Which Chevrolet Chevelle Version Should You Buy?
The Chevrolet Chevelle version to choose depends on whether you prioritize maximum performance, a lower-output V8, an Inline 6, Manual control, or an Automatic transmission. Among the listed cars, the second-generation 7.4 MT and 7.4 AT with 456 hp are the performance leaders.
The Chevrolet Chevelle version to choose depends on whether you prioritize maximum performance, a lower-output V8, an Inline 6, Manual control, or an Automatic transmission. Among the listed cars, the second-generation 7.4 MT and 7.4 AT with 456 hp are the performance leaders. The 7.4 AT reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and 222 km/h, while the 7.4 MT reaches 100 km/h in 5 seconds but has a listed maximum speed of 184 km/h. Buyers seeking the least powerful option should consider the third-generation 4.1 MT with 110 hp. All listed versions use Gasoline and RWD.
Chevrolet Chevelle generations compared
The first-generation Chevrolet Chevelle covers 1963–1967 and is listed as a Coupe Hardtop with four versions. Every listed version has a front, longitudinal V-shaped 8-cylinder engine, Automatic transmission with 3 gears, RWD, Independent, spring front suspension, and Disc front brakes. Outputs range from 220 hp in the 4.6 AT to 375 hp in the 6.5 AT.
The second generation covers 1967–1973 and is listed as a Cabrio with five versions. It provides the broadest performance choice: outputs range from 325 hp to 456 hp, transmissions include Automatic and Manual units with 2, 3, or 4 gears, and the detailed 6.5 AT, 7.4 MT, and 7.4 AT records include acceleration, maximum-speed, and kerb-weight figures. Every listed engine is a front, transverse V-shaped 8-cylinder Gasoline unit, and every version has RWD, Independent, spring front suspension, and Disc front brakes.
The third generation covers 1973–1977 and is listed as a Coupe with three versions. It adds the only Inline 6 in the catalogue: the 4.1 MT. Power ranges from 110 hp to 249 hp, substantially below the second generation’s 325–456 hp range. Its Manual and Automatic transmissions all have 3 gears, while every version retains a front, longitudinal engine, RWD, Independent, spring front suspension, and Disc front brakes.
Chevrolet Chevelle engine and horsepower specs
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963–1967 | 5.4 AT (350 hp) | 350 hp / 257 kW | not measured | 5400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1963–1967 | 6.5 AT | 375 hp / 280 kW | not measured | 6500 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1963–1967 | 4.6 AT | 220 hp / 162 kW | not measured | 4600 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1963–1967 | 5.4 AT (300 hp) | 300 hp / 221 kW | not measured | 5400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1967–1973 | 5.4 AT | 325 hp / 239 kW | not measured | 5400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1967–1973 | 7.4 AT (450 hp) | 450 hp / 331 kW | not measured | 7400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1967–1973 | 6.5 AT | 330 hp / 243 kW at 4800 rpm | 556 Nm at 3200 rpm | 6489 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 2 gears | RWD |
| 1967–1973 | 7.4 MT | 456 hp / 335 kW at 5600 rpm | 678 Nm at 3600 rpm | 7443 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 gears | RWD |
| 1967–1973 | 7.4 AT (456 hp) | 456 hp / 335 kW at 5600 rpm | 678 Nm at 3600 rpm | 7443 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1973–1977 | 4.1 MT | 110 hp / 82 kW | not measured | 4100 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | not measured | Manual, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1973–1977 | 5.7 MT | 147 hp / 108 kW | not measured | 5700 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Manual, 3 gears | RWD |
| 1973–1977 | 7.4 AT | 249 hp / 183 kW | not measured | 7400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 3 gears | RWD |
Power per litre helps separate similarly sized engines. The first-generation 4.6 AT produces about 47.8 hp per litre, while its two 5.4 AT records produce about 55.6 and 64.8 hp per litre. The first-generation 6.5 AT reaches about 57.7 hp per litre.
In the second generation, the 5.4 AT produces about 60.2 hp per litre, the 450 hp 7.4 AT about 60.8 hp per litre, and the 6.5 AT about 50.9 hp per litre. Both 456 hp versions with 7443 cc produce about 61.3 hp per litre. The third-generation range is less output-dense: about 26.8 hp per litre for the 4.1 MT, 25.8 hp per litre for the 5.7 MT, and 33.6 hp per litre for the 7.4 AT.
