Marvelous Malaise | The Chevy Monza
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- This is the story of Chevy Monza. Though most have forgotten the name, Monza has an interesting place in automotive history as it was intended to right the many wrongs of GM's doomed Vega.
Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoy.
Thanks for your support and please do consider becoming a supporter of my efforts... www.patreon.com/TofersCarTales
Very interesting video. I own a 1972 V8 Vega and a very rare 1978 "Monza S". As the video accurately states, these were allegedly "leftover" Vega hatchback bodies with Monza badges. Most very produced with the L4 Iron Duke engine. A few were ordered with a Buick 231 V6, one of which was mine - essentially the V6 Vega that was never "officially produced". Less than 2.7K of these "Monza S" (Vega-bodied Monzas) were produced. Just some additional information.
I have a buddy with a rare Monza S. Only 2 or 3 are known to exist in the H-body community.
I am never disappointed with a 'Tofer's Car Tales' video! Although no one in my family ever owned a Chevy Monza, you also mentioned Mustang II, my brother owned a 1976 Mustang II. Although he liked the car, he traded in a 1967 Ford XL convertible on it; which had the vaunted 429ci with 475-HP! My brother really missed that awesomely powerful XL convertible. Thank you for these unique videos, I really look forward to them!
I was not aware Techmoan made a special guest appearance in this episode! Always love these car tales. Keep up the great work!
Techmoan? No way. Just started watching.....or are you trolling about tofers lol.
While in college during the winter of '75-'76, a classmate brought his mothers new '75 Monza Town Coupe up for a week. It had a small block V8 with a 4 speed stick. Black over Red. A few years later while living in Alabama, another friend was driving a '76 2+2 with the 262 small block and a 4 speed.
I remember a car magazine around 1979 buying a 2+2 as a project car. The 305 couldn't meet California emissions so the 350 2bbl was the only V8 offered. They tested it stock first and it ran 16.3 in the quarter with an automatic and 2.29 axle ratio. Over time the car got much faster as improvements were made.
My friend across the street from me when I was in Middle School had a brand new Monza Sport Hatchback in 79.. I fell in love with that car. She was in High School and would give me rides sometimes, as I was not of driving age yet. Years later in 83 I was a short order cook at a restaurant and one of the Crew members had a 77 that was pretty beat that he let me borrow one time when I had car trouble. That beat up Monza kinda wore the Luster off my whole previous love affair with Monzas!! I did have a used Vega for a Hot Minute.. and I mean Hot Minute for sure because that horrible Aluminum Engine blew and I ended up just leaving the car on the side of the road and never looked back!! Lol!!
Great one Tofer, always liked these. It's unfortunate these weren't a bigger success. Always thought the Monza and it's siblings and Vega for that matter where handsome well proportioned cars.
Thanks as always for your support and I'm so glad you enjoyed! I agree these were actually really nicely styled cars.
I love the monza hatchback, one of the nicest malaise era car designs!
Thank you for another awesome car tale! I love all types of cars . But the cars from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s was just different! The lacked in some area but really shine is other areas! One simply just has to view them in the period that they came from ! Oh how I wish time travel was really possible ! The closest one can get is slip in behind the wheel and turn on the radio to music of the same era and just drive a relive those times !
Thanks again !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow, whatever filter or process you used to treat the source brochure images, it's fantastic.
Never seen Monza images come to life like that before, hell the actual brochures aren't half as nice as what you've done here. Magnificent!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed! I do invest a great deal off time into meticulously restoring the brochure images so that all of the blemishes, color issue, etc. are corrected as much as possible. I do use a few tricks I've used over the years to also remove film grain which really helps the images pop.
You nailed it (as always)... my first car was a hand me down 78 Monza wagon from dear old dad w. the Buick 231 CI V6 & 4 speed stick - it was fun. Glad to see someone telling the whole Monza story and giving props to my first 'underdog of the automotive world.'
Oh yes, the monza! In 1979 I was going to buy one but glad I bought the ‘79 RS Camaro instead! I love cars, I have 8 cars 5 show cars. And yes I have a Camaro. No monzas in my collection. Thank you for the memories tofer!
I own a 1979 Monza hatchback absolutely love it I love the way transferring these cars just badass old school mine has a hopped up 350 with twin turbos
Another excellent Tofer production. So well done and showing love for an unappreciated automotive era that I have very fond memories of. This one hits all the notes spot on 🙏🏻
Thanks so much my friend! So glad to see you enjoyed this video as much as I enjoyed cobbling it together.
I just discovered your videos and like them a lot!!! Thank You!
This was my first car I turned 17 in the early 90s and purchased a two-door trunk notchback red Chevy Monza with the matching red wheel covers.
It was the 3.8 V6 3 speed automatic with air conditioning.
