This is a new one for me, as I can’t recall seeing a Monza Spyder featured on these pages in recent memory. More than that, I had to educate myself on what exactly a Monza was. The skeptic in me figured it was just a graphics package, but to GM’s credit, they actually threw some decent hardware at its ubiquitous economy car. Whatever your thoughts are, there cannot be that many left. Find the Monza Spyder here on craigslist for $4K somewhere in Maryland.
The tricky thing is, Chevy broke the Spyder package out into appearance and performance options groups, which is fairly typical for the General. If this were any year prior to 1980, we’d have some sleuthing to do; however, in 1980, they combined the two packages together so buyers got the looks and the performance. Equipment included thicker anti-roll bars, stiffer shocks, sport steering wheel and a two-barrel 2.3L motor. This example shows incredibly well, with even its Spyder-specific air dam holding up surprisingly well.
The interior features nicely bolstered bucket seats, the aforementioned steering wheel and a unique instrument panel with woodgrain trim. This Monza’s interior is still in incredibly sound condition, with no obvious damage to the seats or carpets. The backseat looks practically unused, and while the automatic transmission is a disappointment, the Monza wasn’t a road-burner even in top-spec form. A stick shift wouldn’t change the driving experience that much, in my opinion.
The 350 is a familiar site underhood, and a nice feature for a somewhat compact car like the Monza. The seller doesn’t tell us much about the condition of the vehicle or engine health, other than it “….runs good.” The Monza Spyder doesn’t show any obvious signs of major rust, and to be honest, I like this special edition way more than the Mirage we just featured. Throw in a manual gearbox and I’d be all over it; then, lower it on some gold basketweave wheels and watch a crowd follow this Monza wherever it goes.
Was the 350 ever oem in a Monza? I thought a 262 (or something around there) was the biggest V8 (or the only V8) that was available in the Monza.
That was IIRC the one you had to jack and tilt the V8 to change sparkplugs in it.
Sorry, not my cup of tea.
Yes, but only a derated version for California and other pollution control markets. In this configuration, it actually produced less power than the 305 sold in other markets. The 262 V8 you referenced was, in fact, the smallest V8 GM had made.
My hunch is the seller has no idea what’s under the hood other than that it’s a SBC. If they are right, a 350 in there is a good bet that it’s a replacement engine, as SBCs of all dimensions from this period are basically interchangeable.
Buick/Olds/Pontiac 215 is the smallest V8 GM made.
Actually Oldsmobile made of smaller V8 at 260 cubic inches
A classmate had one of these when I was in college – 262 small block, automatic. When I found he had a V8, I thought it would be at least a little exciting to drive, but I was wrong! My girlfriends 1966 Dodge A100 Van with a slant six/three on the tree would outrun that Monza.
So the owner need a tune up, and he had what I thought was a ridiculous quote from the local garage… so being a college kid in need of pizza money, I told him if he’d buy the parts, I’d do it for $25. Then I learned about the #7 cylinder plug removal process. So, about 6 hours later, I finished the ‘1 hour’ tune-up I had planned. I didn’t jack up the price, but after all that work, I sure did savor that pizza!
The only good thing to come of it was that I got a lot of other business (tune ups, brakes, etc) from his rave review of my work.
yes…86Vette….believe it was a small – small block…..but at the time these were slick little cars with that little V/8…although a pain to work on…!
I thought it was cool that you could get these with a V8 when new.
I’ve always wondered how they would look,if they were the size of a Camaro.
I think 1980 should be a 305 V8
My 1980 was a 305 with a Saginaw 4 speed. A couple of months after I put in a 300 + hp 350 it ate the internals of the Saginaw and I found a Muncie M21, and had to have a fab shop install it with a hydraulic clutch, because one pulled from the front and one the rear “clutch pedal “. Drove the fast little beast for a while till I blew out my left knee and couldn’t drive it anymore. Love to find another one.
I thought the base 4 cylinder was the 2.5 iron duke.
It was, from 1978-80. The 2.3 was the aluminum Vega engine, and it was discontinued at the end of 1977.
Looks to me that a V8 was swapped into this one. My dealer literature shows only the 2.5L and 3.8L available for 1980.
Nope, I had one with a factory installed V* 305. even had the 305 badges on the front fender. I have a 66 ford cobra now and I can honestly say, That little manual four speed monza with dual aftermarket exhaust was just as much fun to drive then as my cobra is today!!!
It would seem a V8 was swapped into this one. My dealer literature shows only the 2.5L and 3.8L available for 1980.
Got a brand new one in 75 called a Monza 2+2 with a 262 v/8 and a 4 speed. I used to look for BMW’s, triumph tr6’s mustang cobra’s MG’s and the rest and they were all shocked at that car. I loved it and there was a Pontiac and Buick version’s that followed as well
As I recall the Monza was originally designed for the GM rotary engine. When the rotary project was cancelled GM of course installed their conventional engines instead. The engine compartment is tight, especially with a V8, since it was intended for the compact Wankel.
