Stock 1987 Chevette Sells For 33K - Fluke? Or Proof Of An Emerging Trend In Collector Cars

[@7spadefish7]

We used to have complex , smart men building simple reliable cars , now we have simple men building unreliable ,complex smart cars.

[@dixonmopar2129]

who thought mixing Water , Gasoline , and 60.000 volts was a bad idea ?

[@petergrey7125]

Well put 👍

[@johnmadow5331]

Smart car that no one can afford to own in the US and too complex for ordinary people can repair and maintain correctly.

[@djlabs1975]

"Rosy Retrospection" bias... old cars were not nearly as reliable as modern cars. They were "fixable" but not "reliable," the modern car is a disposable thing that you throw away at 180k miles, but up until 180k miles they are more reliable than ever. Most 80's and earlier cars ended up in scrap before they rolled over 100k miles.

[@Alan-tr5uj]

@@djlabs1975We’ve been spoiled by cars that start immediately, the first time, every time- even in sub zero temps; they’ll even drive perfectly fine in those sub zero temps will no warm up time what so ever (still not good for it albeit). I have no illusions of how awfully unreliable cars could be as recently as the very early 1980’s. Yes of course that wasn’t always the case, but it was a thing- and it gets glossed over like cars used to be the pinnacle of reliability due to their simplicity, and that’s simply not true at all. The proliferation of electronic fuel injection across the industry changed automobiles for the better, forever. Yes those early FI cars had their issues, owing to early computer technology, but by the late 80’s most mainstream automobiles ran significantly better in all conditions, and were extremely reliable. The Japanese lit a fire under Detroits ass with their economical, reliable, fuel injected machines, and we all benefited as Detroit struggled to adapt and keep up. Im not a fan of the corporate greed that now has vehicles prices so ridiculously high, BUT, there again, a great equalizer will emerge as a solution. Just remember- we might not always like the “solution”, or where it comes from even. Something is eventually going to force a price adjustment across the market- it’s coming.

[@someonethatwatchesyoutube2953]

I got more excited seeing a 4 speed chevette at Cars and Coffee than seeing all the McLarens and Porsches combined. They’re so rare it’s like seeing a unicorn.

[@gdaytrees4728]

We bought a 1981 chevette in 1988. 5 months later, my wife and newborn son were T-boned in an intersection. The car was bent to a "V". Driver's and back door were crumpled. My young wife opened her door, opened the door protecting our son, and walked away. The doors wouldn't reclose. Tough little car, tougher wife. And we are still married today, 37 years later. Love the girl, and miss the car...

[@gannman2001]

That wife is a keeper Bro !!

[@crinklecut3790]

I drove my ‘79 so hard on dirt roads that I busted the drivers side front shock clean through the top of the wheel well. So I removed the shock entirely on that side of the car and it drove and handled just like it did before, when it had one. I couldn’t kill this car. And I sold it at a profit the next year when I joined the military- for $800.

[@mexicanspec]

A tough car does not bend into a V.

[@bryanspanjer3213]

Good man

[@gdaytrees4728]

@mexicanspec it was hit by a 76 Dodge 200 pickup truck moving at 30mph. Inattentive drivers...shoved the car down to the alley between the intersection and the next street. It hit hard...yes, the car was tough enough that my wife and kid survived. Think about that...

[@tomedgar4375]

The 87 Chevette is a $1000 car on its best day. A sucker is born every day.

[@drummerman4444]

In brand new shape it could be worth 7k since that was the new price. I can't see anyone wanting a car that goes 0-20 in 20 seconds though. I think it had about 30 horse power.

[@geraldscott4302]

Or someone to whom $33K is pocket change. There are a LOT of such people out there.

[@Jim_Stark]

back in the 90's, i had a friend who bought a black, 2 door chevette for 300 bucks. some body damage but perfect mechanical condition. that car got pounded on but kept on running.

[@williamoneal2763]

Do not believe everything you hear or read.😮😮

[@brianmartin414]

Function before beauty. It was meant to transport people from place to place...that's it.

[@howlinhog]

I worked in GM dealerships from the late seventies until the late nineties when I started my own automatic transmission shop. I've always said the Chevette was a great car. About 40-70,000 miles you'd replace the timing belt. I replaced a timing belt in about 30-40 minutes in the dark on a rainy muddy night in the driveway of a girl I wanted to date. To show how determined I was I agreed to go with her to see Purple Rain when it was still in the theatres.

[@OOICU812]

I'm curious to hear how things worked out.

[@howlinhog]

@@OOICU812 Well, she's been cutting my hair for 45 years, but there was never any romance. She's still my closest most hilarious female friend. I was her brothers annoying friend back then, and she was my best friend's older hot sister. I do love her though, and she's said as much to me over the years. It just never happened.

[@setha360]

Purple rain hope she saw purple head lol

[@diviningrod2671]

My man great tactic. Dated a girl in the 90s , first time at my place i went outside and saw her car was banged up .hood wired down She was like the hood wouldn't close .I cut the wire , manhandle the hood to get it to latch .she look at me like I was a god . Great girl ,probably should have married her

[@howlinhog]

@@setha360 More like blue balls.

[@minnesotatomcat]

The baffling thing is that somebody saved that thing.

[@todddenio3200]

They bought it and were ridiculed so much each time they drove it that by the time it had 47 miles on it they hid it in the back of their garage, never intending to have it seen again. They would have scrapped but even the junkyard didn't want it.

