CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO : WHY IT WAS SO POPULAR
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- Опубликовано: 1 апр 2022
- In the late 1960s, the era of Detroit Big Three luxury coupes was in full swing. Chevrolet introduced the Monte Carlo in September 1969, a stylish two-door meant to compete with Ford's Thunderbird. Though the Chevrolet Monte Carlo drove into the automotive sunset in 2007, the model soldiered on through six generations and 30 model years, a noteworthy achievement worth recognizing on the car's golden anniversary.
The Monte Carlo wasn't GM's first attempt at a personal luxury coupe. Oldsmobile's Toronado debuted in 1966, and Pontiac's own Thunderbird-fighter, the Grand Prix, arrived for the 1969 1962 model year. Chevrolet did what it could to distance the Monte Carlo from the offerings of other GM divisions, but both the Monte Carlo and the Grand Prix shared a 116-inch wheelbase A-body platform. The Chevrolet excelled in value, launching at a base price of $3,123, enough to undercut the Thunderbird by $1,838 and the Pontiac by $862.
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE CHEVY MONTE CARLO
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Had a 70 so and a 72
i had lumina it was a boring turd in the pool no one cared to be seen in one. no aftermarket appeal basic ass hell, solid car the only nice thin one could say about it, lack luster at best
Purchased a new Monte Carlo in 74,worse car I have ever owned,drive shaft dropped twice taking out the entire exhaust system both times,slid on ice into curb and the front bumper completely fell off!
Alternator quit,battery died,and the power windows quit working when it rained,when the trans.started to slip at 2 1/2 years I traded it in for a 77 cordoba,ran ok but numerous electrical problems!
My first car "74 Blue Monte Carlo, second car "83 Monte Carlo (Black w/Red Pinstripe) - Cried when I sold it. Wish I could have kept it. Still have pictures. 😭
I had a 72 Monte Carlo....wish I still had it today....I loved the smooth ride and the way it handled
I've always thought that the 1970 to 1973 Monte Carlos were some of the most beautiful cars ever produced by Chevrolet. Their continued popularity is proving me right.
The first generation was a nice looking car, but the second gen was rightly dubbed "baroque" (though the popular notion of "baroque" hearkens back to the exaggerated, poorly-integrated examples of early 18th-century luxury-architecture and music, not the better examples). The second-gen Monte Carlo was very "disco," and reminds me of polyester leisure suits with the shirt unbuttoned to the navel, with a squiggly sperm-cell gold necklace.
-- Personal-luxury cars have tended to be a class prone to heavy handed over-styling, and they don't age well in the medium term. I have firmly etched in my mind a late 80s memory of a '74 Monte Carlo (oxidized brown metallic paint, ivory vinyl roof) with a bumper sticker in the rear windshield that read "Life's a bitch and so am I." It belonged to a drug-using, hoarse-voiced (from heavy smoking) divorced single mom of a couple of my kids' classmates. She hung out with a skinny, long-haired, drug-using guy 10 years her junior (who presumably drove an oxidized '76 Camaro with a Megadeath sticker in the back windshield).
-- When I see cars with striking styling, I try to imagine where they'll be when they're 15-18 years old, kind of like water seeking its own level. The Veloster comes to mind of more recent offerings.
@@grizzlygrizzle That's really funny and very well written. Your verbal imagery is amazing. I can picture that divorced, chain-smoking, single mom and her skinny, long-haired, drug-using boyfriend. You should be a professional writer.
I always thought they were the most ugly cars.
@@SD-pi9co That's great! You're one less person to bid against for the car.
My dad has a 1970 monte carlo ss and man is a really nice car.It looks like it just came from the dealership with how we'll the guy that sold it to my dad took car of it.It doesn't have the original engine but every time you hit the gas it feels like the car wants to start flying or pop a willy.
I'm 48 and I've always had Monte Carlo since I was 16. Always loved the styling, comfort and reliability. Currently have a 1972 and a 1985 SS in the garage!
Nice! I have my 68 SS Camaro still but loved my 81 and 73 Monte Carlos!
In the early 80s I was a attending 5th grade, and to make extra money was a paper boy in Long Island. My favorite customer was a swinging bachelor who had a basement apartment. When I would knock on his door to collect the weekly subscription on Saturday mornings, either his "girlfriend of the month" would open the door in her bathrobe, or he would (usually giving a 25% tip) Meanwhile, he had a sleek, black & gold, model year Monte Carlo SS parked out front. To my elementary school world, this guy represented the ultimate in cool and I couldn't wait to grow up, get my own place, my own Monte Carlo, and my own rotation of girls of the month.
Lucky you,and congratulations.Both are the best of the models.
I would give anything for that 72!
I grew up with the '80s versions all around me, the Chevy was the nicest of the really identical Monte Regal Grand Prix Cutlass quadruplets. I had a Cutlass and while it was super plush inside I always liked the slightly less square styling of the Monte Carlo. And the dependability of the Chevy running parts!
At that time the Monte Carlo had matured into a car that was easily as comfortable and arguably nicer looking than an El Dorado of the same year, especially in the mid and late '80s.
But my true love is GM cars in the 70 to 72 "fuselage" restyling, long, low, wide, rounded, smooth and very distinct from each other and a level of comfort that I don't think has been matched since.
And before the government regulated bumpers, there was some real automotive art involved in how these cars were styled and integrated, from nose to tail lights.
