1984 Chevrolet Chevette CS; GM's first ``world car''.(GM's Chevrolet Chevette )

Byline: ERIC TEGLER

Chevy's snappy ad slogan for the Chevette was, ``It'll drive you happy.'' But not everyone agreed. In fact, knocking the Chevette's ``cost-sensitive'' construction and attributes became a highly developed, not to mention fun, sport.

The Chevette was variously referred to as an engine surrounded by four pieces of drywall; a plywood matchbox with no redeeming qualities; and a throwaway from the word go. In 2000, NPR's Car Talk asked its radio audience to rate the 10 worst cars of the millennium. Only the Gremlin, Pinto, Vega and unloved Yugo scored worse than the Chevette. So it's somewhat ironic that its reputation as a rolling joke disguises the car's historical significance to GM.

The Chevette was the General's first ``world car.'' Conceived in 1970 by German subsidiary Opel AG, ``Project 1865'' was intended to compete with the VW Beetle. The T-car, as it was designated internally, would be sold worldwide in 10 different bodies under 25 different names. Hatchback, sedan, pickup and station wagon models were sold throughout Europe and South America until 1993.

The first T-car rolled off the assembly line in Brazil in spring 1973, with the Chevette bowing in the United States in the fall of 1975 as a two-door hatchback only. A four-door hatch would be offered later. These first U.S. Chevettes were powered by a 1.4-liter four-banger spitting out 52 horsepower or a 1.6-liter engine developing 62 hp. Both engines drew fuel/air through a single-barrel Rochester carburetor. In 1977, the 1.6-liter became the car's standard powerplant, remaining basically unchanged throughout its production run.

New for the U.S. market the following year was a high-output 1.6. With a two-barrel Holley-Weber carb and a hotter cam, this powerplant yielded 75 horsepower. In 1981, a 1.8-liter Isuzu diesel became available for the United States.

Transmission choices consisted of a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic, with a five-speed manual offered for 1981. Styling was mildly reworked in 1981 and Pontiac got its own copy, the T-1000. Chevy made Chevettes for the States until 1987.