Hatch Heaven

The 1972 Chevrolet Vega Panel was basically a delivery vehicle hatchback. It was a way to save on initial cost, maintenance, gasoline (it got 25 MPG) and insurance. It was slightly over 14 feet long and had a turning radius of 33 feet.

The Chevrolet Chevette was introduced in September 1975 and manufactured from 1976-1987. This 1981 Chevette hatchback is just one of 433,000 produced that year, which included the EST (Electronic Spark Timing) option, a one year only feature. Low-end torque and fuel economy was also improved with the addition of a new engine cylinder head design and achieved around 29 MPG. (image source: John Lloyd)

The Chevrolet Chevete Marajo was the 3-door hatchback (or station wagon) version of the Chevrolet Chevette, launched in Brazil. It was produced from 1980 to 1989 with 1.4- and 1.6-liter engines. (image source: John Lloyd)

The 1974 Chevrolet Vega GT Hatchback wasn’t too different than the previous year. Just a few trim and interior changes.

The 1971 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback Coupe could either be a very roomy 2-seater with the rear seats down, or a very practical 4-seater, still with plenty of room to haul your stuff. It had standard front disc brakes, an overhead cam engine in addition to a double-panel steel roof, side-guard beams in the doors, a 50,000 mile air cleaner, foam filled front and rear seats and even an electrical fuel pump that cuts out to stop the car if the oil pressure drops too low.

The 1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2 had an impressive sports suspension via a new rear torque arm which helped isolate driving and braking forces. Stabilizer bars where also standard. Besides its standard 4.3 liter 4-cylinder engine, a new small displacement V8 was also available. It had a series of engineering improvements including a catalytic converter, High Energy Ignition, GM-Specification steel-belted radial tires and other engine refinements and an 18.5 gallon gas tank so you could go a very long way between fill-ups. And when the rear seats are flied down, you had a spacious carpeted floor giving you the ability to haul just about anything around.

The 1978 Chevrolet Chevette 5-door hatchback. It was introduced in September, 1975 and manufactured for model years 1976-1987. It was also badge engineered Pontiac Acadian.

The 1980 Chevrolet Citation 4-door hatchback sedan could be the great grand father of the new Audi A7 and in its day, it was a quite useful and practical vehicle and was Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year for 1980. It was produced from 1980 thru 1985.

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a five-door hatchback with a 1.2 liter four-cylinder, developing 85.2 horse power. It will debut at the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show and is the only car in its segment to offer a seven-inch color touch screen radio capable of displaying smart phone-based navigation, media and contacts for hands-free calling.

The 2011 SEMA show is the stage for Chevrolet’s Sonic Z-Spec #1, where designers took a turbocharged Sonic five-door and added concept Z-Spec accessories including ground effects, spoiler, grille and graphics package. The Torch Red exterior is finished off with concept Z-Spec 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Cobalt Red cabin features custom trimming, including perforated black suede seat inserts, a concept Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and a racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel.

The 1974 Chevrolet Nova Hatchback (pictured here in front of a 1962 Chevy II Nova Sedan) boasted a new and improved hydraulic bumper system with the economy of a six-cylinder engine.

The new Chevrolet Sonic made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in both sedan and hatchback version. Guess which one we like better. To see the whole post, visit Cartype.

The Chevrolet Vega Kammback introduced in September 1970, was the first US-made four-passenger wagon, and the first two-door wagon from GM in six years. It shares its wheelbase and length with Vega coupe versions and was produced in the 1971–1977 model years.