We had a 72 Caprice as our family car when I was a young kid, and we had other nice cars later, Buick lesabre, a '90s caprice, but nothing matched the sheer comfort and luxury of that 72 caprice.
Our neighbors with a new Cadillac openly said it was not only nicer looking but more comfortable then their square, early 80s DeVille.
Their son who was very used to riding around in the backseat of the DeVille took a short road trip with us and was amazed that it felt like it was floating like a landspeeder! And it was a four-door hardtop something that wasn't even offered in Cadillacs at any price, and that gives a certain kind of open-air luxury that is sorely missed.
Of course the DeVille had more gizmos, gimmicks and leather, but that didn't equate to more space or comfort for the passengers.
And of course the Caprice looked a thousand times better without all the cheap tacked on tackiness and boxiness that defined early 80s GM.
The one positive I can see about this push to electric motors is without gas efficiency being a concern anymore, the size and styling of cars should once again go back to the designers and people's desires rather than government dictated rules that automakers try to comply to. Hopefully we are on the cusp of an era where you can have as big or small of a car as you want without trying to make a large luxury car meet economy car standards, which is what really killed the American Auto industry. When it was left to what people wanted, they naturally wanted large comfortable and attractive cars if they could afford the gas. When that choice was taken away from them, they moved to ugly small practical cars and of course when people still needed size and comfort they are buying ugly square SUVs that all look the same. Hopefully the electric engine will spark a Renaissance in offering truly attractive cars with miles per gallon being no goal or problem anymore.
I personally am looking forward to a nice big comfy two-door personal luxury car, it doesn't have to be a $250,000 Bentley, and that's something else that was lost.
It would be nice if it was a revival of the classic Monte Carlos or Thunderbirds or other cars of that type, and of course they're always is room for very expensive luxury versions like an El Dorado or Mark 9 version for those that want need and can afford them.
American Auto makers could build large comfortable cars that anyone could afford, maybe with only vinyl bench seats and end crank windows, but they didn't force the middle class into small cramped unsafe but ugly generic cars.
Large and expensive does not have to mean the same thing.
There were very many large and big mid-sized cars that were extremely affordable even if they had police car level of Spartan interiors. But what they may have locked in largely unnecessary gizmos they more than made up for in shear space, size comfort and of course styling.
Had a 84 model. Ordered it from overseas military assignment. Picked up from Houston Chevy dealership. It has numerous problems. Power steering, brakes, seats, speedometer noise, etc. Owned it for 8 month and got rid of it. Promised myself never to buy a GM product.
I had the 76 and it glided down the highway
effortlessly and so smooth. Best boat sized
car in my opinion. And very beautiful.
I agree with you Jimmy, although I didn't like the Chevelle front end on the '76 & '77. The '73-'75 had that ritzy, expensive 'Rolls Royce' style front end.
@bobpierce115 Had a 73 chevelle in the
middle 80's it eventually wore down , so a
buddy called out to me & said he knew where a 77 Malibu was sitting so I bought
the car and saved my 73 frint clip and put
it on instead I did not like the quad lights
front-end of tge 77 .
That's good. In all fairness, the '73-'75 Chevelle didn't have a bad front end, but the '76 & '77 stacked quad lights front end sure did! @@jimmyhamm6041
I agree. I bought a new 76. What a great cruiser.
My first car was a 1977 Monte Carlo. Still my favorite car of all time. Road like a dream.
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My cousin had one when we were teenagers, jacked up high in the back. It did indeed float down the road!
Mine too. It was red.
The Monte Carlo, to me, always had a beautiful design. I owned two of them and they were some of the best cars I ever owned
It was bullet proof.
They were beautiful & extremely well built, loved mine.
sorry guys... i can't... since the 80s i always hated them, they always had bad exhaust leaks and holes in the floor...
@@joseph-mariopelerin7028 I'm with you. They looked cool but they rattled, rusted and the doors sagged. Mostly gutless engines too. Looked nice tho. Brings back memories
I owned a 75 and later a 78. I loved them both. Great handling vehicles. The Landau Top, however, was a trainwreck for all vehicles that had them.
As a small child, like 3 or 4 I was obsessed with this car. My dad was a car salesman at the time, he drove this car home one night. I lost my mind! Never forgot it.
Love ❤️
My first car was a 1975 Monte Carlo, and I loved everything about it, from the big round headlights and chrome bumpers, to the long arched lines and the amazingly smooth ride.
Swivel seats optional, cruise, tilt, twin bucket seats or bench, tree stick shift or console stick in the floor, cars had so many optional accessories that made each one unique and a variety of colors
Absolutely right! Cars could be personalized back then with a wide array of paint, interior and vinyl top colors to make each stand out individually and all it required was a little imagination and good taste! A unique color arrangement could be had without costing anything extra! . @@aarondigby5054
Both the '74 & '75 Montes were 'perfect' in my opinion. By that I mean the front/rear ends, taillights. Unfortunately the '76 & '77 models had the stacked, square-shaped headlights I didn't care for. Too much like the arguably less attractive Chevelle front end. The '74 & 5 was this sleeked-out (affordable) 'Rolls Royce' for guys like us. @denisbrassard1654
My first car was a 75 Monte. Swivel buckets and all. My current is a 72 with a 383 stroker and a TH700r4
I worked in a car rental company and often drove the 1973 Monte Carlo. It was just nice to drive. Solid, stable, accelerated quickly, handled well. Just a pleasure to drive. If I could find a restored one now for a price I could afford, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Oh, and they had styling that no other full sized car had. Just all cool !!!
