Chevy Monte Carlo

1972 Monte Carlo

Posted on 08. Nov, 2009 by admin.

The 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo saw a few noteworthy changes cosmetically from the previous year, but remained largely the same. The egg crate style grille, which was very similar to that of a Cadillac, was the most noticeable change cosmetically to the 1972 Monte Carlo. Actually, this was a very similar version of what was found on the Chevrolet Caprice in 1971. Also, the metal rear trim molding was different, highlighting the final year of the first generation Monte Carlo.

In 1972 the Monte Carlo SS was dropped. However, there was a new custom option available this year only, which included a lot of special additions that were only available on the SS option. But the difference was that, while the SS only shipped with certain engines, this new custom option could be shipped with any engine you desired that was listed on the order roster.

Due to the SAE net horsepower ratings, the engines seemed to take a decrease in rated power. This was the first year that Chevrolet did not even list gross HP ratings for their Monte Carlo… they simply stuck with the SAE ratings. As far as what they were rated, the available engines were listed as follows… the 350 two barrel was listed at 165 HP, the 350 four barrel was shown to pull 175 HP, the 402 four barrel boasted 240 HP, and the 454 four barrel showed a whopping 270 horses under the hood.

Because California had passed additional emissions standards that were a lot more strict, the only engine available for the Monte Carlo that was allowed in California was the four barreled 350. Also, the only transmission shipped in California was the Turbo Hydramatic. 1972 saw the four speed manual transmission discontinued as an option, with the brochure giving the excuse “Sorry, no four on the floor”. The only transmissions offered with the 1972 Monte Carlo were the standard three speed manual, with the two speed power glide automatic offered as an option, but only with the base 350 two barrel. 1972 also marks the first time that variable ratio power steering became standard on the Monte Carlo.

The 1972 Monte Carlo was a very hot seller for Chevrolet. 180,819 Monte Carlos were produced for this year, which set a new record for Chevrolet for the final year for the first generation of the G-body style.

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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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