Monte Carlo SS 1970-1971 1983-1988 2000-present Created to compete with Ford's Thunderbird, the Monte Carlo filled a gap for Chevrolet: a reasonably priced, formal, front-engine personal luxury car. Its long hood, short deck, two large headlights, vertical taillights, minimal chrome, and wide C-pillar with wedge gave Monte Carlo its edge in the market.
The two-door coupe had a SS454 package its first year out, with 360-hp. The package included a hydraulic camshaft, a cast-iron manifold with Rochester Quadrajet carburetor, oval-port cylinder heads with 10.25:1 compression and a HydraMatic Turbo transmission. It also had a heavy-duty chassis with heavy-duty shocks, springs and rear stabilizer bar, dual exhaust with chrome tips and Automatic Level Control.
A quieter, more discreet SS, the only exterior identification on the SS454 appeared on the front fender lower body molding. The SS was brash enough to cruise any metropolitan main street, yet sophisticated enough for a night at the opera. But sales fell in 1971, and by '72 Chevy dropped the SS454. In the years to come, NASCAR became popular, and Monte Carlos began winning on the ovals. Suddenly, an SS model made sense again.
The second-generation SS had a 305-ci small block engine, Corvette cam, Turbo Hydra Matic transmission, heavy-duty suspension and Rochester four-barrel carburetor. The 1983 models all had metallic blue or white exteriors with stripes, and found great success. This continued until 1988, when Chevy replaced the Monte Carlo name with Lumina. In 2000, Chevy reintroduced the Monte Carlo in racing and production form, its shape echoing the original version. It gave new life to the SS, as well, installing a 200-hp 3800 Series II V6 under the hood and loading it with numerous contemporary options and features
This continued until 1988, when Chevy replaced the Monte Carlo name with Lumina.
One slight clarification here. While the Lumina did take Monte Carlo's spot in the NASCAR circuit, the Lumina did NOT replace the Monte Carlo in the showroom. Instead, the Lumina replaced the Celebrity.
According to the book _Chevrolet: The Complete History_ [copyright 1996 by Publications International LTD], on page 348: "With the new Lumina coupe and sedan effectively replacing their Celebrity counterparts...." And, on page 359: "Taking the place of the aging Celebrity sedan was the Lumina sedan ... a coupe version followed in the fall."
Also, the Lumina shared types (Eurosport), dashboards (flat/horizontal), tail lights (3 square on each side, across the back panel, more or less) and FWD with the Celebrity.....
In addition ... the Monte Carlo was the only one of the cousin names (Buick Regal, Olds Cutlass Supreme, Pontiac Grand Prix) to NOT be slapped on a FWD car IMMEDIATELY after the RWD versions ended in 1987/1988.
Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "You've made a fool of everyone" ... Jet ... 'Look What You've Done'