My 75 Monte Carlo was a fantastic sleeper. Had a Towing package (couldn't say SS any more) which included a 454 and 10 bolt posi. Loved the swivel buckets. Definitely one of the best cars I ever owned!
For real swivel seats thats crazy
I always liked the Monte Carlo. But my dad owned a Dark green Cutlass and always crapped on the Monte. Idk what he was talking about he always says Kregers made the cutlass a nicer look.
They were definitely a trick ride. Styling with performance.
i had 2 75's a 76 with swivel seats and a 84 my 76 was my fav 76 landau
This project a little time for you and me
I had a '72 mote Carlo custom... it had a 4 spoke sport steering wheel , large sway bars and a cyclone style wheel covers..I was 19 and loved that car..
The 80s Monte Carlo was sick . Loved those cars
I owned 2 Monte’ 71 and a 77. The 77 is still to this day my all time favorite. I was traveling a lot at that time. My Monte took me to 48 states and Mexico and Canada. I traded it in with 233k miles on it for and 82 Cutlass. I always regretted that. Love the style of my Monte. Thanks for the video brought back lots of great memories.
77 is my ultimate dream car. First saw it in Halloween and fell in love with it
I had the 1973 Monte Carlo SS with the 454 big block same color with back landue top. My 1st car at 16. I so wished I had kept it. It would fly up a hill with no hesitation.
@@billieannalford6118 My first Monte was a 1977. I had seen one late in ‘76, and knew I had to have one! I traded in my ‘70 Pontiac LeMans Sport for it. That had been my favorite car for years. I got my Monte a week before Thanksgiving. For the holiday, we drove it to Davenport, Ia. from Liberty, Mo. Never made it to my brothers house. TOTALED by a Mustang in head on collision. Never got another! What a Waste!!
My first brand new car was a black on black 1977 Monte Carlo with bench seats and an 8-track player. It had the stacked front headlights. I paid seven thousand something back then. For the class that car had the best looking profile with its long front and short back. It was absolutely beautiful.
I still have my ‘77 which I ordered from the factory with swivel bucket seats.
That wasn't cheap. I remember my dad bought a '73 Cutlass brand new for 3,100. 350, a/m radio, and 12 bolt posi.
Wow, my first car was exactly the same. Triple black '77 with landau roof. You are a connoisseur.
Thank you. Some of my friends had the 1977 Olds Cutlass and it didn't come close to our Monte Carlo. My compliments to you as well.
@@hughharris2708 How do you still have that car? What condtion is it in? any pics?
Had a 76 , automatic on the floor, bucket seats, 350, my Mom had a 1970 ! Beautiful car !
About a year ago I wanted a classic car, ended with a 72 monte carlo. Love it, definitely a head turner
I had a 1974 Monte - what an amazing car she was. I regret ever selling it.
My first Monte Carlo was the 76, then a 74, then a 78, then a 77 then my last Monte was an 80. Loved them all.
I drove a 1975 Monte Carlo in high school from 87-88.
My buddy also drove his parents 1970 Monte Carlo to high school.
There were still a lot of them floating around up until the late 80's and early 90's but the disappeared somewhere in later 90's.
I also drove a 68 Buick Riviera in high school in 86. Back when gas was under a dollar a gallon
In high school and college, I had a 1972 Monte Carlo, mulsanne blue, hard top, black interior with bench seats, shift on the column, 350 two barrel carb, with Appliance mag slot wheels and air shocks in the rear. I could not leave the car as is and dropped a 396 cubic engine and then a 454. The car always ran great and was a stand out Chevrolet.
My first car was a brand new 1974 Monte Carlo. I worked 2 jobs for a year and a half right after high school to pay cash for it. It was Midnight Blue metallic with a white landau top. That car rode so smooth. I met my husband soon after getting it. I kept it for 10 years. loved that car!
You kept the husband for ten years? 🤣
The one shone is a 1974. I still have one sitting in my front yard partially restored.. Yes it runs. They didn't show one in the story. Also 1975 was the last year of big body with twin headlights 1976 was the year they went to the smaller body. Mine is green with black bunk top like the one IN the intro picture.
@@johnhutchison9782
🤣🤣. .He left with the car !
i had 70 ,73, 75 ,83,05 loved everyone of them
I've always been a big fan of the Chevy Monte Carlo, especially the first generation, all Monte Carlo models were classy looking cars!! Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍👍
Indeed they were.
you probably were in high school like me and I dreamt of a Monte. lol
I owned a 72 monte. Beautiful car washed and waxed it every chance I got
Girlfriend said I loved the car more than her !
It gave mustang and a GTO a good run for there money
Red / black
Sadly falling a sleep ended her and I relationship the car
G body 👍
@@e.a.p3174 Yeh we were all in HS then.
I had a 1976 with a 350 in it. Bought it in 1978 with only 14,000 on it. One of the best cars I ever owned. Had it for 11 years. Love to have it back.
I learned to drive on our '73 Monte Carlo. The 350 4bbl in it was absolutely bulletproof. The body eventually rusted out, but the engine never needed anything more than basic maintenance during its entire life.
