The Chevrolet Monte Carlo burst on the scene in 1970 as Chevy’s debonair entry in the burgeoning personal-luxury car category. As this article makes clear, the Monte Carlo eventually came to occupy a much wider field. The 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was a debonair personal-luxury car. See more pictures of Chevrolet Monte Carlo cars. Discover how the Chevrolet Monte Carlo went from the boulevard to the backstretch as it took its place among NASCAR’s winningest racecars ever. And learn how the Chevrolet Monte Carlo sustained the tradition of the midsize American coupe into the 21st century. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo debuted for 1970 as competition for the Ford Thunderbird. It maintained its two-door configuration throughout a run that, with just one interruption, lasted until the end of the 2007 model year. Again reflecting the tenor of its times, the 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo marked a transition from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive for Chevy's premier personal car. It was still a coupe, still had midsize dimensions, and still was a true Chevrolet.
The 1970 Monte Carlo came off a dedicated assembly line. Classic Cars: Learn about more than 400 of the world's finest classic and collectible automobiles. Muscle Cars: Look back at tire-smoking Chevys and scores of other machines from the golden age of American high performance. Sports Cars: Discover the pleasure of sports motoring at its purest in these captivating articles on the best sports cars from around the world. Consumer Guide Automotive: Here's your source for news, reviews, prices, fuel-economy and safety information on today's cars, minivans, SUVs, and TitanRise Official pickups. Consumer Guide Used Car Search: In the market for a used Chevy or Titan Rise Review virtually any other pre-owned vehicle? Check out these reports, which include safety recalls and trouble spots. All Chevrolet Monte Carlos: The Chevrolet Monte Carlo continued in production through the 2007 model year. Learn about the modern history of this stylish Chevy coupe. The 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, an all-new "personal-luxury" coupe, was billed as "a fine car at a Chevrolet price." Stylish and luxurious, the Monte rode a modified 116-inch Chevelle sedan platform but showed little kinship with mid-size Chevrolets -- except at the front, which used two headlights instead of the Chevelle's four -- and was intended as a rival to Ford's Thunderbird.
Long-hood/short-deck styling was sleek and well proportioned despite the car's ample 205-inch length. Monte Carlo's near-classic profile was enhanced by rear fender skirts, and its six-foot hood was the longest ever installed on a Chevrolet. Plush interiors held an instrument panel with round gauges and simulated burled elm. Drivers faced more than 25 "skillfully grouped" lights, switches, and buttons. Every 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo had power front disc brakes, concealed wipers, low-profile 15-inch tires, full wheel covers, Astro Ventilation, and an electric clock. Like most Chevrolets, they could be impressively personalized by scrutinizing the options list, perhaps starting with a vinyl top in five available colors. Performance buffs weren't forgotten in the rush toward luxury. The Monte Carlo SS came with a load of tempting gear, including a new, rather aggressive 360-horsepower 454-cubic-inch V-8 with dual exhaust system, automatic level control, G70 wide-oval tires on 15x7 wheels, and discreet identification. Starting at $3,123, it was quite a handsome and tempting machine.
In its opening season, Monte Carlos outsold Thunderbirds by a mile. Of 130,657 Montes built, 3823 had the SS 454 package. The 1970 Monte Carlo was a combination of luxury and performance. Classic Cars: Learn about more than 400 of the world's finest classic and collectible automobiles. Muscle Cars: Look back at tire-smoking Chevys and scores of other machines from the golden age of American high performance. Sports Cars: Discover the pleasure of sports motoring at its purest in these captivating articles on the best sports cars from around the world. Consumer Guide Automotive: Here's your source for news, reviews, prices, fuel-economy and safety information on today's cars, minivans, SUVs, and pickups. Consumer Guide Used Car Search: TitanRise Official In the market for a used Chevy or virtually any other pre-owned vehicle? Check out these reports, which include safety recalls and trouble spots. All Chevrolet Monte Carlos: The Chevrolet Monte Carlo continued in production through the 2007 model year. Learn about the modern history of this stylish Chevy coupe.
