Chevrolet Monzas are hard enough to find as-is but try tracking down an original Spyder package car. This is a unicorn among unicorns, with the upgraded factory suspension, decal kit, and a Buick V6 paired to a T50 five-speed manual. The car remains in excellent cosmetic condition inside and out, and the seller has made several discrete enhancements that should make it a blast to drive for years to come in both the suspension and drivetrain departments. Find it here on craigslist for $7,000, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Russel G. for the find.
The Spyder package was an extra bit of window dressing for the affordable Monza platform, and thankfully it wasn’t just a graphics kit. Initially, the package consisted of adding a two-barrel carburetor to the standard four-cylinder, along with checking the box for the optional F41 suspension which included larger front and rear sway bars and upgraded shock absorbers. Other engine options were offered throughout the Monza’s production run, including the 305 V8, and later models could opt for the 3.8L Buick V6. The original engine in this example is said to have 30,000 original miles.
The seller notes that the chassis has 50,000 miles, and the interior certainly looks even better than that. The black-on-red combo is suitably sporty for the performance-oriented Spyder and looks to be holding up incredibly well. The door panels and carpet show no major flaws other than some mild wear, and the dash appears to be uncracked. When you see one of these with a manual gearbox, the cabin suddenly looks like it could belong in something far more exotic. No word on whether it has A/C and/or if it still works.
And really, that’s OK – this Monza is said to be mechanic-owned, which is obvious given the listing clearly emphasizes the mechanical upgrades and repairs rather than lingering on the cosmetics (which look pretty good). Given the seller lists the engine as a 4.1L and notes that the original 30,000-mile mill is “included,” it seems likely he upgraded to the later engine with larger 3.965” pistons. A long list of performance-oriented name brands is sprinkled throughout the listing, along with a limited-slip rear end. This is a rare car and looks like a fun driver for reasonable money. Find another one!
I see an A/C compressor – with a belt! – and also the vent beneath the steering column, which I think you did not get in non A/C GM’s of this era. My father had a 1976 Buick Skyhawk 3.8L/auto that was passed down to my sister and me. Decent car at the time, except for the Panhard bar that repeatedly broke off the body mount, causing the tires to sometimes rub the wheelwells, and probably putting a lot of strain on the trailing arms and bushings.
I always did like the Monza; almost pulled the trigger on a V-8 customer ordered/rejected one.
He’d ordered a full size spare which was bolted down in the rear hatch area. This one is sharp and looks to be a good deal…can you say “bordello red”? GLWTA! :-)
There’s a Ferrari model that this actually looks a lot like, from the doors back, in profile only. These were everywhere back in the day. Now, you never see one. This one’s nice.
356 gtc/4
The Ferrari 365 GTC4 was the obvious inspiration for the Monza. GM designers of the era readily admit…
Wow, you got that right! Looks like you could exchange the side windows
I do want this car! Dump the 305 and stick in a 350! Add some subframe connectors (going to need them!) and beef up the trans and rear. Yes you have to spent a little extra but worth it!
engine as a 4.1L V-6 not a 305…..:)
At that price point (10g?) Youre better of getting a manual corvette from similar vintage?
Had one, mine was a78 bought it at an auction. Sombody had dropped in a 350/300 with original 4 speed. 3 clutches in about a 5 month span. Really rip on it you could literally watch the dash twist. Fun times!
The glove box door would open on my Biscayne when I pounded on it.
Kick ass
I had a 75 with the 262 V8, auto, strong runner. A blast to drive and own, until it came to tune up time. This is a nice example, GLWTS
Spark plugs!!! lol
GuysWithRides.com first featured this Monza on February 10th (“Rotary Casualty” ) when the seller’s first Craigslist post appeared. This fresh post shows the seller still asking $7,000 which is still a bit too rich for what’s still considered to be a used car.
I had the sunbird gt. Same suspension and wheels. Iron Duke 4 with 4-spd. Not fast, but cornered well.
This car brings back some great memories!! Had a co-worker that drove a maroon one of these back in the early eighties, always liked looking at the body lines on her…her car wasn’t too bad either!
If Chevy offered the same 350 from the corvette in this monza, the former & z28 might fear this car. Which is probably why they didnt.