73 was the Best looking of the gen2 Montes imo
I too learned to drive in a '73. I kept it alive as long as I could, but it wasn't Ziebart'd and in Chicago, the winter road salt just turned the body to rust. Every Spring I would be patching up spots with bondo. Finally, in '90 I gave the car up. A really sad day. I followed, as my Montw was towed to the garage I gave it to in exchange for some work on my then Mustang. About a mile into the 4 mile trip, the tow truck was blind-sided by a car that ran a stop sign. The tow truck slammed to a stop and my poor Monte climbed the back of the tow truck and the last body part that hadn't succumbed to rust was finally damaged, the trunk lid. It was now dented. :(
@@higrm4099 Sorry to hear about the way you lost the car. I live in New England and we have the same car body-killing winter salt issues, which is what did our Monte in. It was just a matter of time, unfortunately.
My neighbor bought a new 1973 Monte Carlo 454, triple white, swivel buckets, loaded. It was a beautiful car and drove really well (he let me drive it even though I was only 14). Great memories.
Every MC from 1970 through 1978 bore fantastic styling. Still fondly recall both our 1973 and 1976 machines.
Loved these most years. It was part of a "dress to impress" mentality in the '70's and '80's, like the three-piece suit. Made a great impression for a business presentation...and for dates!
Funny you would say that the Monte Carlo was part of a " dress to impress " mentality because I will always associate these 2nd generation Monte Carlos with leisure suits and shiny white patent leather shoes and belts...yuck. These Chevys strike me as the automotive equivalent of a prom tuxedo in some weird pastel color.
In 1976 I graduated high school and bought my first car, a brown 74 version, for college and kept it 6 years until it finally crapped out. That thing would fly but handled like a dream. Man the times I had in and with that car. I still have a picture with me standing beside it. Heck I even had hair back then!
Bought my first brand new 1970 MC, 400 2 barrel, 4 speed in May of 1970. Triple black. I loved that car. Added an 8-track with FM under the dash. What a great car.
Learned to drive in my dad’s 70s Monte Carlo. The factory had goofed and put a 454 in the LS. I’d still have it today if dad hadn’t sold it.
The 454 was available for 6 years in a Monte. 1970 through 1975.
Had a 70 and 72 Monte Carlo. Smoothest cars I’ve ever owned. They flew down the highways pretty fast too.
I love those ads. A pleasant voice that talks about the delights of the car, as if a company representative is next to you. No aggression, nice visuals emphasizing the ideas and ideas of car designers. Just wonderful. Cars from people for people.
Thanks for Remembering a Great Coupe in the 70’s and evolution in the 90’s.
I never owned a Monte Carlo, but it was definitely a Beautiful Vehicle!
My first ride when i was 16 was an '81 Monte. My father and i put a 350 in it with headers, no cats, and glasspacks. It was big, brown, and loud. For sure a cool car to be driving to high school in 1999. My current ride is an '07 Monte SS. Aside from Spyder headlights and Flowmaster exhaust she is stock and looks almost brand new.
My daily is an 06 Monte SS, bone stock aside from a Diablo canned 92 octane tune and AFM/DOD disabled. Have an 87 SS in my garage.
I owned (3) of them,1976,1978,1988 and Loved all of Them,they were a Great Car.
That they were!
THIS WAS MY DREAM CAR FOR YEARS, I JUST LOVED ITS STYLE!!
In the mid 80's I had a '79 Monte Carlo which I absolutely loved. After a major hailstorm I had it all fixed, repainted and it looked like brand new. Had Keystone mags and extra wide tires on the back. It had a 231 V6 and I drove the wheels off that thing. Was my favorite car I've ever had
They were designed nice but the 231 engines didn't hold up very well. Wished they would have came up with the 3800 sooner.
@@chozenegra2674 It was the same engine. The 229 V6 was not so good though.
Same displacement but the 3800 was fuel injected with a redesigned crank shaft and slightly bigger oil pump. I had an 80 cutlass with the old 3.8 and the fuel pump would get clogged easily blowing oil up through the dipstick tube. When that happened you may as well snatch it out. I replaced it with a 350 engine.
@@chozenegra2674 How can a clogged fuel pump cause oil to blow out of the dipstick tube? Sounds like you had a hole in a piston! But I agree, a 350 was nicer.
Loved my ‘74 land cruiser! It was like a luxury yacht on wheels. That car went everywhere I wanted to go in complete comfort.
I purchased a second hand 1970 Monte Carlo in 1977 in Highschool. It had a 400 small block 300 hp V8, a black vinyl roof, fender skirts & an 8 track.
Someone had put in highway gears at one time. I loved that car.
My oldest brother had a '74 Monte Carlo new and he loved it...
I owned a '85 Monte. Loved that car and miss it! It had a 4.3L V-6, bought it from Budget car sales with 25k miles on it, never really had any problems at all with it, even after hitting a tree with it. LOL Would love to have another one! The front wheel drive ones, to me, were an insult to the Monte Carlo name!
Front wheel drive Monte Carlo's were a JOKE.
Same with the Impala's.
I have a fwd Monte Carlo, lol. And it's not even a V8, a 1995 LS.
Agreed.
Any one after 77 ain't shit.
The First generation Monte Carlo was wholesome, unpretentious, and a great sleeper! I had a friend who had a '72 in Candy Apple Red with a 400 C.I. 4-bbl - BEAUTIFUL CAR! And ohh that exhaust sound! SUBBED!
