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SECOND GENERATION (1973-1977) | ||
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The second generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo is probably the most forgotten generation. With the 1973 Monte Carlo came the second generation which was restyled for a broader market. Slight changes were made from 1973 to 1977 and they also shared some characteristics with the other A-bodies of GM's lineup. The Monte Carlo kept its 116-inch wheel base, but now sported GM's new Colonnade pillared coupe design and deeper curves. The 1973, 1974 and 1975 Monte Carlo's still featured the single round headlights with slanted tail lights, giving them a muscle car appearance. The 1976 and 1977 Monte Carlo's featured four rectangular, dual-stacked headlights and flat tail lights giving them a more luxury appearance. With the SS and Custom options dropped, the new Landau option was available sporting a half or full-vinyl top with distinctive Landau pillar, door panel and dash emblems, Turbine II wheels, and vinyl interior. Swivel bucket seats were a new option for this generation. The big block 454 was still available, but because of the oil embargo of 1974 it was dropped after 1975. The all new small block 305 V8 was introduced in 1976, which also happened to be the last year for the small block 400 V8. The small block 350 V8 was dropped after 1977. Fuel economy replaced performance as an important factory when buying a new car. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo's emphasis shifted from a "powerful personal car" to a "luxury touring car."
1973 Monte Carlo
Pictured is a 1973 Sport Coupe. This car has seen an unfortunate fate. The former owner decided because he was a poor mechanic that the body had to suffer. So he sent it to the junk yard. Click here here for more pics of what was once a nice car.
Packages: Sport Coupe and Landau -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 145-horsepower @ 4000 rpm / 255 torque foot pounds @ 2500 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 175-horsepower @ 4400 rpm / 270 torque foot pounds @ 2400 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 454 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio
245-horsepower @ 4000 rpm / 375 torque foot pounds @ 2800 rpm -3-speed manual (standard on the 2-bbl 350/available on the 4-bbl 350) -3-speed TH-350 automatic (standard on the 4-bbl 350/available on the 2-bbl 350)
-3-speed TH-400 automatic (standard on the 454) Notes: This was the first year for the second
generation Monte Carlo. The 1973 Monte
Carlo can be identified by the single round headlights, parking lamps in
the head light buckets, slotted flat tail lights, "Monte Carlo" script on
the steering wheel (73 only), the unique dash emblem (73 only) and stainless
steel quarter window trim (73 only).
1974 Monte Carlo
Pictured is Nico Looijen's 1974 Monte Carlo. Check out his website.
Packages: Sport Coupe and Landau -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 145-horsepower @ 3600 rpm / 250 torque foot pounds @ 2200 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 160-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 245 torque foot pounds @ 2400 rpm -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 400 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 150-horsepower -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 400 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 180-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 290 torque foot pounds @ 2400 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 454 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio
235-horsepower @ 4000 rpm / 360 torque foot pounds @ 2800 rpm -3-speed manual (standard on both 350's/not available on other engines) -3-speed TH-350 automatic (standard on both 400's/available on both 350's)
-3-speed TH-400 automatic (standard on the 454/available on
both 400's) Notes: Little changes were made to the 1974 model year. The 1974 Monte Carlo can be identified by the single round headlights, the header panel knight emblem which was moved from the grill, the un-slotted tail lights with the knight emblem on the lens, the "Chevrolet" script on the steering wheel and the new dash emblem (square insert with the knight emblem).
1975 Monte Carlo
Pictured is Nick Wellik's 1975 Monte Carlo. Check out his website.
Packages: Sport Coupe and Landau Engine Options: -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 145-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 250 torque foot pounds @ 2200 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 155-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 245 torque foot pounds @ 2400 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 400 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 175-horsepower @ 3600 rpm / 305 torque foot pounds @ 2000 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 454 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio
235-horsepower @ 4000 rpm / 360 torque foot pounds @ 2800 rpm -3-speed manual (standard on 2-bbl 350/available on 4-bbl 350) -3-speed TH-350 automatic (standard on the 4-bbl 350 and 400/available on the 2-bbl 350)
-3-speed TH-400 automatic (standard on the 454/available on
the 400) Notes: Little changes were made to the 1975 model year. This was the last year that the big block 454 was offered in the Monte Carlo, as well as the Chevelle and El Camino. The 1975 Monte Carlo can be identified by the single, round headlights; vertical rib on the parking lamps which were half amber and half clear, grill emblem (was on header panel in 1974) and slotted wrap around tail lights.
1976 Monte Carlo
Pictured is a 1976 Landau Coupe.
Packages: Sport Coupe and Landau Engine Options: -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 305 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 140-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 245 torque foot pounds @ 2000 rpm -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 145-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 250 torque foot pounds @ 2200 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 165-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 260 torque foot pounds @ 2400 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 400 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio
175-horsepower @ 3600 rpm / 305 torque foot pounds @ 2000 rpm -3-speed TH-350 automatic Notes: The Monte Carlo broke it's own sales record in 1976 with 353,272 cars sold. Rectangular quad headlights now graced the new Monte Carlo giving it a more luxurious appearance. The 454 was no longer an option, but the 175 horse 400 small block was still available. The new 305 small block V8 was now available. The 1976 Monte Carlo can be identified by the stacked, rectangular headlights; rectangular parking lamps in the bumper, 3-piece grill inserts with the knight emblem in the center, flat tail lights with the knight emblem; and the chrome trim around the license plate inset.
Pictured is a 1976 Monte Carlo "Custom Cloud" conversion which was restored by Joaquin Rivera. Pictures of the restoration can be seen here.
There were also a very limited production "Custom Cloud" conversions in which the 1976 Monte Carlo received a "Rolls Royce" exterior body style conversion. There were only a limited number built because "Custom Cloud Motors" in Florida was sued by Rolls Royce. It is not known how many were actually produced or how many are still around.
1977 Monte Carlo Pictured is David Caniglia's 1977 Sport Coupe.
Packages: Sport Coupe and Landau Engine Options: -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 305 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 140-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 245 torque foot pounds @ 2000 rpm -Rochester 2-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio 145-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 250 torque foot pounds @ 2200 rpm -Quadrajet 4-barrel carbureted 350 cubic inch V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio
165-horsepower @ 3800 rpm / 260 torque foot pounds @ 2400 rpm -3-speed TH-350 automatic Notes: There were little changes to the 1977 Monte Carlo, the last year for the second generation body style. It still looked like last years model, but the grill emblem was replaced with a hood ornament and the tail lights were ribbed with a smaller knight emblem. Gone now was the 175-horse 400 small block as an engine option. The 1977 Monte Carlo can be identified by the hood ornament, 3-piece grill inserts (no emblem in center grill like 1976), dual stacked headlights, and the ribbed tail lights with the smaller knight emblem.
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