Dossier on the Chevy Monte Carlo
The Monte Carlo was a two-door coupe produced by the Chevrolet division of Public Motors. Chevy produced the Monte Carlo from 1970 to 1988, and from 1995 to 2007. Over its lifespan, the Monte Carlo evolved from a sporty muscle motorcar to a luxury coupe.
Origins
Chevy introduced the Monte Carlo for the 1970 representation year. It was intended to replicate the advance of the Pontiac Grand Prix, with which it shared many components. Chevrolet Typical Administrator Pete Estes was the leading supporter of the Monte Carlo, believing that the corporation needed a sporty, rear-wheel handle coupe to compete with the Ford Thunderbird. The project took on the enactment brand "Concours." Chevy's Manager stylist Dave Holls led the replica of the virgin Monte Carlo. Also the distinct similarities that came from sharing a platform with the Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo was very intended to evoke the eyeful of the Cadillac Eldorado. To accumulate costs down, the Monte Carlo example club borrowed supplementary components from the Chevrolet Chevelle.
Early History
The first-hand Monte Carlo was sold from 1970 to 1972. It fell into the "muscle automobile" marketplace segment with its balance of performance-oriented characteristics and extended practical traits. Chevy offered four at odds V8 engines, further as a Powerglide automatic transmission and a host of dynamism interior options, including air conditioning.
For 1973, Chevy redesigned the Monte Carlo. The inexperienced motorcar was designed to right recently enacted Federal safety standards. It again came with besides luxury features such as Clamour reducing materials in the roof and a softer suspension for a exceeding comfortable handle. Sales of the latest Monte Carlo were bulk and other automakers were hasty to overture competing models. These included the Dodge Charger, Ford Torino, and Mercury Cougar.
Evolution
Despite not having a similar replacement in the works, Chevrolet discontinued the Monte Carlo following the 2007 model year. In the years that followed, Monte Carlo enthusiasts circulated rumors of an upcoming reintroduction of the Monte Carlo, but Chevy stated no intention of producing a new Monte Carlo.
SS Models
Chevy occasionally offered the Monte Carlo in a "SuperSport" or "SS" edition. The original Monte Carlo SS featured a 360 horsepower, 454 cu.in. engine that added $420 to the cost of the car. Chevy also included a sport suspension to handle the extra weight of the 454. Very few Monte Carlo SS editions were initially sold.Chevy offered the Monte Carlo as an SS edition again in 1983. As in the '70s, very few were produced. This SS edition featured a 305 cu.in.In 1978, Chevy introduced the third-generation Monte Carlo. Arriving amidst the energy crisis, this Monte Carlo was significantly smaller than its predecessors (about 750 lbs lighter than the 1977 model). For the first time, Chevy offered the Monte Carlo with a V6 engine. Cosmetic changes appeared in each model year until yet another redesign in 1981. The '81 Monte Carlo offered the most engine options yet, including a diesel V8 and a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine.With plans in the works for the front-wheel drive Lumina coupe, Chevy discontinued the Monte Carlo after the 1988 model year.
Later Models
The Monte Carlo reappeared as a 1995 model. For the first time, it featured front-wheel drive (borrowed from the Lumina) and served as the coupe version of the Lumina sedan. While many Monte Carlo enthusiasts complained about the new car's decreased performance, sales were strong and Chevy made few changes for several years. In 2000, the sixth generation Monte Carlo went on sale. Again it was a front-wheel drive coupe but was sold with many sporty options that set it apart from the rest of the Chevy lineup.V8 engine and became popular on the NASCAR circuit, where it won numerous races through the 1980s.
For the release of the final generation in 2000, Chevy brought back the SS. From 2000 to 2005, the Monte Carlo SS came with a 200 horsepower 3.8 liter V6. The even more powerful SS Supercharged edition included a supercharger V6 rated at 240 horsepower.