I thought the 72 body style was kinda boring.....I had a 76...and it looked a lot better
.
Life was good rolling around in my 82 Monte Carlo with the 305 V-8 till she caught fire in 2002 RIP
I had a '75 when I was in the US Army back in the 80's. Best car I ever had. She had a 2 bbl 350cid, swivel buckets and rally wheels with the center hubs and beauty rings. I was getting 23mpg at 57mph. She was beautiful. 🥰
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23 mpg@ 57 mph. So you got good mileage around town but not so good on the interstate. Ok.
I loved my 76 Monte Carlo…huge doors and hood. Very smooth ride. 350 V8 power. Cruised down the road like a dream.
Well said, I had a 74 & the 76 switched to square headlights that looked much more impressive. Drove like a dream, yes indeed,
I had a '75 Monte Carlo that I bought off my neighbor when the car was 11 yrs old, it was blue with a white Landau top and black swivel bucket seats and console, and it even had low miles..he was the type of car owner that absolutely did change the oil every 3000mi and did every scheduled maintenance job when the owners manual said it should be done, and had the records and receipts to prove it..it was the strongest running, most reliable car I have ever owned, and I have owned quite a few..the car was totaled in an accident that I basically walked away from with minor injuries..definatel Y wish I still had it..cars of today are junk with the style cues of an old washing machine..and you can get any color you like as long as it's black, white, gray or silver..I wish car manufacturers would go back to the styles of the late 60's and 70's..I bet they'd sell a lot more..just got to get the price of gas under control first
Sadly, it would be mostly old-timers like me who would buy such a car today. The younger generation has been brainwashed into thinking that it is wrong for a car to be beautiful, wrong for it to be 100% American-made AND 100% American designed, and wrong for a car to LOOK American, and wrong for a car to have a nice soft ride.
I had a '73 Monte Carlo and it was very nice! It was very heavy and exceptionally well mannered, but it had a 350 with a quadrajet, and it could accelerate with authority! Normally only the front 2 barrels, which were smaller were in use, but kick it down to pass and there was a very nice throaty sound when the back 2 barrels opened and the acceleration was intense. It had a heavy stance on the road, and a neighbor closed the door one day and commented that it sounded like closing a vault door. It was very smooth riding, and comfortable. The only exception that was pretty normal at the time was that the power steering was designed for luxury and you did not have the same level of feel for the road that the rack and pinion steering offers, so you are more isolated. That contributes to comfort, but is a drawback for performance feel.
I hate rack and pinion. Too twitchy.
70 71 72 Monte, beautiful design,extended wheelbase had a great ride,my first car,still miss it 40 years later...
The 1st and 2nd Gen M/C were very beautiful cars and sold like hotcakes when they hit the showroom floors. A neighbor down the street from us at the time had a brand new 70 SS M/C. Black with a Black vinyl top with the Rally rims.
love early monte carlo’s from 1970 all the way thru 1977. my 1st car was a 1978 maroon monte carlo with red velvet interior, and a V-8 305 that was slow as molasses, but i loved it anyway. probably my favorite year is 1973-1975. absolutely beautiful car!
All that was wrong with the 305 is that it was geared too tall.
@@michaelbenardo5695 that could be true. i also think the transmission had a bad power converter, bcuz it had very sluggish shifting
I had a 75 with a 350 , No Air Con , 8 tract radio , and a Steel Grill , Paid 250.00 for it , drove for several years : ) and it never broke down . Just indestructible . Great Memories : )
1970. my cousin had one, when I was 11 years old, I was in awe... Love that car till this day..
Great video review ! My favorite Monte Carlo was from 73 to 77 . They are gaining popularity in the classic car segment .
I have a 73 and always get compliments at gas stations
We had a 70 Monte Carlo. It was a great car. It had a 300 hp 350 four barrel carb but it got 20 mpg on trips. It was the last year of the higher compression engines before the smog regs ruined economy. Great road car.
I have a 76 that I used for drag racing as well as a daily driver. The most comfortable and enjoyable car I ever had. Now with gas prices the way they are, it's gonna break my heart to kiss it goodbye.
I'll never forget this for some reason.
I was 7yrs old which makes the year being 1971. ALL of the "older" girls (5th graders) were talking about how cool the Monte Carlo was. Now, myself approaching 58yrs old agree with those "older" girls ! They knew their cars ! 1971 was a great year for some American cars !! 10 yrs later I was driving my first car. A 1971 Challenger R/T !! Ahhhh... The good old days. Boy did I have fun.
PEACE from Philadelphia
I had two of the SS models of Monte Carlo. 1984 & 1987. The '84 was a nice car but when I saw the T Top model in '87...that's all it took. Loved both of them.
I remember the largest models ('73-'77) handled exceptionally well on the winding canyon roads.
I had a 74 Monte in my senior year(78). Great ride and great memories!
My mom had a 1977 Monte Carlo it was a beautiful car I had a 1982 and later bought a 2003 Monte Carlo SS it was a beautiful car I wish I still had all 3
my first car was a 1974 Monte, I loved that car, had so much fun in it.
