The Chevy Chevette | GM's Pint Size Hero

This is the story of the Chevrolet Chevette, one of many GM T body variants. I hope you enjoy. p.s. there is also a cameo of the Pontiac T1000, a fascinating T car variant I will cover in much more detail very soon.
Ending theme song by the incredibly talented Tommy Laszlo a.k.a. Thomas Labadie. Tommy can be found on Spotify at the link below.
Tommy Laszlo
open.spotify.c...

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks for your support and please do consider becoming a supporter of my efforts... www.patreon.com/TofersCarTales

[@ChiralSpirals]

I still don't understand how this channel hasn't exploded in popularity yet but I sure appreciate all the hard work that goes into your content. Great episode 👏

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks so much for the continued support! It may not be the largest channel but I'm glad it is somehow reaching those it can bring some joy to.

[@devonnewest7990]

Echo YOU SAID IT!!!!! absolutely

[@8corymix8]

Definitely my favorite

[@roaddawg3217]

Some of us, a car is just an appliance, others of us, live, love, and breathe cars! Unfortunately the latter is a minority 😢

[@EffequalsMA]

My friend had a 1980 Chevette "HO", that made a wee bit more power and a hilariously small limited slip diff. He eventually shoed a 2.8 V6 out of a Firebird and a Corvette 700R4 in it.

[@craignotts1]

Fantastic! In the UK they were known as Shedvettes. Many happy memories as a young adult in a friend Chevette. Your work is amazing, classy + camp.. Thank you!

[@anick5338]

Had 4 chevettes years 81 to 84 during pizza driving days in the early 90s, never paid more than $200 for them. Easy to work on, but was a daily pit stop at home to fix something, but dam with snows on them, they were a fn drive in the winter.

[@MyGuyJustinH]

The Chevy Chevette was one of my favorite cars when I was little. In fact I still like the car. Also when I was little when I went to physical therapy there was a room I could go into that represented a town and in that room was a chevy Chevette that you could get in look like you were driving. I loved being in the car

[@dcanmore]

In the UK we had a couple of interesting versions. A panel van of the estate/wagon marketed as the Bedford Chevanne and the blistering hot-hatch HS and HSR variants with 2.3ltr 16-valve DOHC pushing out 135hp. These were created for homologation as Vauxhall took the Chevette on the world rally stage. South America also had a pickup version of the British Chevette. Edit: The HS and HSR models now sell north of £40k on the classic car market.

[@TofersCarTales]

I had to really edit myself on discussing all the various T body variations. Someday I'll cover the others in more detail. Glad to see you found this little channel all the way in the UK! I hope to visit there again someday and find a Vanden Plas 1500 to roam the countryside in.

[@timberinternational2377]

Thats interesting, the US versions of the car were steaming piles. People have done dyno tests of the US spec 4 cyl chevettes with auto trans that put down around 30hp to the wheels. Having closer to 100 would have made them a much nicer car.

[@davidpistek6241]

This channel rules 'and it always hangs on the periods of the design with fascinating footage and background

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I loved my Chevette. I really want another one. It would be awesome to find a European version. The Vauxhall and Opel were both great looking cars. It's just a great platform regardless of what body is on it

[@russelljohnson1303]

This is your 3rd Chevette video and I'm still daily driving my 83 four door. Good on you and good on my little car. Truly the greatest GM economy car.

[@bikes7777]

I still recall vividly riding with a friend to a bike race in 1987 in his light blue chevette. As we were d4iving on the highway, his fear differential fill plug somehow fell out. Next thing we knew the check engine light came on and the car screeched to a halt. We had to camp out at the mechanics backyard 100 miles from home and had to ride our bikes back home the next day!

[@will4688]

Fantastic video. It brought back memories. Your video actually made me gain respect for the Chevette.

[@TofersCarTales]

So glad you enjoyed! I actually have more respect for Chevette myself after putting together this video.

[@g-mang-man7924]

My family and extended family had several of these. Mom's sisters each had one, mom had one too. All of them replaced Beetles, because Chevettes had great heat! With the engine being gutless, a pair of BR-78 - 13 Firestone Town and Country studded snow grips, they did just fine in the snow. Brother in law bought a new T1000, it looked like a mini 6000 S/E... blue, silver with a red pinstripe it looked good. I said it was the best looking Chevette I had ever seen... sister in law screamed back, it ain't no pile of shit Chevette, it's a damn Pontiac! I laughed so much! Worked on dozens of them too. Weren't hateful... but not that good either. I still think that they were underrated

[@pdennis93]

I had a high school geography teacher who test drove a Yugo in 1987. He said he couldn't drive a car that could barely break 51mph down hill so.he went down the street to the Chevy dealer and bought a 'Vette. His kid who was in my high school class was still driving that Chevette in 1997/98.

