Compared with some of the other (almost extinct) cars in this series, 55 surviving Chevette family hatchbacks initially does not appear a low figure. However, Vauxhall produced 415,360 Chevettes of all types and from 1975 to 1978 it was the country’s best-selling hatchback. Today, you are more likely to see the top-of-the-range 2300HS than the once-ubiquitous L version, and Steve Henry’s 1977 example is one of the finest original-condition Chevettes on the road.
Forty-seven years ago, Vauxhall’s interpretation of owner General Motors’ “T-Car” project was crucial to its survival. Autocar even argued that the Chevette represented a “last chance of existence as an independent car designing and producing unit”. The company had recently lost its important Canadian export market, while Ford GB severely impacted sales of the Viva HC and the Victor FE with its Escort and Granada.
In essence, the Chevette combined the Opel Kadett C’s bodywork with an in-house-designed hatchback. Wayne Cherry, Vauxhall’s head of styling, created the distinctive “shovel nose” frontal treatment while power was from the familiar 1,256cc Viva engine. By the launch date of March 1975, the company left nothing to chance. It exhorted dealers to “tell the world ‘Chevette is here’” and show their customers a promotional film presentation fronted by Rodney Bewes of The Likely Lads TV comedy.
Fortunately, the motoring press seemed taken with the Vauxhall that was “whatever you want it to be”. What Car? thought: “We prefer to be analytic rather than patriotic about the cars we test but the Chevette is good – being British is an extra reason for buying it.” When a groovily dressed Richard Hudson-Evans tested the Chevette for ITV’s Drive In he regarded it as “the best Vauxhall for years”.