I owned a 73 Monte Carlo at one point. It was purchased after my previous car died, only to get me through the winter. I think I paid $500.00 and there were definitely reasons. First off - it's once green paint job had faded so inconsisantly that no body panel was the same shade. The floor in the trunk had begun to rot, so you could not put anything in there, well at least not in wet weather. It had the swivel captain's seats but the drive side did not lock in place, so in cornering you might corner a little harder than your car did. It's saving grace was the monster under the hood - it had a 454 ci engine. I bought if for $500.00 but when I sold it I got a grand for it because of the motor. That thing was a beast in the snowy regions of upstate NY - hills was NOT it's friend.
The '73 was the best looking year.
@@garybourke468 I think so too - I prefer the round headlamps of the second generation over the more truck like stacked square ones.
I took this ride, a white on burgundy hardtop with swivel front bucket seats, to my senior prom in 1973...my oldest brother, bless him, had just bought it brand new and let me have it for that day and night... And this was only a year after I'd tried to show off, and wrecked the suspension on his black on white '65 Camaro SS drop top with rear slicks, hood locks, and double white racing stripes front to back.
The love of a brother...
I had a 1970 Monte Carlo, I loved driving that beautiful car.
I find it very interesting that the 1973-77 Monte Carlo's sold in much higher numbers but I see more 1970-72 Monte Carlo's around, I thought the Collonade era Monte Carlo's were some of the coolest looking cars of the mid 1970's.
the 73 -77s all rusted away
Not to mention, the 70'- 72' MC's were from the final few years of the muscle car era. By 1973, the era was gone. This, in itself, renders the 70', 71', & 72' more desirable to collectors & muscle car enthusiasts. Many of the 73' - 77's. fell victim to & were casualties of govt. regulations, soaring insurance premiums, the energy crisis, & as aforementioned, RUST!
@@LANESxNOWONLYx I agree the first generation MC's came out at the tail end of the muscle car era while the 1973-77 Monte Carlo's came out during the height of the Smog era, I consider 1973 to be the downhill slide of the automotive industry, thankfully by the late 80's the vehicles became fun and cool again.
@@garyhoelting5994 I saw a 1973-74 Monte Carlo in good shape just the other day, it was fully donked out.
The hobby class dirt track racers and demolition derbys consumed a lot of them.
My parents had a '74 Monte and it was a beast!! Loved the swivel seats!! I can't remember if it had a 350 or a 305. GREAT car. I think the 83 SS' looked the best.
That '84 Monte Carlo SS did look great l, the '79 looked great with the inverted looking front end.
Had a 76 was one of the very best cars ever had. Great driving and riding car with a 305. Still a beautiful car even today!
Had a 76 with white paint, white swivel seats and the rest of interior was red. Without question one of the prettiest cars I've ever seen
I saw these in our townhouse parking lot as a kid. This is considered a classic now? Holy cow, I must be getting old!
Always liked the Monte Carlo especially the earlier models friend of mine had a 70 model with a 454 that car took off like a rocket I remember well.
I had a '74 for many, many years. I *loved* that car! I had a weird thing happen to the original 400 engine. I was on my way to a New Year's party and I punched it at a light, to show off I suppose. Somehow the wing nut from the aftermarket air filter had gotten into the carb's secondaries and when they opened the nut made it into one of the cylinders. The piston shattered and the rod came through the side of the block. I built a more performance motor for it after that. IIRC I put the 400 crank in a 350 block to make a 373.
I've owned 4 Monte Carlo's. Two 72's ,75,&,84SS . Loved them all!!
Im 50 so growing up in 70s and 80s I was lucky enough to see these, aside from a few bad models all the manufacturers (Chevy,Ford,Dodge,Pontiac,Buick,etc) had some great models, you couldn't go wrong on a lot of these. My parents had a white Buick Century, it was a boat but good memories. My brother is 15 yrs older then me and my brother had a black Ford Galaxies 500, I just remember how shiny it was, I swear it never had a speck of dirt on it
I worked for a large car rental company in the 1970's, and got a company car, which being any available car in the lot. When the 1976 Monte Carlo was introduced, it had the dual rectangular stacked headlites, and not the round ones of the 1975 model, so although basically the same car, it did stand out for the headlights. We got this new car in the fleet before they were unveiled in the dealerships, and I got to drive it the day it arrived. I felt special driving a car that no one else had.
I liked the headlights!
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I also worked for a large rental car company. The pay was low, but when the new models came in us managers would get them as soon as they were infleeted. I loved driving the last generation Monte SS, only drawback was they were front wheel drive.
I had a 73 monte carlo landau with swivel bucket seats. Wish swivel bucket seats were available on today's cars as entering and exiting aa I get older would be preferable. Loved the dash layout and options on the 73 monte carlo as well as the lines, interior room and looks of the entire vehicle. Didn't care for the smaller models as i usually get a new car every 2 years so eventually went to the impala. Always been a chevy owner until recently.
I wish I could find a 73 with a 3 speed on the column. Supposedly, that was standard equipment.
1st car I bought used 78 T tops, automatic floor bucket seats in 87. A beast. Was in great condition & lots of memories.
I learned to drive in a '76. It was owned by my mom and has been a dream to have my own since.
The 1970 Monte Carlo had the longest hood of any Chevrolet up until that time. It was introduced after the highly successful 1969 Grand Prix. The Grand Prix was similar in design but had a longer wheelbase (118 vs 116 inches). The 1973 Monte Carlo introduced a feature that you didn't mention...bent rear window. Also, low profile (for the time) 70-series tires on wide 15x7 inch rims continued as an option (78-series tires were the norm on narrower 15x6 inch rims).