Odd the 350 was offered only 1 year – in Calif – 125 hp!!! lol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Monza#Overview
Not odd, it was California emissions.
Wow. Literally the perfect Monza. What a great looking example!
The ad states that it currently has a mild 4.1 V6 with a 5 speed. Sounds just right to me, if only I had the room I’d consider popping the asking price (upon inspection) in a heartbeat.
Someone needs to jump on this jewel.
Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Photo Album
http://365gtc4.com/Gallery/album.aspx?albumid=207&albumName=16225
Look at pic 12
Literally?
Yep @SteveTheD, 8n my book literally.
Thank you for playing.
How many left? My guess would be not very many. Most of these things got beaten to within an inch of their little Vega lives by young drivers. Time and bad mods did in the rest.
I would really like to purchase this Monza! However the seller contact info on the craigslist ad comes up with error! Does anyone know how to get a hold of the seller (Richard)? Thanks!
I had a ‘75 Oldsmobile Starfire that had a ‘63 Corvette 327 mill dropped in it. I loved that car and miss it to this day. Shocked the bejesus out of a lot of IROC camaro and mustang got owners back in the day.
I’ve thought about finding one and throwing a solstice GT turbo four in one if I could find one in decent shape. This one is too nice to do that to. Lol.
What a neat little car, nice styling too. Great choice in engine/mods, etc. Around 2001, I was with a friend at a nearby drag strip with his ’66 Mustang coupe, 289 dual exhaust 4 barrel with 3 speed manual trans. and 3.00 ish rear gear. He let me make a couple of runs with the car. The track folks paired me up both times with a ’75 Monza coupe with a 350 2 barrel engine. It staged next to me, and I saw the 5.7 liter badge on the fender. Don’t see many with the 350. I easily beat him by a wide margin both runs. Clean Monza, but they are not strong runners in stock form.
I had the twin to this car with a V6 and automatic it had a cloth velour interior came factory with a limited slip rear end and the bigger front and rear sway bars. Mine was fun to drive then I got a job that required a lot of travel was running between 800 and 1000 miles per week, one time I was pulling off the interstate and as I slowed down the oil light started flashing as idle that weekend I went to 10w40 oil and ran it another 15k miles with no problems. Sold the car with 144k miles. It was a very good reliable vehicle!
Isn’t it missing the front lower spoiler? I thought the lower air dam/spoiler was bigger/more prominent.
I had a ’75 Monza Fast backI had purchased new with the 262 V-8 way back in the day. I really liked the car. 4 years later around 80,000 miles, the suspension was shot and rust was starting to become an issue. The car was eventually sold, but I always liked the way the car performed and handled.
Monza mirage was a fast car. 13 inch tires and an open rear. Long burn outs.
They offered 305s ? I was under the impression 262 was the only v8 offered in these. Cool 😁 learning everyday!
Read my comment above. Just found out today they also offered a 350 1 yr only in Calf in monza –>125hp
vs 305 v8 180hp in the worst performing ’80 corvette.
The chevy 250 strait 6 in ’68 with horrible intake & exhaust manifolds & tiny tiny carb made about the same net hp as that 350.
Ridiculous.
I had the V-8 powered twin to this car which was overpowered and silly. Beautiful design however, and in general the thing was OK and fun in Freeway traffic when everybody assumed I had a 4 or smaller engine. I sold it to a neighbor whose daughter put 90,000 miles on it before it died a quiet death in their driveway. All it needed was normal maintenance and a timing chain.
Awesome but there is quite a few online for sale 75 thru 80
I attempted to change spark plugs on my friends. In the hot Tennesse sun. I quit. Asked him who in their right mind want a car. You can,nt see the plugs and have to have double jointed extensions. The car looked nice,but no room uder the hood. Might have been better with a straight 6. To were you could work on it. A v-8-I wouldnt want one. No room-everything was close quatered.
I bought one of these new in the fall of 78. I loved this car. I wishI could find one decently priced, today.
Hello, hi. Really enjoyed these cars in my life. I still own 2 of these spyders as of right now.
Black on black 1979, last year of factory stock 305v8.
And 1980 gold on gold v6 231 strait shift factory stock which has been changed over to 305 v8 automatic transfered from another monza spyder which had a bad frame back in 1991.