The Chevelle was redeisgned again in 1973 to help stimulate sales. Thecar grew in size and growing farther away from its sporty car image. The ’colonnade hartop’ models replaced the pillarless hardtop versions. The convertible option was no longer offered.1973 model offerings started with the luxury Laguna series, followed by Malibu and then Deluxe models. An SS package was available for Malibu coupes and (interestingly) station wagons, which included bucket seats, blackout trim, SS emblems, and either a 145 or 175 net hp 350 in³ V8 or a 245 net hp 454 in³ V8. Starting with the 1974 model year, a luxury version called the Malibu Classic replaced the Laguna, with the Malibu being the bottom-line model. The SS package was replaced by a sporty Laguna S-3 coupe through 1976, which carried different front end styling, but was a slow seller. These cars were available with a wide choice of engines, starting with a 250 in³ OHV six-cylinder all the way up to a 454 in³ big block V8.