Yeah.
1973.
That's the year that GM introduced the Buick Regal on that platform.
@@scorpionhot8388 The 1973 Buick Century Regal coupe used the shorter 112 inch wheelbase. Both the 1973 Monte Carlo and Grand Prix used the longer 116 inch wheelbase.
I believe the 78 remodel had a 14" rim. I had an 80 Cutlass, and that was standard of that class
@@billyclub9733 Yes, the diameter of the wheel of all the 1978 A-Body cars shrank to 14-inch rims. However, the downsized 1980 Cordoba had narrower tires on 15-inch wheels.
@@SpockvsMcCoy Correct. But you'd stated that they were on 15" rims. We're talking about mid size GMs. The Cordoba was Chrysler
As a young hippie graduating from a VW bug to the first year run (1970) Monte Carlo was an enormous change! That era of cars "always" placed the driver midway between the bumpers. The "cab forward" designs became popular and that classic center driving position lost an impressive era look. My 1970 accomplished the mid driver position with a foolishly long hood. The distance between the grille and the AC condenser/radiator left enough real estate to pack a modern cross fitted engine/tranny. My 1970 included fender skirts that don't show in any of the video 1970 examples. The federally mandated 5 mile per hour bumper by the mid 1970's frustrated all car designers and ruined the classic early Monte Carlo smooth and luxurious lines.
My Monte was a classy car to own and drive. Fender skirts quickly rotted through, coil springs weakened allowing the car to sag, tranny failed at 50k, and total engine failure around 80k was indicative of the era. I recall dreaming of successfully driving a car to 100k as an unattainable goal. My kids generation started driving and were soon buying used cars with only 200k and thinking they got a car good enough for another 100k. I noticed that my F250 just topped 50k yesterday and I barely regard it as broken in. The 1970 Monte Carlo was a classy look that modern styles don't measure up to, but I much prefer my modern vehicles for performance, function, longevity, etc. I don't like the modern repair bills for the advanced control technology, but performance and function features are really nice.
Failures at those low figures? Sounds like you either neglected it, or bought it used, and it had 100,000 more miles on it than the dealer told you.
I bought a 73 Monte Carlo in 1975. Maroon with with white vinyl top. I kept it 17 years and then sold it. One of my best cars ever.
I had a 1974 Monte it was a great car 350 cu in 4 bbl with swivel bucket seats and console. I drove this car in to the ground
it lasted more than 25 years. you just can't beat the ride and comfort of the rear-wheel drive cars .
Oh yes, Monte Carlo's always hold a special place in my heart, one of my aunt's(mom's sister) had a 77 Monte, but my all time favorite generation of Monte Carlo's will be the 78-80 model, my other aunt(mom's sister) had a 78 Monte Carlo(used) as her first car in 1985, God I love that car, I was a little kid at the time when she got it and I would get excited when we would go places in it, and didn't matter who was driving it, whether being my aunt who own the car, or one of my older cousins who had the keys to it, or my other aunt or uncle who would borrow it from time to time, when it move, I wanted to be in there, and the car itself wasn't nothing spectacular(performance wise), it was your base Coupe with a 231 Buick V6, which my dad had to fixed the engine in it a couple of times due to the engine losing oil pressure from faulty oil pumps, but once he got it right it ran like a top, it had great style on the outside and I love that big analog clock in the dashboard next to the speedometer in the inside, it hurt my heart when she decided to scrap it and they took it to the junkyard, when I got older I understand why she did it, she wanted something newer and nicer and her Monte Carlo was starting to fall apart due to wear and tear from her and other family members using it, and she was making good money at Quaker Oats so she decided to junk it and buy herself a brand new 1990 Pontiac Grand Am LE sedan to replace it, but she let my uncle have the engine out of her car and put it in his 81 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (because his original engine blew up at the time) and stayed in the his car until he had his accident and totaled his car in 1994.
I miss my 1970 Monte. Had a 350ci but I had a 400ci motor built (bored out to 406ci. with a little over 400hp) and swapped it. I had a landlord in the mid '90s who kept his late wife's '74 Monte. This thing was in immaculate shape with only 34,000 miles on it. He wouldn't sell it to me. He passed away almost a year after I moved in and his family junked the Monte and his two Caddys. One was a '56 (or '58) and the other was a '71 or '72 with the 501ci. motor.
That is a shame!
I hate when that happens!! Here in the Falls, there was a ‘56 Chevy that was sitting in a driveway for years and then all of a sudden it was gone, I think the owner passed away and probably the kids junked it
I don't know why they always want to junk the old man's cars. So f-----g stupid!
I Bought a Brand New 1971 Monte Carlo with bench seats all triple black in Los Angeles, it was a blast !! Loved that Monte Carlo !!
I had a 1974 Monte Carlo. I loved that car. I wish I could've seen the future and kept it!
The 1981 redesign of the GM A-Body coupes improved aerodynamics (integrated bumpers, lower front leading edge of hood, and higher rear deck). Also, low resistance rolling and high-pressure tires (35 psi) were installed for the first time.
Too bad the motors were weak.
@@jeffrobodine8579 The 5.0 V-8 was very good...but the V-6 was underpowered and the Diesel was junk.
Over the years, I've had a LOT of different car, but the 76' Monte is still my favorite all around car. It handled great for a car of it's weight and was very comfortable. Chevy really pulled it off with this car. The big downside with the car I had was that it had a 305 cu in engine that was ridiculously under powered and even with the 305 it got only 14 mpg. The acceleration was pathetic. Still & all a hell of a car.
