1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Dealer Film)

From the 1981 "Value You Can Count On!" laserdisc. See playlist for additional Chevrolet models.

[@lightningblue648]

Every time I see videos about cars like this, I’m left scratching my head why most people today want to drive around in crossovers that look like bubbles.

[@danmccarthy4700]

God, I hate crossovers.

[@robmcgowan4034]

@@danmccarthy4700 I do too. They're butt ugly; even more than SUV's otherwise. What I like about the '81 Monte Carlo it kind of borrowed from previous generations but with a look all its own. The gentle front and rear fender arches from the first, the trunk and taillight styling from the 2nd, and the trim efficient size of the 3rd, combined with an aerodynamic look unique to the 4th, not seen previously on the others.

[@chrispeterson17]

The older cars are nice looking but 2 door cars are a pain.

[@robmcgowan4034]

@@HighSockDavid So your parents got you a car nearly 25 years older than you when you were 14? Wow. I never got anything like that at 14-15 in 1972. In Ca. you have to be 16 to drive.

[@DanDaFreakinMan]

I guess they want the utility of SUVs within the size of a regular car. Is it worth it though?

[@edwardluth7740]

Better times. Better culture. My youth

[@briancasey7971]

Even as a "Ford" person, I always loved all of the Chevy Monte Carlos. Those were great cars!

[@azchandler1209]

This brought back memories. I had the 83 Monte Carlo that look just like this one, it was Black with the Dark Red Cloth interior. That was a great car. It was roomy, comfortable, handled great and had a smooth ride. Wish they would bring it back.

[@alanmiller2250]

I had a 229 v6. It was a 1983 and it ran perfect. I loved that gold car. It wasn't fast it was just good. There was no noise when i drove it, just the wind from the open window.

[@user-sp4xm1ox6i]

I'd be happy if they brought back the Cars period.

[@rone6029]

I remember in 1978 our church was giving one of these away. The whole time I was in church I would pray we would win that car because I loved it. In 1985 I received a SS as a high school grad gift. Those were great cars.

[@danmccarthy4700]

Oh my God. My first car was a Monte Carlo from this era. It even had those aluminum rims, a whopping 14" in diameter. It was all beige... the paint, the vinyl roof, the seats... all beige. I can still smell the interior. I had a lot of fun in that car.

[@budb.8560]

Always loved the Monte. Those fenders gave it a very distinctive look. Had a used 1980 Monte Carlo back in '86. Loved that car. You could get a new '81 like the one shown here loaded for about $7,000 (back in 1981 of course...lol) If they ever brought this style back, I bet you it would sell.

[@valengreymoon5623]

I had an '81 model back in the mid 90s. Black with maroon vinyl interior, and v6 with no AC. Very low optioned, but stone reliable.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for the GM videos. I spent the evening watching the videos you posted. I enjoyed them. I really enjoyed the Oldsmobiles.

[@rone6029]

I did as well. My parents drove Oldsmobiles. My dad (85) just said the other day how he misses them so.

[@maxlove4821]

Wat are you talking about. have you been drinking again. 💯🇵🇷

[@jonwilson3821]

I miss my 1983 Monte.... :(

[@mrs.sherry]

We need the 76 models made again with swivel bucket seats. Real metal not this fiberglass we got today. Best car I ever owned.

[@frankthecat]

My Dad had this in yellow as a company car. The T tops were nice.

[@wnturck]

We had the 81 Landau. Maroon with Tan top and seats! Beautiful Car!!

[@sheryldavidson6201]

I still have mine. Always wanted one. 1982 with cloth seats. Also with hand controls for me.

[@David-nc5dl]

I owned the 1985 LS. 4.3 liter v6, Best car i have ever owned. Still better than 2024 models. (Not as safe lol) the pinkie finger handling and cloud soft suspension is superior.

[@steveo3947]

I have my 85 sport coupe landau with the CL interior and a 305 to this day!

[@TheSpritz0]

I wish in my life I get to own a coupe!!!

[@yolitriviz1028]

I have an 86' Monte Carlo, I love that car

[@my1vice]

Cool ride.

[@SuperBooboo02]

loved the GM midsize from this time period....nothing like them anymore just more ugly suv boxes

[@ponchoman49]

These were great versatile cars that could be custom made in a load of ways. Ordering a V8 was a must and buckets seats, F41 and gauge pkg really brought these cars to life!