[@BadWolf762]

I bought a used 1980 Chevette with 40,000 miles in about 1983, then beat the everliving crap out of it for the next few years and sold it with 110,000 miles on the clock. During the time I had it I only had two issues, a broken wire in the distributor and a broken pin on top of the transmission that connected the shifter to the transmission. The pin broke when it was about -20 degrees out and I couldn't get it into gear. The fix took about 1/2 hour. I sold it to a friend who drove it for a while, then he sold it to his neighbor and their daughter drove it back and forth to college. Those things were turds power wise, but they were pretty much bullet proof and simple, and I got 40 mpg with mine.

[@jeffholloway7974]

I was a Chevy salesman back in 1980, and folks loved those cars. I could never understand why. But now, I miss simple cars. One thing about the Chevette was it had a self contained air filter. I am wondering if those air filters can still be found.

[@shelphillips8692]

​@dixonmopar2129 '96 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 etc and (knock on wood lol) still going strong with over 250k miles. I love my big old truck ❤

[@WinWin-oo4uk]

What is the original price of a Chevette adjusted for inflation?

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

@@WinWin-oo4ukthat car with the inflation of today’s economy would cost you only $11,112 dollars.💸

[@missingremote4388]

Chevett on a toy four door corvette body

[@pyrael668]

My best friend had one. His favorite comeback was "Hey! my shitvette can outrun ANY parked car!" :P

[@jeffholloway7974]

And my dad said his Mercury with the 429 could pass anything on the road except for a gas station.

[@MVPisME383]

I heard a story about dude out running the bosses son in his brand z28, said dude had a hose ran to the carb and was spraying starting fluid

[@altg5708]

My friend told people he owned a vette.

[@Freedomquest08]

In the Carter era, during that "fuel crises", my late grandma was TV shamed/coerced into parking her big, scary, ice age causing gas guzzler '72 Old's 98 and buying a brand new Chevette. For it's maiden voyage she planned to drive it from Northern CA to SLC. She made it almost to Lake Tahoe before the rear end locked up and left her sitting on the side of I-80 for hours. She somehow made the dealer buy it back, then drove her Olds until she got too old and couldn't drive anymore.

[@mexicanspec]

Good for her.

[@leethorp2164]

I got a Chevette hand me down from my mom back in the day. Every time I get a car or truck I automatically get a repair manual for it. Soon after the starter went bad so I referenced the manual and it went like this...Step 1 - drain radiator. Step 2- drop steering column. Step 3- remove exhaust manifold. Etc, etc... All to replace a starter! I fixed it and got rid of it quick and never looked back.

[@michaelthomas7898]

@@leethorp2164 Old cars were like that too. Ever change the starter in a fox body v8 mustang?

[@SquidwardhatesEVs]

World governments need to ease back the Emission laws and Technical regulation, stop the combustion engine ban, stop forcing EV's on people saying it's the only solution, when it clearly is not. The car manufacturers need to make cars less technical and more mechanically robust, and that will guarantee brand new car sales globally.

[@lb9gta307]

Governments need to leave cars as they are and focus on aviation and marine fleets given the fact that they're each larger contributers than automotive.

[@OOICU812]

What the car makers seem to figure is that cars that look cool and are techy and disposable will keep the sales numbers higher than cars that are simple, reliable, and last a long time.

[@SquidwardhatesEVs]

@ Agreed.

[@SquidwardhatesEVs]

@ True.

[@waynek805]

@@OOICU812 Yes BUT people are quickly starting to catch on that $50k + vehicles that are poorly built and don't last are a terrible waste of money, and they are going to start balking in droves.

[@waltrogers9770]

Man, Vette prices are going through the roof! 😂

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

*The PONTIAC version of the Chevette was called the ... "T-1000" And it took 33 seconds to go from 55 to 60 too.*

[@lb9gta307]

Among other names

[@americanbadass88]

my Grandma had one of those 80s T1000 and she sold it to her friend and he drove that damn car till the late 90s when he gave it to his son. These things get a lot of crap but they weren't the worst things GM built.

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

I remember the T1000 in the dealership showroom as a kid, why was I thinking T1000 was a rebadged Citation 🤔 (right next to the J2000 😁) ....the citation, now that was an ugly-shaped car

[@thomobrien1854]

It was “Acadian” in Canada

[@jeffrobodine8579]

​@@americanbadass88A reliable car little car that you could never possibly get caught speeding in.

[@hooble66]

I worked for the local Chevy dealer as a salesman and sold a ton of these just for those reasons you mentioned. I also owned a few of them that I took in on trade. They came out with a 1.4 liter 4 cylinder but you could get a 1.6 BIG BLOCK HO engine as an option. They were basically bulletproof and cheap to maintain. I also sold about 10 of the Isuzu diesel equipped engines. They were a dogs dog but owners loved them too. I also had a customer from my hometown who bought a 1981 Citation base model 4 cylinder, 4 speed & ac and moved to North Dakota. He was a travelling nurse back then and worked the tri-state area. Everybody dissed the X-Body and initially it did have some flaws. The Dude came back in 1985 and bought another base model 4 cylinder 4 speed with ac while he still could get one. The 1981 had 275k on the odometer and had the clutch replaced at 200k and maintained it as one would expect. He didn't trade it in though. He kept it for his son who was about to turn 16 and that was going to be his first car. Simple, dependable, cheap and cheap to fix & maintain. I don't need a car that tells me it's time for me to take a piss on a computer screen, a body control module and all of the rest of that crap that they make us believe we can't live without. Great Video Uncle Tony. $33k for a Chevette ? Who Knew! Chevettes paid a few of my mortgage payments over the first seven years of my employment, fond memories

[@kellyblack4897]

I had a girl friend with the diesel version. Ah drive it until the shifter mechanisms were totally shot at 227k miles. She could drive Carlsbad to Albuquerque NM without stopping for fuel. People would pass her on the freeway, then after they stopped for gas had to pass her again 😂

[@bbivens8263]

I bought a brand new 1982 Citation X-11 with the 2.8 60 degree V-6. It had a Rochester duo-jet carb that I unhooked the electronic solenoid from and rejetted. Very pretty car, comfortable, and great handling package with factory mags. Charcoal gray with dark gray interior. The Duo-jet was essentially a Quadrajet cut in half with a small primary and a larger secondary. Ran like a scalded dog! Lost it to my wife in a divorce. I reckon that was a small price to pay for freedom.

