I wanted to start a thread to discuss our collective knowledge about rare GM options and/or accessories for Chevelle wagons. This will be archived for future reference by all. Be sure to specify the year in which you are talking about. I will manage the posts if they stray too far off topic so that the end result of this post is a good collection of firsthand knowledge about wagon info from team Chevelle guys. Dealer installed items or changes are welcome too but please make the distinction if you know.
post your rare wagon options and accessories knowledge here for ref.
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
Ok, I’ll start. Here is what the 68-72 (not absolutely sure if it was available in all years) wagon rear fiber optic monitor system. It mounts on the rear passenger’s side roof post shown above. The three lenses illuminate when the light from the tail lights and the license plate pass thru the fiber optic cable. The front set would be the same for the Chevelle.
ok, your getting the idea. This is not as rare but this is the 68-72 rear defogger. It mounts in the passenger side rear hump. There is a flexible duct not shown that ducts the air to the grill that mounts on the spare tire hump. You can see the hole in the top of the cover.
I got nothing, wish mine had more options...like power windows
Yes power windows and power locks. Nice one. These would be the same for 4-door. This picture is actually of a 4-door hardtop. (the post and top hinge are slightly different than a sedan but you probably wouldn't have noticed) but, this is the same 68-72 rear door jamb rubber boot. This is stock, and there are dimples on all doors and “B” pillar where it mounts. This power lock linkage is run like this for the front and the rear is a straight shot. Here are the solenoids showing the difference in the mounting tabs for the power locks. Again, there are dimples where these things mount. I should post a pick of where the power switches mount on the door panels but I don’t have those readily available.
Also side note: the power window regulators are different in a 4-door hardtop, but the 4 door sedans work in the wagons (68-72).
Also, the power locks for 68 were vacuum operated not electric solenoids.
Not trying to rub it in, but keep an eye out for these parts. you can convert yours! get the wiring harness, they make reproduction round corner (70 and earlier) and square corner (71 and later) switches. Also look for vista cruiser power windows. The fronts will work but the backs will not. you might be able to shorten the regulator arms and make it work. I am pretty sure you can. I would have to get the dimension of the chevelle rear regulator arms if anyone wants cut a set of vista rears to fit.
Joined
·
14,429 Posts
I will be happy with power windows for the front, door locks are easy. I used GM actuators on the Nova and adapted them to the existing mechanism. Windows are little harder to improvise I'm not into stock, like to build my cars to suit me. More go, more whoa and lots of creature comforts :yes:
I'm not into stock, like to build my cars to suit me. More go, more whoa and lots of creature comforts :yes:
Joined
·
7 Posts
I have a 66 Chevelle wagon its got a posi, power brakes, AC, power rear window.
Joined
·
15 Posts
Not 100% sure on the rarity but my 66 has full factory electric windows and factory roof rack.
Joined
·
6,259 Posts
Philip, it is an obscure fact that Chevelles in 1971 & 1972 did not offer power windows, only the tailgate windows on wagons. Monte Carlos offered them and so did all other intermediates in upper level GM divisions (Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick).I got nothing, wish mine had more options...like power windows
I don't know why it was dropped since they were offered 1964 - 70, then again 1973+ (even in Canada).
Joined
·
14,429 Posts
I now have power windows and locks that were pulled from a 72 Buick wagon.
Cam where did your info come from? Doesn't make sense that they were not offered in 71 & 72. The 72 RPO list shows A31 power operated windows is on the option list, AU3 power door locks is on the list too. Maybe not many were ordered but it appears they were available.
Cam where did your info come from? Doesn't make sense that they were not offered in 71 & 72. The 72 RPO list shows A31 power operated windows is on the option list, AU3 power door locks is on the list too. Maybe not many were ordered but it appears they were available.
