The Chevy Monza was based on the Vega platform with the ills of that car (hopefully) resolved. It competed against the likes of the Ford Mustang II in the sporty subcompact market. Each GM division (except Cadillac) would get a variant of the Monza at some point in the second half of the 1970s. Buyers were aplenty and I had a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird with the fastback body style. This 1980 Monza uses the coupe body and is said to be a decent runner. Located near Knoxville, Tennessee, the seller is looking to sell the car outright or do a trade for a 4X4. It’s priced at the top end of what I would consider “cheap wheels” ($5,000) here on craigslist.
Early versions of the Monza used the Vega’s inline-4, which was famously troublesome. Later on, Chevy went with the Pontiac “Iron Duke,” a far better 4-banger that displaced 151 cubic inches. I had one in my Sunbird, and it was the best part of the car (build quality overall was average at best). Chevrolet cranked out 731,000 Monza’s between 1975 and 1980, With the other GM versions, close to a million probably were on the road at some point. But try to find one today (other than the junkyard).
Besides the Iron Duke, this Monza has a 4-speed manual transmission, making it much peppier than the automatic I had. The car has covered 70,000 miles and sports new tires, a recent tune-up and a fluids change, and should be a competent driver. The seller is moving to the mountains and needs something that’s off-terrain friendly, that being the reason for the sale (or so we’re told).
The body and interior look to be okay, as well as most of the black paint. Except for the hood, which has zero shine. That suggests it has been replaced at some point or everywhere but the hood was repainted. As a side note, Chevy originally intended for the Monza to use a Wankel rotary engine, but GM found out that they used gasoline like it was going out of style (at a time when gas prices were top of mind for everyone). Thanks for another good tip, Rocco B.!
If there was ever a car that needed a small-block or LS swap, this is it
You know, I drive a similar Monza all the time, same 4 cylinder. Most of my passengers keep telling me to slow down it’s so fast. Not kidding. I also have some V-8 Monza’s, even with the small 305, they’re very fast. Unless you intend to drag race I don’t know why anyone would need that much power
Don’t know why the seller threw in the picture of the muddy tires but it least he put pictures of the new tires and a wash job on the craigslist ad. Looks like a good buy to me.
A couple of pictures show what looks to be rust on the rear wheel wells and at the bottom of the rear window, if that’s the case it’s a $1,500 beater. Unless this car is rust and problem free you might be able to justify the price, if it isn’t there are a lot of better cars available for the sellers asking price.
Steve R
Monza was in the planning stages in 1971 as an upscale vehicle based on the H body platform – it was not a response to Vega’s problems, in other words. DeLorean referred to it as, “the Italian Vega.”
Monza was originally intended to use GM’s rotary engine (which was also supposed to be used in the Vega) – never came to fruition. There are photos floating around the interwebs of a Monza prototype wearing rotary badging.
Also GM had a contract to supply that rotary engine to AMC for their Pacer which was designed for engine. But that didn’t work out for either.
I’ve wanted to install the turbo V6 out of a 1987 Grand National into one of these little cars. It would fit and be one heck of a fast little car.
The Buick 215 ci V8 is aluminum, weights just 320 lbs less than the 4 cylinder, and outputs around 180 hp for a nice power upgrade that will improve the handling as well. Parts are still readily available thanks to their use in Rovers.
In the early 80s my nephew bought (at quite a cheap price lol) his mom’s Buick Skyhawk, Monza cousin, and did exactly what you said. He dropped an aluminum 215 in it. Thing ran like a scalded dog!
These can fit a SB V-8, a friend has one built up to 600HP +/-. As I remember, it ran 12.6 in the quarter mile with a license plate on the back. For those of you in Eastern Mass, there is a fastback Monza at Hollands in Billerica off Rt-3 with a SB V-8, black, and rusty.
These were offered from the factory with a small block V-8. No problem to instal one in this. You would have to upgrade the cooling, transmission and rear end to do it properly.
It would be easier just to buy a V-8 Monza, plenty out there
To change the rear plugs in the 262 Monza V8 you had to raise the engine. I had a ’76 Olds Starfire with the odd-fire V6 – one of the unhappiest engines ever made. It was also equipped with the infamous Firestone 500 steel belted radials that had a tendency to shrivel up like a mobius strip. My wife had a 1980 Monza Town Coupe with the Iron Duke. It was reliable if not particularly quick. These cars would rust if rain was in the forecast.
They were cute cars that were the right size and poorly executed. $5,000 is about 4 times what this is worth.
My cousin had a Monza Mirage.The coolest looking thing. I started looking for one, until he told me about changing those plugs on his. Nope
Only one plug a little difficult but with the right tools it’s a snap. Want hard to change plugs? Try a FWD minivan with the V-6, reach the rear plugs. Those you’re better off to pull the body off. Even the standard Pontiac V-8, the plugs under the A/C are much tougher than the Monza. While I’m ranting, there are many shop manuals that give a impossible procedure, but good mechanics find the easier way. Signed, full time mechanic
I guess my cousin didn’t know a good, full time mechanic, way back when.
Kind of a fable, I change plugs all the time without raising the engine. Just have to have the correct combination of tools
Best thing about this car is that those wheels will fit my Chevette…
I always liked the hatchback “Spyder” version of these, but I have to say, the notchback is starting to look better with age, to me.
Those are some of the best looking polycast wheels next to those on the Chevelle and MC. The coupe has nice lines thanks to the thin pillars and short deck. The trunk rack looks cool.
Those are not polycarbonate wheels, those are hubcaps. I bought a Monza new in 78 and people complimented my wheels. They look like wheels, but they’re not. These came color matched to the body color. I still have a 75 Monza, 383,4L60E, aftermarket AC. I change the spark plugs without a problem. It’s an occasional driver, so spark plugs last for a long time.
I was thinking about that but it didn’t stop me from displaying my ignorance. Thank you for catching me.
I was selling Chevy’s from 1977-80 and sold a bunch of these. Very popular entry level “sporty” car that was cheaper and more economical than a Camaro. Most were the 4-cyl. but I remember the V8’s were pretty peppy, relatively speaking.