There’s nothing quite like being 17, having your own car, $10 worth of gas in the tank, a few girl friends, and Saturday afternoons full of sunshine and freedom. Every couple of years, the air will feel just right, a certain song will come on the radio, and I’ll be that girl again driving in my 1986 Chevette with my whole life stretched out in front of me.
Teenage memories may account for some of the soft spot in my heart for Chevettes, but not all. I have had many and many vehicles over the past 20 years. I had 11 cars that year in college. Why so many? I sometimes think that I like to fit the vehicle that I drive to whatever time it happens to be, and I am a person who has different styles and interests. I also like cars and have never been able to find one vehicle that does everything I need.
I had a Mustang Convertible, a Dodge Durango, a Volkswagon Golf TDI, Ford and Dodge Minivans, Ford 1/2 ton trucks, and many, many vehicles. Why does the Chevette stand out as my all-time favorite car?
1. Fuel economy. You could put $10 of gas in it and drive around for days. The Volkswagon Golf TDI was certainly more stingy on fuel (it drove from Nova Scotia to Orlando, Florida for $134), but it can’t compare to the next point.
2. Cheap, readily available parts. There were parts in every junk yard and I don’t remember anything more than $20. There are many miniaturized and parts are usually cheap, depending on the year and make.
3. tough My Chevette has plowed through snow and mud more than I’d like to believe with wheel drive. I got a lot of snow that I easily got to the hood.
4. Price. I paid $200 for my 1986 Chevettte in 1992. That just sounds crazy to me now. Is this old me?
Now, if only I could find another car that is as strong, economical, and tough as the old 1986 Chevette…..
