1979-1980 Chevette Scooter

[fomocomav]

I've started my MPC Chevette, but I'm still a little short on info.  I will be building a Chevette Scooter, the bare-bones, stripped-down, delete-happy basest of base models.  The information I am missing is about the back seat.  The dealer brochures say it could be had without a back seat.  However, I have not been able to find one picture of one without what looks like a back seat laid down.  Or any kind of explanation of how this worked.  Did they just lock a backseat in the DOWN position?  Did it look like an old business coupe, with nothing there but panels to cover the internals?  Has anyone here ever owned one without the rear seat?  And, was there a radio-delete option?  Any help would be appreciated!

[Mark]

Keep searching, maybe you can find pictures of a survivor online.  Usually the bare-bones versions were produced in low numbers, just so the manufacturer could advertise a low base price.  Larger dealers would maybe have one on the lot while smaller dealers would usually not.  I remember seeing a number of these on the streets back in the day though.  A guy I worked with bought a '76 Scooter new, put about 200,000 miles on it, and it was a running/driving car when he sold it. 

They wouldn't have just stuck a folded seat in there, there would have been a panel of some sort to fill the empty space.  As I remember, these cars had plain cardboard inner door panels also.  As for exterior details, these cars had silver painted bumpers and grille/headlight surrounds, and "Chevette Scooter" decals instead of "Chevette" script emblems on the front fenders.  A radio would have been an option even on the regular Chevette models.  You'd have to do some research into whether the right front fenders were all punched with the antenna hole (with a plug added to fill said hole for no-radio cars) or if the no-radio car just had a fender with no hole.  My mom had two Chevettes (neither a Scooter) but I don't remember if the fenders had any special stamping around where the antenna went.  

The latest Chevette that MPC offered was the '79, with the larger grille and the later hood that didn't extend downward to the front bumper.  '80-'87 had different quarter panels, hatch, and taillights.  MPC never updated the kit beyond '79. 

[espo]

I've started my MPC Chevette, but I'm still a little short on info.  I will be building a Chevette Scooter, the bare-bones, stripped-down, delete-happy basest of base models.  The information I am missing is about the back seat.  The dealer brochures say it could be had without a back seat.  However, I have not been able to find one picture of one without what looks like a back seat laid down.  Or any kind of explanation of how this worked.  Did they just lock a backseat in the DOWN position?  Did it look like an old business coupe, with nothing there but panels to cover the internals?  Has anyone here ever owned one without the rear seat?  And, was there a radio-delete option?  Any help would be appreciated!

I was ordering the inventory for the Chevrolet dealer I was working for at that time. We never stocked the Scooter, but as I recall the back seat was an option as was the radio, right side visor, and the glove box door.  They flooring was a black rubber mat not even as nice as what they used in the base pick ups. I also think that it was offered in just two colors, white and a beige. The interior was a slightly darker shade of tan and was all vinyl. Mark is correct about the flat silver painted bumpers and grill. The Scooter emblems were stickers and not any type of molding. Might make a great pizza delivery vehicle. Not even tinted glass.

[fomocomav]

I was ordering the inventory for the Chevrolet dealer I was working for at that time. We never stocked the Scooter, but as I recall the back seat was an option as was the radio, right side visor, and the glove box door.  They flooring was a black rubber mat not even as nice as what they used in the base pick ups. I also think that it was offered in just two colors, white and a beige. The interior was a slightly darker shade of tan and was all vinyl. Mark is correct about the flat silver painted bumpers and grill. The Scooter emblems were stickers and not any type of molding. Might make a great pizza delivery vehicle. Not even tinted glass.

I didn't know about the visor, but had found out about most of the rest.  I've seen the Scooter decal, but the rest of the car wasn't very "base."  It had the glove box door, carpet and a back seat.  I just can't find a picture of the rear seat area!  Or a radio-delete option. 

[fomocomav]

Keep searching, maybe you can find pictures of a survivor online.  Usually the bare-bones versions were produced in low numbers, just so the manufacturer could advertise a low base price.  Larger dealers would maybe have one on the lot while smaller dealers would usually not.  I remember seeing a number of these on the streets back in the day though.  A guy I worked with bought a '76 Scooter new, put about 200,000 miles on it, and it was a running/driving car when he sold it. 

