Vintage Cars: Chevelle, chevelle ss, detuned

Question
Hi Jeff,
I was just wondering what the final production year was for the Chevelle. I know the final "muscle year" was 1972, but I didn't know if that was the last year they were made, too. If you know the final year that the Chevelle was made, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your help :)

Answer
Great question, and one that's often debated.  "Hard-core" Chevelle enthusiasts say that '72 was the last year, mostly because they despised the all-new '73 with its "colonnade" styling.  And there was a final Chevelle SS offered in '73 (in coupe and wagon form), with a detuned 454 big-block V8 still available.  But if you're asking which was the last year Chevy made a car with the Chevelle label on it, that would be 1977.  When it was downsized and restyled in 1978, Malibu moved down to become the base model, eliminating the Chevelle.