Introduced as the successor to the problematic Chevy Vega, the Chevy Chevette was a widely popular entry-level vehicle throughout its 12-year run, with as many as 2.7 million units produced overall. Likely to little surprise, many Chevette examples were driven until their wheels fell off due to their entry-level status, but now, a like-new 1985 model is currently up for grabs online.
Listed for auction by Hagerty, this 1985 Chevy Chevette features less than 2,900 miles on the odometer, which averages out to approximately 74 miles per year for the last 39 years. In addition, the three-door hatchback boasts a clean Carfax report and only two previous owners.
Of course, the Chevette is a no-frills experience that focuses on function over form. To this end, the Medium Brown Metallic exterior is extremely mild—especially by modern standards—and features minimal styling elements. That being said, this particular example was optioned as the “sporty” CS model and does include a black-finished grille and trim moldings, body-colored end caps, and a front air dam, as well as all the corresponding badging.
As for rollers, this example rides on 13-inch steelies with hubcaps, which are also wrapped in Hankook whitewall tires. Stopping power is provided by front disc and rear drum brakes.
Moving to the interior, a tan cloth colorway adorns the cabin, while features are few and far between. Creature comforts include a Delco AM radio, door map pockets, a center dome light, a three-speed heating and ventilation system, dual-speed electric wipers, and a fully carpeted interior. Conveniently, there is also 27.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Additional goodies include a front stabilizer bar, rack and pinion steering, and a 12.2-gallon fuel tank.
Under the hood lies an OHV naturally aspirated 1.6L I4 gasoline engine, which chokes out a measly 60 horsepower. Output is driven to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission.
So, what’re you thinking, dear reader? Despite its entry-level status, can you see this 1985 Chevy Chevette trading hands for a significant sum of money? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
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Comments
It will sell for $2575.
That high?
Current bid is already $4,500!!
One of GM ‘s best models.
Some random guy, checking out a new Chevette on their dealer’s lot in 1985:
“Someday, this will be a classic!”
Who remembers the diesel variant !
I worked on diesel version when I was apprenticing.
I bought a1979 Chevette brand new for the $4,500 sticker price. I had to wait 2 months to get the car, and the reason why I did was that a one year old Chevette with 20,000 miles was $500 more! This was when gas was expensive and hard to get. I looked at the diesel Chevette two years later, but the sticker price was over $7,000 by then. Keeping the ‘79 was a no brainer! The Chevette was a great little car. We outgrew it and replaced it with a Ford Grenada, which also turned out to be a great car. One of the few times I didn’t buy GM.
Giggle.
I would like to bid on this car but can’t be present. Bid by email? Or cell?
You bid online at hagerty.com/marketplace
Rented a Chevette in San Francisco in the late 1970’s and was impressed with the way it handled the hills. Fast forward several years I purchased a brand new one at a dealer in my hometown of Boston due to my satisfactory experience years earlier. For some reason it didn’t have anywhere the motive power of the rental but the actual reason that I traded it was that the built in chin spoiler/ front bumper acted as a snow plow when there was more than a few inches of snow on the ground. This design flaw coupled with the anemic RWD set-up meant that it was useless in the winter months.
Where do I go to buy this sweetheart?
My first car was the intro 76. Loved it. Well over 100k with it
I learned how to drive stick shift in one of them. 😂😂😆😆
My kids used to watch Sabrina, The Teenage Witch. In one episode her boyfriend mentions something about having work done on the’Vette. She asks, suprised, if he has a Corvette. He responds, “A Chevette.” Quite amusing, at least to me.
These were actually pretty decent cars, although my 1983 Honda Nighthawk motorcycle had more horsepower. Ah, the cars of the 1980s!
These were a nice no frills vehicle with great fuel economy and rear wheel drive ! I would suggest a manual transmission car tho ! The automatics were dogs !
I remember the diesel model well. I pumped one full of gas. Who would of thought a chevett would be diesel! Lol
I would love an earlier (round headlight) one in orange with a stick shift and black interior.
Had an 80 Scooter with a stick. Replaced the converter with a J.C. Whitney bypass pipe and it ran much better. Sold it for a profit a year later. In 1982, bought a 4 dr Scooter with automatic and air.It couldn’t get out of its own way. By then, J.C. Whitney and others stopped the sale of the bypass pipe.
I couldn’t imagine a scenario where I’d desire to own another.
A friend in college returned from X-mas break in a new silver Chevette Scooter. Total stripper, no air, manual transmission. Black vinyl interior with no back seat. Her Grandparents bought it for her for Xmas to replace an aged Gran Torino. The Torino was no prize, but it had a 302, A/C and was a “Brougham” with the nicer interior. Apparently she’d voiced concerns about how much gas the Torino used so her grandparents figured the miserly Chevette was just the ticket. She hated the car so much we immediately began calling her “Scooter”, and still do 40 years later. The little Chevy saw her through college, her first job in S Florida offered a company car so the Chevette went to her younger brother. It was totaled in a very minor accident on I-95 that was probably $1500 worth of damage but the value of a 5 year old Scooter was even less than that. Awful car but great memories!