[@scott8919]

My father had a 1980 Chevette and they weren't much better. You'll hit 50 eventually but it's a death wish.

[@TofersCarTales]

I also had a teacher back in school that joked he had a 'Vette. It was actually a seriously wore out Chevette. He wore gold chains and smoked while "teaching" gym class.

[@TofersCarTales]

And even then, only downhill with a tailwind.

[@316jd140]

We bought a Chevette new in 1982 when we came back from Germany. 4 door, automatic, it was an almost indestructible care. I would love to have another one, with it's simple, basic design free of electronics and sensors.

[@fhwolthuis]

You outdid yourself again, Tofer! Top production 👏🏼 Also nice to see this car and its relatives from American eyes. I must admit, the later Pontiac versions look pretty sharp! I really hope you will make a part 2 about the T series. The Buick/Opel by Isuzu for example could be in there (which did offer sedan and coupe bodies of the T series in the US) and also the relatively rare Opel Kadett Aero (half) cabriolet version. And I'm sure there are more. Personally I have driven the Opel Kadett coupe with the 1.2 engine, which my sister and her husband owned for years. It was a nice drive, despite the meager 55 hp 😂

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks Frank! So glad you enjoyed. Sorry this one took a while. The day job and life in general has kept me quite occupied lately. Nice to hear the video turned out entertaining and (hopefully) coherent. lol

[@oldcarsstronghearts]

In 1984, my parents replaced "my" 1976 Monte Carlo with a 1982 Chevette hatchback sedan. I was devastated, and the Chevette quickly became public enemy #1. Several years later, my parents traded that 1982 Chevette for a brand new 1990 Corsica. I was thrilled to see the Chevette go, until I discovered the Corsica wasn't rear wheel drive. Now, I wouldn't mind having that Chevette back ... or obtain one ... since the Chevette remained rear-wheel drive its entire run.

[@AlphaShark]

My dad used to have a Chevette and he told me that back in the day he'd tell people at school "Yeah, I got a Vette' " hoping they thought he meant a Corvette haha.

[@TofersCarTales]

LOL, I think 99% of Chevette owners back in the day were tempted to do the same. These days, I'd proudly own a Chevette. Preferably a two tone brown example.

[@MrDrifterdevin]

First car I can remember my parents owning when I was a baby

[@TofersCarTales]

First car I rode in with a cousin when she got her license. We went to Dairy Queen!

[@MrJoeltrain]

Your efforts are appreciated sir. I hope u get some more success. Your videos are very well done and much better than some who are undeservedly getting more views. I hit the like button on every one I watch doing my part!

[@thatch1126]

Old guy crammed into the back seat: "The whatchamacallitometer constantly monitors what now?"

[@jefferysmith3930]

What a treat to watch. My only direct exposure to one on these cars was my sister and her then husband’s then new Pontiac 1000 which I got to drive at the tender age of 16. Even then I noted the worst shifting manual gearbox I’ve ever sampled. That is literally the only thing I remember about the car...other than that it was metallic light blue and looked good with aftermarket centerline wheels. They traded it the next year for an ‘86 V8 Firebird... which was awesome....and I wrecked. I still feel bad about that.

[@BobNSuch]

My dad bought a 4 dr 1978 model in the winter of '81. It had low miles and he never had to put money into it other than regular maintenance. It was one of his most reliable daily drivers.

[@devonnewest7990]

Happy Tuesday night ya'll and thank you for another awesome episode Mr T. Best aunt channel :) Appreciate all your hard work.

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks so much Devonne! Hope you are well!

[@devonnewest7990]

@@TofersCarTales 😘

[@RomanJockMCO]

Love your videos and this one brings back so many memories. Mom bought a new 1982 T1000 to replace her '75 sky blue with woodgrain vinyl sides Pinto wagon. Dad wanted a Corolla but ultimately gave in. The air only blew cold when the automatic transmission shifted into 3rd gear - wonderful in summer Florida traffic. The master cylinder pooped out on me and I had to use the e-brake to stop when i was 15. It ate its timing belt early leaving my mom and me stranded until it could be fixed the next day. The heater core cracked in '86 spilling hot antifreeze on my dad's leg and all over the floor. There were numerous other issues and it, along with the Pinto, forever turned my family off of American cars (except me). In 1989, just before it would become my car, he wound up hydroplaning it into a bridge. As we picked him up he was actually smiling knowing that the insurance would total it and that he would forever be rid of it. It was quite practical though as the hatch could almost swallow my go-kart when we headed to the 103rd St track.

