Pinnacle of Chevrolet design

"MUSASHI66" (musashi66) 10/17/2016 at 16:00 • Filed to: None

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Every day When I have the time, I’ll pick a brand and choose one car I think represents the pinnacle of their design - not just the looks, but technology, engine, and desirability as well. The car had to be sold new in the USA.

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Round 9

Boy oh boy, how does one answer this question? Chevy has made a lot of cars that scream America. 1956 Bel Air. 1957 Corvette. 1955 Chevy truck. It seems Chevy had it’s pinnacle of design in 1950's for sure.

Then, in the 670's and 70's, they gave us the Camaro, Chevelle, Nova, El Camino,

Then again, Chevy did have some great designs in the last 30 years as well. GMT400, GMT800, GMT900 series of pickups and SUVs, C4/C5/C6 Corvette, especially the Z06 in the C6 generation in Electric Blue

So, what was the best Chevy ever? I am very tempted to pick the Z06, or a ZR1, but I don’t think Chevy when I think Corvette, I simply think Corvette.

I was tempted to pick a 454 SS, as an honest old-fashioned pick up with a huge engine, but I still could not.

I was very temped to pick a GMT800 Suburban Z71, as a longest lasting nameplate in the world of USA vehicles.

In the end, I just had to go with a Camaro. Speciafially, a 1969 1st gen, COPO model with a 427cc ZL1 engine. When I think Chevy, this is what I am thinking about.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:02

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Last gen Nova is best designed Chevy.

MUSASHI66 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/17/2016 at 16:06

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This car is like a legend - there are stories about it, maybe some blurry pictures that have been doctored, but there are none to be seen in person.

It is like a Loch Ness Monster of the car world.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/17/2016 at 16:06

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Not the Chevy Niva?

crowmolly > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:07

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This. Even though I am an AFX guy.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:08

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Good choice, but I’d say ‘69 Z/28. The DZ302 was an absolute monster of an engine. 302/375HP with the stock single 4 barrel, and if you got the special “off-road use only” package - headers and exhaust shipped in the back seat and heads and 2 x 4 barrel crossram intake shipped in the trunk - all to be installed by the dealer, you ended up with 460HP and a motor that would wind up to 9,000rpm. This car absolutely dominated American Trans Am racing. Don’t get me wrong, I think the COPO was badass with the legendary 427, but in my opinion the DZ303 was much more of a technical powerhouse.

Jcarr > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:09

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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:09

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No, you’ve seen them. You just thought they were Corollas which they’re clearly not because they say Chevy on them instead of Toyota so it’s totally a domestic car which means it’s better so stop asking.

EL_ULY > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:09

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but....

... yup, better from all angles and colors

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/17/2016 at 16:10

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Tracker is best Chevy offroader.

MUSASHI66 > crowmolly 10/17/2016 at 16:10

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I love those, I just don’t think of them as Chevrolet. Corvette is just a Corvette.

I was very temped to pick a Nomad as they are spectacular

Nibbles > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:11

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That’s a tough pick. I mean you could also go with the 1970 Chevelle SS which is what everyone thinks of when they picture a muscle car

Or the 1964 Impala which, although it was only available for a year, set the bar for fullsize styling. That bar has never been reached by anyone else, ever

Or the K5 Blazer - any generation, but specifically any with the removable top. They did Bronco better than Ford did Bronco

In that same vein, the 1967-1972 Action Line C/K and 3-Door Suburban

The C4 Corvette: You’ve Never Seen. Anything. LIKE THIS BEFORE!

Maybe the Lumina Z34 which looked better than any overweight, overwrung FWD “family coupe” ever has the right to.

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MUSASHI66 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 10/17/2016 at 16:11

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Zl1 has even more HP with the exhaust and headers, but I would not split hairs with either model.

crowmolly > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:12

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I’m surprised that you went with ‘56 over ‘57. Just personal preference?

MUSASHI66 > crowmolly 10/17/2016 at 16:14

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I don’t mind either but I think I like the 56 a bit more.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/17/2016 at 16:18

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Canadian Suzuki Chevies are better than Russian Fiat Chevies? The hell you say.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:20

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I think I’m going to need a ...

MUSASHI66 > Nibbles 10/17/2016 at 16:22

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Those are all good choices. 70 Chevelle, while amazing, can pass as an Olds 442 if you don’t pay much attention.

1964 Impala - awesome, but not as awesome as mid to late 60's Continetal

I love the K5 Blazer, but it is far from ultimate anything - no amazing engines or anything. Remember, this is pinnacle of design, engine and desirability.

C/K models are OK, but nothing spectacular. If I had to pick a pickup, it would have been a 50's model.

C4 is not that desirable to me, unless we are talking about the ZR-1, but even then, they fit into that weird “not old enough to be classic and not current enough to be modern” category.

Z34 always looked cool, but it is not desirable (see above) not did it have any amazing engine options.

MUSASHI66 > EL_ULY 10/17/2016 at 16:23

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Which one is better? While I do like the C7, it is just not that awesome to me looks wise. They finally fixed the interior, and the engines - when not overheating - are amazing.

MUSASHI66 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 10/17/2016 at 16:24

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Pinnacle of burn in fire...

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/17/2016 at 16:24

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My brother and I pulled brodozers out of the swamp in one. Sentimental attachment. I also love that it’s so tiny but still ladder frame and weighs less. Was killed by too many jumps and the crossmember rust issue at like 220k miles.

MUSASHI66 > Jcarr 10/17/2016 at 16:24

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So shitty, that Neon was a better car.

EL_ULY > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:31

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C5 Z06 in black or blue > any C7

MUSASHI66 > EL_ULY 10/17/2016 at 16:32

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C5 Z06 in Electric Blue, just like in my photo in the original post. And I don’t even like blue cars! My father in law has a non-Z06 C5 - I will have to make him let me drive it.

Sam > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:46

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The thing about the C4, though, is that it inspired every Corvette that followed.

Boxer_4 > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 16:48

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I actually saw one this weekend...seriously...

...I was driving so I didn’t get a picture though...

MUSASHI66 > Sam 10/17/2016 at 17:03

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True. Doesn’t change my opinion about desirability at all though.

MUSASHI66 > Boxer_4 10/17/2016 at 17:04

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Oh yeah, and I am sure you’d tell the same high tale if you went to Scotland and you probably have the story of a huge bass that got away!!

Nibbles > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 17:26

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A DOHC 3.4 and manual trans putting out an amazing (for 1990s) 210 hp, pretty desirable for its time :)

MUSASHI66 > Nibbles 10/17/2016 at 17:36

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Ford had a (yamaha) 3.0 V6 with 220hp in 1989.

JRapp: now as good as new again > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 18:23

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It’s interesting that to me Chevy and Chevrolet conjure up different images.

A Chevy instantly reminds me of the Like a Rock Truck commercials.

A Chevrolet though, is a bit tougher to nail down, though definitely not a truck, something more elegant. Maybe a 55ish Bel Air?

Nibbles > MUSASHI66 10/17/2016 at 19:00

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Amazing as well. Placed into a milquetoast sedan, it made something rather desirable , didn’t it?

MUSASHI66 > JRapp: now as good as new again 10/17/2016 at 20:28

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Never thought of it that way, but it makes sense. Chevrolet just sounds old fashioned and classy.

MUSASHI66 > Nibbles 10/17/2016 at 20:29

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It did, way back when. Not today, when a base 4 cylinder family sedan moves faster. Since this list is made today, and since I am making it based on my opinions, z34 still doesn’t fit :)