page_title: Chevrolet Monte Carlo
section_title: Third generation (1978–1980)
hierarchical_section_title: Chevrolet Monte Carlo / Third generation (1978–1980)
caption_attribution_description: English: 1979 Monte Carlo 267 CID V8
context_page_description: The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a two-door coupe that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Deriving its name from the namesake Monacan city, the Monte Carlo was marketed as the first personal luxury car of the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1970 model year, the model line was produced across six generations through the 2007 model year, with a hiatus from 1989-1994. The Monte Carlo was a closely aligned variant of the Pontiac Grand Prix through its entire production.
  From 1970 to 1972, the Monte Carlo used the "A-Special" platform with the Grand Prix, shifting to the A-body intermediate chassis for 1973-1977. For 1978, the model line underwent extensive downsizing; a major revision saw the A-body chassis redesignated as the G-body for 1981. After an abbreviated 1988 model year, the Monte Carlo was replaced by the two-door Chevrolet Lumina.
  For the 1995 model year, the Monte Carlo was revived, replacing the two-door Lumina. Sharing the front-wheel drive W-platform with the two-door Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo was again slotted above the Camaro as the largest Chevrolet coupe.
context_section_description: All GM intermediate-sized cars including the Monte Carlo were downsized for the 1978 model year in response to the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo and CAFE requirements. The 1978 model was 700-800 lb lighter and some 15 inches shorter than the 1977 model. The 1978 model also had more interior and trunk space than the earlier 1977 model. The engines offered in previous years were dropped in favor of a standard 231 CID V6 built by Buick or an optional Chevrolet 305 CID V8. New one-piece wall-to-wall carpeting was standard. The three-speed manual transmission reappeared for the first time in several years as standard equipment on the base model with the V6 engine, and the automatic was optional. The optional V8 and all Landau models came standard with the automatic. A four-speed manual transmission with floor shifter was optional with the 305 V8, the first time a four-speed manual was offered on the Monte Carlo since 1971.
  Only minor trim changes were made to the 1979 Monte Carlo which included a restyled grille, revised parking lamp detail and new wrap-around taillamps. Mechanical changes included a new Chevrolet-built 200 CID V6 as the standard engine for the base Monte Carlo in 49 states while the Buick 231 CID V6 remained standard on base models in California and all Landau models. A new 125 hp (93 kW) 267 CID V8 became optional and the 140 hp (100 kW) 305 CID V8 continued as an option but was joined by a 160 hp 235 lbf⋅ft (319 N⋅m) version with a four-barrel carburetor. The same transmissions were carried over from 1978, including a standard three-speed manual and optional four-speed manual, or an optional three-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic. 1979 would be the last year that Chevrolet would offer manual transmissions on the Monte Carlo due to extremely low buyer interest. A black 1979 Monte Carlo was used by Michael Platt and William Matix during the 1986 FBI Miami shootout. A 1979 Monte Carlo modified to a lowrider, was also heavily featured in the 2001 movie Training Day. The car was driven by the main character Detective Alonzo Harris, played by actor Denzel Washington.
  For 1980, the car received a mild frontal restyle, with quad headlights and turn indicators mounted beneath. The metric 200 3-speed automatic transmission became standard on all models and a new Chevrolet-built 229 CID V6 with 2-barrel Rochester carburetor replaced both the 200 CID V6 of 1979 and the Buick engine offered on all 1978 models and the 1979 Landau as the standard engine in 49 states (California cars still got the Buick engine). A new option for 1980 was Buick's turbocharged version of the 231 CID V6 rated at 170 hp (130 kW). Other optional engines included 267 and 305 CID versions of the Chevrolet small-block V8 with up to 155 hp (116 kW). Front head room was 37.6 inches, while rear head room was a little bigger, at 37.8 inches. A power trunk opener was still optional. There were a total of 13,839 turbo Monte Carlo's for 1980. A new 14" rally wheel option was introduced with 5 slots (with squared ends and a pointed edge) – later shared with subsequent Chevrolet/GMC A/G-bodies including the Chevrolet S10 light duty truck.
caption: 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
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