And it had the red vinyl interior. LOL I took that vehicle everywhere I purchased it for $500 with 100,000 miles on it.
It was super clean garage kept vehicle 1ownercar no dents no scratches no rust. When the vehicle reached 138000 I sold it for a grand. The vehicle was extremely reliable and gave me no trouble whatsoever! It was actually quite a joy to drive.
I remember the Chevy Monza very well!!! This is a great showcase of this replacement for the Vega!!!
Happy New Year to you & your family!!! 🎉🎈🥳
Thanks my friend, Happy New Year to you and yours!!!
Thanks for the memories. I owned a pre-owned 1978 Chevrolet Monza Spyder. It was red, white interior, 305 cu in, with front and rear spoiler and the side and hood decals. I replaced the 2 barrel carb with a 4 barrel and removed the catalytic converter. The car had supplemental electric radiator fans that were a problem sometimes. I did get the car going so fast, the windshield wipers started to move up the windshield. Was not the best build quality but I always wanted a V8 Vega. I traded the car in 1985.
Im.only seconds into this video and impressed by your production quality, effects, etc. Top end video you got here.!
Huge thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this video. Not many have found it and I appreciate the very positive feedback.
Great 👍 review Mr. Tofer ! I remember these Chevrolet Monza and Pontiac Sunbird from the 70s , my teacher in grade school had one of these compact cars back in the early 80s
My dad had the Oldsmobile version, the Starfire GT, 1979 edition. Although cute, it was a mechanical nightmare. Spent most of its time at either Kmart Auto Center or the Oldsmobile dealership getting some kind of repair.
My first car was a 1980 Chevy Monza - gray with blue stripes. The thing had like an 18 gallon gas tank, which was huge for such a small car. I drove from the middle of Ohio to Myrtle Beach SC on one tank of gas. The highway mileage was phenomenal. By the time I got rid of it in 1992, the undercarriage was rusting pretty bad.
I remember those, used to see them everywhere!
I actually really liked the Monza and the Buick/Olds versions. I remember going down to the local Buick dealer when I was in high school to look at the new Skyhawk. I really wanted to own one.
Another highly enjoyable video. Your narration and visually eclectic style deserves a much larger viewership. Superb.
I currently own a 75" Towne Coupe that' body has been modified dramatically. It originally came with a 5.7 liter V8 which is overlooked in this video. About 5k of these were California only cars.
I had a 1980 trunk model. It was actually in really good shape it was red with the red interior and the red wheel covers. I bought it in 1992 for $500 as a first car. It had the 3.8 Buick V6 three speed automatic. It was an AC car and the air conditioning actually worked lol. If I remember correctly had approximately 102,000 miles on it when I purchased it. When I wash and wax the car the paint would shine so well you can see the clouds in it driving down the street. This is going to sound really dated I replace the AM radio when AM FM cassette deck stereo system that you were able to pull out of the dashboard so no one would steal it when you left it overnight LOL. I added some decals to it threw some mud flaps on it tinted it out it was a great car for a 17 year old LOL. I kept it for 2 years got it to 138,000 miles on it and sold it for a Grand. The car was a runner never disappointed and I used to beat the crap out of it being a teenager racing all over town.
Don't take this wrong because I LOVE the vids/channel - These are my preferred "go to sleep" vids to play at night. Calming, well-VO'd, and long enough to not have to swap to another one. Can have my eyes closed and still enjoy. Keep it going!
I take that as a HUGE compliment. My favorite TV series is How It's Made for the very same reason.
Yes! @@TofersCarTales
Excellent review! Have done my research on this car plenty of times and you’ve nailed it sir.
Another great episode 👍🤘 I can’t wait to see what 2023 brings on this channel. Don’t see many monza’s around. 🤔 in fact I think it’s been around 11 years since I saw one driving on the road. Thanks Tofer always making the trip down memory lane a great one. Happy new year 👍
Happy New Year's James! Glad you enjoyed. And yeah, I haven't actually spotted a Monza in decades. Kind of sad.
I've always remember the Chevy Monza . Love to own one
To be fair - way better than the Mustang II, I still lust after that IMSA special edition
Thanks for another great video! You're right, time machines DO exist!
Thamks Tofer for amother memorable video! Teenager when the the Chevy Monza came out. I wanted the Camaro and the Corvette but I would have settled for a Monza in the two plus two hatchback style with a 6 cylinder and automatic. Alas it was not to be. The skating footage brought back a lot of memories LOL!
Techmoan cameo at 11:15? To go with the music haha I love it
Poor guy has had a really rough year so yes. He actually inspired me to start this channel.
@@TofersCarTales Awesome, I love both your channels, thanks for the great trips to the past
@@TofersCarTales ooh so there is a techmoan cameo....sweet
Only one mistake noticed in this tale. The 1975 Spyder only was actually available with a 350 and 4-speed, 1 year only. I have personally seen only one.
