The Chevy Monza
140,106
Published 2022-04-30
In April 1975, the Monza Towne Coupe was introduced - a notchback body-style with a conventional trunk featuring different sheetmetal than the 2+2 hatchback, although sharing its windshield, front fenders, and doors. It features single round headlamps, instead of the dual rectangular headlamps on the 2+2. The Towne Coupe was offered in response to the sales success of the Ford Mustang II notchback coupe and its luxury version, the Mustang II Ghia. The Towne Coupe is 1.5 inches shorter and 135 pounds lighter than the 2+2 and has slightly more rear head room. A lower priced "S" version of the 2+2 Hatchback was introduced mid-year. It featured as standard the Vega 1-barrel engine with a 3-speed manual transmission. The sport suspension, full console, sport steering wheel, day/night and wheel opening moldings were deleted on the "S".
In November 1970, GM paid $50 million for initial licenses to produce the Wankel rotary engine, and GM President Ed Cole projected its release in three years, initially targeted for an October 1973 introduction as a 1974 Chevrolet Vega option. The General Motors Rotary Combustion Engine (GMRCE) had two rotors displacing 206 cubic inches, twin distributors and coils, and an aluminum housing. RC2-206 Wankels were installed in 1973 Vegas for cold weather testing in Canada.
Motor Trend, in a 1973 article "The '75 Vega Rotary" said: "GM saw the rotary engine's future as probably much greater than they do today...mileage will be in the 16-18 mpg range. Compared to the normal piston (engine) Vega's 20 to 26 mpg, the whole rotary deal begins to look just a little less attractive, with what the price of gasoline skyrocketing, but that's another matter."
Unwilling to face fuel efficiency criticism that Mazda withstood, GM felt it could meet 1975 emissions standards with the engine tuned to provide better mileage. Other refinements improved mileage to 20 mpg, but with the fuel breakthrough came related side-effect problems —apex seal failures, as well as a rotor tip-seal problem.
By December 1973, it was clear the Wankel, now planned for the Monza 2+2, would not be ready for either production or emissions certification in time for the start of the 1975 model year, and after paying another $10 million against its rotary licence fees, the company announced the first postponement. Motor Trend in April 1974 predicted the final outcome – on September 24, 1974, Ed Cole postponed the Wankel engine ostensibly due to emissions difficulties. He retired the same month. GM admitted fuel economy for the rotary was sub-standard and postponed production in favor of further development. Pete Estes succeeded Ed Cole as GM President and never showed any special interest in the Wankel or in the perpetuation of Cole's ideas. Estes had previously decided to let the Corvair, another Cole project, expire well before the celebrated attacks of Ralph Nader.
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All Comments (21)
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Had one for my first car. Had the 305. The more it rusted, the faster it went.
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I found one for sale around 5 years ago. I new what a Monza was but I did not know that I purchased a very rare 1 of 1200 made. 1975 2+2 5.7 liter. I was told that is a California only with factory a/c. It's all original except for a repaint and 4 barrel upgrade. I get a lot of thumbs up and what is that. Sure is fun to drive around.
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In 1979, bought an early production, Monza 2 + 2 hatchback. Was never disappointed. Yeah, a few problems. The driver’s side rear spark plug. And with the factory Saginaw 4-speed, required changing out the 9 1/8 clutch disc almost every 3-4 months like clockwork. BUT where I took an edge, guy that worked at a salvage yard told me when a built Nova with a 350 came in. OH YEAH! He’d had $2800 worth of “tricks” done to the engine. These were 1980 dollars so you can imagine. Loved hitting the highway and blowing many “muscle cars” doors in. Drove it to CT were I was living and it met “black ice” for the first & last time. RIP “Beast”.....😢
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My family had a 1980 Chevy Monza, that had a trunk. It was 4 cylinder and was so much fun to drive.