They wouldn't have just stuck a folded seat in there, there would have been a panel of some sort to fill the empty space.  As I remember, these cars had plain cardboard inner door panels also.  As for exterior details, these cars had silver painted bumpers and grille/headlight surrounds, and "Chevette Scooter" decals instead of "Chevette" script emblems on the front fenders.  A radio would have been an option even on the regular Chevette models.  You'd have to do some research into whether the right front fenders were all punched with the antenna hole (with a plug added to fill said hole for no-radio cars) or if the no-radio car just had a fender with no hole.  My mom had two Chevettes (neither a Scooter) but I don't remember if the fenders had any special stamping around where the antenna went.  

The latest Chevette that MPC offered was the '79, with the larger grille and the later hood that didn't extend downward to the front bumper.  '80-'87 had different quarter panels, hatch, and taillights.  MPC never updated the kit beyond '79. 

I will be doing the 1979 Scooter, then.  It is the Bear Bait kit that I will be building.  When I titled this, I was scanning all the dealer brochures for pictures of the Scooter interior, and th 79 and 80 happened to be the open ones.  I've been searching for pictures of the Scooter for quite a while, and have come up pretty close to empty.  Frustrated.

[Mark]

Those base models just weren't promoted very much.  AMC offered a similar first-year-only Gremlin, no rear seat and no opening rear glass (cargo area was accessed through the doors).  Some of those were later upgraded with a rear seat and an opening hatch, to move them off of dealers' lots.  Plymouth later had the Feather Duster, the version with some aluminum body panels.  I remember seeing a grand total of one of those back in the day.  In theory, you could actually buy any of these, but you had to jump through flaming hoops to actually get one.  Most dealers would instead give you a really good deal to sell you something that had been sitting on the lot.

For the Chevette Scooter, I poked around online and found pictures of the door panels which are simpler than those on other Chevettes.  The car I found had a rear seat though.  I'd stick a flat piece over the kit's molded-in lower seat half and call it done.  As for the radio, it would appear as though if one were not included, the fender just wasn't drilled for the antenna.  A flat plate would probably have taken the place of the radio.

The radio was still an option on some cars even into the Nineties.  My mom bought a first-year Dodge Neon.  She wanted one with an automatic transmission and nothing else.  The closest thing the dealer could find also had a rear window defroster (required in New York), side moldings, and an AM radio.  Mom was okay with the side moldings but didn't want the radio.  The dealer threw the radio in rather than go to the trouble of taking it out.  They probably didn't have the pieces to fill the hole in the dashboard or the antenna hole anyway.  That car didn't have a passenger side mirror either.

[oldnslow]

How's this ?

My Mom had one , great little car , fun to drive.

[fomocomav]

Those base models just weren't promoted very much.  AMC offered a similar first-year-only Gremlin, no rear seat and no opening rear glass (cargo area was accessed through the doors).  Some of those were later upgraded with a rear seat and an opening hatch, to move them off of dealers' lots.  Plymouth later had the Feather Duster, the version with some aluminum body panels.  I remember seeing a grand total of one of those back in the day.  In theory, you could actually buy any of these, but you had to jump through flaming hoops to actually get one.  Most dealers would instead give you a really good deal to sell you something that had been sitting on the lot.

For the Chevette Scooter, I poked around online and found pictures of the door panels which are simpler than those on other Chevettes.  The car I found had a rear seat though.  I'd stick a flat piece over the kit's molded-in lower seat half and call it done.  As for the radio, it would appear as though if one were not included, the fender just wasn't drilled for the antenna.  A flat plate would probably have taken the place of the radio.

The radio was still an option on some cars even into the Nineties.  My mom bought a first-year Dodge Neon.  She wanted one with an automatic transmission and nothing else.  The closest thing the dealer could find also had a rear window defroster (required in New York), side moldings, and an AM radio.  Mom was okay with the side moldings but didn't want the radio.  The dealer threw the radio in rather than go to the trouble of taking it out.  They probably didn't have the pieces to fill the hole in the dashboard or the antenna hole anyway.  That car didn't have a passenger side mirror either.