Tofer could you do a blog on the 1979-1983 AMC Spirit? Just a suggestion if you're ever looking for any ideas. Keep up the good work sir!
I'm a huge fan of the Spirit. It's on my list. Thanks for watching and for the kind comments!
The first car I ever owned was a 78 Monza 2+2 I bought it used in 83 with 70k the Iron Duke 2.5 failed, a real love/hate relationship. My 79 Pinto was more reliable, but the Monza looked cooler. Mine had a white interior with turned metal around gauges and a cool black tinted panel over the glove box. Damn Iron Duke was the weak point. Always like your videos.
I had a 1980 Pontiac sunbird with the iron duke ! Ran great but was a cold natured thing! Have the same engine in my daily beater s10 with fuel injection and it’s amazing !
Thanks for sharing! Fascinating to hear from someone who owned both a Monza AND a Pinto.
This is my new favorite video of yours!! Always loved the Monza Spyder. Great video
Great video 📹
I HAD A 1975 CHEVY MONZA I BOUGHT IN 83 IT WAS A SEDAN WITH 5.7 CALI EMISSIONS AND I KEPT ABOVE 100 ALL THE TIME WITH PIRELLI TIRES 14 INCH TIRES COULDNT HANG BACK THEN. I RAN WITH 2 SPARES.
Always a great video, no matter what car is featured.
📻🙂👍
Very much worth the wait! I found myself nodding and saying "amen" to your comment about how we take so much for granted today and have modern "jaded eyes"; very well put, Tofer. I have a light blue Dealer Promo model of a Monza; remember those?
My first car was a 75 Monza Town Coupe with the 262 V8 and TH250 auto. I never looked up the rear axle gear ratio. Gift from my Pap in 1982. I swapped in a Quadrajet 4 barrel on a cast iron intake from a swap meet. It was quick enough to beat a new GTI in a street race. I had a chance to get a 327 from an old Impala SS but my parents said NO. It woulda ripped!
Interesting specs for Monza, funny we Australians some how got away with great cars during 70’s even Datsun 120Y makes me smile great in winter but hot in summer LOL. Great vid👍
Do one on the Chevrolet Celebrity a very good underappreciated workhorse family car that is now sadly forgotten.
I always thought the Monza spider was such a hot car!!! ( The Sunbird coupe was always my favorite version!!)
We had a monza coupe with the formal grill. It was an ok car. But it went through clutches every 25k miles. Found out after a few, the trans was not perfectly lined up with the crank and the clutch was doing a watoose with the fly wheel.
Good to see you again Chris.Its interesting some of the videos you post were cars I used to own for example the '77 Monza hatchback.
Thanks Derrick! You clearly have impeccable taste in cars. :)
Another excellent video! It's just wonderful to see some appreciation for more than just muscle cars. Ironically, in my experience, it's the very young people that seem to appreciate the style, luxury and especially the comfort of the cars of the malaise (I hate that term) era. As you explain, there were so many factors affecting the auto industry at the time. I was one of those who bought a Mustang II (1975 with all the luxury of the Ghia model, but without the opera windows) and having traded a 1968 Mercury Cougar, I found it comfortable enough, but grossly underpowered. Had I bought the V-8 or even the V-6, I would have been much more satisfied. Nevertheless, despite the derogatory comments, even today, at car shows, I found it very attractive and with the optional interior, very comfortable. I really appreciate Tofer's Car Tales!
Excellent haven't seen anything on this channel for a while.im here for the music
Glad you found the video and hope you enjoyed!
Would love to see what the Monza could do with an LS3 in it 🙂
Good video tape
🤣
Thank you!
My older brother had a monza spyder with the v8…. Hot little car once it lost most of the smog control garbage….. 8 year old me thought it was the coolest thing a guy could have.
Sold pretty well in Europe as well
I wish more Monzas had survived as they are good engine swap candidates. Instead of the v8 swap, the 3800 v6 would be ideal in a daily driver Monza from a Camaro or Firebird
19:08 Just do what needs to be done…. 😂😂😂 Brilliant Tofer!!!!
It was just an improved Vega. I liked my Vega, but I acknowledge it's faults. The four cylinder engine was terrible. I overhauled my head so I needed to deal with the sliding water pump being the timing belt tensioner. Horrible design. But a V6 Monza is an ideal car.
Awesome, happy new year buddy
You forgot to forget GenX. And we probably wouldn’t approve of we cared
GM hired sculptures to create their clay models. No one else did that.
I've seen a Vega, and even a Pontiac Astre in traffic since I last saw a Monza.
The Opel Monza was a big hit in Europe.
I had a notch back Monza with the sport front end (sloped nose), a stock V8, and 4 speed. No one remembers them for some reason. Were they that rare?
