1973 Chevelle

1973 marked the introduction of the third generation Chevelle, and after three years with little change to any model, the entire line underwent a thorough makeover. The year also marked the last year of the fabled SS line, as well as the notion of the Chevelle as the all-American muscle car (though Chevelles did go on to be strong NASCAR contenders throughout the mid-‘70s).

Introduced as the high-end luxury line of the Chevelle, the Laguna eclipsed the Malibu’s long held spot as the most luxurious models. The Malibu remained as a mid-level car, with the Deluxe replacing the simply named Chevelle as the base model.

The wheelbases were one of the only specifications to remain unchanged for 1973 at 112 inches for two door models and 116 for four door models. Body lengths, however, increased by five inches over the 1972 Chevelle, while widths increased by one. In addition to the new Colonnade model, all rooflines changed, and the front and rear ends looked markedly different. Total production for the year totaled 327,631.

Deluxe

The Deluxe replaced the Chevelle as the base model for the line. Though the body shapes and styles changed, this line was still a bare bones option to the more decked out (and expensive) Malibu and Laguna lines.

Standard engines remained similar to previous year models, with a 250 cubic inch six cylinder and a 307 cubic inch V-8, both of which were rated at 110 horsepower. The price of the least expensive model was lower than previous years, totaling $2,719.

Malibu

As the mid-level representative of the line, the Malibu still accounted for the majority of Chevelle sales in 1973, as it had for the entirety of Chevelle history to that point. One notable difference from previous years was that there was no convertible available in any form in 1973.

Like all models of the Chevelle, the Malibu came with an option to upgrade to the 350 cubic inch V-8, which produced 175 horsepower, or the 454 cubic inch V-8, rated at 245 horsepower. While the 454 was formerly only available for SS models, it was now an option for the Malibu, as well.

Chevelle Laguna

Easily distinguished from other Chevelles with its urethane front-end, the Laguna line was presented as the high-end luxury Chevelle beginning in 1973. The car came with the aforementioned 350 cubic inch engine as a base, and could upgrade to the 454

Super Sport

The SS option was available for its last year in 1973, being dropped at the end of the year model. Utilizing either the 350 or the 454 cubic inch motor, the SS option was available in a wide variety of Chevelle models, including some station wagons. While the power was relatively unchanged from the previous two years, economical concerns and the oncoming gas shortage marked a premature end of the SS, and of the Chevelle as a muscle car.

Muscle Car Competition

As in the two years leading up to 1973, muscle car innovation was pretty stagnant that year. The Pontiac and Oldsmobile representatives in the muscle car competitions (the GTO and 442, respectively) both received similar redesigns as the Chevelle as General Motors shifted to the Colonnade coupe. Both were already purely options on other models by 1973 and were on their way out.

Thought the Ford Torino had remained relatively unchanged since the 1972 model, it only had three years left before it was retired, as well. In addition to gas problems and environmental worries, skyrocketing insurance premiums and safety concerns were continually reducing the American public’s interest in muscle cars. It would be hard to define the end of the muscle car, but 1973 could easily be the year it died. It is certainly the year the Chevelle as a muscle car died alongside the SS name.