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks for sharing your memories and glad you enjoyed. These cars were certainly not perfect, but it is incredible how they still manage to provide fond memories.

[@jameshamm4345]

Awesome episode 🤘 I sat here for the entire video with a big smile on my face. A Chevette is the car I not only learned how to drive on , but also how to drive a manual on. My grandfather bought a Chevette from a supervisor that didn’t need it anymore. I honestly can’t remember how many years that car ran like a top. People treated them (and the Pinto) as just throw cars but too a lot of us they were so much more. Thank you for this awesome trip back in time down memory lane. The videos content wise and facts wise on this channel are awesome. Thank you for bringing attention to automobiles that would not regularly have gotten any. 👍

[@TofersCarTales]

SO glad to hear you enjoyed! Hearing that others have a smile on their face as they watch makes it all worthwhile. I smile a lot as I cobble these memories together.

[@howebrad4601]

Incredible production quality of your video. One of your best! True art

[@Hammerhead547]

The chevette had a special place in the heart of rally legend Colin McRae, he got his start in the UK Rally Championship driving one of his father jimmy's vuaxhal chevettes and jimmy won multiple UK Rally Championships driving one in the early 80's.

[@TofersCarTales]

Wow, I actually did not know this. Thanks for sharing! Always was a bit of a fan of rally racing.

[@Hammerhead547]

@@TofersCarTales If you search up Duke Video's Havoc series you'll see jimmy driving (and crashing) his chevettes in multiple events including the RAC and Ulster Rallies.

[@CJWriter0925]

I loved the Chevette as a kid and I still want to drive one as an adult. The factory of the Chevette's early years was my hometown of Wilmington, DE's Boxwood Road plant which of course now is an Amazon Fulfillment Center. Talk about the times changing. Great job as always

[@jamieshields9521]

Awesome vid on Chevy Chevette, my Aunt had Holden Gemini copper brown sedan, she still drive it today. Interesting special packs like Fashion Pack, Sandpiper, Gypsy n ZZ/Z. I can’t believe T platform went from 75 to 84 before changing to front drive on second generation 85 to 86. Unfortunately Gemini wasn’t popular as families prefer bigger powerful sedan like Kingswood.

[@TofersCarTales]

So glad you enjoyed! It really is amazing how many T body variants there were. I didn't realize exactly how many until I started researching for this video!

[@xg5zm]

Fantastic channel. Fantastic how you manage to pack so much nostalgia in sach a small pill. I like how you present the car in its time, place and culture. Thank you. Greetings from Spain

[@anthonywalsh2164]

Has dado en el clavo.

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks so much for the support Ismael! I really do appreciate it. Working on the Chevy Monza Car Tale now. So far it's looking really good, can't wait to share!

[@sixstringbestfriend]

Another wonderful video. Thank you. I have a complicated relationship with this car. I grew up not with a Chevette but with it's Asian cousin, the Isuzu Gemini. We got the sedan bodystyle that North America did not get, and a few other differences. Maybe it was just how my family maintains vehicles but our example was absolutely rotted out and I have no idea how it was legally registered to drive, but it's at least something nice to look back on as a memory.

[@Mr6384]

Awesome video! I love the intro music on your videos as well. I dated a girl who had a 1981 Chevette. It was so underpowered. But then, I owned an 82 Caprice with the Chevrolet 229 engine and it would top out at 70mph!! I imagine the Chevette could top that! Thanks for the videos

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks for sharing! It's amazing how those everyday cars like Caprice are now SO much more interesting. Would love to have one in shoe polish brown lol

[@christopherkraft1327]

Great video!!! I like all the information you present on the Chevette, I've always made fun of Chevettes but I also always said that they were dependable little economy cars!!! Thanks for sharing another exciting video!!! Happy Halloween weekend!!! 👍👍🎃

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks sir! So glad you enjoyed! Happy almost Halloween!!

[@douglaskasmer1190]

Excellent, you’ve managed to turn a simple car into a outstanding memorable video, job well done, can’t wait for your next one!

[@BELCAN57]

You truly have some of the best production values on KZbin. There are quite a few videos about Chevette, but yours is the best and most complete.

