The Chevrolet Chevelle (pronounced "sha-vell") is a mid-sized automobile from Chevrolet debuting in 1964. It was produced from 1964 through 1977 and was one of General Motors' most successful cars. Chevelle models ranged from economical family cars to powerful coupes and convertibles. The Malibu was at first the top trim level of the Chevelle line, and it replaced the Chevelle name entirely after 1977. The Chevelle chassis (based on the reengineered GM A platform) provided the platform for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a very successful model itself.

The Chevelle was intended to compete with the similarly sized Ford Fairlane, and to return to the Chevrolet lineup a model similar in size and concept to the popular models. Early design photos show what would eventually be the Chevelle wearing Nova nameplates, the name that was used for the top trim level in the smaller Chevy II series. From the Chevelle was the basis for the similar Beaumont, a re-trimmed model sold only in Canada by Pontiac dealers.

Four-door hardtop sedans, dubbed Sport Sedans, were available from 1966 though 1972. A two-door station wagon was available in 1964 and 1965 in the bottom-line Chevelle 300 series. Two-door hardtop coupes and convertibles were produced from 1964 to 1972, while four-door sedans and four-door wagons were offered throughout the entire run. Various models of wagons were sold with exclusive nameplates: Nomad ), Nomad Custom (1968), Greenbrier ), Concours ), and Concours Estate ). In line with other Chevrolet series, the two-door hardtops were called Sport Coupes.

A utility pickup, the El Camino, was part of the lineup and, depending on the year, was available in 300/300 Deluxe trim level, Malibu trim level and the one-year only SS396. The El Camino outlived its passenger car counterpart until its demise in 1987.

Chevelle SS

The Chevelle SS represented Chevrolet's entry into the muscle car battle. Early 1964 and 1965 Chevelles had a Malibu SS badge on the rear quarter panel (the sought-after Z16 option had the emblem on the front fender, where 201 Malibu SS396s were produced); after 1965, the Malibu SS badging disappeared except for those sold in Canada. The Chevelle SS, which became a regular series of its own in 1966 called the SS396, was the high performance version and had its own line of engines and performance equipment. The performance engines available included 396 CID V8s - rated at 325, 350 and respectively (the mid horsepower 396 was rated at for 1966 only and thereafter). The SS396 series only lasted three years from 1966 through 1968 before being relegated to an option status just like air conditioning or a radio. The 1966 and 1967 model years also saw the limited run of the 'strut back' 2-dr sport coupe with its own model number, 17, as opposed to model number 37 used on previous and later 2-dr sport coupes. The 1968 model year was the first and only year of the SS396 El Camino with its own series/model identification of 13880. Almost all the goodies (big block engine, suspension, transmission options, etc.) of the SS396 could be ordered on the 1966 and 1967 El Camino but, sadly, the SS396 series El Camino was not available until (and only in) the 1968 model year. As with the 300 Deluxe and Malibu in 1969 and only the Malibu from 1970 to 1972, the SS option could be ordered in the El Camino as well.