A Chevette diesel?

[JQmile]

Yup. Cause I write for Diesel Power Magazine. In addition to the 1982 Chevette diesel I have a 89 Dodge Ram that gets about 23mpg if I keep my foot out of it (and has 400hp if I don't) and a 1971 Nova Drag Car that gets about 5mpg and depletes the ozone layer when it starts.

About the Chevette: It's a 1982 two door, weighs 2400 lb with me in it, has 51 hp from a 1.8L non-turbo diesel engine, and was rated at 41 city/ 55 hwy. So far I've gotten about 44mpg at 70-75mph, and 56.2mpg at 55mph (slowing to 50mph up hills and coasting down). Thinking of doing some aero mods next. Cool forum.

[cfg83]

JQmile -

Welcome to EM! Sounds like you have a unique classic Chevette there. I just wiki-ed your car and it looks like an Isuzu powerplant :

Chevrolet Chevette - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1981: Diesel engine now optional (1.8 L Isuzu unit). New style steel wheels, "dog dish" hubcaps discontinued. US models received a new Computer Command Control feedback system on gasoline engines. Pontiac T1000 introduced which shared all body stamping with the Chevette, and had a black grille and standard chrome trim around the side windows. Diesel engine first listed as option in late 1981. 3.36 axle ratio introduced. Power steering was now available.

CarloSW2

[ATaylorRacing]

Originally Posted by JQmile

Yup. Cause I write for Diesel Power Magazine. In addition to the 1982 Chevette diesel I have a 89 Dodge Ram that gets about 23mpg if I keep my foot out of it (and has 400hp if I don't) and a 1971 Nova Drag Car that gets about 5mpg and depletes the ozone layer when it starts.

About the Chevette: It's a 1982 two door, weighs 2400 lb with me in it, has 51 hp from a 1.8L non-turbo diesel engine, and was rated at 41 city/ 55 hwy. So far I've gotten about 44mpg at 70-75mph, and 56.2mpg at 55mph (slowing to 50mph up hills and coasting down). Thinking of doing some aero mods next. Cool forum.

The 1986 Chevette Diesel is one of the MOST RARE CARS in the world...only 384 were built for that last year!

[bikin' Ed]

I used to have an "82 Chevette. 4cyl, 4spd, 4dr, I drove it from the dealership to the tire shop where I worked. I swapped the 155/80R-13's for some 175/70R-13's, installed steel valve stems, pumped them up to 40psi, and realigned it. (Sure it was right at the factory)

On trips to Chicago (350 miles each way) it consistantly got 50mpg. The tires were checked for balance and rotated every 5,000 miles--the 40,000 mile tires had 62,000 on them when I replaced them.

I gave it to the ex in the divorce (we had a kid and it was the more reliable of out cars). She traded it in with 206,000 miles on it. I swear it was as well built as anything out of Detroit today.

[mavinwy]

I had an 81 chevette gasser and my father had an 82 diesel at the same time. his was underpowered but reliable, mine I wish I had not sold....it just always ran. Both engines were made by isuzu. I got around 30 and he always got around 45.

We also had a luv 4X4 and a 2wd diesel. The engines were the same as the chevettes.

I would never have rated any of them high on comfor though

Jim

[Johnny Mullet]

I had 3 Chevette's all gas and all rusted away. I met a guy with a diesel model years ago and I was intrigued by it.

[wagonman76]

Never saw a diesel Chevette but Ive heard of them. Lots of vehicles back then were made as diesels in small numbers.

Gasser Chevettes, my grandma used to have one, her and her kids drove it all over Michigan. She had one of those "Sexy Grandma" front license plates. Then after that she got another Chevette, and transferred the plate of course. My uncle had his own Chevette and said it was surprisingly good in the snow, he lives at the top of a big hill. My friends sister had a T1000. The lady next door to my other grandma had 2 or 3 Chevettes. Quite a few others I know had one too. Seems like around here they were as popular as the Escort back then.

[Johnny Mullet]

Nothing cooler than owning a "vette"

[MetroMPG]

Welcome to EM, JQmile.

[gofastbobby]

welcome jq. nice mag you got there.