Mark, I've found both cardboard and simple door panel pictures, but like you, all had back seats.  If I can't find a picture soon, I'm going to do exactly what you suggested.  And paint it a semi-gloss black to mimic the rubber mat that I've seen on a few of them in their cargo areas.  They've all had carpet (black or tan) in the passenger compartment.  I guess if no one can find pictures of an actual no back seat Scooter, no one can tell me I did it wrong?

[Rodent]

I was thinking that the Scooter model without the rear seat was discontinued by 1979-80, and this pdf seems to confirm that all 79s had rear seats.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Chevette/1979-Chevrolet-Chevette.pdf

 

[fomocomav]

I was thinking that the Scooter model without the rear seat was discontinued by 1979-80, and this pdf seems to confirm that all 79s had rear seats.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Chevette/1979-Chevrolet-Chevette.pdf

 

I believe you are correct, if I'm reading it right.  Since the Bear Bait kit is the one I have (1979), then I will put in the rear seat.  This is excellent information, and I thank you for posting it!

[Draggon]

This might help you see what it looked like.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/photo/1976/187670/74624.html

Edited December 28, 2016 by Draggon

[fomocomav]

This might help you see what it looked like.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/photo/1976/187670/74624.html

Thanks for the link!  There is some kind of shelf, not a void like a business coupe.  So, when I next find an older Chevette model, I will have this in my reference pictures!

 

[Tom Geiger]

 The Chevette Scooter and the competing Gremlin and Pinto 2 seater commercial vehicles were created  to fulfill a RFP from the Bell System for a light duty service vehicle.  I have seen all three in Bell service.  The Pintos were used by the US Postal Service all the way up to 1980.   Around 1976 I remember one local used car dealer in New Jersey having a bunch of ex- NJ Bell Gremlins on their lot.

[fomocomav]

 The Chevette Scooter and the competing Gremlin and Pinto 2 seater commercial vehicles were created  to fulfill a RFP from the Bell System for a light duty service vehicle.  I have seen all three in Bell service.  The Pintos were used by the US Postal Service all the way up to 1980.   Around 1976 I remember one local used car dealer in New Jersey having a bunch of ex- NJ Bell Gremlins on their lot.

 I have never heard of the 2 seater Pinto or Gremlin!  What years were they made?  Was the Pinto a sedan?  Hatch?  Wagon?  Did they just put a shelf in place of the rear seat?  Leave it like a business coupe?  I have seen Pintos and Mavericks without their back seats, so I know what that would look like!  More information, please!  At least, the years, so that I can Google them.  I love to build odd things!  And I have a spare Pinto and Gremlin kit.

[fomocomav]

Tom Geiger, I found the/a Postal Pinto.  It was a 1980 hatchback.  I don't know if they made other body types, but I've SEEN the Pinto now.  No luck on the Gremlin yet.  Do you know the year used for the Gremlin?

 

[Tom Geiger]

Tom Geiger, I found the/a Postal Pinto.  It was a 1980 hatchback.  I don't know if they made other body types, but I've SEEN the Pinto now.  No luck on the Gremlin yet.  Do you know the year used for the Gremlin?

 

I easily found the postal Pinto photos on the web as you did.  I remember those as one seaters, with a mail sorting tray mounted where the passenger seat would have been. My post office in NJ had those, which replaced the AMG produced postal Jeeps.  

The Gremlins I remember would have been New Jersey Bell and were early ones, since they were used and clapped out around 1976-7 when I saw them on the used car lot. For detail, there was nothing more than a flat plate in the back instead of a seat.  Bell System round logo on the doors and a  red/white/blue racing stripe down the hood. I don't remember if that went over the roof and down the back.  Home phone installers used them.  I have been looking for a photo for a while myself.  Here's an old ad with one of the Pintos in it... 

I remember my local pharmacy had one of the Chevettes, one of the later 1978 era ones. I have planned to build that one.  I'd love to see photos of all three of these in different commercial trim.  

 

[fomocomav]

Tom Geiger, the Pinto in this ad is around a 1977, given the grille.  The Postal Pintos were 1980 that I found.  Did the Bell Pintos have both front seats??