The first time Chevrolet used the Monza nameplate was on the 1960s Corvair. The moniker was revived in the mid-1970s and applied to a new compact derivative of the Vega subcompact. The Monza ran from 1975 to 1980 and inspired badged-engineered versions in all the other General Motors divisions except Cadillac. This ’75 Monza Towne Coupe may only have 19,000 miles and could be the nicest one left. Located with a dealer in Winnsboro, Louisiana, this cream puff is available here on Best Stop Auto Sales for $7,500.
When the Monza arrived in 1975, it only came as a 2+2 fastback body style. A few months into the run, the more formal Towne Coupe was added, which included the seller’s beautiful example. 1975 models came standard with the same inline-4 as in the Vega, but a small-block V8 was available that displaced 262 cubic inches. While not a barn burner, the V8-powered Monzas were considerably peppier.
The seller’s 262 CI V8 has a 2-barrel carburetor and is paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission (TH-350?). Though the seller provides no documentation, we’re told this car has yet to see 20,000 miles, which would be incredible since most of the 734,000 Monzas that were built were long ago used up and sent to the crusher. This Chevy is finished in Firethorn Metallic paint, which is likely original. A Buckskin colored vinyl top is present to cap off a beautiful appearance.
Inside the car, the Dark Firethorn cloth interior looks as though it’s hardly ever been sat on. This is a well-equipped Chevy with factory air conditioning, and it probably has power steering and disc front brakes. A prior owner added an aftermarket digital stereo. If you can get past the checkered Vega heritage, this could be a great find. But is $7,500 the right price when this was likely a $5,000 car when new? BTW, thanks go to “Lothar… of the Hill People” for the tip!
Sold for $13k on BaT in July of 2025.
It’s even the same pictures from that auction.
Unless this selling dealer in Louisiana is partnered with the dealer in South Carolina who sold this car last July on BaT, I’d be a little leary, as all the cars selling at the Louisiana dealer are using pictures from the dealer in South Carolina. Kinda strange.
your right, keeps coming up for sale on marketplace? I don’t dare click on the site.
I could see shelling out $7500 if its really as nice as it looks. It would be tempting to not pull out the 4.3L 262 V8 and drop in a stroked 400 sbc, but disguised to look like the 262 that is in it
That would be a shame to destroy it like that!
I agree, it’s survived 50 years and looks like new why would you cut and hack this up?
No hacking required. It will look stock. Just drive a whole lot “FUNNER”(lol)
This looks to be in really nice shape, and the price is very reasonable. As for the question of “is it a classic”, there’s little doubt it is. And as it becomes more and more impossible in the world today to buy a reasonable sized car, I can imagine the economy cars of the 70s and 80s will become more and more collectible. Congrats to whoever grabs up this little gem!
I’m kind of thinking this is a scam?
I’m smelling a rat in the rainbarrel here, too. Anyone interested better do their research before they invest or send money.
BINGO!
Yes, this is one you have to jack the motor off the mounts to get to a couple of the plugs. I had one in college, all the same except mine was white with white vinyl top and different wheels. I didn’t even mind the red interior. It was a fine little car at the time.
That’s a fable. You can access every plug with the right combination of tools. By the way, try accessing plugs on almost any newer car today, like FWD V 6. Those are near impossible.
Doing plugs on a Ford Explorer today. I get to pull the upper intake to reach the rear plugs.
how many of these are left in the wild? The condition of this one is phenomenal, based on the pictures, I’d have a guilty conscience driving it LOL. That dealer has a couple of nice vehicles for sale.
Chev sure crammed a lot of stuff under that hood.
Wait a minute,,,, I thought I was Leary??
This car is amazing! You never see these anymore! From what others have said though, if it sold last July for $13,000, then it makes you wonder what’s wrong with it.
I had the 262 in a Monza Mirage and it was just fine and trouble free. Performance was so so at best.
I can’t imagine there are many of these left in this body style. Rare, but maybe for a reason?
If the sale is real, the price is reasonable for sure.
If the seller is using the same pictures belonging to someone else from the last sale that should be a big red flag. In fact, some of the prices of the cars he has listed on his website are priced too good to be true.
It DOES have power steering and power brakes ( you can see both in the picture of the engine compartment ) I ordered a 1974 Firebird Formula with every option in September of ’73 and it’s window sticker total was around $5,5,00 – if this car was near $5,000 when new, I bet I had a lot more fun with my car’s “extra” $500 than the original owner of THIS one had with his $5,000 . LOL
$500 was a lot of money in 1975 and everyone was motivated to save gas. In 1975, $500 was the difference between a new 74 Econoline with a 302 and a 75 Porsche 914
Manufacturers were really stomping and fetching in the 70s. Confronted with changing consumer tastes, governmental requirements and an oil crisis had to have given everyone fits. These found themselves competing with the wildly successful Mustang II in a market begging for smaller more efficient cars. GM did a good job dressing up the Vega and disseminating throughout the brands. The Town Coupe like the Mustang II Ghia was an answer to the domestic buyer that wanted a little more feel than a Civic or Corolla could deliver. I say that this is a well kept Monza with air and tilt wheel although I’ve not seen one without wheel covers which I thought were standard along with the vinyl top on the early ones.
Looking at Google street view and previous dates of street view, it looks like there was a dealer at that location in 2024 but is gone as of the latest street view.
Scammer is my opinion…
if it sold for 13k then why is it 7500.00 now? something is not right
You should try replacing the heater core in one of those. Worst job I ever had to do and at age 79 with arthritis I could not even try it today. The Chassis Service Manual was later updated with a TSB advising removal of the right cylinder head. Cool little cars but no fun with a wrench in your hand.
Great point Ed! For most of us, we do all the repairs ourselves, and who would want to wrench on this? I would rather have a 4 cylinder in that engine bay! An easy to repair car is a joy to own!
Don’t forget…it IS April Fool’s Day !!! Just saying…
I will never forget changing spark plugs in one of these. Even with disconnecting motor mounts and jacking up the engine, it was still a nightmare.
GM calling this a ”Monza” was dead wrong.
I purchased the Monza. It wasn’t a scam. I was impressed with the purchase contract. It was very professional and easy to understand. It included a 30-day buy back, and a 12 month mechanical warranty. Payment was by wire transfer and there were no hiccups in the process.
It was very easy dealing with Best Stop Auto Sales. I would do it again.
Where are they located? Address? I spent some time trying to find them with no luck.
Thanks.
Best Stop Auto Sales
4268 Front Street
Winnsboro, LA 71295
Good to hear. I looked at their inventory; a wide variety of models and price ranges. Nothing particularly exotic. Maybe something to be said for dealing with folks in small town Louisiana.
This WAS a SCAM! The car was never delivered. I talked with the police department in Winnsboro,LA. There was a car sales company on the same street as the police department but it has been out of business for about 2 years or so.
BTW, I researched, and researched this, however I wasn’t able to detect there was a problem until it was too late.
DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM BEST STOP AUTO SALES. — Allen
Allen, very sorry to hear this. I wish you luck getting your money back but these A-holes are probably overseas and out of any jurisdiction for the local PD.
This can happen to anyone very easily.
I was looking into a Challenger awhile ago that was sold on B-A-T previously and got ghosted after I asked about a in person inspection.
Patrick
Rick O., Thanks.
I have taken appropriate action on this. I’m thinking every car on their web site doesn’t exist in their inventory. When I “purchased” the Monza, it was indicated as sold. This morning, it was active again for $7,500 as before. With the action I have taken, and it will take a little time, I’m hoping no one else will be scammed. — Allen