[@hooble66]

@@bbivens8263 i ordered a 1983 x-11 Demo set up with a four speed , a/c etc in Cocoa Brown Metallic and it was a Notchback , not a hatchback and it was soooo cool

[@mph5896]

I bought a 20 year old Ford Taurus for a family member. Car came from TN, so rust free. Got it running poorly for $1800, but only had 39k actual miles on it. Cat converter was clogged. Fixed it, did some maintenance and its on the road providing transportation. It's cheap/easy to repair, and rust free. That was the appeal.

[@mvg-1776]

I agree with getting something older. Today's cars are unreliable and unreasonably priced.

[@dixonmopar2129]

nothing burns like Chinese LITHIUM !! Keep your E.V. s Thank you very much

[@LSswapGarage1]

A 33000 dollar 87 Chevette is pretty unreasonable too lol

[@Bonanzaking]

Modern cars cost as much as they did over 50 years ago. I have a 71 mustang my father bought new for 3,319 dollars or as he explained roughly 2 years wages if you worked at McDonald’s. If I look at a modern one of the same trim and specs it’s roughly 80k or 2 years wages if you work at McDonald’s. There’s a reason the McDonald’s index as a measurement of inflation is accurate. You measure in time/hours of labor rather than devaluing dollars. Tony has covered this in a previous video like 6-8 months back where he talked about currency.

[@kidkv]

And they have more plastic parts on the engine that are over priced to replace

[@gordtulk]

Modern vehicles are far more reliable.

[@stevetaylor9265]

I bought one of those with 20000 miles a few years ago that looked like new. I drove it every day until I couldn't fix it anymore. I delivered papers for a few years in it during college and it was great for basic transportation.

[@grantr5417]

Just restored my 86 Laser XT 5spd. It's relatively simple, looks good, drives and handles great, a bit underpowered, but over the last two years gets 30+ mpg and lots of stoplight comments. Can't beat that.

[@Ron-yj4rh]

In 1988, I T-boned a truck in a 1984 Chevy Chevette at 65 MPH. You would be amazed at how tough these cars were. Car was totaled. But everything from the doors back survived.

[@TriStarWorkshop]

My buddy @brainbuilds drove a Chevette to 2024 Powertour. It got a lot of positive attention everywhere we went. Old cars that were forgotten to time have come full circle again.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I used to think the shape & style of the Chevettes & Omni were super lame that screamed econobox garbage. But now the shape doesn't bother me. Same with the Honda crx & geo tracker.....My first car was a 1966 Oldsmobile 98 giant 4 door boat. That I was embarrassed to drive. Now they look kinda cool if it was on air ride, suspension, with nice wheels, etc...

[@20TIL6]

I appreciate the pendulum swinging back. I'm fortunate enough to own four vehicles that all run and drive. The oldest is 17 years old and the next oldest is 13. They don't beep, flash, or vibrate my steering wheel when I infrequently drift across painted roadway lines. The two newest ones (8 and 3 years old) have all the new stuff and driving them is like having a cop sitting in the passenger seat while taking a driving test.

[@bulkchart3239]

the remarkable thing about them is that the diesels got better fuel economy than even hybrids get nowadays.

[@HarrisonCountyStudio]

Dad had a 1977 Honda Civic that sipped the gas. Don’t matter how you drove it, the car got 50 mpg! Amazing these tub of lard, boxes of today struggle to get 30 mpg

[@hotrodray6802]

But wouldn't outrun a Prius.

[@altg5708]

@@hotrodray6802 I bought a brand new 1975 Honda Civic. I was the first one to have one in my city of 45,000 people. It was a 4speed manual. It was $2900. I optioned for 13" wheels instead of 12". That brought it up to $3300. My payment was $87 a month. It would get 42 mpg not matter what. It was a tank in the snow. On the highway if there was a long enough stretch of road it could go 105 mph. I replaced the clutch at 100K miles. I believe it had a timing chain. It wouldn't start one day, 1st time ever at 125,000 and I tried using starter fluid and caught the engine on fire. I gave it to a friend who fixed it, painted it came and drove it for another 100,000 miles. He had a gun store and parked it out front for advertising because nobody had a cameo car back then. I use to drive it up on the sidewalks to flip out friends. The local cemetery with little twisty one car width roads was like a Leman's track in that car. People laughed when I first got it and said that company will fold sooner than later. Eventually a had a few friends buy one because of how good mine was. Light blue with a black vinyl interior.

[@muther3026]

Back in the late 80’s they were fun as freaking hell to race. A good friend had one he ran at SCCA events. Fat fenders, dinky little steam rollers, the engine was up near 200hp NA. It was a beastly little thing.

[@davidsimms2806]

My first car was a chevette an 83 in 1995. I bought an 84 last year for $600 to relive my glory days.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Nice story! ;)

[@chrissanders2562]

Having trouble finding a radiator to fit in mine.