My uncle sold me my first car a 76. I have recently been on the prowl for another one.
Loved my lime green 76 with the crappy 305. It was the car of my teen years 86-90
The base 305 put out 200hp, which wasn't that bad. The low end torque was pathetic, of course
@@kdkatz-ef2us The 305 was nowhere near 200 hp then. In the '70s it was about 140 hp. It was not until the mid- to late '80s that the 305 breached the 200 hp barrier.
305...........sucked gas and couldn't haul ass. I'm w/ ya!
My 73 was my baby, pearl paint, louvered hood, frenched antennas, skirts, moonroof, chrome header panel, chrome quarter panel extensions,sealed quarter windows, electric doors..gold name plates ,wire wheels...Badass show car..
My grandparents owned a 1976 Monte Carlo, I remember riding in it as a kid.
We had a 73 for 9 yrs. Replaced the timing chain at 140,000. Great car…where are they now. 95% went to the dirt tracks of all the states. Fantastic engine set back power to weight with gutted body then to the crusher….. too bad.
You're right. I remember the Hobby Stock class being mostly Monte's.
My first car was an 03 SS in Galaxy Silver. I loved that car very much. It's now my brother's first car. I've always loved the Intimadator and other Nascar editions. I've been keeping my eye open to find either a supercharged High Sport/Super Sport or Nascar Monte. Lots of variations with those. My favorites are the Dale Earnhardt Intimadator, the Jeff Gordon edition(with the super cool ghost flames), and the regular pace cars . The SS models did not come equipped with the supercharger until the 04 model year. All previous ones, like mine, had just the N/A 3800. It was a very good and "sporty" car for a teen however the lack of power (only 200hp in a fairly large car) really makes you wish you had something else. The FWD was great in all conditions and I never had any issues with torque steer. Like I said, it's my brother's first car now. I moved onto an 08 Mustang GT 4 years ago, RWD V8s are just so much more fun.
Have had three Monte Carlos...a 1970, a1977 and 1984. Bought the 77 and 84 new. Bought the 70 from a friend. Still have 84..am restoring it. Loved them all great style..84 still has orginal paint..black and white half landau roof.
is it 5.0
Miss my 77. Rusted shut passenger door and all. It was still one of my favorites.
With those big, white-lettered tires, powerful engines, opera windows and angular styling, it was kind of a brute in a tuxedo, lol. I can see why it sold well.
Powerful engines? Maybe some of the engines had power (torque) but they struggled to move those cars.
My '77 Monte Carlo was the one you said was a '76. Great car! Always started up and ran well each day.
I had the 77 also with the 350. I had it over 10yrs
My first car was a 1979 Monte Carlo. I have such fond memories of that car!
Dad bought several when I was a kid: '74, '78, '85. They were all great cars.
My favorite was the 73 with the 350ci. The 350 turbo trans was smooth and the car was a pleasure to drive even in long distance trips. I bought a brand new 81 with the 231v6 with the new recently introduced ”computer command control carburetor “ and it was ok but the engine never idled smoothly always had a shake especially with the AC engaged. Thanks for your historic review it was very informative and reminiscing of the past.
The 231 was garbage.
@@davelowets agree although surprisingly the 350 turbo trans was pretty good
@@robertrosano1964 Many of the V-6 cars had what was called a "METRIC 200" 3-Speed auto, and it looked very similar to the TH-350.
90s cars were the worst
Monte Carlos were meant for small, smooth V8 engines, and very much a part of their personal luxury appeal! By the time the 3.8 V6 became standard with the new detuned V8s optional, the MC had lost its unique essence. It was just another downsized and underpowered, not to mention bland, run of the mill car from 1978 forward.
One of the best cars I owned was the 1981 Monte with the 4.4L small block V8. It had power, fuel efficiency and comfort. And one of the best things I remember about that car, it had horse power in the snow and nothing stopped it.
.... or so we thought it had power lol. We didn't know better back then. I had an 80 Cutlass with the same motor and, in retrospect, it was a slug!
@@billyclub9733 Sorry to hear that. I can't say the same about the Monte.
@@mutleymutley7474 I don't see how the MC could be much faster if they both had the same motor. That motor was only rated at 105hp. I can't see how it would've been fast unless you did mods to yours. They had carburetors and distributors. Not to mention how significantly heavier those cars were compared to today's cars.
@@billyclub9733 I thought the car was rated at 115hp. But regardless, I remember the car being a good car all around. I drove it down to North Carolina for spring break in 1982, took a few trips up to Canada and one long trip down to Miami and back (NYC area) without missing a beat. That Monte never let me down. I eventually sold it to my mom for $1.00 (one dollar). She drove it for a few years then she sold it to a HS student in 1992.
@@mutleymutley7474 Ohh 10 whole horsepower. Forgive me. It was the Cutlass that was rated at 105hp. These cars weren't by FAR regarded a muscle car or by any means fast. But yes, they were comfortable, luxurious and attractive. Sounds like you've had alot of good memories and fond attachments to your MC
I had a cream colored 77 Monte Carlo. It was my first car and I learned to drive in it. Got me through college and several trips to Mexico and my first child. Had swivel bucket seats. I was rear ended 3 times and not a dent. Was a tank.