Pull Backs, Part 5: Welly 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible and Chevrolet Niva

The final saga in the 5-part series of pull back cars from Welly and Kinsmart showcase two Chevrolet vehicles.  The first one is recognizable to anyone who is into U.S. muscle cars, the 1971 Chevelle SS 454 Convertible in dark blue with white stripes.  The other one is not so well known, and no it's not a Chevy Tracker SUV, but close: It's the Russian-made Chevrolet Niva SUV.

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1971 Chevelle:  Classic, if overused

The Chevelle arrived in 1964 as a mid-size car to do battle with the early start of the muscle car era, especially it's Pontiac GTO twin!  Since then the Chevelle has been an icon in style and performance, especially the 454 CID LS6 V8 producing 470 hp and 500 Ib.-ft. of torque in 1970.  Sadly, new emission regulations only provided the LS5 454 V8 in 1971 producing 365 hp., and most were seen with the Automatic transmission.  The 1971 featured changes from 1970 including single headlights with turn indicators at the corner and a revised rear bumper with Corvette-style taillights.  The interior carried-over save for a new four-spoke steering wheel.  The 1972 would carry-over with few modifications before the Chevelle name went into luxury coupe territory with engines choked-holed by the introduction of catalytic converters.

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As much as I like the 1971 Chevelle, it seems every diecast manufacturer does the same model:  SS 454 Convertible with automatic, mag wheels, dual stripes.  But I do give credit for Welly carrying over the details from the 1:24 into the 1:43 pull back model.  The blue color is beautiful along with the dual stripes, the lighting and bumper details are excellent (especially the separate clear red taillights in the back), and the badging and trim is properly done.  The interior features detailed dash and steering wheels, console and front seats.  The rear, as usual, gets luggage to cover the motorized system, and the base showcases what details Welly could muster with the rectangular motor system mount in the rear.  Note the door panels:  They originally had detailed inner door panels, but my version was the only pull back that I've got so far that was missing the driver's door panel.  No problem, I'd just remove the passenger panel and have it without the inner door panels (which is nothing new in the pull back category).  Again, nicely done but at least a different model could've been done next time like, say a coupe.

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Chevrolet Niva: Made for Russia

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Now for something you never heard before.  It's called the Chevrolet Niva and it's been in production in Russia since 1998.  The original Lada Niva was a small SUV that looked like a cross between a Land Rover Defender and a Yugo, but don't let the styling fool you it's one capable off-roader with a four-cylinder motor, 5-speed manual, and part-time four-wheel drive with front, center, and rear differentials.  The Niva was credited for it's durable off-road setup and was built in other countries outside of Russia.  In 1998 AvtoVAZ (part of Lada brand) and General Motors teamed up to make a modern version of the Niva under the Chevrolet brand.  The four-door SUV looked a lot more like the U.S. Chevy Tracker and Suzuki Vitara SUV's, yet retained the front-engine, rear wheel drive, part-time four wheel drive, and three differentials of the Lada Niva.  The round headlights, taillights, trim, and rear spare tire definitely look more like a Chevy Tracker.  The interior featured a smooth dash design even though it looks very 1990's, with seating for five (three in rear will be really cramped, abbreviated cargo area that can be expanded by folding the rear seat, and a left-side opening door appreciated for markets with left-hand drive (and not so much for those with right-hand drive).

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The engine is a 1.7L I-4 with direct fuel injection for 59 hp. (no that's not a typo!) through a 5-speed manual.  An ECOTEC 1.8 I-4 arrived later with more horsepower, but still well below the 100 hp. mark!  It's interesting to note that the I-4 is offset to the right to allow the front differential to be placed in the center.  Because of this the front passenger has less legroom and the driver has to lean far right to shift to 5th gear (kinda like accessing the glovebox from the driver's seat).

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Welly has made a lot of Russian cars sold in Russia, but only the Niva comes to the U.S. at Rite-Aid stores, and only in silver.  It's not really popular, but the history behind the Niva is interesting.  The lighting, trim, and spare is nicely done, the interior is well laid out and yes it has the faux luggage to hide the motorized system, and the base features the drivetrain setup but nothing much else.  Oh and you'll notice scotch tape holding the spare tire cover in the back:  I usually take these pull back cars apart to clean them out since they get filthy after being out in the open.  Well in order to take the rear screw off the base I had to take off the center spare tire cover to access it.  That's fine except now I had to find a way to reattach the center cover.  The best way was scotch tape (using glue would've been messy , wouldn't work without a bonding point, and you never know I may have to access it again later on!)

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I hope these reviews of the pull backs give you an idea on how interesting and nicely done they are, and are worth a second look if you happen to run across them.  Remember they're not all designed for the kids!