Chevrolet dusted off the Monza nameplate in 1975 (it had been a model of the Corvair in the 1960s) and applied it to a new compact. The new Monza, which was produced through 1980, was a mechanical derivative of the Chevy Vega, without the troublesome aluminum engine in its later years (they went with the Pontiac “Iron Duke” I-4). The seller’s car – referred to as a Cabriolet but really a Towne Coupe – has a V6 engine, likely the optional Buick 231 CI motor. The seller tells us that a lot of mechanical work has been done and it’s a turnkey automobile. Located in Port Orange, Florida, the Chevy may be modestly priced at $6,900 here on craigslist (thanks for the tip, T.J.!).
The H-body, rear-wheel-drive Monza was intended to compete against the likes of the newly released Ford Mustang II and would be followed in-house by the Pontiac Sunbird, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire. Available as both notchback and fastback coupes, the Monza was popular over its six years, accounting for upwards of three-quarters of a million automobiles. They would be replaced in the 1980s with J-body front-wheel-drives subcompacts.
We’re told this Chevrolet had been stored in a garage for 30 years when the seller ran across it. In his/her words, the intention was to “fix it up a little” and “got carried away.” The V6 motor has been “hot-rodded” but we don’t know what that means or if the car’s original engine is present. According to the seller, nearly every mechanical item on the car has been replaced, so that must mean it runs like new, right?
The body looks good and is “nearly” rust-free on the undercarriage. The black paint shines up well and the matching interior and Landau vinyl top have held up well. And the aftermarket gold wheels seem to fit in okay. Speakers have been mounted in the door panels, so they’ve been cut to accommodate them. The Chevy has air conditioning which we assume is in working order. If you’re looking for a lower-cost way to get into older cars, I suppose this Monza could work. But not everyone considers these 1980s automobiles to be collectible. At least not yet.
meh.
I dare to ask the following… when is the last time you saw one? It is for this reason that makes this car cool to me. These are the unsung underdogs of the collector car world. I like the formal looking knotch back aspect of it over its 2+2 fastback sister. Yes it looks like the mustang II of the mid to late ’70s but I like it anyways. Let the haters hate.
Nice find and write-up Russ. I put at least 100k on a used ’76 Buick Skyhawk hatchback in my college days. It also had the Buick 231 V6 but with a 5-sp. I could have used another 100 HP, but when you consider they put that motor in full-sized LeSabres, etc. it did pretty well in an H-Body. For a while Kenne-Bell was the big aftermarket supplier for the 3.8, and 250 HP was possible without going too crazy. I knew I could build the engine or V8-swap it, but numb overpowered steering and brakes too weak for aggressive two-lane driving led me to replace it with the ’89 Mustang LX 5.0 that I still have today, the most reliable car I’ve owned. However the Skyhawk passed through two owners before I lost track of it, surpassing 300k on the original engine. Thanks for the memories!
Swap in an LC2 turbocharged V6 from a 1987 Grand National for a super fun car
For 6900 I think it’s a steal.I’m no fan of carbureted Buick v6’s but I’d put my differences aside and buy this car for an everyday driver if I didn’t have one now and it was local.Be kinda cool.I’ve worked on these with 262 and 305 sbc’s.They were ok cars for there era.glwts.
I had the California Coupe 350/350 maroon color with white vinyl top and interior. Had good suspension coil springs heavy duty sway bar. Sold to friend in Clovis, NM.
I had the fastback version of this car, with heavy sagging doors, extensive interior sun rot – the red interior had faded to various shades of pink after the finish flaked off most every panel. It also had the same Buick V6/THM200 powertrain, if you use that term loosely.
It was a gutless wonder. No real power to speak of, but oddly a standout burnout machine. Just stand on the brake pedal and steadily apply the throttle and it would billow smoke from the puny 70-series 13 inch tires like a Double-A Fueler.
Chevrolet referred to the roof treatment on this car as a “Cabriolet” roof, and they dropped the “Towne” prefix after 1977. So, this is a Monza Coupe with the “Cabriolet roof cover”.
Maybe not a collector car, but it brings me back to fun times without cell phones and internet. I had a 78 that my friend and I ran around all over the place. When the transmission finally puked in it, I bought an 81 Chevette to replace it and to my delight the 4 lug rally wheels with the 60 series tires from the Monza fit right on it. Good and simple times…
I had one of these and loved it. Same color but no vinyl top, V6 manual (can’t remember 4 or 5 speed). I put an aftermarket cruise control on it and used to drive it regularly from Chicago to Florida. With the cruise and air it was a great highway car.
I dare say at cruise nights this will get as much, if not more, attention than Camaros, Firebirds, Mustangs, Corvettes, etc.
I was a sales manger with our local Chevy dealer in the 70’s and 80’s. I had a Monza TC coupe with a 262 V8 and a four speed. The speed was “FAIR”. Wished I had it back,it is a straight set in for a 350!
My friend bought a new 1980 Monza Towne Coupe. He had a first date with a nice girl, and brought her to a college bar to see some local talent. We met him there ( to boost his confidence?)and everyone had a good time. We walked out, he opened the lady’s door and seated her. Then opened his door, and it fell off in the parking lot. Good times had by all.
We had a new 80 Sunbird with the Iron Duke 4 speed. It had every option including a glass sunroof from the factory, it even had a formula steering wheel. Black with red interior. The car before it was a Silver and red interior 76 Vega GT with the Dura built and 5 speed. I always liked the Vega better. The Vega never had one issue in the 60K miles it was warrantied for. The Iron duke had no power and with a posi’ rear end the clutch chattered to the point I had to get rid of it. Funny that the Vega GT had such a bad rap, yet I look back at it as being the better of the two cars.
I was a passenger in a 1980 hatchback monza a few times with minimum 300 horse 350 and a manual trans. And posi rear . Was probably the quickest car I’ve been in . Well built for acceleration. Car couldn’t catch up to the back tires till about somewhere in 3rd only weak link was the rear end . Was a cone type posi that worked perfect till the teeth had enough and would start flying off but replacements were cheap and easy at the salvage yard so he went through those at about the same rate as back tires if he didn’t kill it they’d last quite a while
I had wanted one back in the day. Went to the chevy dealer picked one out,but i was told that even tho I had paided off my used car and was never lateI would need a co-signer. Well my Dad would never go for that I was lucky he had bought me a pair of shoes once a year. I never did get it. Later I was able to buy a 81 honda accord when I moved out on my own.