| Chevrolet Division
General Motors Corporation Detroit, Michigan |
| Engine |
325-hp, 396
cu. in. V-8 |
| Transmission |
3-speed automatic |
| Steering |
Power-assisted |
| Suspension |
Heavy-duty |
| Brakes |
Disc F, Drum R |
Check
list |
| Engine |
| Throttle Response |
Very
Good |
| Noise Insulation |
Good |
| Drive
train |
| Shift Linkage |
Good |
| Shift Smoothness |
Very
Good |
| Steering |
| Effort |
Very
Good |
| Response |
Good |
| Handling |
| Predictability |
Very
Good |
| Evasive Maneuverability |
Good |
| Brakes |
| Directional Stability |
Very
Good |
| Fade Resistance |
Very
Good |
| Interior |
| Ease of Entry/Exit |
Very
Good |
| Driving Position |
Good |
| Front Seating Comfort |
Good |
| Rear Seating Comfort |
Fair |
| General |
| Vision |
Very
Good |
| Heater/ Defroster |
Excellent |
| Weather Sealing |
Good |
| Trunk Space |
Fair |
|
The Pontiac GTO was
the original Super Car (an intermediate with a big V-8) back
in '64. That same year, 100 Chevelles were built with the then-new
396 cu. in. V-8 (technically the most advanced highperformance
V-8 in the world) and dubbed the SS 396. Chevy chief Pete Estes
liked the car and its image, and ordered it into volume production
in '65, and it has had support from the enthusiasts ever since.
For '68, all GM's Super
Cars are built on the 112-in. (short) wheelbase version of
GM's A-body--the one that is shared by all the divisions (except
Cadillac) for the medium-small cars. Unfortunately, so much
of this body is common to all the divisions that it seems
to have caused some problems for the stylists and they have
had to resort to some rather heavy-handed techniques, like
weird grilles, to distinguish their car from those of sister
divisions. The Chevelle's unenthusiastic appearance is a good
example.
All the regular enthusiasts options
are there, though: disc brakes, handling packages, etc., and
the SS 396's over-the-road performance seems substantially
improved over the '67's. In addition to being more nimble,
the rear axle location has been revised to make cornering
behavior more predictable. Be -prepared, though, Chevy's cranked
in more understeer. |
