Heavy Chevy (1974-77)
 


  In 1974, Mattel revived the Heavy Chevy casting from 1970 that was part of the Spoilers series.  The Flying Colors edition differed from the original issue in that it lacked racing stripe stickers, door number stickers, flat black paint on the front grill, and red accented tail lights.  A completely closed base replaced the original base which had openings revealing the wire suspension.  All 1974 Heavy Chevys were equipped with a black interior, whereas the 1970 car had either an off-white, or dark interior.  Both versions of the car were made in Hong Kong and had blue plastic windows.


Cousins: a 1971 issue Heavy Chevy in red and the 1974 Flying Colors version in yellow.

The Heavy Chevy casting was based upon a late 1960’s Chevrolet Camaro 2-door hardtop sports coupe.  The real “Heavy Chevy” as made by Chevrolet was actually a special trim package available on the 1971-72 Chevrolet Chevelle, and was not a term officially applied to Camaros.

The 1974 Heavy Chevy was originally released in two enamel paint colors, yellow and the much more rare “alternate” light green version.  Both cars were decorated with what has become known as a “sunrise” tri-colored tampo, with a number 7 emblem.   Loose examples of the either variety are very hard to find in blister-pack fresh condition.  Packaged 1974 Heavy Chevys in either color are quite hard to find, and are not often seen for sale.

 
The 1974 Flying Colors Heavy Chevy in yellow.  The alternate light green version is shown at the top of this page.

The casting was revived again two years later, for the “Super Chromes” series.  This chrome plated version of the car came with the same light orange, orange, and magenta tampo.  One year later, the chrome version of the Heavy Chevy was again released, again with the “sunrise” tampo, but in olive green, light green, and yellow tampo.  The 1977 issue of the Heavy Chevy was originally released with redline tires, but as Mattel phased out this design, the car acquired the new standard “blackwall” tire.  The redline version of the 1977 Heavy Chevy is somewhat more valuable than the car with blackwall tires.   The casting has not been revived by Mattel since 1977.  In 1983 Mattel introduced the similar ’67 Camaro casting, which has to date been issued in over 50 varieties.
 

Two versions of the Super Chromes Heavy Chevy with redline tires.


Color chart

Model:	Wheels:	Year released:	Comments:
Yellow w/orange and red tampo	redlines	1974	hard to find
Light green w/orange and red tampo	redlines	1974	rare
Chrome w/orange and red tampo	redlines	1976	uncommon
Chrome w/light green, olive green and yellow tampo	redlines	1977	uncommon
Chrome w/light green, olive green and yellow tampo	blackwalls	1977	uncommon

An unpainted prototype Heavy Chevy.  (Courtesy of B. Pascal)


A rare Super Chromes 5-Pak.  (Courtesy of B. Pascal)


The blackwall version of the chrome Heavy Chevy.


Photo & info credits: Gary Nabors

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