9 Discontinued Chevy Models We Want Back

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Chevrolet Chevelle successful a parking lot

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Compiling a database of budget-friendly cars from nan Golden Era of American muscle group america connected a travel down representation lane. Consequently, we began to wonderment astir each of nan vehicles that are nary longer pinch us, which has resulted successful a caller list. This clip around, we're highlighting discontinued Chevy models that we'd for illustration to spot revived arsenic caller vehicles. Most choices are subjective and saturated successful a longing for nan things we utilized to have, though immoderate choices are purely nan consequence of unrestricted time dreaming. 

For context, we attempted to supply a business lawsuit for each of our selections. While we would emotion to spot V8-powered vehicles flourish successful today's market, we tried to beryllium (somewhat) realistic pinch our rationale. Still, astatine nan extremity of nan day, we're enthusiasts, not businessmen. As such, nan bulk of our reasoning errs connected nan broadside of desire and emotion alternatively than nan pursuit of existent profits. That said, we did trust connected our expertise to crushed these time dreams successful reality by referring to platforms, engines, and transmissions that Chevy still uses today. 

Camaro

Group of 3 Chevrolet Camaros parked astatine a car show

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The first and astir evident prime would person to beryllium nan Chevy Camaro. It's an iconic nameplate pinch plentifulness of history, which we're judge astir of you are alert of. For those who aren't, we'll supply a speedy recap. The first-gen exemplary was created arsenic a consequence to nan Ford Mustang, location was a little hiatus betwixt nan fourth- and fifth-gen models, nan sixth-gen exemplary was discontinued aft nan 2024 exemplary twelvemonth moreover though it's a amended car than its 2 main rivals: nan aforementioned Mustang and Dodge Challenger. 

Okay, you caught me, I'm astir decidedly biased erstwhile it comes to that three-way comparison. All 3 are awesome successful their ain right, but nan Camaro ZL1 1LE is still nan champion car I've ever driven. So overmuch truthful that I was consenting to bargain 1 myself – you tin publication astir that escapade connected GM Authority. That said, I'm alert that I'm successful nan number erstwhile it comes to this decision, arsenic Camaro income lagged down some Mustang and Challenger sales. Given nan dwindling income of nan sixth-generation exemplary on pinch caller reports regarding a imaginable revival, our knowing is that you shouldn't hold your activity for a caller Camaro.

That said, nan caller Mustang isn't precisely flying disconnected shelves, and nan only gas-powered action for nan caller Charger is simply a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder arsenic rumors regarding nan return of nan Hemi V8 person yet to beryllium confirmed. This makes it easier for enthusiasts for illustration america to dress our hopeful outlook isn't downright delusional. The void successful GM's lineup is surely there, arsenic it doesn't presently connection immoderate vehicles equipped pinch some a people aspirated mini artifact V8 and a manual transmission. 

SS (but pinch a cooler name)

Blue Chevrolet SS sedan pinch Holden badges parked outside

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If nan Camaro did travel backmost arsenic a gas-powered model, there's a decent chance it would utilize nan updated Alpha chassis with the aforesaid 110.7-inch wheelbase. If that were nan case, past possibly Chevy could besides bring backmost nan beloved SS sedan that died aft nan 2017 exemplary year, but nether a cooler, much storied nameplate for illustration nan Bel Air. Also for illustration nan Bel Air, this exemplary could beryllium offered arsenic some a sedan and a wagon.

Given nan shared hardware betwixt our hypothetical Camaro and SS/Bel Air, we ideate four-cylinder modular engines pinch optional six- and eight-cylinders. That said, GM appears to beryllium phasing retired some its 2.0-liter turbo-four and people aspirated 3.6-liter six-cylinder engines, which were nan modular and mid-tier powertrain choices for nan sixth-gen Camaro.

On nan flip side, nan Cadillac CT4 and CT5 still connection specified a turbo-four, and besides usage nan Alpha 2 platform. We don't deliberation excessively galore folks would beryllium bothered if Chevy dropped nan six-cylinder action and made V8s nan only different prime speech from nan modular four-banger. It would still beryllium amended than not having a Camaro aliases SS/Bel Air astatine all. 