[@whigfarmer2637]

I bought a 76 Chevette for $50 when my 74 Vega broke in half. I replaced the 1600 4 banger with the 2.4 Vega engine. It was a little beast. On the street it gave Baja Bugs a run for their money.

[@kenleppek]

My uncle has a few of those. He lived out in the woods on a dirt road and had a 60 mile commute to the GM plant he worked at. He drove the wheels off those little shit kickers.

[@NotchFox]

Dad was a railroad engineer in the 70's. Hit a Datsun pickup at a crossing. When the crew went back to the crossing, they rolled the PU back on it's wheels, and the owner was able to drive it away! They made some tough, simple cars back in the day!!! A 2025 PU would have disintegrated!!

[@BrianButterworth-s4z]

I had a 74 Datsun pickup. Had to put a 200 lb lead weight in the back because it was so light and would fishtail without it.

[@gzkarr3730]

@@BrianButterworth-s4z My dad had the 73 Datsun 1600 PU and he had a high camper that you could move around in to hold it down. Great truck though. Lasted us around 10 years.

[@Grayhook1]

A guy I worked with had a four door diesel, slowest car on the planet, but it wouldn’t die. He drove it from Northern California to Alaska (five years there), then drove down to Seattle for another five years and then back to California. It was his daily commuter, he maintained it and it just kept going. Made fun of it but people went through four or five cars while he rattled along in that Chevette.

[@paradislarry]

There is NO WAY, those drivers floor rugs only have 47 miles on them. Somebody spun that clock back. It was easy to do in the day.

[@geraldscott4302]

And even easier to do with newer cars. There is a plug in computer tool made just for that. You no longer have to take anything apart.

[@t-bodyperformance770]

It was documented and has been in a collection since it was brand new

[@ShaunHensley]

@@geraldscott4302nothing easier than disconnecting a mechanical speedo cable and attaching a drill motor

[@geraldscott4302]

@@ShaunHensley Many of the old ones did not work in reverse, and even if it did, it would have to run at high speed for weeks to get very many miles off. Now you just connect a touch screen device to the OBDII port, and enter whatever number you want. And it doesn't leave a trace. Can be done in a couple minutes.

[@Sam-zp5rd]

The Chevette was based on a European Opel platform

[@martinmckendry6244]

Or Vauxhall Chevette

[@amusingarts]

I serious doubt that anyone ever thought it was an original idea;,

[@ben68442]

On a side note, In Toronto there used to be a pizza place called Little Tony's Pizza and they drove those great Civics all over the place delivering pizza. The buyer of the Chevette paid $32,000 too much.

[@blockcl]

I have a fondness for this type of car. As a kid, my folks always drove bare bones Ramblers. Dad liked them because he could fix them himself, with a few basic tools. I have 1964 Rambler American 220. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

[@Christopher-N7]

My dad got the Pontiac version of this car. I was very young, but still remember it to this day when he first brought it home. My mom came out to the garage to see it, shook her head, said "THIS is your new car!" then turned around and slammed the door and went back to the kitchen....my dad only kept that car for a year.

[@amusingarts]

They used to be what I called "throw away cars"; buy them cheap, then abandon them at the first sign of needing repairs. I guess not anymore. Can't imagine what one of those carbs would cost today.

[@johnmadow5331]

You can get Chinese EV brand new that can go 400 miles and recharge in 4 minutes for about 16K USD in Thailand. You don't have to pay 330 - 880% importation taxes like you have to pay when you buy European or US cars because the gov of Thailand has an MOU with China.

[@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS]

​@johnmadow5331 why buy that when you can get any 7th or 8th gen civic for under 5k and it'll last till the next century.

[@deansapp4635]

Tony, I was Chevy dealer Tech in 87. The Chevette was a good reliable car. The Chevette diesel got 50MPG

[@cybair9341]

Here in Canada, Pontiac also sold the Chevette under the ACADIAN badge

[@lb9gta307]

It was the only Acadian to wear Pontiac badges too. The Nova based Acadians were void of those, not officially being Pontiacs.

[@danm2144]

at one point in the mid-80s we owned beige Chevette and a grey Acadian (yes, from Canada) ... couldn't kill those cars. Easy to fix, parts were cheap and interchangeable.

[@shrek_428]

Back in the 80's, there was a family in my town whose only car was a Chevette, what made it surreal was the smallest of them weighed in the neighbourhood of 300lbs with both parents well north of that. To see that car with all 4 of them in it was a sight to see. You could literally hear the car screaming in pain as it drove by. I'm not sure how long that car lasted, but it wasn't long. As far as the car featured here goes, P.T.Barnum was right, There's a sucker is born every minute.

[@0004612]

😂. I can only imagine.

[@crinklecut3790]

I had a ‘79 (I think) Chevette and I used to have to turn the AC off just to climb hills. 🤣

[@Junkyard_Dog]

Gilbert Grape style😂

[@elliottbutts153]

Same thing. In the early 90’s a family of 4 that I knew drove a Chevette for atleast 3 years, I was a teenager

[@old_school_guy]

I worked on 100's of them back in the day. Never had an engine issue, no oil pan or head removal. Just the typical timing belt and water pump. Brakes were easy to do, some starters were difficult. The ones with power steering and brakes, spend 5 minutes and remove steering column. Easy access to starter. Doing a clutch, one of the 4 crossmember bolts would always break off into the body. Always!

