Did you ever wonder why every steering column in the Chevy Chevette is installed slightly crooked? ..Chevy back in the early 1970s was in need of a fast replacement for the engine exploding Vega. The gas crisis was looming and GM did not have a small car ready for a economy hungry public. GM of Brazil had the answer.

Known as the T-Platform. Being built from 1973 with success GM decided to get the Chevette ready for USA standards. This would mean installing USA emissions standards and safety equipment. The 5 mph bumper proved to be no problem. Emisisons were installed choking the already anemic 1.6 liter down to tire burning 70 horsepower.

The last problem(Oh Im sure there was lots more) was the energy absorbing steering column. The GM “Bean Counters” decided no money or time was available to engineer a new column. So with the usual early 1970s GM quality control they “borrowed” one from the much larger Chevy Nova. Picture the look on the assembly worker at Chevy trying to install the too long column. “The dang things too long!!” Once again more Jose Feliciano from the boys at GM. Did You Know??