The Chevrolet Monza is a rear-wheel drive sports car of the subcompact class, presented by Chevrolet at the end of 1974 for the 1975 model year, along with its clones: Oldsmobile Starfire and Buick Skyhawk. This car was considered as a competitor for vehicles such as the Toyota Celica, Capri, Opel 1900 Coupe / Manta, and Ford Mustang II, as well as for models with Mazda RX-2, Rx-3 rotary engines. The Chevrolet Monza was built on the basis of the H-platform, which was used in cars such as the Chevrolet Vega and Pontiac Astre. The novelty was supposed to use the latest modification of the rotary engine Wrankel.
It was smaller than a conventional piston engine, but it was intended to become highly efficient and allow the same power figures to be obtained. But in a short time, General Motors had to abandon the development trend of the use of rotary engines. This was due to the rapid failure and high fuel consumption. It also pushed the rise in fuel prices due to Arab oil boycotts of 1973 and 1974.
These events also affected the American Motors Corporation car company. In place with an agreement to purchase a power unit from General Motors, AMC developed the 1975 Pacer model specifically for the GM rotary engine. But due to the fact that GM ceased production of rotary power units, AMC did not receive it, and was also unable to independently design and build it.
Initially, the Chevrolet Monza was released in the back of a 2-door hatchback, which in promotional materials as “2 + 2 Coupe”. The car then had two configuration options: the standard Monza 'S' 2 + 2 and more equipped Monza 2 + 2. Since GM abandoned the use of a rotary engine, a 4-cylinder I4 2.3-liter engine that had a capacity of 78 hp was placed under the Monza hood.
at 4200 rpm As an option, a 2.3 liter I4 engine was proposed with an increased carburetor capacity of 87 hp. at 4400 rpm The following engines were also offered as options: Chevrolet V8 with a volume of 4.3 liters and a 110 hp Rochester carburetor. at 3600 rpm and a V7 engine with a volume of 5.7 liters and 125 hp (this engine was offered only in California, USA). But the use of large V8 engines had a number of drawbacks.
The engine filled the entire engine compartment, and it was possible to get to the spark plugs only on the elevator from under the wheel on the driver’s side. Also, the use of such a large engine for a relatively small car, contributed to the emergence of powerful vibrations transmitted to the transmission due to the weakening of the front structure and suspension. In 1975, the Chevrolet Monza was equipped with new rectangular headlights. Also this year, the Monza model wins the Motor Trend magazine nomination “Car of the Year”. In April 1975, the third version appears in the Monza lineup.
It was a model Monza 'S' Towne Coupe - a 2-door sedan, which already used a new technology for the manufacture of a sheet metal body as opposed to a 2 + 2 hatchback. The Monza Towne Coupe was 1.5 inches shorter and slightly lighter than the Monza 2 + 2. In 1975, 66,615 cars were produced. In 1976, a 5-liter V8 power unit, whose power was 140 hp, replaced the V8 engine with a volume of 5.7 liters.
at 3800 rpm, but this is only for California. For the rest of the world, previous engines were offered: a 4-cylinder I4 with a volume of 2.3 liters and a V8 with a volume of 4.3 liters. In the same year, a version of the Monza Spyder appears, the option package of which included: a 4-cylinder engine with a larger carburetor; F41 suspension with reinforced transverse stabilizers and special shock absorbers; The inscription “Spyder” on the back. In 1977, the 4.3 liter V8 power unit was removed from the list of proposed engines. Of the available optional V8 engines, there is only one left - a 5-liter V8 powerplant. It lasted until 1979.
Also in 1977, a version of Monza Mirage appeared, released under the direction of Michigan Auto Techniques, which contracted General Motors. The body was painted white (cameo white) with red and blue stripes along the body. The car received an updated aerodynamic package and spoiler.
Models were made at the plant With-Therese GM and sent to MAT for modification, and then delivered to dealers. This year there were already 4 versions of the body available for the Chevrolet Monza: 2 + 2 coupe hatchback, 2 + 2 sedan / coupe, updated hatchback and wagon. In 1978, the Chevrolet Monza underwent some external changes with respect to the front end. The standard 4-cylinder I4 2.3-liter engine in the same year replaced the 2.5-liter Iron Duke I4 engine. A new engine appeared in the list of options - the power unit V6 from the 3.2 liter Chevrolet, whose power was 90 hp. at 3600 rpm, and in California, a 3.8-liter V6 engine from Buick was proposed.
