Under Pressure, Chevelle Takes One Last Gasp
1973 wasn’t exactly a bellwether year for muscle cars. Though many of the domestic automobile manufacturers were attempting to still provide some semblance of performance and style, the shift toward better fuel economy, tightened safety requirements (i.e. 5 mph bumpers) and insurance pressures provided few vehicles that today could be considered “collectable”.
But Chevrolet still had some secret weapons that were exposed with the introduction of the all-new Chevelle Lagunas, bringing some fresh styling to a model series that was waning in popularity and found itself magically included in NASCAR’s slipperiest profiles, eventually pushing NASCAR to make changes to even the competition.
An all-new chassis was debutted in ’73 along with the sheet metal offering a sturdier perimeter, increased front and rear travel, a larger 8 ½ inch rear axle, wider wheel rim width, improved rear control arm bushings and shock absorber location and a front suspension that was redesigned with computer selected coil springs to better match the car’s weight. Front discs also became standard equipment this year.
The shovel-shaped urethane covered nose was integrated into the body design which separated the Laguna from the big bumper pack of vehicles that was being offered throughout the model lines of Chevrolet and pretty much every other domestic model. It sported a semi-fastback roofline, frameless door glass and thin windshield pillars that provided better visibility and made the Chevelle look sporty.
Also introduced were swiveling Strato-bucket seats with a console in the coupes, power moonroof, inside hood release, sealed side-terminal batteries and a larger 22-gallon fuel tank. The engine selection remained static for the most part, though you could still order a 454 ci, 245 hp powerplant with a four speed transmission so not all was lost.
In 1974 Chevy upped the ante slightly with the introduction of the Laguna Type S-3 which could be ordered with special side striping, S-3 badges, firmer shocks and springs, larger front stabilizer bar and larger HR70X15 tires on Rally wheels. The S-3 replaced the SS option for the Chevelle and by ’75 Chevy smoother the front end even further with an aero style nose that NASCAR latched onto, giving drivers like Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip, a leg up with multiple wins in both 1976 and 1977. Unfortunately NASCAR was none too pleased and virtually strangled the S-3 out of competition in 1978 with new restrictive engine rules and allowed the Chevy small block to be used under any of GM’s body shells. The S-3 disappeared from the NASCAR ranks just as quickly as it appeared.
In 2009 Popular Mechanics named the Laguna S-3 one of the Top 10 stock cars in NASCAR history (to that point). By 1976, many of the Laguna’s features were beginning to show up in other Chevrolet models and the platform again diminished in popularity. Catalytic converters and elimination of the manual four speed transmission spelled the demise of Laguna and Malibu again became the top of the line Chevelle.
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