A terrible car I love to have.

"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes) 08/08/2017 at 11:48 • Filed to: None

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It’s a 1982 Diesel Chevette.

It had (when new) 51hp/72lb-ft, it only takes 19.3 seconds to hit 60mph.

TheRealBicycleBuck > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 08/08/2017 at 11:59

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My best friend’s mom had the gasoline version. I can confirm, it was terrible.

WilliamsSW > TheRealBicycleBuck 08/08/2017 at 12:10

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So many people ‘want’ one of these - I’m convinced that 100% of them have never driven one. They’re awful cars - only reason to get one would be to do an LS swap or something wild like that.

WilliamsSW > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 08/08/2017 at 12:11

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I spent more time driving these than I’d like to admit. They’re awful cars.

TheRealBicycleBuck > WilliamsSW 08/08/2017 at 12:19

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You’re probably right. I swear the car was little more than a tissue box mounted on top of a skateboard.

Wacko > WilliamsSW 08/08/2017 at 12:21

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http://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/swap-insanity-the-1984-turbo-lsx-red-rocket-chevette-that-could/

even others

WilliamsSW > TheRealBicycleBuck 08/08/2017 at 12:23

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With several boxes of loose nuts and bolts scattered strategically, for the rattles.

WilliamsSW > Wacko 08/08/2017 at 12:24

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This is the only acceptable reason to buy a ‘Vette. They weigh nothing (flimsy AF), but they’re RWD —

boredalways > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 08/08/2017 at 12:27

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My mom had a gas version in the ‘80's and sucks ass is an understatement.

Die-Trying > WilliamsSW 08/08/2017 at 12:33

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get a “variety pack” of old cowbells for that consistant authentic clunk and rattle sound...........

Cé hé sin > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 08/08/2017 at 12:33

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This was the only decent Chevette. Seen in its intended habitat.

WilliamsSW > Die-Trying 08/08/2017 at 12:38

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Yup. Throw about 10 in the hatch area, a couple in the glove box, and try to wedge a few up in the dashboard, and all you need is a few more under the hood somewhere - then you’re set.

Die-Trying > WilliamsSW 08/08/2017 at 12:38

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do you happen to recall the “bad seed” chevette, from the pages of car craft? one of the staff had stuffed a basically stock cadillac500, and turbo 400 into one. ran high 10s, low 11s from what i can recall.......

WilliamsSW > Die-Trying 08/08/2017 at 12:40

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I don’t, but that’s awesome. If you could get the power to the ground, they make great drag cars.

Die-Trying > WilliamsSW 08/08/2017 at 12:53

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the “bad seed” had a ford 8", instead of a 9 inch, and had cut down leafs to locate it(panhard bar too). not bad stuff for something thrown together cheaply at home...... but for the absolute in adjustability, and getting power to the ground, its hard to beat an adjustable 4 link rear suspension......

AndyG_UK > Cé hé sin 08/08/2017 at 13:21

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My brothers best mate had a Chevette HSR, was all kinds of fun, that 2.3 slant was a best of an engine!

Jonee > WilliamsSW 08/08/2017 at 13:33

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I had one. I wouldn’t necessarily call the Chevette awful. Just really really cheap and basic. They were fairly dependable cars.

WilliamsSW > Jonee 08/08/2017 at 14:13

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True that they were dependable - they don’t get enough credit for that. They were pretty cheap and basic even by the standards of the day, though, and living in the snow belt, GM caught a lot of grief for making it RWD when the direct competition was moving toward FWD.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > WilliamsSW 08/08/2017 at 15:31

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I remember reading about some that Chevy made some prototypes with then-current 2.8l V6s. It might be kind of fun to do a modern version with the DOHC V6 out of the current Camaro; I love the exhaust note on that car. It has some potential since it’s RWD and actually has a pleasant shape, but I know from growing up in the ‘80s that it’s a rolling turd, much like the Pinto.

WilliamsSW > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 08/08/2017 at 15:38

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What’s weird to me is that the basic shape of the car actually *has* aged quite well - - it was considered a turd at the time, but looks nicely proportioned and clean, now. I think that’s part of the charm.

That, plus RWD allows you to swap almost anything in, theoretically. That 300+ HP V6 would be a great choice.

ranwhenparked > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 08/08/2017 at 19:24

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On the plus side, the optional air conditioning acted as a secondary emergency brake, which was quite safe.

pip bip - choose Corrour > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 08/09/2017 at 06:13

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gib!