It ain’t the Bad Seed Chevette, but it’s a nice runner-up prize. This 1976 Chevrolet Chevette was featured in the November 1982 issue of Hot Rod Magazine as part of an engine-swap special. Built by Hooker Headers to originally promote a Buick V6/4-speed swap, the Chevette is now packing V8 power underneath the patina of it’s original custom paint.
At some point in time the V6 and four-speed were yanked and in it’s place went a well-built 350 backed by a TH350 automatic transmission. I love that the “stock Posi rearend” is listed in the ad, as I can’t help but smile at the thought of a stock Chevette’s rear axle being force-fed torque from the V8. The seller claims the car runs and drives fine, though since it’s living in California it hasn’t been registered since 1992 due to it’s inability to pass smog.
Here’s the wording from the ad:
This car was built in 1981 by Hooker Headers R&D Department and Featured in Hot Rod Magazine’s November 1982 issue.
Hooker Headers used the car to develop V6 engine swap kits for Chevettes. They made the headers and engine mounts, as well as the prototype Fiberglass Cowl Hood. Originally built with a Buick V6 and a 4-speed (now V8), and still wears the original paint applied in 1981.
The current engine is a 350 with 462 Camel hump heads, edelbrock intake, duntov solid lifter cam, Q-Jet Carb, HEI ignition. Aluminum Radiator with electric fan, 10 gal.Fuel Cell, TH350 Trans W/3000 Stall converter, Stock Posi Rear, steel Subframe structure built by Hooker Headers, 13″ M/T Slicks
No rust, glass is good, interior is good. Runs and drives good. Been run at the 1/8 Mile drags at Irwindale with a different engine over the last few years.
Last registered in 1992 in California. Sold with Bill Of Sale only. Since the car won’t pass smog in California, it was never registered. We’ve owned the car for 5 years, but have known the car since it was built by Hooker headers. We were good friends with the late Jack Davis (Builder at Hooker).
The Chevette’s paint is certainly worse for wear, but the custom Cowl Induction hood is still there, as are the wheels that the car sported in the magazine article. What say you: would you take on this Mighty Mouse or let it pass?
eBay listing: 1976 V8 Chevette featured in Hot Rod Magazine
It clearly needs to be bought and taken on Drag Week. Could also make for an interesting episode of Roadkill too.
I’m a little disappointed that the trusty (and unusual outside of Jeepland) Odd-Fire Six swap was dumped for a 350/350 combo.
Still, that’s a really cool piece of aftermarket fabrication history.
I remembered reading that some of the bolt-on EFI setups (like MSD) are now smog compliant. I wonder if dropping one of those on there will get it back on the street.
In Georgia, I could get that thing titled and on the street without a smog check, no problem.
Man, that price tag is tempting me to do a fly-and-drive, although the “and drive” part might be dicey for a car that’s not registered!
Well, technically, I couldn’t get it titled. But I could get it registered and a license plate on it and be 100% above board, even though I just moved to a county that has smog checks. 1978 is exempt. 😀
One of the very. very, very few good things about living in NY, nothing before 1995 is smog-checked. I wouldn’t condone moving to the state just on that though
Yeah, the smog laws out here in the golden state are strict, but in exchange rust is considerably less of a concern.
It is old enough that it is not subject to emissions inspections in St. Louis, MO. Don’t know about the “bill of sale” issue…
I remember that issue! V6 Chevette swap and a Big block/3rd Gen Camaro swap as well. Cool stuff for 1982.
I’d buy it and put the Buick V6 back in. Part of the charm of this relic.
In Cali, anything ’76 and newer is still subject to emissions testing. Not only on rollers with a sniffer up the tailpipe, but also a visual inspection that is has all the proper equipment.
Also, a car that is not registered for 10 years falls off the DMV system in Cali. if it was ever registered there, it wouldn’t be too hard for them to find an old title. You can pay a non-op fee on your car that is cheap and keeps your car in their system.
Here in Nebraska, the only thing you need to register any car is insurance. No emissions testing what so ever.
You see this is the advantage of rear wheel drive – you can basically swap any engine/trans combo into a small car. Its best to upgrade the rear end though to handle the power.
If I had the resources – the cash – I’d put an M3 BMW drive train into a 1 series Beemer.
Now that would be a sleeper!
I don’t like it. I love it.
I don’t understand why you would do an engine swap on such a powerhouse… I used to have a bad boy like that with an auto and you had to take a run at a hill to build enough speed to make it too the top lol. Should have left the v-6 swap in it way cooler than a 350.
Reminds me of the um, moped* joke…fun ride till your friends see you
*teh PC version
Didn’t those have 10 bolt rear ends like an S10? IIIRC those cars were really overbuilt in many ways. The 10 bolt would hold up to a stockish V8.
I love it too, but wish it still had the oddfire, I LOVE those engines. The sound like a cracked out farm tractor and pull like one too. I have one in my old Willys.
I’d drive that and could have it registered and inspected in NY no problem. I would put the v6 back in it too.
Why hasn’t there been more Steve mags stuff. He’s pretty close to finishing a pretty bangshift approved AWB Fairmont
one of the few good things bout okla. no smog check emissions test inspection sticker to dick with you could put boat headers on a 2016 zl1 and as long as it was baffled and your image didnt matter you could troll around unfetterd.
I’m glad to see the Chevettes getting some love. I’ve owned three of them and they are tough. People joke about them but they can take a hit and keep on going. I like them better than the Vega and Monza.