1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Coupe

1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Coupe

From the moment Chevrolet joined the growing market for "intermediate" cars in 1964, the SS badges on its raciest midsize Chevelles were known to stand for "Super Sport." Armed with enhanced performance features and adorned with custom styling touches, by 1970, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS coupe had earned a deserved place among the top rank of the era's muscle cars.

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The auto industry's taste for such cars began turning sour in response to political and economic trends in the early 1970s, but Detroit still issued sports models albeit in weakened form. Perhaps it was by force of habit, then, that an SS package was created for the completely redesigned 1973 Chevelle.

After five years on the same basic body shells, all General Motors intermediates were totally new for 1973. Wheelbases remained 112 inches for twodoor cars and 116 inches for fourdoors and station wagons, but convertibles were dropped and closed cars were dressed in new "Colonnade" styling.

The twodoor hardtops of the past were replaced by true coupes with thick Bpillars and fixed rear sidewindow glass. All now had a dualheadlight design, which was nothing new to Chevelle; it had dropped fourlamp lighting in 1971. Heavy governmentmandated fivemph "crash bumpers" were fitted up front.

The midsize Chevy came in Deluxe, Malibu, and new upscale Laguna trim. Checking off option Z15 and plunking down $243 would make an SS out of any Malibu coupe or for the only time ever station wagon equipped with a 350 or 454cid V8.

Package equipment included a blackedout grille, dual sport mirrors, colorkeyed lower body striping, blackaccented taillight bezels (on coupes), blackrimmed round instrument dials, front and rear stabilizer bars, rally wheels, and G70 X 14 whiteletter tires. SS identification showed up on the grille, front fenders, rear fascia (or wagon liftgate), steering wheel, and interior door panels.

If that attitude ever changes, Leroy and Judy Williams, of Haubstadt, Indiana, will be ready. They bought the Super Sport coupe seen here new in 1973 and used it as the family car until 1987, when it was restored to likenew condition. Options include swiveling bucket seats, center console, air conditioning, and a gauge package with tachometer.