[@jaminova_1969]

My Mom had one and it was a dream! I believe it was one of the few GM products my family even owned. It was beige with pin striping and a Chevy 305! She still regrets trading it for a "Brand New" junk 1986 FWD Chrysler 5th Ave that wouldn't start after a month.

[@davedave5787]

sad, we gave away the automotive business.

[@1940limited]

She definitely downgraded on that one.

[@rockfordhx2768]

Man I got a 84 cutlass supreme brougham with a Chevy 305 from a 85 Monte in it I love that thing little cam aftermarket intake manifold aftermarket headers that thing puurs

[@lego4virgo]

I was in high school, and I wanted a Monte Carlo--soooooo bad!

[@chrislemaster2695]

These were very good cars when equipped with the optional 5.0L 305 or 307 CID V-8.

[@1940limited]

Interesting the V8 wasn't available n CA! Even back then they were breaking people's balls.

[@jayinla81]

@@1940limited I had a 78 Regal 5.0 in Los Angeles in 84. I guess the 78 just barely made it

[@jayelbee1111]

Yep, the 305 V-8 was a Chevrolet engine and the 307 V-8 was an Oldsmobile engine. Pontiac had a 301 V-8 during 1981 in the GM A-Body cars as well but it was dropped. Both the 3.8 V-6 and 3.8 turbo V-6 engines were from Buick.

[@carloseduardofrancorodrigu359]

AMO EL MONTE CARLO ❤️

[@agostinodibella9939]

I had an 1982 Monte Carlo I bought new. In 1985 a got an SS. I miss having that car.

[@dj7128]

These cars looked good with the optional T-Top.

[@tomasacevedo3932]

It might’ve looked good but it would’ve sucked when water seeped through the gaskets as they aged.

[@my1vice]

@@tomasacevedo3932 it wasn't that bad...... LoL

[@dj7128]

@@tomasacevedo3932 My 78 Trans Am with T-Tops was pretty watertight. Of course living in Phoenix kept rain issues to a minimum. lol

[@johanbrand8601]

Stunning

[@michaelmcneal9808]

Never as gorgeous as the original.

[@user-sp4xm1ox6i]

Sounds Dreamy Too Good to be True When can we expect to see these in the showroom?

[@eddiew.6485]

Learned to drive on that exact same year car ………

[@mlez7197]

🤩 sold!!!

[@raulrivera94]

Gorgeous car wish I could find one mint!

[@jayelbee1111]

Those 1981-1988 GM A-Body personal coupes were nice looking cars. The design were sleek with sharp edges. They were: Chevrolet Monte Carlo Buick Regal Pontiac Grand Prix Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

[@my1vice]

These were G bodies. They were A's in the 70s. But A bodies in the 80s were the Celebrity, Ciera, and.... Ummm... 6000? Skylark or hawk... I forget the Pontiac/Buick one.

[@jayelbee1111]

@@my1vice you are right, my bad. The Buick model was the Century, Pontiac 6000, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and Chevrolet Celebrity

[@my1vice]

@@jayelbee1111 Ah yeah.... The Century. You're right. I forgot about that one. No worries. It's really not a big deal. Enjoy your day!

[@noway5590]

Two tone silver and white , navy blue and ice blue were the best

[@peterm1826]

I’m driving to Monte Carlo. I’m my Chevy 😁

[@1940limited]

No matter how you slice it there wasn't much exciting about these cars. Older dealer films from the 50s featured really beautiful cars.

[@David-nc5dl]

This isn't Disneyland. It's just a beautifully made car.

[@chada75]

4:01 And said frame is still being used in E-Mods and Street Stocks even to this day.

[@markdrake2715]

I had an 81 Malibu coupe. 3.8 v6. What a dawg...Maybe 100 hp. Had to drop in a crate 350. Much better at that point. They really crippled those cars at the time

[@my1vice]

Love the Monte. I'll take a two tone with t-tops.

[@feoyjodido1372]

The only GM vehicle I liked in the '80s

[@FDMayor]

My dad had one, and the 4.4 was junk!..the had to go completely thru it at around 50k. Was a great looking car though...

[@deetee1151]

Man I wish my Mom would of kept her 79 Landau.

[@realazduffman]

These things were so slow it is 41 years later and still trying to get a 0-60 time

[@1940limited]

I don't think so if you got the V8.

[@75aces97]

That's okay. You couldn't legally go 60 on most roads in those days anyway. 😄 looking back on those days it took us a lot longer to drive long road trips.

[@my1vice]

I had an 80 Cutlass in '84..... I didn't give a rip about my 0-60 time. Still don't, in fact.