Given that we're not engineers nor accountants, and person perfectly nary penetration into what GM and Chevrolet are really cooking up, you apt shouldn't clasp your breath. Last clip around, GM was capable to connection nan SS – and nan Pontiac G8 earlier it – arsenic a consequence of its business of Holden, which sold nan exemplary overseas arsenic nan Commodore. A predominant modification is swapping Chevy badging for Holden badging, hence what you spot successful nan image above. In fact, astatine 1 constituent Chevrolet was trading Holden badges for nan Chevy SS correct connected its website.

Nova

Line of Chevy Nova cars successful an outdoor parking lot

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With nan shorter Alpha platformed models satisfied by nan revival of nan Camaro and SS/Bel Air, nan longer wheelbase action pinch a front necktie badge is still up for grabs. This mightiness not make nan astir business sense, but we had to person immoderate benignant of rationale erstwhile drafting these lines successful nan sand. As such, we're reasoning nan Chevy Nova is simply a awesome prime for this segment. It tin beryllium offered successful coupe, sedan, and wagon variants and connection a scope of powertrain options, conscionable arsenic it did erstwhile it was successful nan market. 

To clarify, we're mostly speaking to nan first 4 generations of nan Nova, which were built from 1962 to 1979. These rear-wheel-driven models were rather different from nan front-wheel drive, fifth-gen models built during nan mid to precocious '80s. 

In an effort to differentiate nan Nova from nan first 2 entrants, we fig its other wide justifies a much powerful modular engine. Yes, this is purely hypothetical and we aren't tethered to nan constraints of reality, but tin try. To that end, we fig Chevy's newer 2.5-liter turbo-four wouldn't beryllium a sound choice, since it isn't presently utilized successful immoderate rear-wheel-driven applications. Instead, we'll propose nan 2.7-liter turbo-four, which we cognize useful pinch nan Alpha level courtesy of nan CT4-V — conscionable nan V, not nan Blackwing. We besides cognize Chevy has entree to this motor since it's utilized by nan Silverado.

Chevelle

Rear 3 quarters of a bluish Chevy Chevelle astatine a car show

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If we're allowing ourselves to dream up revivals for discontinued Chevys, we whitethorn arsenic good spell big. It judge would beryllium dandy to person nan Chevelle backmost pinch proportions akin to that of nan discontinued Cadillac CT6, which rode upon nan Omega level and had a wheelbase of 122.4 inches. This intends that our hypothetical Chevelle would slot supra our hypothetical seventh-gen Camaro coupe and SS/Bel Air sedan and wagon. 

Similar to nan Chevelle models of yesteryear, this revived exemplary would beryllium disposable successful coupe, sedan, and wagon assemblage styles. It'll of people make usage of GM's latest mini artifact V8s, apt sticking pinch nan people aspirated 6.2-liter LT1 and supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8s. Manual transmissions are required, though hybridized all-wheel-drive variants are much than invited moreover if they're automatic only. 

Unfortunately, there's virtually nary chance of nan Chevelle making a return, astatine slightest successful this form. On apical of that, GM is improbable to connection 1 wagon, fto unsocial 2 (this and our aforementioned Bel Air wagon, which was primitively known arsenic nan Nomad). It didn't moreover bring a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing wagon to market, and that's overmuch much feasible than these mechanical marvels we've managed to dream up.

El Camino

Red Chevy El Camino parked connected nan street

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In an effort to dispersed nan costs of our hypothetical Chevelle complete different models, we envisioned nan return of nan El Camino pickup, aka nan ute. Notably, nan El Camino besides shared its underpinnings pinch nan Chevelle erstwhile it made its comeback successful 1964. If Hyundai tin (sort of) do it coming pinch nan Santa Cruz, past why can't Chevy? It would coincide pinch nan resurgence of mullets, too. 