Joined
·
6,259 Posts
Phillip, what option list are you using? Is it the specific Chevelle option list published by Chevrolet or is it a list from the Internet? Is it a generic appendix at the end of an information package from Chevrolet? It has to explicitly show that they were offered on Chevelles, but looking closely it shows they didn't. Surprising, yes. Chevrolet did offer power windows in 71/72 on Impala, Caprice, Monte Carlo, plus the A33 power tailgate window on wagons (standard on the full-size wagons with the clamshell gate). I am going by the SAE published specs that you can now download for free from the GM Heritage Center. I am also going by the brochures (both Canadian and U.S.) for both Chevelle and the wagons in which they talk about power assists being available. They mention power door locks and other stuff but never mention power windows. They are also absent from the 1971 & 1972 Chevelle option lists. Have you ever seen an original 1971 or 72 Chevelle build sheet that lists A31? I have never seen one, nor have I seen an original 71-72 Chevelle with power windows. Updated or owner added, sure, but not on an original.
Like I said, other GM intermediates did continue to offer them. They used the same gang switches on all intermediates (though they were of the built-in kind in the arm rests on the Grand Prix). Today parts houses offering kits will be more than happy to sell anyone a power window kit for a 71/72 Chevelle. They fit like they belong there, but they were not factory during those 2 years.
I agree that it doesn't make sense, but let me try to explain what was happening. John Delorean was the head of Chevrolet at that point, and he was given a mandate to make Chevrolet more profitable. Option proliferation really hit a zenith in 1969, yet for all the added options they weren't making a profit commensurate with the costs of offering them. Delorean instituted a de-proliferation edict. Axle ratio choices were reduced starting in 1970, HD 3-speeds were dropped (temporarily). They also dropped power windows from Camaros for 1970 but kept them going on Firebirds. Power windows didn't officially return to Camaros until 1974 but they phased them in during the 1973 run (they switched to a Firebird console in the Camaro for 1973). Chevrolet was the value division at GM, so that may have been the over-riding corporate edict from the GM brass to Chevrolet.
Another unexpected omission from the Chevelle wagon option list for 1971-72, Rally Wheels. Also they were not on the 1973 Chevelles as an option, only as a standard item with SS equipment. The Turbine I wheels were offered on non-SS Chevelles instead. 1974 was the same, except if you ordered radial tires you could now also order 15x7 Rally Wheels on any V8 Chevelle, including wagons (but supposedly not on El Caminos; their day would come in 1975).
Like I said, other GM intermediates did continue to offer them. They used the same gang switches on all intermediates (though they were of the built-in kind in the arm rests on the Grand Prix). Today parts houses offering kits will be more than happy to sell anyone a power window kit for a 71/72 Chevelle. They fit like they belong there, but they were not factory during those 2 years.
I agree that it doesn't make sense, but let me try to explain what was happening. John Delorean was the head of Chevrolet at that point, and he was given a mandate to make Chevrolet more profitable. Option proliferation really hit a zenith in 1969, yet for all the added options they weren't making a profit commensurate with the costs of offering them. Delorean instituted a de-proliferation edict. Axle ratio choices were reduced starting in 1970, HD 3-speeds were dropped (temporarily). They also dropped power windows from Camaros for 1970 but kept them going on Firebirds. Power windows didn't officially return to Camaros until 1974 but they phased them in during the 1973 run (they switched to a Firebird console in the Camaro for 1973). Chevrolet was the value division at GM, so that may have been the over-riding corporate edict from the GM brass to Chevrolet.
Another unexpected omission from the Chevelle wagon option list for 1971-72, Rally Wheels. Also they were not on the 1973 Chevelles as an option, only as a standard item with SS equipment. The Turbine I wheels were offered on non-SS Chevelles instead. 1974 was the same, except if you ordered radial tires you could now also order 15x7 Rally Wheels on any V8 Chevelle, including wagons (but supposedly not on El Caminos; their day would come in 1975).
Joined
·
14,429 Posts
Thanks for taking the time to post that Cam. Just seems like a foolish move to make a line profitable. The parts are in inventory, R&D is not a factor yet they would deny the few customers that may have wanted power windows in their new Chevelle. Wonder how many of those went elsewhere to buy a new car. Do you think a savvy salesman would just order the car on a COPO order to keep a customer happy so perhaps there may be a 71 or 72 out there with power windows?
Thats an interesting point. Maybe that decision was the downfall of sales for the chevelle for those years? I didnt look at the total production numbers, but makes you wonder. I could see many people going for BOP just because of power windows.
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