[@SloGN]

Outstanding 🎉❤ The chèvette was the right car at the right time! One simply has to transport themselves back to that time to truly understand life in that era! Thanks so much for motoring memories!

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks for the support! So glad you enjoyed. Lots of great memories as I cobbled this one together.

[@anthonywalsh2164]

Tofer, what can one say, one of your best. Although I’m sad that Gemini didn’t get a look in, you did well on this first, a true world car. Lots of memories of Geminis - you’re right to highlight their overall toughness! Such a fan of your channel, and the intro and outdo were fantastic!

[@sunsetlights100]

We had these in NZ 🇳🇿 The school had one dark blue matching velour interiors rear wheel drive.

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks for sharing and hello from Texas!

[@andregonsalvez9244]

Great 👍 show Mr.Tofer your show is like a Time Capsule !

[@andregonsalvez9244]

My very first car in college was a 84 Chevrolet Chevette, she was my reliable work horse .

[@kaocean]

Your videos are always entertaining and informative, a great combination!! ( and bonus points for featuring Xanadu!!!!)

[@lklpalka]

She really was gorgeous, how could you not fall in love with her? I mean the Chevette of course :) Thanks Tofer!

[@TofersCarTales]

Couldn't agree more!

[@blakespower]

they are rarer to see on the road these days than a model T , but they used to be everywhere! like Locusts!

[@PhaQ2]

I purchased a used 1980 Chevette for my wife in 1992 for $300. It was a silver/blue on blue, four door. She was worried she'd forget where she parked if she ever drove it alone. So I proceeded to mask and prep and painted it Pepto Bismol pink. I even hung a little curly pink tail off the back bumper. I figured she could find it with zero issues after that, lol.. 🐖 Too bad she never got her driver's license, until we split...

[@RetroCarsForever]

Didnt realize they made the Chevette for that long! Just like the CORvette...GM kept those generations going for decades!

[@TofersCarTales]

Right? I was actually surprised myself how long the Chevette and the entire T platform was in production when I started researching for this one.

[@rob1tnt]

Wonderful content as always! Loved this one Tofer.

[@TofersCarTales]

So happy to hear you enjoyed... thanks as always for the incredible support!

[@rob1tnt]

@@TofersCarTales ph you've got my support for as long as you keep making videos. Would LOVE to see the AMC Eagle get a video one day. That was my first car...my grandmother's hand me down 82 Eagle wagon. The no 1 car I never should have sold.

[@armyjeep4]

I was in a bar in Columbus Ohio circa 1984 and I told this drunk chic I had a Vette,I just forgot to add the Che part, she was not amused LOL, good times

[@christhomas835]

wow im hooked great vid

[@misterwhipple2870]

Thank you for the shots of Jennifer Agutter and Olivia Neutron-Bomb and the dancers from Xanadu. Both those women were smoking hot. And the Chevette wasn't bad, either.

[@allanloiselle7290]

I had the Pontiac version of a Chevette in 1981, putting about 30,000 km's on it during the year or so I had it. It was OK for a POS car, but just OK. True, it didn't drink much gas. Now for the cons. On the highway, in light snow, it would get into a rut from the cars in front and there was no way to steer it. At any speed above 50 kph, it was as noisy inside as a Cessna 172 at full throttle. The top end of the engine made such loud banging and clanging noises, you weren't sure if it was going to explode on you, or if you'd make it home. And the seats. That utilitarian cloth material was so cheap and thin, it separated from the vinyl at the sides after about 9 months. The handling, by the way, was so-so, not quick, sporty, or very great. I miss some of my old cars, like my beat-up 60 Vauxhall Victor, my 65 Studebaker, or even my 66 Mercury Comet, but not this one.

[@BDiaz-np8fn]

Lol. These cars were everywhere during the late seventies.

[@hawkeye454]

Great video my friend!

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks so much Wes! Glad you enjoyed and thanks so much for the support!

[@edwardpate6128]

GM built this T body car all over the world and it had quite a long run. It was kind of a latecomer to North America. I always thought they were not a bad little car and knew several folks who had them and drove them for years without any real issues if they kept up with normal maintenance. They were certainly much better in that respect than the Chevy Vega.

[@JeffreyRoweton]

Enjoyed the video maybe you might want to do the vega & corvair

[@somenamelessdude8095]

I drove my Grandma's once. The water pump went out lol

[@American-Motors-Corporation]

Little red chevette!

