GM Muscle: The 1967 Chevelle SS

Muscle cars were all about relatively light weight coupled with a powerful engine, with the emphasis being placed on performance rather than appearance. This is not to say that muscle cars were necessarily difficult on the eyes, but the point was to keep the cars affordable to everyday people without sacrificing performance. As a result, some of the bells and whistles were kept to a minimum.

The 1967 Chevelle SS was among the early breed of muscle cars, and there were some changes in the 1967 model over the 1966 model year. Nylon belt wide ovals helped the car grip the road better, and front disc brakes became available as well to add to the “driveability” of the Chevelle.  As for the transmission, the standard was a three speed manual but you could order a four speed if you wanted to by kicking down about another hundred bucks. Automatic transmission options were available as well including the three speed turbo Hydra-matic.

The standard engine did not change in 1967. It was still the 396 cubic inch V-8 that was capable of producing 325 hp. There was however a little-publicized dealer conversion that could be purchased during the 1967 model year, the 375-bhp L78 that could be had for an additional $500 or so. It is estimated that just 612 1967 Chevelle SS models were fitted with this engine, so if you can find one of them you’re probably going to want to pounce.

In keeping with the muscle car ethos of trying to keep things affordable the basic 1967 Chevelle SS coupe would run you $2825 and the convertible sold for just over $3000. When you hear these prices you can’t help but wish that you could somehow step back in time with your checkbook at the ready. We can dream, can’t we?

Chevelle Enthusiasts Unite!

Fans of classic American cars tend to agree on quite a few things, and that’s one of the reasons why it is so much fun to attend a car show and hang around with like-minded folks.

Due to the wonders of the Internet we can now have that kind of connection on an everyday basis by visiting websites that are built around our shared interest in cool cars.

With this in mind we would like to welcome you to the Classic Chevelle Fan blog and we hope that you will return often as we continually add information about one of the most popular Chevrolets of all time.

The Chevy Chevelle became available to the buying public for the first time back in 1964 and it went on to make its mark as one of the most collectible Chevys ever built.

Ford and Chevrolet have always been in constant competition, and when one of the companies recognizes a model that is popular with the public you can bet that the other one will always follow suit with something similar in an effort to gain its share of the market. Along these lines General Motors developed the Chevrolet Chevelle to compete with the Ford Fairlane which was popular at the time.

Chevy went all out, offering the Chevelle in a number of different body styles including four-door sedans and two-door hardtops and convertibles. And of course there was the muscle car: the Chevelle Malibu SS which came with a 300 hp, 327 cubic inch engine. Chevy sold just over 67,000 units of the 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS.

1964 was the beginning, but the car remained in production through the 1977 model year. We will be taking a look at the Chevelle from every angle and we invite you to add comments and join in the conversation as a fellow Chevelle fan!