We had a 80. Silver 4 door. Not a bad little car.
There’s a seat for every azz
Nah. If it was a Datsun B-210, maybe.
I had a 78 B210. 5spd stick.
45 mpg on the Interstate at 70 mph. Put 125, 000 on it in 5 years. Best bang for the buck I ever owned .
Had a 1983 model and gave 5200.00 for it new. It had over 150,000 miles on when the timing belt broke and it dropped a valve. Give it to the Fire Department and took a tax dedication.
Best car ever made 1
Worked at a Pontiac Dealership in the early and Pontiac sold Chevettes as T1000. They were crude, rear driv which is not a plus in MN, and pretty awful to drive and work on. A Civic at the time was much cheaper and just a better car. I am surprised they stayed in the line up as long as they did. Almost every other brand had a better option. They did not rust though, so they had that. I don’t miss them and would prefer just about anything else over these.
Good to see someone admit it. They were pretty crappy and anyone who is a GM fan has to believe that it wasn’t a good effort.
So even though I was dumb enough to own two, it was purely driven by dollars. My 80 Scotter( zero options) was pennies over 4K and my 82 4dr a bit over 5K( auto & A/C). I replaced the 82 with a VW Rabbit 4dr and that was a great handling and performing vehicle. Front drive and great in snow. Give me all the thumbs down you like- just being straight and honest here.
I ordered a brand new 1977 2-door with the1.6 engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. I wanted it strictly as a commuter car to drive mainly to and from work. I paid $3450 out the door. I drove it daily for over four years and never had a problem with it. In the winter I would put oversized snow tires on it and it went through the snow like a Jeep. It was a very economical, solid and dependable little car. By 1981 I had about 58,000 miles on it when I sold it to a friend for $2,800. That little car owed me nothing.
My first car was an ’82. I called it the “shovette”. Gas mileage was, better than some of the newer vehicles today. Then got a job at the airport. Aviation gas gave it the pep it needed. Chirped the tires in all four gears! But not good for the motor. Young and stupid.
If they get ONE RED CENT for that cinderblock, they should consider themselves lucky!!!!!
For some strange reason, I’ve always liked the Chevette’s. I’d love to buy this one, but my garage is already full. Can anyone elaborate on the dash in this one? The top half is lighter than the rest of the dash and interior. I’ve never seen that on a Chevette. Was this standard or could the dash top have been replaced at only 2,900 miles?
America needs one of these today. Small, cheap, basic, offered in manual or 6 speed auto. Great on fuel. You know, so they can be driven to/from work instead of everyone driving these huge SUV’s and truck for that.
too bad its not a 5 speed like the one i had. if it wasn’t for the crap metal used. these cars would last a lot longer. same for the vega
Learned to drive in one of these, it was a manual though. Too bad this is an automatic. Sounds horrid.
Had a 1980 chevette four speed with a hole in the driverside floor ! Bought it for a hundred dollars in’88 drove thru the winter only put a quart of oil in all winter ! Great car best winter car ALWAYS started easy to drive and easy to control in snow!!! Best car for winter and sold for 450$ four months later!!
3200 about it I drive too work..
Purchased a 83 four door new from dealer with a discount because it was “factory executive car”, explained to us recently married expecting parents as a car the factory execs drive for a couple thousand miles so they can personally drive each model. We figured it was the last choice of the executives but a great car, had three kids by the time it hit 100k, sold to friend that drove the wheels off at around 300k. One of the best vehicles I ever owned for being reliable and somewhat comfortable.
Actually for the times – it was a great little car. Interestingly, as a college student in the mid-80’s, I couldn’t afford a new Chevette, but was able to get a Mazda GLC in 1982 (for less) which coincidentally at the time stood for Great Little Car!
A little off topic, but when I graduated from college I really wanted a Chevrolet Cavalier RS 2-door. Again couldn’t afford the Chevrolet, but was able to get a VW GTI for $1k less. Nowadays, I mostly only consider VW or GM (own a 2023 Terrain Denali AWD).
2900 miles… Ya she’s all worn out.
Bought a 1979 brown one new with the “high output” motor with an automatic.. Driving a stretch of road from Tupelo to Oxford,Ms, you had to floor it going down one hill to make it up the next hill with a remaining 45mph. Guy opened his larger car door against it and caved in the entire quarter panel. Wife drove to her teaching job and told her students that she had a new ‘Vette. They were very less than impressed seeing the Chevette in the parking lot. Sold it in late ’83 for a 1984 Monte Carlo SS. The 305 HO in it was much more satisfying.
Too bad its not a 4 speed manual.
Say what you want about the Chevette but will the 2024 Bolt be around in 39 years? Probably not because the cost to swap in a new battery pack will cost more than the vehicle is worth.
The old joke is a guy looking to date a beauty queen tells her he has a Vette. She is impressed. Then he shows up in this.
Some cars are better left unremembered. This is one of them.