Similar to nan Camaro, nan El Camino was discontinued owed to mediocre income successful 1960. However, it was past brought backmost successful 1964. If we're lucky, possibly nan aforesaid result is successful shop for nan Camaro — nan revival part, not nan eventual demise part. Production of nan El Camino continued connected for 5 generations, and ended successful 1987. 

Although it's been regarded arsenic highly impractical, we deliberation nan El Camino could beryllium a awesome solution for folks who want a furniture but besides want nan drivability of a rider car alternatively than an existent truck. As agelong arsenic it offered much compartment abstraction and was substantially better looking than nan besides discontinued Chevy SSR, which was nan closest point to nan El Camino since it was discontinued, past there's a chance it could beryllium good received by nan market. Or not. All we cognize is that a modern loop of a V8-powered El Camino would beryllium badass. 

Corvair

Red Chevy Corvair convertible parked successful nan in-field of a title track

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Enthusiasts cognize that nan Chevrolet C8 Corvette isn't nan automaker's first conveyance to deed nan marketplace pinch an motor successful nan backmost half of nan car. That badge of grant goes to nan Corvair, which was built and sold backmost successful nan '60s. It featured an air-cooled flat-six, which sounds much Porsche-like than thing you'd expect from Chevy. 

As for really specified a conveyance would fresh into nan brand's portfolio, well, Chevy doesn't presently connection thing that's some nosy and affordable. In keeping pinch its rear-engined heritage, wouldn't it beryllium cool if nan automaker came retired pinch a sub-compact exemplary that has its propulsion portion successful nan back? Think Saturn Sky meets Toyota MR-2. We would moreover beryllium good pinch it borrowing nan mini 1.2-liter three-cylinder from nan Trax, which makes 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. 

While we would for illustration thing pinch a mini spot much heft, for illustration nan 1.5-liter turbo-four from nan Equinox, which puts retired 175 hp and 203 lb-ft, nan main nonsubjective would beryllium to connection budget-friendly fun. If that intends a battery-powered mill alternatively of a gas-powered one, past we'd beryllium good pinch that, too, arsenic agelong arsenic it wasn't excessively heavy. Doing truthful could springiness GM nan opportunity to badge technologist nan Buick Electra backmost to life, too. 

Such a conveyance would besides springiness General Motors thing to compete pinch erstwhile it comes to small, sporty offerings from different automakers. That said, we person a overmuch amended chance of seeing a seventh-gen Camaro than thing for illustration a caller Corvair. 

Cobalt (especially nan SS)

Black 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS sedan successful a parking lot

Frankie Cruz/Jalopnik

If you've ever driven one, past you'll cognize that nan Cobalt SS is simply a ace fun-to-drive subcompact that besides offers practicality and efficiency. That said, we would emotion to spot this small point make a comeback. I could've suggested nan Chevy Cruze but that seemed a touch excessively narcissistic, positive Chevy ne'er offered a Cruze SS model.

When it comes to logistics, we'll return nan easy measurement retired and propose a modified type of nan VSS-F level utilized by nan Chevy Trax. The small 1.3-liter turbo-three we are besides suggesting for nan Corvair would look correct astatine location successful specified an application. However, we would emotion to spot a Cobalt SS version equipped pinch nan existent 2.0-liter turbo-four, which is simply a descendent of nan engines utilized successful nan original Cobalt SS models. For nan uninitiated, nan 2005 done 2007 Cobalt SSes utilized a supercharged 2.0 dubbed nan LSJ, while 2008-2010 models utilized a turbocharged 2.0 called nan LNF. 

Some opportunity nan turbo-four Cobalt SS sedan, which was only built for nan 2009 exemplary year, is nan astir cherished. With that successful mind, we deliberation four-door sedan and five-door hatchback assemblage styles would beryllium astir ideal. 

Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu sedan parked connected a dealership lot

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Since GM and Chevy are going done nan problem of modifying nan Trax's level for a subcompact conveyance for our hypothetical list, we fig we whitethorn arsenic good do our owed diligence and incorporated a compact aliases mid-size model. To fulfill this need, we turned to nan unassuming Chevrolet Malibu, which was discontinued successful 2024. 

The front-wheel-drive Chevy Malibu arsenic we cognize it coming first debuted successful 1997. Before that, it was a rear-wheel-driven exemplary that replaced nan Chevelle. Initially, though, it was simply a trim level for nan Chevelle. 

Our resurrected type would align pinch nan much caller Malibu variants, riding connected nan VSS-F platform, which stands for Vehicle Strategy Set – Front — nan beforehand meaning front-wheel drive. As for powertrain options, we deliberation sticking pinch four-cylinder engines makes nan astir sense. A larger, much powerful setup would beryllium enticing, but we're redeeming that for nan adjacent revival connected our list. Instead, we deliberation Chevy should connection a hybridized all-wheel-drivetrain, akin to what's offered connected nan Toyota Corolla. The hardware could besides beryllium shared pinch nan aforementioned Cobalt. 

Impala

White Chevrolet Impala sedan parked connected a dealership lot

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Modularity is nan sanction of nan crippled successful nan business models of today's automaker conglomerates. So, modifying nan level to grow nan usage lawsuit for our hypothetical Cobalt and Malibu makes it overmuch easier for america to dress that these time dreams could go a reality. What nameplate would beryllium much due for specified a conveyance exertion than nan Impala? 

The past Chevy Impala built was a 2020 model, and nan automaker hasn't offered a full-size sedan since then. In our world, Impala would return arsenic either a wagon aliases a sedan. To warrant this business need, we've decided that Chevy would connection nan hypothetical, subcompact Cobalt successful sedan aliases hatchback shape while nan hypothetical Malibu is exclusively a sedan. This leaves room for income of nan full-size Impala wagon to flourish. Because, successful our world, everyone successful nan North American marketplace understands nan entreaty and worth of a wagon. 

The turbo-four engines fresh successful this conveyance application, too, though we deliberation a V6 is warranted successful this case. The people aspirated 3.6-liter has already been paired pinch a nine-speed automatic transmission successful a front-wheel thrust application: nan existent Chevy Blazer. In different words, nan bones are there, but GM would still request to put successful designing a caller assemblage and woody pinch each nan reddish portion and expenses associated pinch it.

Still, we can't thief but deliberation that consumers would admit a bow-tie-branded conveyance action that offered nan aforesaid practicality and stylistic entreaty of nan existent Blazer but successful sedan aliases wagon form, particularly fixed really saturated pinch crossovers nan marketplace presently is. Oh well. At slightest we tin dream.

Honorable mentions

Interior of a Chevrolet C6 Corvette pinch a manual transmission

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When reasoning of Chevy models that are nary longer offered, location were 2 that still technically exist, but not successful nan measurement we want them. First up is simply a Chevrolet Corvette pinch a manual transmission. 

Ever since Chevy moved nan motor to nan mediate of nan Corvette, it's been exclusively offered pinch an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That said, GM did patent a clutch-by-wire strategy backmost successful 2018. Such exertion could beryllium utilized to create a manual mid-engine Corvette. We empathize pinch those who whitethorn person reservations astir specified a setup, particularly erstwhile it comes to pedal feel. However, GM's implementation of brake-by-wire technology, specifically successful nan CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing models, useful truthful good that astir folks wouldn't cognize astir nan absence of hydraulic lines unless they were told. 

The different conveyance we're longing for is simply a existent 4x4 Blazer version that tin compete head-on pinch nan Ford Bronco. The Blazer EV and sporty looking Blazer crossover person their merits, but neither 1 offers overmuch successful nan measurement of ultimate off-road capability. We suppose folks pinch those desires tin look to nan Chevy Colorado ZR2 aliases moreover nan GMC Hummer EV, though nan conception of a modern time Blazer pinch old-school brute and a mini artifact V8 is rather alluring. 

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