- Seller: Austin W (Contact)
- Location: Geneseo, New York
- Mileage: 6,550 Shown
- Chassis #: 1B689AA275350
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.6-Liter Inline-4
- Transmission: Automatic
There was a time when the Chevrolet Chevette was simply inexpensive transportation, bought to commute, run errands, and quietly rack up miles before eventually disappearing from American roads. Today, survivors have become increasingly uncommon, especially examples that appear largely untouched. This 1980 Chevrolet Chevette may not have been designed to turn heads, but its reported 6,550 miles, long-term storage history, and drivable condition make it an intriguing survivor from an era when simple economy cars ruled the road. Located in Geneseo, New York, this Chevette is offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive with a clean title and an asking price of $1,500.
Finished in navy blue over a matching navy blue interior, this Chevette presents as a survivor that has reportedly spent the last 20 years stored inside a building. The seller states that the car was recently started and driven around after its extended hibernation and is described as drivable, though it will require some minor repairs before regular use. One notable need is a missing driver-side window, which prospective buyers will likely want to address sooner rather than later.
Power comes from a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission, a combination that helped make Chevettes popular for economical daily transportation during the late 1970s and early 1980s. While performance was never the point, simplicity and durability were, and survivors like this offer a glimpse back to a time when cars were designed to be inexpensive and easy to maintain. With just 70 horsepower on tap, it won’t be winning any races, but it also won’t be breaking the bank when you pull up to the gas station.
The seller reports that the odometer currently shows 6,550 miles, but it could be 106,556, so prospective buyers will want to confirm documentation supporting the reading. If accurate, that unusually low figure could make this one of the more interesting surviving Chevettes around, especially considering how few escaped rust, modification, or simple neglect.
Let’s be honest, nobody bought a Chevette because it was exotic or powerful. But that simplicity is exactly why surviving examples have become increasingly interesting. Whether you’re seeking an unusual survivor, a quirky fuel-sipping commuter, a nostalgic first-car throwback, or simply something guaranteed to attract conversation at local shows, this little Chevy offers an affordable entry point into forgotten automotive history.
I think $1,500 for a brand new Chevette would have been too much.
They bought a Chevette because “I was so embarrassed after buying a Vega, I can’t believe Chevy could make such a turkey so I’ll give them another chance”. And the Chevette was the replacement for said Vega, and was a better car (could it have possibly been worse?) probably because a good part of it was sourced from Opel and Isuzu. The engines (except for a diesel) were still domestic.
While the 1.4 and 1.6 were built here, they were based on the Brazilian model, which is what our entire model was based off of.
Terry,
While I get your point, the Chevette wasn’t really intended as a “replacement” for the Vega. It didn’t replace any model at all, but rather was a new model (for the US market anyway, the GM T-body cars had already begun selling in foreign markets). At the time, the Vega was the subcompact, and the Chevette was called a “mini-compact”, one size down from the Vega. Though GM took several lessons from the Vega in creating the US market Chevette, making changes so the same mistakes weren’t made.
Despite a three year overlap, the Monza was more of a “replacement” for the Vega, heck, they were both the same GM H-Body platform. Though the Monza offered a multitude of engine choices, including V8’s, whereas the Vega was 4 cylinder only. They even used up leftover Vega bodies that had already been produced and called them Monzas in 1978 (it was a weird and wonderful time). The Monza line made it until 1980, then being replaced by the J-body cars (Cavalier, J2000, Firenza, etc).
The 1.4 and 1.6 liter engines were from Brazil. The THM 175 Automatic Transmission came from France. My wife bought a 1984 Chevette “S”. New in 1984. It was a fantastic car. It had 180,000 when we sold it in 2000. Her next car was a 2000 Toyota Echo that she still has with 200,500 miles on it !!!
I have 309,000 miles on my 03 Toyota Echo and looking to get many more miles out of it. Fellow owners have gotten upwards of 500,000 miles on the original drivetrains. Just gotta look out for rust these days, but mechanically, these things last a mighty long time.
There are certain models of cars that when they appear here, my first reaction, regardless of the condition, is to automatically say “Who cares”. But I don’t. There are always those that don’t feel the same way.
That’s just one of the reasons that makes me proud to be an American. And i hope and pray we will always be able to not feel the same way. Happy 250th. God Bless America.
You could get a Citation too.
Its actually a miracle that any of these cars survive. Everyone in America kind of feels the way that you do, but thats what kind of makes them neat. When all these cars went to the wrecker, a few remain.
I had a friend who drove one. Id love to get it and park it on at his house. Here you go. His was red, though.
I feel the same way in regards to any muscle car. What a goofy world. You send me the Chevettes and I’ll send you the Chevelles. It’s all good
FasterAsteroid I don’t have any comments about the Chevette but I think you have almost as cool a name as Lothar of the Hill People.
I bought an ‘81 new and dove it 11 years. Mine was also an automatic and the best mpg I ever got was 28. They were geared low to give some acceleration off the line but were screaming at 60 mph. If you wanted decent fuel economy you had to get a stick.
They were built for the 55 MPH speed limit. Even the 5 speed was wound out pretty good.
Growing up the second cars in the family were usually slant six powered Valiants Darts and a Scamp.
When the Aspen/Volare came out the family switched to Chevettes and Pontiac Acadians,
They were much the same. Nothing fancy, but bulletproof and would run forever.
We need the modern day equivalent.
That looks like 106,000 from the photos shown, and since there’s nothing posted to show the wears spots, i have to assume the worst
Even so, the is well worth 1500 bucks.
