Produced for just two years (1971 and 1972), the Heavy Chevy was a “poor man’s” version of the Chevelle Super Sport. Heavy on graphics but light on creature comforts, it was a budget-minded muscle car whose main requirement was a V8 engine. The seller has a 1971 edition that has likely been restored and may include features not originally offered on the Heavy Chevy (like bucket seats). Located in San Pablo, California, this SS wannabe is available here on craigslist for $33,500. Thanks for the “tiperoo”, Tony Primo!
The Heavy Chevy began with a V8 Chevelle Sport Coupe (not the Malibu) and came with a 307 cubic inch V8 as standard. Rubber floor mats were also from the factory, but the graphics department was given a license to be liberal with decals and stickers. You could go up to a 400 V8 and a 4-speed, while the original owner of this car was happy with a 350 (if this motor is numbers-matching). We suspect the insurance premiums were a lot less on the Heavy Chevy than on an SS 396 or 454.
Production numbers were modest in 1971 at 6,727 units, growing to 9,508 in 1972. When the all-new “Colonnade” Chevelles came out in 1973, the Heavy Chevy was no more. Besides the graphics, you got a domed hood (like the SS) and a blacked-out grille (also like the SS). Documentation is needed to verify a real deal Heavy Chevy, but we’re guessing far fewer have been cloned compared to a Super Sport.
With 80,000 miles on the odometer, we doubt this car is still original. The paint is too nice, and the interior looks like it was imported from an SS of the same vintage. The 4-speed floor shifter seems to be aftermarket, while we assume the car was ordered with that tranny from the factory. Cowl induction was optional, and this car’s is said to be functional. We’re told the hot rod performs as well as it presents. For those who don’t have $50k or more for a Chevelle SS, would this Heavy Chevy suffice?
I remember at the time that there were several states where a service member like I was could not afford insurance on an SS, since Geico and USAA has the SS’s vins noted. This was the answer. This one has a much fancier interior than I recall being available.
I didn’t realize that a functional cowl induction hood was an option on anything but the Super Sport package. Was the sport gauge package available as well?
It’s a cowl induction hood, you can tell by the flapper, but hasn’t been made functional. They’ve been available through the aftermarket for decades, Jegs has one listed for $344, better quality are closer to $500, a complete set up with hood and all the components to make it functional are closer to $1,000. Tach and gauges were optional on SS’s and non-SS’s with V8’s.
Steve R
There are some issues, it’s a column shift car, manual drum brakes, it has a cowl induction hood but it’s not functional, the shifter handle is so short it will be an uncomfortable reach, there are no rubber bumpers on the inner fender and core support to help keep the hood aligned. This has signs of a quick flip that looks pretty, but might not hold up. For $33,500 it needs a very thorough inspection, there are a lot of nice cars for that kind of money.
Steve R