[@nicholasagnew2792]

Making a car do "everything" has always resulted in a cartoonish pain in the ass

[@MrWayneJohn1]

I worked at a GM dealer in the mid 80's. They were giving away a Pontiac T-1000 with every conversion van sold. Under-powered sh*tbox not worth a darn. Still not worth anything, but someone with more money than brains just wasted $33k.

[@Blu_Grit_Garage]

I drove one once & I remember the steering wheel being off-set to the right for elbow clearance.

[@4everdc302]

Pontiac Acadian in Canada🇨🇦 I bought them for winter beaters($500) while my 5.0L was put up for the winter.

[@GummyBearWA]

My buddies mom had a 1980 Chevette. We drove the hell out of it. We'd pack 6 people in the front and back seats. Me being 6'3", I'd lay down in the hatchback floor. I rode hundreds of miles in that car.

[@throttlebottle5906]

we did 3 front, 3 back and two in 69 position in hatch area. of course short distance from the joint vocational school, err career center(emphasis on joint) ' 🤪 think we piled 11 people in it once, total clown car fashion. surprised we didn't get pulled over and fat ticketed. which I did plenty of back then.

[@rockdog2584]

Around my neck of the woods, we called those things "Shrove-It-Or-Leave-Its'. On the flip side of that...an old friend of mine told me a story about how he shoehorned a Buick V6 (built to almost GNX specs) into a Chevette. Said it made for one hell of a 'sleeper'!

[@cpayne9790]

That's awesome!!!

[@joejackson9172]

Back in 88 my best friend had a chevette as a winter beater. And beat it, we did. Shifted the 4 speed without using the clutch, took it off roading weekly, jumped it, etc That car never broke down or skipped a beat. It took it like a pro.

[@stussels]

i had one and did all the same with it. climbing hills in the strip pits, lots of donuts in snowy parking lots. and there was one hill i could get some good air on. especially the passenger side. it did take some damage along the way.

[@agostinodibella9939]

I once had a Chevette as a loaner car while my then new 1982 Monte Carlo was being repaired under warranty. It got you where you needed to go.

[@mexicanspec]

That is about the nicest thing you can say about it.

[@raymond_sycamore]

My 2003 Pontiac Vibe is going to be worth a million dollars.

[@silent1967]

No it ain't !🤣👍

[@WhiteKnightCutlass]

Those are good little cars, I read there's actually a all wheel drive turbo model available in Japan , that would be a perfect little daily car

[@gerry-p9x]

I'm looking for an AZTEK

[@Rick-S-6063]

I wish I still had my '94 Dodge Shadow. That was the last year of the model. That makes it worth half a million right there.

[@WhiteKnightCutlass]

@@silent1967 that Toyota drive train they have definitely makes it more valuable then your average small GM car, and being a sporty little wagon to boot, They do hold value well, so stands to reason that good examples will be one of the more valuable cars from the era

[@arendpool6456]

I worked at a mom and pop insurance company in Dallas when i was in high school. I drove all over town in a chevette. I told all my friends that my company car was a "vette".

[@tabbott429]

just because it sold for 33k doesnt mean it was worth 33k. Some clown with to much money had to have it. Totally not the normal situation.

[@normbissonnette8866]

The new owner is not concerned .

[@dougjones9302]

I have a 1982 Isuzu Imark diesel and it still runs.

[@volvosruinedmylife]

Nostalgia is strong. Also these things can be hot rods

[@dixonmopar2129]

LOL Remember 426 HEMIs in pintos ?

[@volvosruinedmylife]

@dixonmopar2129 you can boost the isuzu four cylinder. It's way overbuilt from the factory

[@bdog1323]

I used to have a Chevette as a second car back in high school in '88 to deliver pizzas with. Once in a while I'd drive it to the club in New Rochelle called Marty & Lenny's and I'd love to see the girls' reactions when I'd ask them if they'd like to take a ride in my "Vette. Got many "You jerk" reactions but there were a few that'd laugh and be cool to hang with.

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

@2:00 There absolutely is a cult following in the Chevette world. The prices of them have been climbing for a while (not $30k high), they’re RWD, and are great platforms for engine swaps. From 2.8s, 3.8s, 4.3s, SBC, and now the LS crowd. They’re even fine to keep stock and original. They’re great on gas, and being parts bin GM cars, drivetrain and electrical parts are dirt cheap and plentiful. And yes, they were built on the T-platform, as well as the 81-87 Pontiac 1000. I was even more surprised to see the L-body Omni Chargers gaining a following.

[@lb9gta307]

The Pontiacs were also T1000 and, in Canada, it was the final generation of Acadian.

[@aaadamt964]

They had a following in my area until they started disappearing. Late 90s- late 00's. We would buy them dirt cheap and use them for off road beaters. Small, rwd, 4 speed and tiny. They did surprisingly well. Great, cheap fun.

[@MUUKOW3]

I remember Brock Yates calling that car a "shitbox" in Car and Driver. Then fast forward later in the future my parents were car shopping and the salesman pointed it out ,I promptly said " that car is a shitbox" my mom was petrified . Lucky we came home with an 78 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

[@patrickwayne3701]

Lol,, I got a subscription to Car and Driver magazine in 1977 at 11 years old. Brock Yates and PJ O'Rourqe were funny as hell. And my ma had NO idea where I was exposed to such language... I loved those guys. And in '79 when she finally decided to divorce my violent stepfather,, it was a 6 month old Chevette she got in the divorce. Red 4door. Rubber mats. Automatic. I was given to pushing it down the street after she fell asleep and joyriding that thing across Tampa with my friend Robert. At 14yrs old. Lol

[@insomniac2233]

I had an identical ‘86 total cream puff. This was 1997,and never had problems beyond regular maintenance. Mistsbish engine was great,but not for climbing ridges in Chattanooga. The person I sold it to thanked me for a dependable car several times.