[@kellygriffith1773]

I had a grey 83 scooter, 2-door, 1.6L , 4spd. trans ❤

[@Romiman1]

Oh, yes, about the warm place in our hearts. Because this was my 1st car. It was very frugal, but I'll never forget. The most people of my generation still started with a (classic) Beetle. So my "Opel Kadett City" (like 3:58) felt way more modern, practical and convenient. As always, great video, fine choice of music! About the music: What is the tune between 11:00 and 12:47 ?

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks for the kind words! That song is Aurora Borealis and it is free in the KZbin music library.

[@Romiman1]

@@TofersCarTales Thank You! :-)

[@jeffrobodine8579]

My Dad bought a brand new Chevette in 1978. After six months the engine started knocking. After fighting with Ed McKeon Chevrolet for months they replaced a connecting rod and wrist pin. My Dad realized the car was a piece of junk and sold it. The head gasket blew on the new owner eight months later and he sued my Dad. The court found that the dealer did not rebuild the motor correctly and the new owner had to go after the dealer. My Dad bought a 1979 Toyota Celica and drove it for many trouble free years.

[@jeffking4176]

I knew about the Vauxhall but not about the Opel connection. It was far better than the Vega. Not a bad little car at all. 🚗🙂

[@americanrambler4972]

I cannot remember the last time I have seen either a chevette or a T-1000. Not a car remembered at all anymore. And that’s because it was a very good reliable and dependable car with no aspirational value. In short it’s not on any kind of car collector list, demo derby list, or rat rod list of any kind. It does not matter that it was by far the most efficient, cost effective, reliable and dependable car in the entire GM stable at the time. It does not even make the hated or bad car lists. It’s just…. Gone.

[@American-Motors-Corporation]

It's wedge shape, was basically a more conservative stodgy version of most of the AMC offerings at the time chevette did not defy the rules of the car industry by any stretch of the imagination!

[@danpettis1675]

getting into an accident ""ISNT RECOMMENDED "" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Philozzi]

10:51 - Shut up and take my money

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Badged as a Pontiac Acadian in Canada for some odd reason.

[@scott8919]

Chevette is the reason why as a kid I decided I would never own a GM.

[@gregg9672]

One of the only cars my 1985 Nissan Sentra could outrun...barely

[@MrChevybaja]

WOW. The nose job T1000 and Jennifer Gray. Subtle LOLOL

[@TofersCarTales]

I wondered if anyone would get that admittedly rather "on the nose" reference.

[@runoflife87]

Well there would be no Chevette without Opel engineers who worked hard to improve those "strange" decisions made by GM core employees from Chevrolet and Pontiac. Buying public was way too afraid to get another turd like the Vega. But the biggest question for me is: why replace your own car with two Asian (Lemans/Sprint)? This was one of the biggest frauds made by GM.

[@robbleblanc]

I don’t understand the weird background video?

[@Madcracka]

So as a mechanic in the 90s and working on a lot of '80s and 70's American cars. This car had been one of the worst next to anything Mopar. We used to call it the Sh*tvet.

[@yourhandlehere1]

My sister bought one and parts were falling off on her way home.

[@davidpistek6241]

They were superior to x and j platform just seemed obsolete at the time but now I must wonder how cavalier and citation sold at all 'they should have refined it

[@Sloozen1]

Once again , this is just another story of general motors and ford trying to get out cheap. Thinking that small cars were just a fad. Passively aggressively throwing something into the market. Well they learn the hard way and by the time the mid eighties rolled around they had lost half their market share. The only positive outcome was when electric vehicles came around, they didn't take it lightly , but it may not be enough.

[@michaelstokley6796]

People can make fun of these all u like but someone who started at gm dealership in 82 and still employed getting ready to retire who like to know that shit there pushing von u now from trucks to suburban are way worse for reliability then the low life Chevrolet chevette I see it every day and worked on the chevette in it's hay day the new cars are all 💰 grabs I just laugh every time I see someone go so far into debt on this garbage it's crazy.

[@ohguy1991]

What's with all the other bs that has nothing to do with the car??? Like the tv ads, movie clips, ect.... I just want to know about the car, not all this other crap

[@PhaQ2]

It's recalling the nostalgia of that era of autombile. Someday you'll probably watch videos containing the culture of your youth and know exactly why.

[@BOnly-jn6su]

Lose the horrible music!! Ruining all of your videos! Can't watch!

[@stevedavis4377]

biggest piece of crap they ever made .

[@alexclement7221]

Dafuq was THAT?????

[@user-gf3mu5uc8j]

As usual high quality content! Thank you to the creator!