevelle is an acceptable
member of the automotive community. Nice, but would you want
to marry one. |
