Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle midsize car for the 1964 model year.
The Chevelle filled an important position in Chevrolet’s lineup between the compact Chevy II and larger full-size cars. It arrived during a period when American buyers increasingly wanted vehicles smaller than traditional full-size models but roomier and more powerful than compact cars.
Chevrolet offered the Chevelle in several body styles, including two-door coupes, convertibles, sedans, and station wagons. The related El Camino also used the Chevelle’s platform and styling during much of its production history. Performance versions eventually included the SS 396 and SS 454, making the Chevelle a major muscle-car name.
The first Chevelles were available with six-cylinder and V8 engines. Chevrolet revised the design for 1966, giving the car a more sculpted appearance. The Chevelle name remained in use through the 1977 model year, after which Chevrolet’s midsize lineup continued under different names and forms.