Great video as always, Tofer. Loved all the 'Airplane!' references, that was my favorite movie for a long time! also, could you tell us the name of the song starting at 19:50? Pure late '70s gold!
So glad you enjoyed! That song is a heavily sampled version I did a while back of a piece by the group Chromeo. I'm unsure of the exact song title. I'll try to go back and look it up.
Joey, have you been in a plane before?
@@MisterMikeTexas Do you like to hang around the gymnasium?
I don’t remember there being a Monza wagon. Probably because it looked like a Vega.
That's because the Monza wagon _was_ the Vega wagon carried over from the 1971-77 Vega line. After the Vega hatchback was discontinued after the '77 model year, Chevrolet kept the Vega wagon and shifted it over to the Monza line for its two final years, 1978 and 1979. (The Monza coupe and hatchback were carried over for 1980, but the wagon was not.). Monza was dropped after 1980, replaced with the Cavalier in May 1981 as an early 1982 model. _(12/31/2022)_
At 1:58 when referring to the Wankel engine, was it by chance the same engine originally intended for the pacer? Or is that a different GM rotary engine?
It actually was the same company that was to supply the same rotary engine to both GM and AMC.
The Monza was supposed to be the new Camaro
Another great video! In your research for the video did you find anything about how they came up with the name Monza?
I didn't find any direct references to the source of the name, but I'm guessing it was sourced from the Monza race circuit/track in Italy.
Monza was the name for the sporty version of the Corvair in the 1960s.
@@TofersCarTalesThat's right, it was named after the Italian race track. (See 11:52.)
Cool 🥰
I remember the Monza as a neat car. I knew a senior back in high school who had a light blue notchback with manual transmission. I knew a couple of families on my street who bought brand new 79 Monza wagons, both V6 automatics. One of them traded theirs after a year for a blue Datsun wagon with manual transmission. Perhaps the V6 mileage wasn't impressive.
Didn't the 3rd gen F body Camaro &Firebird basically use the same floor pan and suspension as the Monza and siblings ??
The 3rd gen Camaro/Firebird certainly inherited the torque arm suspension from the Monza.
@@kbsingleton is a 3rd gen basically a slicked up Monza??
@@christopheryanoski6899 with the base "iron duke"
Never liked any monza or derivative. The VEGA was at least a beautiful car. My dad bought one brand new and is still complaining about it to this day. He says 4 to 3 3 to 4 4to 3 3 to 4 4 to 3 All day. Even on flat land!
Anyone know the song that plays for the first minute or so?
drove a 79 305 v8 coupe good burn outs 1975s had a 5.7 350 calif only
Jealous! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
👍
Yes, the Vega was a MASSIVE failure. But, other than it’s limey engine, that tended to blowup & its propensity to CATASTROPHICALLY rust into dust…but as a car?? It was actually (unless it blew up) pretty EFFING great. My folks had a 73 “Estate Wagon” and to this day claim that that car handled better than ANY car they’ve ever owned. And I’m 55.
Born in 67. The Monza was to me, the coolest car of my childhood.
First Gen Cavalier c:
Maybe the greatest GM FWD creation
If it's the best GM creation, I've got bad news for You.
Why does your theme song remind me of "Crazy In The Night" by Kim Carnes?
Crazy in the Night is one of the source samples of that theme song I cobbled together years ago. I'm a huge fan of Kim Cares.
While yes, a malaise era vehicle and of poor quality, you do have to admit they were not a bad looking vehicle for their day, a day when most vehicles were rolling boxes.
Didn't the Durabuilt become the 2.5L iron Duke 140 CID in 1980?
It was replaced by the Iron Duke. Though similar in size, they have very different internals.
@@christopherconard2831 half of a 301?
In the 1970s we were stuck with Jimmy Carter. Now during the 2020s we are once again stuck with Jimmy Carter 's protege Joseph R. Biden. 😡 Will we EVER learn?
All those standard features and no passenger side mirror. LOL.
Right?
i had a 81 coupe the worst car i had
🙃🥝✔️🥳🆕Year.
Well I do remember seing the Monza at the retro exhibition back in the days. Nothing special - big outside, small inside, ugly design trying too hard to be sporty. And where in the hell are 4/5 door versions? That's why Japanese won back in the 70's - they just were more practical.
P. S. The body style GM referred to as a "hatchback" isn't it for any reasons. It's just another coupe.
I think it really was a hatchback. It had a huge door in the rear, half glass, and the whole thing, 1 piece opened up. The coupe model had the trunk.
@@new2000car it doesn't matter as much as a whole body. Compare this to the Chevette - this one was pure hatchback, not "hatch-coupe".
Intro is far too long 1:30 minutes, really. We now have to put up with so many ad’s from TH-cam making harder by the day to watch actual content. Otherwise a good and interesting vid 👍