[@driverain2]

Starting at 4:40 the Nice Monte Carlo pulls out of its parking spot there is a dark blue Pontiac Gran Prix parked in front of it. That is the exact one I owned as a young man. It was so beautiful in deep Blue on deep Blue interion and deep Blue half a vinal thick padded roof. Bucket seats, auto floor shifter. Good to see her outa no where tonight watchin cars on U TUBE..

[@jsciarri]

That's a Buick Riviera not a Grand Prix.

[@jackramey3456]

Wow! Up to six sensors!!!!!

[@joserafaelgrangefuenmayor7744]

Me gusta el carro

[@93sundance]

Doug Llewellyn?

[@jimmiesmith5811]

The poor man's eldorado this is the length cadillac should have used for 79-85 eldorados

[@jonbrown1018]

Didn't the doors weigh 400 lbs? I worked at Cornucopia in Oroville California . A dishwasher drove one.. He taught me to be a dishwasher .. I thought it was junk.. But today... lol I old ... Sooo Old

[@Blackjuans]

The damn zinc. Lol

[@saulperez6633]

I have an 81 Chevrolet Montecarlo Made un México different dash I thought only v8s were Made in México but this video says otherwise

[@redmusichouse]

This is not from the motor pool...

[@yasseralsaidi1168]

انت قلت ايه دلوقتى؟

[@mcribs7811]

If I was gonna pull an insurance job would these rims fit on a mid 70’s Malibu? Just curious.

[@my1vice]

Should.

[@michaelflores2318]

78 and later became whimpy and the largest v8 it came with was a 305 77 and before were much better You could get a 454 in them

[@my1vice]

Such as life.... Still good cars.

[@VintageVaughnVehiclces]

The computer command will eventually fail and make Mis adjustments making your Driving Experience utterly horrible as it kicks sputters and will barely run. Something that has to be ripped out and capped off. Once emissions are pouring out of the tailpipe she purrs like a kitten with a smog pump sitting on a shop Shelf. A catalytic converter dropped off at the scrap yard. Then your Chevrolet response with perky let's get up and go you're finally removed all the crap off the motor.

[@timpriddy349]

cheap plastic steering columns were easy to steal..........and slooooooowwww

[@penboyasgod6103]

"Totally restyled for 1981." Except that it looks just like an Olds Cutlass or a Buick Regal with only a few modifications. It lost its 'uniqueness' and appeal it had before.

[@1940limited]

Cars started losing their uniqueness in the mid 60s.

[@75aces97]

@@1940limited You said it! A guy down the street from me is restoring a 1968 A body. I think it's a Pontiac LeMans, but the grille, bumpers, headlights and taillights are all removed, so I can't tell for sure whether it's that, a Cutlass, Skylark, or Chevelle. I do like that model year, mostly for sentimental reasons (my parents' first car was a 68 Pontiac when I was born, i.e. the first I ever rode in as a tyke), but it was part of GM's trend towards indistinguishable models across a platform that they became notorious for.

[@1940limited]

@@75aces97 When it comes to an "A" body car, I don't know what anyone's talking about. All I know is year, make and model. My knowledge gets weak in the late 60s to early 70s with a few exceptions. Show me just about any American car from 1964 on back and I'll ID it.

[@75aces97]

@@1940limited no worries. A-body for that model year included the Chevelle, Olds Cutlass, Buick Skylark, Pontiac Tempest/LeMans/GTO.

[@1940limited]

@@75aces97 Thanks. It is always the full size models that interest me. I never care much for the compacts and intermediate size cars.

[@tjw8t1]

It's no surprise Ford and Chrysler was failing and almost went bankrupt back in these days, their styling was bland and boring, they were never ever considered cool. People rarely ever took a Ford and gave it the hydraulic treatment that G body GM cars got.

[@iamjsams755]

Butt ugly compared to the early to mid 70's monte carlos. The 80's were the dark ages for American auto design.

[@1940limited]

I liked the last years before they went to square headlights.

[@robmcgowan4034]

@@1940limited I agree. And that includes the ugly "Chevelle" stacked headlights on the '76 & '77 Montes. The '74 and '75 were the nicest of the 3rd gen. Kind of like a sleeked-out Rolls Royce!

[@my1vice]

I dunno..... To each his own. I like both 70s and 80s stuff.

[@David-nc5dl]

Not everyone likes driving those huge 70s model sail boats. The 85 Ls/ss were cool looking cars. The side curves looked just as good.