To the average person living in the States, the Chevrolet Chevette is just one footnote in a long line of forgettable attempts by General Motors to try their hand at an import-beater. The German-designed, Brazil-sourced Chevette did moderately well in the American market, where it shone best during the second fuel crisis of the 1970s, but overall they were forgettable, underpowered and usually cast off for just about anything else within eyesight. That mileage came at the barest of bare bones treatment that GM could put together and still sell, and Americans don’t usually do “spartan” very well.
In other parts of the world, however, GM’s T-car platform did well. In fact, the T-car was one of GM’s better shots in the 1970s, finding a home around the world. In Brazil, they were produced in various forms through the late 1990s. Want a pickup? Two-door sedan? Wagon? It’ll be small, rear-drive and featherweight. Want a drag car that’s rear-drive, featherweight and capable? Chevette. With a screaming little four-banger planted in the nose and alcohol pumping into the cylinders, enough boost will make it move. This one is using a 2.0L Volkswagen engine to move along and fun fact, it’s got to be a stock cast block to be legal…no aftermarket shenanigans here!
