Weighing In On Chevy History
Commemorating Chevrolet’s upcoming 100th anniversary as a company on November 3rd, the New York Times asked a number of automotive luminaries to name their favorite Chevys.
Talk show host and car fanatic Jay Leno, NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, racing legend Mario Andretti and famous auto exec Bob Lutz opined and shared anecdotes concerning their selections. Their picks weren’t shocking per se, but the fact that both Leno and Lutz listed the Volt is at least somewhat eyebrow-raising. The C6 Corvette ZR1 is the deserved “winner,” named three times by the participants. No argument hereāit’s a world-beater, even if Top Gear do continue to ridicule its build quality.
It’s no secret I’m not a huge fan of the Bowtie, but I certainly agree they have had their share of charismatic cars. Chevy’s relationship with their parent company GM, and by extension all their sister marques like Pontiac and Buick, is so symbiotic that I found myself instinctively listing GM cars instead of specifically Chevys as I mulled over what I would name as my favorites. Overall, I think the “consultants” in the NYT article covered the bases, although I have to say I’m a bit surprised such icons as the ’69 Camaro or ’63 Split-Window ‘Vette aren’t included (although Johnson did list the ’63-’67 C2 Corvette generation as a whole).
What about you? What sits atop your “favorite Chevys” podium?