[@doglvr1]

You had a cheese with a Mitsubishi engine? I don’t think so.

[@spankyham9607]

The major downside to old cars, as an owner of many, is parts. There are things like windshields that are nearly impossible to find for most 80's cars and finding a company that will replace them is also stupid hard. People are afraid of them and IDK why. You have to learn how to fix everything yourself. Finding shops that can work on carburetor cars is like finding a shop that will fix Ferrari's, it's become stupidly specialized now days.

[@altg5708]

Luckily rebuilding a carb is easy.

[@P3anutbuttery]

As a child of the early 90's, my grandfather had a few Chevette's. I would love to relive those days of riding around in the back of that heap. I was able to get it running shortly before my father got rid of it and was able to drive it around the farm. It was missing the steering wheel center cover and if you weren't careful you would get zapped by the horn circuit. The last time I've seen one was when i got my first job at a bait and tackle shop. This dude that used to come hang out had one that had a Camaro 2.8 V6 stuffed into it. He would do autocross with it and it surprised a lot of people with it.

[@fr33dumb0]

Zapped by the horn circuit? You sure about that bud?😊

[@P3anutbuttery]

@@fr33dumb0 yeah. Surprised the hell out of me. I didn't think 12v could do it, but it did it.

[@YippeeSkippie426]

No apostrophe on plurals there, drongo.

[@davelary1854]

That car was considered a 60k mike car when new. I had a friend with an '84 that I replaced the floor boards in '86 due to rotting out.

[@behemothpowersports5958]

Watched this go across the block and was blown away.

[@CovenGraphics]

THE CHEVY SHOVE IT!

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

I had new 1987 Chevrolet Chevette GL 4 door brown on brown. Automatic, air conditioning, AM&FM radio and rear defrost. & 12,800 3 year loan. Wells Fargo. Great little car. $1000 down payment.

[@pl5624]

Id rather buy an 80s car than a new vehicle today.yet it sure wouldnt be a chevette/T1000

[@easyrider3066]

This is more of a sign of how popular Radwood has become. A lot of the 80s and 90's mundane cars are now highly sought after because of Radwood

[@aulduronsmith5577]

Actually, I bet some rich guy had one as their first car, and is now rich enough to pay 33K for another one.

[@bobbybieln853]

I bet marketplace will have a bunch of these turds and jack up prices

[@mexicanspec]

I never thought CUTE when I looked at a Chevette. It was always in my mind that the steering column was installed at an angle to get it to fit. If there wasn't room for the steering column, there isn't room for my legs.

[@keithscudder7136]

What came first ? Chevette or Citation ?

[@mexicanspec]

@@keithscudder7136 The Citation came out in 1980. It was the continuation of the X platform which was the Nova. The Chevette was a European car sold under the Chevy brand.

[@mexicanspec]

When I worked at a Chevy dealer in 1987 the new car manager didn't order any Chevettes because the Chevy Sprint was on the lot as was the Spectrum and they were miles ahead of the Chevette in every way.

[@johnrose3169]

I remember those times as well. The Chevettes that were left were deals due to the new model offerings on the lot.

[@captlazer5509]

My neighbor passed away and had an orange 1973 Pinto. It didn't stay in the yard long before it sold. I wasn't surprised as it was certainly a conversation piece.

[@stevenhowell2477]

You are correct; the Chevette was the T-body, also sold as a Pontiac (Astra?). These were derived from an Opel design. I believe this platform was utilized for other GM cars around the globe. $33,000 for a Chevette? Somebody had more money than brains.🙄

[@karlnitz1126]

T1000, Astra was a Pontiac Vega...

[@lb9gta307]

Pontiacs were T1000, 1000, and Acadian.

[@JamesHolbrook-eh5sp]

Yes, it was sold in the UK back in the 1970s as the Vauxhall Chevette and in Europe as the Opel Chevette. Very similar shape, also RWD. Different engines I believe. Never owned one but I did have, here in the UK, a Vauxhall Firenza which had a similar profile to a 69 Nova or Chevelle but was the size of Vega. With a 2.3 OHC 4 banger it was quite quick for the time.

[@TastySurrealBowl]

Anyone who would spend $33K on a 40 year old stock Chevette from the 80’s - aside from a Chevy museum (and this one is not museum quality) - needs to have their head examined. Yes, to each his own, but think about it. Of all the ways to blow $33K… it makes no sense. BTW - how does an interior get THAT much wear and only have 47 original miles. HIGHLY dubious mileage declaration.

[@carlmorgan8452]

This sale is still nuts 🙉

[@kennygee2715]

I'm 42 and remember these things in the late 80s all over the place. By the mid 90s you didn't see them too often. I have a great memory though, I never did drugs or drank.

[@jonlanigan3439]

When it re-sells years down the road, it will sell for under $10,000.

[@klintdogg8990]

We used to talk them up and tell people that the Chevette was a mix between a Chevelle and a Corvette, funny af when they finally got to see one. Pre-internet days lol.

