1984 Chevrolet Chevette CS 60K Mile Survivor – SOLD!

October 10, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Trying to learn from the mistakes of Vega launched in 1970, GMengineers set out to develop a new subcompact world platform in 1973. The result was the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive T-Platform produced in both three- and five-door hatchbacks from 1976 through 1987.  Chevrolet’s version of the T-Body was the Chevette. While the Chevette was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for both 1979 and 1980, by 1984, however, Japanese competition combined with the aging T-Platform make later editions of the Chevette like this 1984 CS five-door hatchback originally listed in September 2021 on Craigslist in Bridgeport, Illinois (Chicago) a rare sight today.

A more desirable four-speed manual example with just under 60K original miles, the current caretaker is asking $4,000 or best offer currently. Comparing that price against the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $3,675 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $5,825. Worth noting is the asking price includes a number of spare parts.

The Chevette employed General Motors’ global T platform. Worldwide, GM manufactured and marketed more than 7 million T-cars — rebadged variants using the T platform — including the Pontiac Acadian in Canada, Pontiac T1000/1000 in the United States (1981-1987), K-180 in Argentina, Vauxhall Chevette, Opel Kadett, Isuzu Gemini, Holden Gemini, and as a coupe utility (pickup), the Chevy 500. A T-car variant remained in production in South America through 1998.

Chevrolet began developing the Chevette in December 1973 as a direct response to new federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (“CAFE”) standards created as a response to the 1973 oil crisis. The Chevette was prompted by GM’s Energy Task Force, which arose out of the crisis and the resultant shift in consumer demand to smaller, foreign vehicles boasting greater fuel efficiency.

The Chevette used as its basis GM’s World Car, “Project 909” — what would become the T-car program, so named because the vehicles shared GM’s T platform. With the well-known problems of its predecessor, the Vega, which included production issues, reliability problems, and a serious propensity for corrosion, the team reworked the international platform such that the Chevette shared not a single body panel with another T-car and reworked the underbody extensively to enhance corrosion protection.  The Chevette’s 1.4-liter base iron-block engine weighed 59 lb less than the Vega’s much-heralded aluminum-block engine.

The Chevette was officially launched on September 16, 1975, in Washington, DC, just after new legislation-mandated Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. With initially projected sales of 275,000 units in its first year, numbers were cut in half as the price of oil stabilized. The Chevette ultimately reached 2,793,353 sales for its entire production across the 12 model years 1976-1988.

The Chevette itself was initially available only as a two-door hatchback with a 1.4-liter OHV or 1.6-liter OHC gasoline inline-four engine. Engines produced from 53 to 60 horsepower, driving the rear wheels. A four-speed manual transmission was standard, while a three-speed automatic transmission was optional. Other features included rack-and-pinion steering, front disc brakes, front stabilizer bar, 13-inch tires, tricolor taillights, front bucket seats, an onboard diagnostic system, extensive acoustic insulation, a single steering column-mounted stalk (integrating controls for signal indicators, wipers, and windshield washers), and factory options including swing-out rear quarter windows, AM/FM radio, analog clock, delayed wipers, and a chrome “Bright Package”. Front seats featured inertia locking mechanisms that enabled entry and exit adjustment of the front seatback without using a separate release.

This 1984 Chevrolet Chevette promotional video currently featured on the Vauxopedia YouTube Channel provides all of the model’s updates that year:

While we will be the first to admit a survivor Chevette will never be much more than a preserved used car, the simplicity of its design makes it an interesting, if not very attractive, car for an aspiring young mechanic to learn how cars work. 

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1984 Chevrolet Chevette. MANUAL TRANSMISSION! 59k miles. Lived its life in Lemont IL. since 1990. A true elderly car from my aunt. Part of the estate sale from uncle passing. He drove it sparingly and had 3 of them. This is the best survivor. I just cleaned her up, fresh oil and new battery. I also have a slew of parts, a new 2 barrel Holley carb in box amongst other parts and spare wheels & such. This beauty runs and drives well barely any imperfections in paint based on age. No rot, floors are solid. Everything works as it should. Will need an alignment and possibly tires presumably due to sitting in her garage for some time. You won’t find one like this ever again. Thanks for looking! O.B.O.“

Show or go: what would you do with this Chevy Chevette Survivor?  Comment below and let us know!