When we fondly remember the years that encompass what many consider the muscle car era, one recollection many have is about the “gaudiness” of which the big three automakers were bestowing on many cars. At one time, Mopar installed huge wings, garish colors, and air-piercing pointed noses on its cars. Ford built cars that might not have been as outlandish, but nonetheless, engineers there did develop some unique-looking cars like the Talladega. As far as vehicles coming out of the Chevy camp. Outlandish looks were not highly popularized, but the General made sure enthusiasts recognized its autos.

What all three companies did share was a penchant for cool names: Road Runner, Superbird, Cobra, and Falcon are just a few of the memorable names that Mopar and Ford hung on their vehicles. Chevrolet didn’t actually have any particular model with a name that could be called “out there,” but it did develop sub-models with monikers that were meant to catch on.

Take, for instance, the Heavy Chevy. At a time when horsepower might have been getting phased out, one would think calling any car model “heavy” might not have been the best marketing idea. However, it actually gets remembered fondly.

A Humble Beginning

When 1971 rolled around, insurance rates were climbing, and the government was starting to get serious about controlling vehicle emissions. Chevrolet’s Chevelle was a hugely popular seller, but since the new federal mandates resulted in power output being curtailed, the plan at General Motors was to keep the car’s good looks but still offer a wide variety of engines — albeit with decreased power to satisfy insurance agents. The Super Sport option continued to be part of the Chevelle “package,” and a new sub-model was born — the Heavy Chevy.

The Heavy Chevy (RPO YF3) was bestowed upon base model Chevelle sport coupes. The Heavy Chevy was first introduced as a 1971 mid-year offering, and sales likely suffered because there was no promotion or announcement of the option. In fact, only a salesman’s supplement announced its availability, and only to dealers. It was up to them to promote the cars. The lack of marketing was likely the reason only 6,727 were sold in 1971.

The Heavy Chevy option included body-length stripes down both sides and “Heavy Chevy” decals on the front fenders, trunk, and hood. The hood sticker actually replaced the standard “Chevelle by Chevrolet” emblem. Other items included in the YF3 option were a black grille (instead of the usual grey), a special domed hood with locking pins, and 14×6 Rallye wheels with special center caps. The long side stripes were available in either black or white. In a Chevrolet document dated March 1, 1971 listing model options, the stripes were not available when a vinyl top or a black or white painted roof was specified.

Getting back to the grill, not only was it black, but it was also void of the traditional center Bow Tie emblem. However, the Heavy Chevy did have grille-trim moldings available that the standard Chevelle did not. The lower windshield trim was narrower than the Malibu trim, and the windshield wipers did not hide below the windshield. Also, the system did not have an articulated left wiper arm. Wheel well trim, rocker accents and roof drip moldings were not included, but cars with the two-tone treatment or a vinyl top did get trim separating the body and roof. The taillight lenses were red and red/white, without the bright trim rings or Argent Silver paint.

Simple Seating

The interior was mostly standard fare. Only black cloth, black vinyl, dark blue cloth, and dark jade cloth interior colors/fabrics were offered. Floor covering consisted of a color-keyed vinyl-coated rubber mat in lieu of carpeting, and no trunk mat was supplied. A glove compartment light and courtesy lamps were not standard equipment, but could be ordered via RPO ZJ9, Auxiliary Lighting equipment.

The Heavy Chevy option removed all metal badging, and decals were the visual designators.

Door panels were simple in the Chevelle sport coupe and the Heavy Chevy option did nothing to dress these up.  The 1971 model-year door panels were color-coordinated with the interior and featured raised panels and an ivory white stripe. Two dash assemblies were available. First was the basic sweep-style speedometer with a fuel gauge. A clock was optional. Next, the round-type dash pod was used when RPO U14 gauges were ordered. With this arrangement, the gauges were identical to those offered in the Malibu and included the speedometer, tachometer, fuel, water temperature, ammeter and clock. The oil-pressure indicator remained a warning lamp and was housed in the tachometer. Since bucket seats were not an option in the base Chevelle, bucket seats could not be ordered with the Heavy Chevy option either. Interior fabrics and colors were restricted as well.

Powerful Options

Under the hood, the Heavy Chevy could be ordered with any V8 engine except the big-block 454. Speaking of limitations, the Powerglide transmission was only available with the 200 horsepower 307 engine. The two 350 engines available (L65 and L48) were connected to the Turbo 350. The 402 big block got the Turbo 400. All were column-shifted units. One could order the optional manually shifted three- or four-speed behind any of the three optional V8 engines. However, no console was available in the Heavy Chevy. Remember, bucket seats were not available.

In a time when outlandish body styles and high-horsepower engines were going away, cars like the Heavy Chevy were still offering a little perceived pizzazz over its base-model brethren. Sure, quarter-mile times were down, but with the Heavy Chevy as your daily driver, you could still make a statement that the “muscle car” was still your ride of choice — and a great looking ride at that.