[@ZEPRATGERNODT]

I know this isn’t about the main topic but I had to chime in. Myself and friend can drive any of our 71-73 Ford Pinto’s somewhere and it is a show. The best part is the great conversations you get into with people because it’s an emotional car for so many people. It’s connected to people who know family or friends whom have passed away or are very old. Also, those whom drove in one as a kid, high school, college…etc. I can’t tell you how many people get watery eyes or get excited when the Pinto rolls up and conversations start. Pintos have sold for over $25,000 on the main sites like BaT (Bring A Trailer), Mecum, Barrett-Jackson…etc. Those who know, know. Pacers, Gremlins, these cars also have a cool response from people. Good times out with older cars that got crapped on back in the day.

[@OOICU812]

People who owned Pintos passed away for other reasons as well. The Pinto was the original Ford "exploder."

[@aaadamt964]

My mom had a pacer when I was a baby. I'd love to have one.

[@YippeeSkippie426]

Lighten up on the apostrophes there, sporto.

[@ZEPRATGERNODT]

@ That remnant of a joke has been recycled into oblivion. I’ll give you a courtesy laugh though.

[@hotrodray6802]

​@@OOICU812 BS MYTH smh

[@duanemoser146]

10:22 Engine displ.98 ci. Automatic air cond.lol I worked on them in the 80s. At Chevrolet service dept.

[@joeshermenti2082]

Chevetts steering column were offset to one side so it would fit in the car

[@mexicanspec]

Exactly and I don't want my legs in that area in an accident.

[@franklaskus2395]

Girl I dated in high school had one. First thing I noticed driving it

[@1STLAR2147]

I remember reading an article about these cars. 0-60 time was something like 19 seconds! The Vega was a little more fun to drive. After a small block Chevy conversion they were a blast! Little nose heavy, and the brakes were barely adequate. Mine had a 327 and a powerglide. TunnelRam, centerlines with N 60s on the rear. Total shitbox, but it was definitely fun!

[@Frob25]

After watching this, it's giving me a hankering for another '80 Cordoba with a slant six 😆

[@MUUKOW3]

As a lover of inline 6 engines that sounds like a horrible combination.

[@Frob25]

@MUUKOW3 it was a great car! Definitely wasn't winning any races, but as far a couch on wheels go it was 👌

[@MUUKOW3]

@@Frob25 They were definitely that! There is a guy running around here in really nice Cordoba , even had the fine Corinthian leather! It always draws a crowd at the car shows . It has nice 360 with all of the lean burn garbage removed so it can run!

[@bradleyphillips204]

Nah Cordoba needs a 360.

[@patrickwayne3701]

​@Frob25 there's a stunning 80 Dobie on the Southside of Indy and the guy wants 8000 bucks for it... gold and gold velour interior

[@TDUB-o3g]

In the very early 80's, Washington DC area dealerships were offering $99 down $99 a month on these in their advertisements. 3 dealerships wouldn't/couldn't make that deal. Never owned a GM product in my life....

[@TAVOAu]

The Australian equivalent T car, the Gemini is becoming sought after. Built from '75-85. Maybe not $33k worth, but a salvageable project would fetch $5-6k. Limited editions in pristine condition can easily sell in the $20k+ range.

[@petesmitt]

Only because of boomers with money wanting a nostalgia buzz; no-one in their right mind pays big bucks for old econocars just because only a few are left, having escaped being junked..

[@TheOneTrueHeavy]

I worked with a guy about 10 years ago who drove a chevette. dented up, puke green, primer spots all over, rope holding the door shut. He drove it daily, year round in south dakota. 95 degrees and humid in the summer, no AC. 10 degrees and blizzards in the winter, didnt even get snow tires for it. He lived in an apartment and street parked it, and without being a car guy, maintained it himself with a basic $30 tool kit, just buzzed around getting 40 mpg, ran like a train.

[@DSC800]

I'm gonna guess the two bidders were near sighted and thought they were bidding on a '87 VETTE with 47 miles.

[@countryjoe3551]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Lmfaooo!!👋🤣👍Underrated comment!

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

😅

[@Oldjohn52]

The OG buyer drove it home and was too ashamed to let it see the light of day again

[@petepeterson5337]

I personally know a guy who bought a junk Chevette for $1. He fixed it up and drove it through all of his college years. My understanding is that it was not a chick magnet, though this guy ended up being highly successful.

[@theeoddments960]

Gotta know when to wait and use what you can get as the stepping stone for the chick magnet. I’ve got a 2013 Yaris. The 69 chevelle is in pieces getting restored little by little as we speak 💪

[@Matt-d5v]

Bill gates

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

You'ld be surprised how reversing the battery terminals transforms most any vehicle into a chick magnet.

[@ohiofarmer5918]

That reminds me of a big V8 Chrysler land yacht that a guy killed off one cylinder for a cheap repair . Drove it forever

[@mg-pf9xv]

I worked at a chevy dealer way back when . the day we sold the last Chevette the service manage brought out beer and pizza , Unremarkable is such a polite way to describe this car

[@kenleppek]

Pontiac was the T-1000

[@reginaldbowls7180]

Acadian here.

[@bradpnw1897]

What's the t 1000?

[@kenleppek]

@@bradpnw1897 the Pontiac version of a Chevette

[@kenleppek]

@@reginaldbowls7180 Canada Eh?.... Your Pontiac tempest was our Chevy Corsica

[@HOWNDOG66]

@kenleppek We had the Corsica too

[@shaunwalsh8993]

Hell I wouldn't collect something like this but I'd register and drive the hell out of it.

[@mikeystoy]

WOOOT! My Cricket got some recognition!!

[@woxyroxme]

I got a brand new Chevette in 1984 and drove it for 14 years and it had 229,000 miles on it. The Chevette was based on the Opel Kadett platform and that is why it was better than most people realize. Most other cars were slow in those days

[@AllSeeingHeart]

My Father purchased a Chevrolet Chevette in 1984, two tone blue, brand new for $4,000.