Chevrolet Chevelle performance and mpg
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963–1967 5.4 AT (350 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1963–1967 6.5 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1963–1967 4.6 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1963–1967 5.4 AT (300 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1967–1973 5.4 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1967–1973 7.4 AT (450 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1967–1973 6.5 AT | 7.8 s | 202 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1967–1973 7.4 MT | 5 s | 184 km/h | 31.1 | 25 | 27.6 |
| 1967–1973 7.4 AT (456 hp) | 5.9 s | 222 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1973–1977 4.1 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1973–1977 5.7 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1973–1977 7.4 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The second-generation 7.4 MT is 0.9 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the 456 hp 7.4 AT. The Automatic counters with a maximum speed that is 38 km/h higher. Compared with the 6.5 AT, the 7.4 MT is 2.8 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, while the 7.4 AT is 1.9 seconds quicker. The 7.4 AT’s listed maximum speed exceeds that of the 6.5 AT by 20 km/h; the 7.4 MT’s listed maximum is 18 km/h lower.
Fuel-consumption figures are measured only for the second-generation 7.4 MT: 31.1 in the city, 25 on the highway, and 27.6 combined. The supplied data does not state a unit for these values. Chevrolet Chevelle mpg cannot therefore be calculated without introducing information not present in the catalogue. Consumption for every other version is not measured.
Chevrolet Chevelle dimensions and weight
No exterior length, width, or height is measured for any listed Chevrolet Chevelle version. Gross weight, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are also not measured throughout the range.
Kerb weight is measured for three second-generation versions. The 6.5 AT weighs 1667 kg, the 7.4 MT weighs 1698 kg, and the 456 hp 7.4 AT weighs 1725 kg. The Manual 7.4 MT is 31 kg heavier than the 6.5 AT but 27 kg lighter than the comparable 7.4 AT.
Weight per horsepower is approximately 5.1 kg/hp for the 6.5 AT, 3.7 kg/hp for the 7.4 MT, and 3.8 kg/hp for the 456 hp 7.4 AT. The 7.4 MT therefore has the strongest measured power-to-weight relationship of these three versions. Ground clearance is 122 mm for both 7443 cc versions and not measured for the 6.5 AT or any other listed version.
Which Chevrolet Chevelle version to buy and why
Choose the second-generation 7.4 MT if acceleration and power-to-weight matter most. Its 456 hp, 678 Nm, 5-second 0–100 km/h time, 1698 kg kerb weight, and 4-gear Manual make it the clearest performance choice in the supplied data. It also weighs 27 kg less than the equally powerful 7.4 AT.
Choose the second-generation 7.4 AT with 456 hp if you want the same 456 hp and 678 Nm with an Automatic transmission. It is 0.9 seconds slower to 100 km/h and 27 kg heavier than the 7.4 MT, but its measured maximum speed is 38 km/h higher. The other second-generation 7.4 AT has 450 hp from 7400 cc; its acceleration, maximum speed, torque, and weight are not measured, so it cannot be treated as equivalent to the 456 hp version.
Choose the second-generation 6.5 AT when the measured figures of the 7.4 models are unnecessary. It provides 330 hp and 556 Nm, weighs 1667 kg, reaches 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 202 km/h. Against the 7.4 MT, it gives up 126 hp and 122 Nm while saving 31 kg.
Within the first generation, choose the 6.5 AT for the highest listed output of 375 hp. The 350 hp 5.4 AT trails it by 25 hp, while the other 5.4 AT produces 300 hp. Because two first-generation versions share the exact name 5.4 AT, they must be distinguished by their 350 hp and 300 hp ratings. The 4.6 AT is the lower-output alternative at 220 hp.
Choose a third-generation car if its Coupe body or lower-output range better matches the requirement. The 4.1 MT combines 110 hp with an Inline 6 and a 3-gear Manual. The 5.7 MT adds 37 hp and moves to a V-shaped 8-cylinder engine. The 7.4 AT adds another 102 hp over the 5.7 MT and 139 hp over the 4.1 MT, while replacing the Manual with a 3-gear Automatic. Performance, consumption, weight, dimensions, and ground clearance for all three are not measured, so their buying case rests on the recorded engine, output, and transmission differences rather than unsupported assumptions.