Chevy Monte Carlo

1971 Monte Carlo

Posted on 15. Oct, 2009 by admin.

In 1971, there were slight changes made from the 1970 model. For example, on the cosmetic front, new European symbol knobs were found on the inside of the SS Monte Carlo. Also, it became an option to get a new four spoke steering wheel in 1971. The stand up hood ornament also saw its debut on the Monte Carlo in 1971, but that wasn’t all that Chevrolet had going for its still new coupe.

In the way of motors, the Turbo fire 400 two barrel from 1970 was dropped. On all of the other motors, the compression ratio was lowered due to a GM corporate edict that would allow the use of unleaded, low lead, or regular leaded gasoline. So, as a result, engine ratings fell a little bit in 1971. The base Turbo Fire 350 two barrel fell to 245 horsepower, the Turbo Fire 350 4V saw a new horsepower rating of 270 horsepower, and the Turbo Jet 400 would now run at 300 horsepower. But even though other engines saw a cut in the horsepower as a result of the edict, the SS 454 actually saw a minor increase, being raised to 365 gross horsepower… and that included the reduction in compression! The reason as to why the SS 454 could crank out a higher horsepower, even with a lowered compression ration, is because a more aggressive camshaft was used. This was actually the same camshaft that was used on the 454 in the Chevrolet Corvette in 1970.

1971 marks the first year that Chevrolet would post horsepower ratings in SAE net terms, as well as in gross horsepower as they had in the past. 1972 would see a complete change in how the ratings were displayed, as net horsepower would become the main measurement used. In 1971, the engine ratings were displayed in net HP terms as followed… the Turbo Fire 350 V8 two barrel had 165 HP, the Turbo Jet 400 V8 four barrel had 260 HP, the Turbo Fire V8 Four barrel boasted 175 HP, and the Turbo Jet 454 V8 four barrel pumped out a whopping 285 HP.

It was at one time believed that the Monte Carlo SS in 1971 could have been shipped optionally with the 425 HP LS-6 version of the 454, a version of which was available in the 1970 Chevelle SS, though this is not specifically listed anywhere. Though the Turbo Hydramatic was officially the only clutch available on the SS, a heavy-duty clutch option did exist on the order-form. So, this makes it seem as though it might have actually been possible to order a special 454 LS-6 with a heavy duty four speed manual transmission attached. Factory records indicate that those motors only shipped in the corvette that year, though there is a slight possibility that some Chevrolet Monte Carlos may have been specially made this way through Chevrolet’s central office production order.

1971 would mark the last year that the 454 would ship in the SS, even though 454 CID V8 would remain an option through the year 1975.

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The First Generation Monte Carlo

Posted on 28. Aug, 2009 by admin.

The Monte Carlo was created, originally, as a counterpart to the Pontiac Grand Prix, which had been introduced in 1969, and had been met with a very good track record of success upon its release. In these models, GM had instituted what they called a “G-body”. A G-body was a sort of happy medium between the A-body, and the sedans and station wagons. On these, a two door model would ride on a 112 inch split wheel base, and a sedan or station wagon would ride on a 116 inch wheelbase. But the Grand Prix was different in the way that it road a 118 inch wheelbase, which was called a G-body. This allowed for more growth from side to side for space, and the result was a much longer hood. This look instantly became popular with car buyers, and that new Grand Prix even outsold its larger B-body cousins that sold for a lower price! This is where the inspiration came from for the Monte Carlo, and it was from this design that the first generation Monte Carlo was spawned.

The Monte Carlo was mostly modeled after the Cadillac Eldorado, although a lot of the structures and body of the new car could be seen to be the same as the Chevrolet Chevelle, such as the decklid, rear window, firewall, and windshield. New front end sheet metal was added, along with wider C-pillars. Also, bulges were added to the fenders of the Monte Carlo to give it a more muscular look. Its concealed windshield wipers were considered very fashionable back in its day, as were the new rear fenders!

Running this first 1970 Monte Carlo was a 350 Chevy turbo-fire small block V8 engine. It was rated at 250 horsepower and had a 2 barrel carburetor. It had 345 ft-lb of torque at 2800 rpms, and sported a column mounted, 3 speed manual tranny designed with synchro-mesh technology. It shipped standard with front disc brakes, and was priced at $3,123 back in 1970.

1971 saw a few styling changes to the new Monte Carlo, and the addition of a stand up hood ornament. It was mostly unchanged from a mechanical standpoint, except that the small block Turbo Fire 400 two barrel engine was eliminated. So, basically, your choices on the 1971 Monte Carlo as far as engines went were a Turbo Fire 350 V8, 2 barrel carburetor with 245 gross horsepower… a Turbo Fire 350 V8 with a four barrel carburetor with 270 gross horsepower… A Turbo Jet 400 V8 with a four barrel and 300 gross horses… or a Turbo Jet 454 with a four barrel carburetor that boasted 365 gross horsepower. The Turbo Hydramatic was officially continued for use in all SS models, but a heavy duty clutch option did exist. This leads some to believe that you might have been able to special order a 454 LS-6 with a four speed manual, but this is not officially listed on any factory options for that year.

The 1972 Monte Carlo saw a shift to SAE net horsepower ratings, which showed reduced power on all of Chevrolet engines… though they remained largely unchanged.

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