The much-maligned General Motors H-Body experiment ground to a halt after the 1980 model year, and I think few would disagree that the last cars were better than the first. No, cars like the Chevy Monza and Pontiac Sunbird wouldn’t win any awards for space utilization or sophistication, but they were a shining example of what GM was good at in the ’70s and ’80s: starting out with a promising but dangerously flawed concept and chipping away at it until it was not that bad. That might be damning with faint praise, but it’s always fun to find a decent example of a car that has almost disappeared. This clean and nearly rust-free Sunbird is just such a find, and it’s currently for sale on Marketplace in Edgewood, Maryland. Thanks to Dennis House for sending it our way.
My uncle worked on the line at General Motors (as many of our uncles did), so his driveway was a conveyor belt of their various offerings, from Chevettes to Monzas to Berettas to Caprices. Therefore, I spent some time as a young child sampling the diverse back seats of said Chevrolets. His ’80 Monza was cramped, even when I was five or so, but I remember him rowing through the four speed behind the not-so-quiet “Iron Duke” 2.5-liter four. Therefore, this interior takes me back. His Monza was dark blue with a light blue interior, but aside from the Pontiac steering wheel in place of Chevy’s “sport” wheel, it’s fundamentally the same. Oh, this one is an automatic, one of its few options.
Here’s that Iron Duke, looking mostly original in an engine compartment that could probably use a detailing if you’re that kind of person. The Iron Duke of my memories always seemed like it was two quarts low on oil, rattling down the road as if a catastrophic ventilating of the engine block was imminent. But it never seemed to happen – maybe it wasn’t powerful enough for a cataclysmic failure. It might not have sounded good, but I’ve always heard that they’d run forever.
One of the original H-Body weaknesses was rust – terrible, seething rust. Let’s face it, everything from the ’70s was in danger of rusting in front of your helpless eyes, so finding something solid today is (as I mentioned above) fun. The seller says that this is the only serious rust on the body of this Sunbird. It might even have the original paint; the ad claims that it could use “a
respray” on the hood, deck lid, and trunk.
It’s certain that there will be some H-Body horror stories in the comments, and they’re probably well-deserved, but I hope we also see some success stories. These were sharp looking throwaway compacts from a time when automotive quality wasn’t always what the customer expected, so if you’re a fan of these offbeat and inexpensive old cars, the owner is asking $4,995.
No A/C. WORTH LESS THAN A GRAND.
Go back to your high dollar auction shows. Nothing for you here.
Curious… I thought 1978-80 Sunbirds had wider taillights with chrome trim. This one appears to have the earlier rear panel and taillights.
Needs a 215 cid aluminum Olds or Buick v8.
Yet another BF person who can’t appreciate any car without wanting to change engines. It gets really old. No wonder there are so few original old cars out there.
I got to agree with John here. The ex and I had one new back in the late seventies and we took a road trip to Tennessee. We blew a head gasket in the mountains in the summer heat. If you can put something in the car that’s got more power and is more reliable why not? I don’t think there’s a museum of H bodies anywhere and these things aren’t worth anything as collectibles. While you’re at it put a four speed in it. This guy is asking too much anyway.
Thy “aren’t worth anything as collectibles” to ‘Fox owner’ you mean.
Preach it… I totally agree!
Want something faster.. then buy something new.
Buy keep you dang hands off specimens that have lasted 44 or more years!
Why change it now?!
I definitely see value in preserving it as-is, because so few cars like this survived in any condition, and this one is in exceptional condition. On the other hand, I also understand the desire for upgrades to make it a more entertaining driver. I say keep whatever you take off, don’t cut anything, and have fun with it. Personally, I’d add snowflake wheels, Formula graphics and spoilers (I said “don’t cut anything,” not “don’t drill anything”), an Ecotec 2.0 turbo (if it fits), 5- or 6-speed, and upgraded suspension bits.
You found your uncles Monza cramped when you were 5-ish?
Are you positive you’re remembering accurately?
My mother and brother both had Monzas when i was in the 8-14 age range, and I never found them cramped.
I can’t comment from a child’s perspective, but as an adult, these were always 2 seaters. The back seat was good for parcels or luggage. Yet, I still always liked the design of these (and, yes, of Mustang IIs as well.) They really missed out by not making convertibles!
I still cant believe the pinto had adequate legroom in the back seat.
Peter, my memory can always deceive me; I have an active imagination and it was 40 years ago. But I do remember having to twist my knees to the left when I rode in it…Maybe I was a tall kid.
Sharp looking, like the Monza.
The way he describes that engine it sounds like he’s describing the original Vega engine. I had an Iron Duke Pontiac 4 cylinder in my 78 Monza and it ran great. Bought it new, 2 stage 2 barrel carburetor, 4 speed. I really enjoyed it.
The Iron Duke engines were as exciting as oatmeal. But they were almost indestructible, compared to the ticking time bombs that were installed in the Vega. A friend of mine had a Sunbird coupe like this one. It gave her years of trouble free service, until it rotted away.
I bought a 1980 Monza in ’82 for around 2k if memory serves. Green over tan vinyl. A completely powerless V6, A/C, I even went so far as to put Keystone Klassic rims on it. Nice looking car with a little rake to it. It was a good car, until it wasn’t.
Never see these in Michigan anymore. Well equipped but uninspired car. The iron Duke had a super duty program with a cross flow head and other parts but I’ve never seen one in the wild. How tough are they? I guess all those Grumman mail trucks are your answer.
And these are ideal to tow behind your RV if a standard transmission, or if an automatic, on dolly. Especially the convertible.
Funny you mentioned space utilization. That to me seemed a hallmark of the 70’s. The cars of that era seemed designed for tiny people with a ton of luggage. I remember that even as a kid how there was so much car on the outside and a phone booth on the inside, even the small cars.
I remember riding in the neighbor’s new 1979 Honda Accord and couldn’t believe how good it was in space efficiency and driving dynamics. The Accord felt like a trained and toned athlete where the Vega, Pinto, Gremlin, etc. felt like a fat guy with a 5 pack a day habit by comparison.
That was just a Chrome/aluminum cover. I added some junkyard ones to my 76 cp. great car with the 231 Buick v6 in it….and a set of staggard cragers :)
It was also available with a 305 V8 …
An easy swap for a 350
cool looking. shame its carbureted
Know a guy that still has one,has some old race car motor in it,V-6 300+ HP,,He drives it rarely,it hauls arse
I Remember a car like this from 1991 & needed a cheap beater as I hit a deer with my truck & it was going to be awhile in the shop getting a front bumper , grill & hood. So there it was the silver sunbird Firethorn red interior even the automatic trans that spent its life in Northwest Ohio. I was on a budget & it showed so in the grand scheme of things it did its job. From my perspective someone buying a car of this caliber expecting any type of fun or nostalgic feeling has me smiling! It was basic transportation from a time when US car manufacturers were in a panic over EPA regulations that were unrealistic & OPEC who made big money controlling oil. That’s my experience yours maybe different.