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One of my main memories was that one of the spark plugs on the driver’s side was nearly impossible to remove. The official way was to loosen the left engine mount and raise the engine to gain access. This is more amazing given the fact that the tune up interval was around 25-30k miles
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I considered it for my first car in 1977. But I bought a Jeep CJ7 instead. Ten years later I bought a Buick Skyhawk. The same as that Monza! And I loved it. it lasted ten years. Then I sold it to someone who had it for ten years!
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I had a V-6 in my 80 Chevy Monza. I really liked the looks of it and how it handled.
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Very comprehensive report, as you included information - and even a Monza brochure pic, of the the very rare Monza "S" (at 7:10), of which little more than 2k were built and for one year only. Some these Monza S models came with an optional Buick V6 231 c.i. engine, which makes them, essentially, the only factory V6 "Vega" ever produced. Good job!
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Back in the 70's, I worked for an automotive supplier that made the urethane rear spoilers (3 pieces) for the Monza 2+2. I ran the molding machine that made the raw (unpainted) spoiler center section and the two ends all in one cycle. I remember knocking out about 80 of these per shift. Right out of the mold, they were a funky green color. I have no idea how many we produced over the length of our contract with GM. Thanks for letting me revisit this car!
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Had a 1977 Monza Mirage in 1987. I pulled the 305, and installed a 350 4 bolt main with 10-1 pistons. That car moved !!
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Owned a 77 and 78 the 77 was the 2+2 78 was the spyder they both had v8's . Great cars for the time. The rear hatch was really heavy. Wife owned the 77 and had the 78 owned them both at the same time. Kind of like a short camaro.
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I bought a new black 1979 Monza 2+2 V-6 (wanted a Camaro but couldn't afford it). Loved it.
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I'm glad to be able to find your channel. The history is much deeper and more intense than I realized.
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I had a 75 skyhawk with a 3,8 v6 . it had fat sway bars front and rear, perelli tires, it was 7 yrs old and had a 100,000 miles on it but would do 115 mph all day and got decent mpg but man that car sure handled great, I was happy with it but a turbo 3.8 sure would have been cool
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Wow ! I graduated High School in '75 but beyond The Tubes "....A new Monza!!! or a moped...", i'd forgotten how cool the 2 plus 2 was. Thanx for the trip back :)
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Loved my white 1977 Monza Spyder 305 V8. Kept it for 13 years and paid $5200 for it brand new. It replaced a 1975 Buick Skyhawk. What I liked about both cars was that the boxy headlights were accentuated as part of the design. The V6 in the Skyhawk vibrated too much at idle and the white vinyl seats were brutal in summer and winter, so bye-bye Skyhawk. Plus the Monza had a T-shift, which I also liked. Its replacement was a 1989 Ford Probe, which was almost identical in style and size. Thanks for giving the Monza Spyder the respect it deserves.
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I ordered my 1980 Monza 2+2 from Poklar Chevrolet in January and took delivery if my memory serves me right, late March or early April. It was black on black. Had the sun roof option, the 305 V-8 with a 4-speed. A week after my purchase, I had some then racey looking Centerline wheels in 14" with a drag racer look and stance. Skinnies up front and as big as the wheel wells would allow in the rear. That car turned a lot of heads. While it wasn't tearing up the roads it did run and handle exceptionally well for a Chevy. I'd love to have that car back today.
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I bought a 1980 Chevy Monza sport coupe right out of HS in June of 1983! I don’t know why so many people complained about them because mine was absolutely one of the best most dependable cars I’ve ever owned! It was a 4 speed manual with the iron duke under the hood! Not fast, but with a manual transmission you could get more out of it! It was a beautiful white with black interior and I loved that thing! I eventually got Craigers for it and a set of Firestone raised white letter performance tires and it looked hot. It got great gas mileage too! I kept it looking fresh off the showroom floor too for 10 years when I sold it to my buddy from HS. He wrecked it within 6 months and traded it in for a new car. It was the perfect car for a young male trying to get insurance too! It was very reasonable considering! I still miss that car today! They were really nice looking cars for a low end Chevy!
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My parents had a 78 Sunbird hatch when I was a kid. Iron Duke with a slushbox. Looked cool and was so slow.
