Classic Chevrolets

Chevrolet Chevelle 1968 to 1972

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Chevrolet Chevelle 1968 to 1972

Previous to 1970, GM had a restriction stating that no mid-size car could have an engine with a displacement over 400 in, though some inventive people figured out ways around this through the dealership; 1968 and 1969 were the times of the COPO (Central Office Production Order), in which a car was ordered by the dealer with a larger than allowed engine in it for racing purposes.

In 1970 the COPO dropped the displacement rule, and that was when the bigger engines came out, resulting the addition of an SS 454 line to the existing SS 396 series. The first change was that the 396 engine was bored out to 402 in , but the car kept the 396 badging, as so much advertising had been put into the 396 namesake that they didn't want to change it. Most notable was the 454 in LS5 V8 rated at 360 hp (low compression)and the LS6 at 450 hp(high compression). It was the 454 that made the Chevelle a legend. The LS6, with 450 hp and 500 ft/lb of torque, would rocket the Chevelle through the 1/4 mile in low to mid-13 second times at 105 to 108 mph.

1972 would be the last of the great Chevelle SS models with the top engine rated at 270 net hp (201 kW) conforming with GM's decree that all engines were to be rated at their net engine ratings. Despite the lower rating there was no evidence that power had actually changed on production cars of that year. After 1972, the engine ratings declined quickly due to increasing strangulation of emission controls and lowered compression ratios.

Many customers, however, chose the Chevelle as an economical family car that, while not as expensive to operate as larger models (including the Chevrolet Impala), had enough room to seat a family of five in reasonable comfort. Popular convenience items ranged from power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission, air conditioning and stereo radio; plus appearance items including vinyl top, full wheel covers and whitewall tires.