The spyder package was 2 fold. The appearance package (Z02, if memory serves) which gave the decals and emblems, and the Z01 RPO code for the performance goodies. The 350 was only offered in 75, but the predominant V8 was the 305, with a smattering of 4.3L V8s. The most interesting part to racers was the fact it weighed 2800lbs with the V8/auto configuration. The downside of the car was the fact that it had pockets that would hold water and bring on the tin worm. Hagerty’s has classified the Monza as near extinction, with less than 50 being insured by them. I miss my 77 Spyder. I’ll get it, or another, one day soon.
‘Hagerty’s has classified the Monza as near extinction, with less than 50 being insured by them.’
That only means insured by Hagerty’s. Quite a broad statement for them to make.
Not everyone insures through Hagerty or insures an old car through another old car insurance company. Especially with their mileage limitations.
My own old cars [ a 63 and an 86 ] are insured through my regular carrier, a 63 and an 86.
Some may not think that’s wise, but I drive them regularly for everyday tasks and joy riding. The 86 will be taking a trip to Salt Lake in the fall.
I think if one looked for the figures for any N Body or H Body or X covered by Hagerty the same low number would show.
That the market still does not think these cars are “collectible” is another reason Hagerty’s ‘almost extinct’ proclamation is dubious.
Think about it: what are the chances this Spyder is even one of Hagerty’s near extinct 50 ?
I had one of these for a short time with a 305/4 speed. Same color only had hood decal. IIRC they had wheel flares like the Z-28’s. I bought mine out of the buy and sell in 1991. The guy took me for a ride in more ways than one. No plate so around his block with him, which was fine. Brakes were squealing, which was in the ad, and needed mufflers as they broke off during the test drive. Parked it in his back yard on the grass and gave him 500. It had higher milage and rust, but lots of new steering parts and it drove nice. Did I mention the car was geared exceedingly low like 411 low. Anyway got my tags and dad dropped me and the gf, so we could head to the beach. Bent the tabs back on the brakes and left. Car was howling at 50mph sigh…but fast outta the hole. So gassed up and off we went. Leaving the beach noticed a big oil puddle, level was down but ok. Think valve covers/rear main at worst. Was going do the brakes and oil change when I got home anyway. And damn it was hot in that car, windows and vents did nothing at 50mph. So 3/4 of a tank for an 2 hour drive. Put it on stands, changed the pads greased it and moved on to the oil change. Well the gears were low, but this was the real problem. The car had a big wad of silicon on the plug dripping. Peeled the silicon, and the pan was scraped off at the plug and no threads to boot. Pan was unique to that car, dealer only, special order, 300 bucks. Hmmm decision time, clutch looked about half, plugs looked original, and the motor had to come out. And the rust was more than originally thought. My uncle patched the pan for me with jbweld and a piece of metal with a new drain plug. First oil change it would most likely crack off. So this car was my first flip, a friend of a friend wanted it, I discolsed the problems and he paid me 1500. Pulled the 305 swapped all parts on to a stroker with a new pan and clutch and took it racing. Blew the diff first pass, it had been welded for posi. But he fixed it and enjoyed it till the body rotted.
I had a pan issue with one as well! The thing was so low in the front, I hit about a 3-4″ tall rock in the road and raked a hole in the pan. Had to unbolt the mounts, drop the 4 speed, remove the pan and took it in to have it brazed by a pro. When I get there, he tells me he could have done it ON THE CAR!!! I was in high school, and WAY before the ‘net so who’da thunk it?
I remember the mechanics at the Chevy dealer I worked at told me the motor mounts would shear off these and the engines would sit down on the chassis making for a rumbling ride.
Just not a good design all around.
Had one, I thought it was the 305, but too long ago. I do remember that in order to change the plugs, you had to pull the engine… they never told you that in the showroom. It was offered in 1974, IIRC, and was the same time they offered the very first rebates. Showrooms were jammed with customers who honestly thought they were getting a deal. I was replacing my 73 Camaro which was stolen from the parking lot of the hospital where I was working. Broad daylight, bright red Camaro and the crack Cincinnati police couldn’t find any trace of it. The Monza was NOT a Camaro and I sold it with less than 10k on it.
Jeff, I am with you. This Monza is much better than the cartoonish Mirage.
And it really was a compact: 179.9″ long. 1970 Maverick size.80 Citation: 176.7. Malibu: 192.7″ Camaro: 197.6
1979 Nova was 196.7″
Great two page shot of the Spyder here:
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1980_Chevrolet/1980_Chevrolet_Monza_Brochure/1980%20Chevrolet%20Monza-12.html
Brochure lists only the 2.5 Iron Duke and 3.8 V6 as the only engines offered
Like its predecessor Vega, the Monza was made of compressed rust….
The only ones worth having are the ones built to race in IMSA – they were about as close to the original as a NASCAR race car is to what you’ll find in the showroom…….
I purchased a 1979 Monza Spyder in 1983 which came with a 305, turbo 350, PS, PB and AC. The original owner had replaced the 305 with a 300/327 which really brought it to life. The car handled well with the heavy sway bars and springs and the only drawback was the factory 13 inch wheels. The rear end was a limited slip unit with 292 gears which allowed about 65 mph in first gear. I had a lot of fun with 5.0 mustangs as long as I could get up to 25-30 mph before they nailed it.
