Hear “Chevrolet Monza” and you likely think of the sporty version of the rear-engine Corvair model from the 1960s. But Chevrolet resurrected the Monza nameplate in the mid-1970s for a Vega-based subcompact that had an engine bay large enough to fit a small-block V8.
Not only could this Monza carry a V8, but the car’s fastback body reminded a lot of people of the Ferrari GTC-4. The Standard Catalog of American Cars termed it “an uncanny resemblance.”
With its Italian looks and V8 power, the Monza became popular with sports car racers on a budget. One of those vehicles, a 1980 Chevrolet Monza 2+2 resto-mod, is being advertised on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in St. Louis and is the Pick of the Day.
By the way, the Monza originally was designed to carry a Wankel rotary engine and was going to be labeled as the Chaparral, but the engine wasn’t ready for prime time so an inline-4 became the standard powertrain in a car that shared its body design with Buick’s Skyhawk, Oldsmobile’s Starfire and Pontiac’s Sunbird.
The Pick of the Day is reported to be a one-owner car originally purchased at Anthony Chevrolet in St. Louis and is one of only 7,589 Monza Spyders produced with a 350cid V8 engine and 3-speed automatic transmission. Spyders got special appearance features.
The dealer says the car has been “lightly” resto-modded.
The car, which has a factory sunroof, rides on Galaxy R1 VITour radials mounted on American Racing alloy wheels. The engine has some chromed parts, a PowerMaster alternator and MSD ignition and distributor, aftermarket steering wheel AutoMeter gauges, B&M shifter and Alpine AM/FM with CD player.
The car is being offered for sale for $8,500. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Nice !!!
I remember these (graduated ’78)- the 4 cylinder version was laughably underpowered, but the V8 models were often the subject of wild IMSA body kit modifications (check old “Car Craft” magazine covers) and performed at Camaro/Firebird/Mustang levels… which were not exceptional.
Still, not a bad effort for the time. Lotsa these became dedicated drag cars; some confusion about “aero look” over actual aerodynamics, I ‘spect.
And, well, in any GM that fits a small block Chevy, it’s also gonna fit a big block. Had a Vega with a 396/TH400/12bolt 3.42 axle. Squirrelly, nose heavy, compromised exhaust and quite likely the worst and most ill advised purchase I’ve ever made; oh, the launch.
I ‘spect the Monza would feel much the same. Disco-era gaudy, but one could ditch the stock 350 for a built 383 stroker, and back it with a modern, built 4spd auto. Skinnies on the front, mini tub the back.
Yeah, I can get behind that.
Hideous !!!!
Maybe tomorrow?
GTC-4, Italian styling? C’mon. I wasn’t a student of this series of GM vehicles, but doubt any ever left a factory with a V8. They were all decals and plastic spoilers.
There was a V8 version in ’76, which I thought of purchasing NEW, but went with a NEW Camaro. The Monza had a V8, but not 350 cid, more like 263 cid.
Sorry, that does look like a real V8 in that box. So it must be a blast. Like most cars of the era, 4 cyl Monzas et al could barely make Jimmy Carter’s 55 mph rule. And in those days, decals meant ridiculous profits.
305 ci engine from 76 on…