Chevrolet Monte Carlo Classic Cars for Sale
A two-door coupe, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo was in production from 1970-1988. Built as a personal luxury car, it evolved yet always managed to stay an in-demand muscle car.
Genesis of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo
First conceived as Chevrolet's sister to the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo project also borrowed from the styling of the Cadillac Eldorado and incorporated elements from the Chevrolet Chevelle in order to come into being. What ultimately was put into production was a rear-wheel drive, two-door hard top muscle car with a V8 engine. Introduced in 1969, its styling and power brakes immediately garnered interest. It came in several different options, including the 'SS' (Super Sport) high-end version. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo has always been known for its luxurious appointments, dramatic styling and (in the top end version) high performance. Initially sales were damaged by a strike at Chevrolet's Michigan plant- buyers wanted to get hold of the car, but they were in short supply. Once the strike ended sales were able to increase accordingly.
Development of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Over the years there have been four generations of the rear-wheel drive Chevrolet Monte Carlo, although the two-door coupe style remained throughout. The shape of the car moved with the times: from the 1970s when it looked like a competitor to Starsky and Hutch's Gran Torino through to the 1980s when it looked like something straight from the oil fields of Dallas. Through the generations it gained improved ride and handling, whilst the oil crisis of the late 1970s and the financial instability of the early 1980s caused it to be lighter and shorter, thus less juicy than before.
Last Generation of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was the last rear-drive/live axle, full-frame, carburetted cast-iron V-8 muscle car General motors (GM) ever made. Chevrolet introduced various different changes to the 1981-1988 generation of cars, but ultimately declining sales put the car out of production. The last car went off the assembly line in December 1987 and after this the Chevrolet Monte Carlo was replaced by the Lumina.
Chevrolet Monte Carlo and NASCAR.
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was sold as a sports car and so unsurprisingly throughout its life span it enjoyed popularity on the NASCAR circuit. It was a frequent winner; its only dip was between 1981-1982 when it was held back by the 'flat-nose' design of the time. However the introduction of an 'SS' version in 1983 meant its popularity surged once more.
An eternally popular muscle car, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo is an all-American coupe to have fun in. Put your foot down, feel the throttle and let the car do what it was made for.