To build a V8 Monza takes several specific parts; special frame mounting plates for the motor mounts, special exhaust manifolds, a short Monza water pump and a unique transmission tail shaft that will bolt to the torque tube which attaches to the differential. It is also hard to find narrow 4 lug 10 bolt limited slip rear for these cars
My sister-in-law had a 305 powered Monza. Plugs 7 & 8 were best accessed by dropping the inner fender skirts off and using extensions an universal sockets.
Her had a habit of creeping thru the brakes at stop lights that we never could sort out on the brake system.
Hi, I have a 1979 red Spyder 305.It has an Edelbrock carb and a hot cam.It is a fast car now!Because of the weight and the positive air flow.Rust is the biggest enemy and the metall is very thin, and a pain to weld properly.you cannot change the wheels withouth troubles because the inner wheel have strange dimentions.you can change the spindels of a Chevy c10 for a five lug bolt patern .It also has an oil level switch what will shut down the ignition if the oil level gets to low.But I like the looks of the car, it is cool!And the value in Europe is rising quick(for a v8)I think this is a bargain, this is a good investment for the future, there are not many left.(ask yourself when did you see one on the streets?)And in drag race scenes they were very populair cars and raced very, very fast!And the best part is the car will certainly fit in your garage!
H Bodies are Vegas on steroids and without all the 50/50 handling characteristics. Bunkie Knudsen killed the rotary engine program but had already tooled up for the bodies in late 73. I’ll take a Buick Skyhawk with the panoramic roof over this. If you really want a challenge look for an Olds Starfiré with the Firenza package. It’s full of unobtanium!
Was there ever anything these autos did beyond poorly.
The GM folks built as cheap as they could by and of using overworked and unsaleable parts inventory reduction methods, came up with fancy decal and names of Euro excitement.
Quality control in US had come to mean “as cheap as possible” because manufacturers knew that consumers would buy sh.. if packaged right, and man were these packages built on the cheap.
I admit I only wrenched on em, as the rust monster was everywhere, cheap steel and cast suspensions parts and even body’s were not worthy of cost/effort.
Not a lot of value even as original good shape, but throw small block and auto with different gears, sell then funeral and cemetery insurance if no brake update.
Am I the only one that’s going to comment on that fuel line?
I bought a1975 Monza Towne Coupe in 1989 for $600. I fell in love right away.With a 4.3 V-8 and a 4spd transmission with the notch back looking better to me than the hatch back version.Maroon with tan vinyl interior it was a great car.I did suffer a lot of annoying heat from the engine on my right foot,However the 4spd was good for self gratifying tire shredding all thru 1st into 2nd and most of 3rd gear and if done skillfully she was good for 2nd,3rd and sometimes 4th gear scratches.Not to mention the only set of 13×8 Cragar SSs I’m sure ever existed..lol..Four spoke,Four lug 13 inch Cragar SSs wrapped with Goodyear Eagle GT raised white letter tires.Rush “Moving Pictures” on cassette.. That car is still brought up occasionally with the small town gear heads here.I can’t count how many times I was told no such animal as a 4.3 V-8 existed or the Chevy version was a tad larger with a tad more horsepower.To me, The notch back trumps the hatch back anyday.
The Monza I had like an 80 if I remember it had a 3.8 V-6 with an automatic and a posi rear end. I drove that car a lot for work, I remember as the miles we’re getting up there I pulled off the interstate and the oil light started blinking, ok I thought it’s Time for 10w40 instead of 30. I got about 130k out of that car.
This one looks like it has been wrecked in its past. I had a 1979 with 3.2 V6 and 4 speed. Nice looking car when it was new. Got lots of compliments. Unfortunately it wasn’t reliable after about 36 k miles. Parts literally fell off. Engine failure at 37 k
I stopped and looked at this car in person today it’s in decent shape needs some TLC. I’m going to make him an offer he wants a bit more than what I think it’s worth
Question to all of you. Didn’t the Monza only come with a 4 cyl. Or a 6 cyl In 1980
Didn’t think a v8 was an option ?
Hi all
Well I now own this little gem it is in remarkably good shape for the age give it some TLC and it will be good to go
Nope, I had one with a factory installed V* 305. even had the 305 badges on the front fender. I have a 66 ford cobra now and I can honestly say, That little manual four speed monza with dual aftermarket exhaust was just as much fun to drive then as my cobra is today!!!
None of the 1980 Monzas came with a factory installed V8. However since V8s were available in 1975-79 Monzas, swapping a V8 in was and still is popular. See more at http://www.v8monza.com
Bob Gumm !!!
You are still out there nice to here from you
Ya it was a V6 car but some did the swap
I’m in the middle of building a new heart for it just a couple minor things need done
Anybody have a good center spoiler section ?
I had a 1980 Monza Spyder…there was no longer a V8 option in 1980. 3.8 V6 was the largest you could get. The V8 option ended in 1979 and it was a 305. 1980 was also the last year for Monza.