Hey, hey, Josh, where you been? I know Jesse seems to be the “front man”, but always nice to hear from you( you aren’t in need of writers, I hope,,no, I’m too emotional to be a writer)
As a stout promoter of the site, I won’t say anything negative about a BFs classified posting. The site has an incredible following. Mileage is always subjective, and hopefully you can draw a conclusion based on what you see. I do agree, finding a Chevette, ANY Chevette, is a remarkable find. I always felt the Chevette got a bad rap following the Vega. Still, GM sold a whopping 2.8 million Chevettes worldwide, over a million in the US alone. Practically all,,,gone,,,which makes this a wonderful find.
Also, I apologize for calling the comments “shoddy”, they seem to be a bit better, and realize this jinxes it, as long as I don’t pixx off the filter :)
The author uses adjectives such as, intriguing, charming, interesting. All words that have never before been used to describe a Chevette!!
Where is an engine bay photo? Cars have engines, let’s include a peek under the hood. It’s like trying to sell a house without showing the bathrooms.
The epitome of the malaise era.
I was rear ended in my Plymouth Cricket (that only had 38,000 miles on it) and it took the insurance company 2 months to settle. I was not overly concerned as they were paying for the rental. The first car was a well thrashed Vega. And then since it was time for them to .mileage out the Vega they gave me a brand new Chevette. It was very “tossable” which is all I can say about it. My Cricket (otherwise known as an Avenger in Jolly old England) was twice or three times the car that either of those were. Handling and braking were head and shoulders above those two.
My girlfriend at the time had a Cricket. Good car, but I was afraid what might happen if it ever got hit. Glad you were okay.
Thanks! I was the jelly in a sandwich. The car was shortened about 6 inches but it didn’t look like it. But the floor pan actually looked like a wash board. And all the fan blades except one were removed by the radiator due to the rubber band motor mounts. It was caused by a drunk on the Edens Expressway that stopped in the right had Lane next to a guard rail in a snow storm to clean his rear window on the Buick estate wagon he was driving. The next lane over was filled with tractor trailers and I had no where to go as I didn’t want to kill the guy (who was too stupid to live) I managed to get the car hauled down with 2 feet to spare. (Thanks to ice racing experience!) But the AMC Hornet (who happened to be my neighbor in Zion IL. ) was not able to stop in time and collected us all. The drunks insurance company and the Hornets insurance company fought it out as to who’s fault it was . In the end the drunks insurance company paid all the bills. AND he lost his license. (And it was a CDL) So he lost his job also.
106k miles for sure.
Had what I believe to have been an 81 in the same color back in the days when I cruised the sales papers looking at prices instead of brands/models. Got it for like $200 because another kid couldn’t fix it and needed it out of his parents driveway, wire from the battery to the alt fixed it right up. Gave it a good beating and sent it to the next guy.
Bought an “83 new and had it for decades. Wife commuted to work in a small Saskatchewan city, then went through 3 teens, then a niece and nephew. There dad wouldn’t give it back. He passed and it became my daily driver. Started at -20 Celsius, never needed any major repairs like breaks, was easy on tires and got great milage. In 2017 at 100,000+ kl (62000 miles) it blew a distributer and the kid at the shop asked to buy it. Still going as far as I know. Best commuter I ever owned, including my 5 Cadillacs.
All this really needs is some 20″ wheels and a big Bazooka speaker in the rear.
👌👌👌👌👌
😂🤣
I bought a 79 four door in 86 for $150 . Got me back and forth to work for a year and sold it to a co worker. Funny story some times it would not start (Neutral safety switch,?) It was easy to get it to roll hop in and throw it in to gear. Well one night two girls at the club needed a ride. When I had parked I didn’t realize they had added pea gravel to the lot . So needless to say two girls in skirts and high heels pushed it till I could pop the clutch . Good times probably would of not remembered that if not for the ad .Thanks BF
Wow a lot of interest in a 98 cu 2 barrel carb auto. I had a 79 same blue but 2 door hatchback. And it was a great commuter car especially for the 80’s. That cammer was easy to tune up and get another10hp just with timing and exhaust. Another 5 with a carb spacer on the 2 barrel, yep progressive 2 barrel carb. Made my own split point spark plugs before A/C even had the idea, got my idea from blown Hemi’s with no electrodes. with a Mallory coil. Tighten up the rear to get better grip, shim it up tight, no posi’s allowed in racing dirt, they would always protest my car rear axle and find it was not locked.
When the car was swiss cheese from Missouri winters I used it 15-18 years ago at Pevely dirt oval 3/8 mile in the pro4 and racing 2 litre Neon’s was awesome. I could get them off the corner through the straight and into the corner but 1-2 3-4 they had the front wheel drive. They stay low and merge coming off with me up high and it would be a back and forth battle. Really was good racing to watch as it was always back and forth until they would start to gang bang me close me out at the merge. And with not many Chevettes to get other guys racing them as a group I was a Chevrolet loner against the Neons and Fords. Fun times.
I still have engines for spares in the barn. Maybe if I find another 2 door to bring back to the dirt a little bit of nostalgia racing could take place.
I forgot to add, my 1979 was one of the best snow cars I ever had. 200 pounds of blocks or salt with snow tires and that rear end gear with automatic and that car would drive in snow until it was pushing it on level ground. Really was a fun car and very dependable. I made 3 posts on my car for this car. Too bad it has too many doors.
Lovely looking car. I don’t know why, since I was way too young at the time to drive a car, but I remember cars like the Chevy Chevette. I don’t get why it’s not popular today with collectors. I think it would’ve been an awesome car. If I bought one, I would’ve repaired what needed to be repaired and just drive it!
If you ever had to work on one OR pay for the repairs on one. Your opinion would not be the same. I drove a brand new one for a out 3,000 miles and had no issues and thought it to be a decent car. But later on I was running tire stores where we had to repair/,maintain these and my opinion changed 180 degrees.