[@dixonmopar2129]

100 K For a new RAM , Never meant to last more than 8 years ,,BRILLIANT

[@alaindrouin1585]

I remember going to the Chevrolet dealership with my mother (now deceased), she had bought a new 1984 Chevette , I did the maintenance, a very simple car, it was an excellent car

[@AllSeeingHeart]

@@alaindrouin1585 Agreed, GoOD memories; it was a nice car, we road tripped in it. Now I want one. I will add LS swap. lol ;-)

[@rutniktrainer]

That's crazy. If I looked around I could find a nice one for $600 and beat them down to $400.

[@tylerhiggins3522]

Over two years ago I found y 1974 VW beetle on marketplace, and gave $1000. It was a bit beat up but California origins so very little cancer, and was all there. It had sat for nearly 20 years, after redoing the brakes, flushing and cleaning the fuel tank and lines, and adjusting carburetor and points it was drivable. In the last two years it's needed a fuel pump, new carburetor, tune up, and recently a new battery and that's all the trouble it's given me. I drive it nearly every day, it always starts, it always goes, it is a pure joy to drive. Over time while driving it I've replaced the windshield, addressed the common death foam cancer by the rear vents, replaced a front bashed fender and straightened the front quarter, eventually it'll be fully restored and painted. It's one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned, and it's a 50 year old car that sat for nearly two decades just waiting to come back to life. Show me the vehicle made today that will still be on the road in half a century.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Vintage air-cooled vw's in good condition are going for good money these days.

[@geraldscott4302]

A rear engine air cooled VW Beetle is one of the few older cars that there are still plenty of parts for. And they are wonderful cars. You can make anything out of them. Daily drivers, cruisers, show cars, drag racers, even off road buggys.

[@geraldscott4302]

@@vintage76vipergreenBeetle And they are absolutely worth it. I'd buy one if I had the space to keep it.

[@dufjdh3u87rhhdbhfhd]

The benefit is also being able to do all that maintenance in an hour or two with basic tools and a book.

[@MrWayneJohn1]

I see plenty of old Chev pickups everyday that are still running strong after 30, 40, 50 years. I have a highly dependable 22 y.o. Tahoe with 190k on the clock, and know kf many with 300k+ miles. Saying there's nothing built today that will last is pure ignorance.

[@minnesotatomcat]

When I was young we were terribly poor and my dad daily drove a tan 2 door chevette, had it for years and then upgraded to a 4 door tan chevette 🤣 they were both sticks and every once in awhile mom would have to drive one and I remember giggling at her killing it and having a hell of a time 😂

[@easyrider3066]

The popular Datsun 510 came years before the Honda civic.

[@derekhobbs1102]

But not as small.

[@easyrider3066]

@derekhobbs1102 A difference of 30 inches. The Datsun 510 had a trunk vs the Civic hatchback

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Lots of Morris and Austin back when I was growing up in Canada. Rover, Hillman, Anglia, Vauxhall, Triumph, MG, Jaguar, Wolseley, Riley, Humber, the small British Fords. Montréal's Queen Elisabeth Hotel used to host the British Motor Show every year, parents always took us there. Mom used to sit in the back seat of the '63 Oxford wagon with a screwdriver to hit the Lucas fuel pump to keep it running when it would quit. My first car was a Cortina, $65. Lots of fun.

[@DSC800]

When I met my wife in 1993 she had a black Chevette she had just paid off. I guess we should've kept it.

[@murdernova8217]

yet no comment on the 82 corvette not selling for 12,000 at mecum...?

[@4rdF1Hunny]

Overcomplex pos. It proves his point.

[@nellayema2455]

I had an 1980 Chevette. It was the perfect car for a broke young dude. It was super easy to work on. I blew the rings in one cylinder one day. I kept driving it until I could afford a used engine. I drove it from Flint, MI to Toronto Canada for a week and drove it home. Then I replaced the engine with one from the junk yard. I drove it for a couple more years before trading it in for a used '82 Pontiac Grand Prix LJ. My girlfriend who later became my wife, had a '79 Chevette with the automatic. It was a dog. My '80 with the manual transmission was actually decent to drive. The brakes on the '79 and earlier were crappy, but they were better starting in 1980. I'm amazed that any Chevette has survived until 2025.

[@j.t.cooper2963]

"A fool and his money are soon parted". That old saying certainly pertains to this sale.

[@TheBBodyBuilder]

OMG I had about 20 of those during high school and College, but completely forgot about them until I saw your video. They were truly unremarkable vehicles, however they never let me down and I managed to make a couple bucks on everyone I sold. Of the ones I had 2 come to mind a Poop Brown on Tan 4 door Pontiac Accadian Auto/AC that would literally slow down at highway speeds when the AC engaged and a Black 1985 2 door manual Chevette SS…I thought someone had created their own SS as a joke but years later I learned it was an actual option on the Chevette…I have never seen another. I use to get a kick out of telling people in school I had a “Vette”…more than 1 girl was disappointed to learn that it was a Chevette 😂 I could not imagine paying $30k plus for one and I loved them.

[@eyerollthereforeiam1709]

I had an 81 Chevette.. Actually a Pontiac Acadian, in Canada. It was a piece of crap, I beat the shit out of it, but it never once let me down. And yes, Tony, it was the T body. Here's a great video about badge engineering, highlighting the Chevette. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmecm5dnZ9aSZrcsi=SXtfljjbl00P43Cb