Here’s how the Chevy Monte Carlo was three different cars over its lifetime

In this episode I provide the history of the Monte Carlo, Chevrolet's first personal luxury coupe. Launched in 1970 and sharing the platform of the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo didn't sell well as a sports car, but as a luxury car, was one of Chevrolet's most popular and best-selling models. It grew in size like most cars in the 70's, but had to shrink in the 80's to satisfy fuel efficiency. The SS model did well in the 80's, but not enough for Chevy to keep it past 1988. It was temporarily replaced by the Lumina coupe in 1990, but renamed back to Monte Carlo in 1995, still looking like a Lumina. A redesign in 2000 finally made it a muscle car across all trims, but big coupes kept falling in favor, leading to its end in 2007.

[@jrussellcase]

Monte Carlo, one of Chevy's best creations, bar none.

[@glennso47]

Chevy hasn’t had too many great creations lately.

[@glennso47]

Motor Trend Car of the Year seems to the death nell for any car.

[@Flies2FLL]

I produced a similar creation this morning. In the toilet bowl~

[@samholdsworth420]

​@@Flies2FLLdiarrhea Cha Cha Cha

[@michaelhowell2326]

Until they made it front wheel drive.

[@anthonybertone2336]

I had three of them, 19, 70,74, and a 76 love all three

[@redsoxfan26401]

I've had 4. An 82, another 82, an 86, and a 99.

[@fennec13]

I had a 1974 Monte Carlo and it was such an amazing car . I miss it to this very day

[@puckhead1909]

First car I bought new was an all black 87 SS with camel beige interior and I still have that car to this day

[@alanmiller2250]

Wow I could never find a black one by me. You got one direct that is so cool > even better.

[@merafirewing6591]

The only luxury car that can be both a sports car and a muscle car, but also a stock car.

[@DanielRundellpnw833]

you should do an episode on the ford bronco

[@markwilliams2620]

If it has a Buick engine.

[@nikoladamjanovic2313]

And a lowrider, and a donk

[@loutenant9480]

Mercury Cougar

[@DanielRundellpnw833]

mercury cougar would be a good episode to doing vote for that

[@sethcjones]

I love the gas station scenes from “The Jerk”! One of the best Steve Martin movies ever. Great video, thank you!!!

[@gregholloway2656]

“These cans are defective!” 😂

[@Hugh_Hunt]

"I can fix those shocks" ROFL The is GOLD Steve!

[@jimmywait74]

I had a 95 and 2002 Monte Carlo SS and I loved both of them.

[@NotQuiteSteele]

I had an ‘86 LS with the de-tuned 305. The engine wasn’t very powerful, but it was very reliable and comfortable.

[@kiwidiesel]

Wow a de tuned 305 must have been dog water😂😂

[@NoOnesInnocent]

"De-tuned"? 🤨 What does that even mean?? 😏

[@dave3657]

Sometimes, in the long run, you remember the cars that always got you there. 😎

[@dyer2cycle]

Probably means it wasn't a High-Output 305 like the ones used in the Monte Carlo SS..I test drove a couple of the H.O. SS models(never owned one), and they actually felt pretty quick for an '80's car..definitely better acceleration that one conjures up in one's mind when hearing the term "305"...@@NoOnesInnocent

[@MarlaHoneycutt]

I have a 2007 Monte Carlo and I love it. Beat car they come out with.

[@HowardBurke-t2n]

Had a 79 with t-bar roof. Loved it! Fond memories

[@davidp2888]

Used to work with a guy who had a Monte Carlo SS. Really nice car.

[@Flies2FLL]

These days a V6 Toyota minivan will leave that SS in the dust.

[@randolfo1265]

@@Flies2FLL - True but I still prefer the Monte Carlo SS

[@Flies2FLL]

@@randolfo1265 And I am glad for you. Enjoy being blown past by V6 Toyota minivans.

[@corinnelaking569]

I think personal luxury coupes should make a comeback. Interesting video, thanks so much.

[@roger628]

In order for that to happen, demand for them has to make a comeback first.

[@bongodave13]

Cars are appliances, nothing more.

[@corinnelaking569]

@@bongodave13 use local transit then.

[@PintoPopProductions]

I must be one of the minority that actually really liked the mid-90s Lumina and Monte Carlo in LTZ and Z34 trims. But as a Buick Regal GS owner I'm a bit of a W-body loyalist.

[@oscarwalton1188]

The self destructing transmission didn't help plus going to front wheel drive really didn't appeal to younger buyers who went for the Camaro or mustang instead basically chey miss read the room

[@100percentSNAFU]

I had a 2000 Regal with the 3800 V6. Everything else on that car broke or fell apart, but the engine was indestructible 😂

[@andregonsalvez9244]

Great review 😊 ! I remember these G bodies growing up in the 70s and 80s , very popular and comfortable car to own and drive. Today's crossovers cannot compete amongst cars or yesteryears in style and comfort .😊

[@MrJayrock620]

I absolutely love the 1980’s SS’s, but the price has gone through the roof for a half decent one

[@oliverdelgado6952]

Especially the aerocoupes

[@Roddy451]

I will always remain partial to the 4th generation Monte Carlo, specifically the SS introduced in 1983. I will never forget the oddball "Aerocoupe" Nascar-only model. Big kudos for showing the scene from "The Jerk".

[@georgeniksich1152]

Thunderbird outrank it on big tracks

[@elvistwatty]

I remember those same SS of the 80s. It is crazy to make such huge engines with so few hp

[@teddymullins3706]

I enjoyed this episode i Owned a 72 monte Carlo and also a 77 monte Carlo ,The 72 had the 402 with a turbo 400 transmission And the 77Had the 350 with a turbo 350 transmission I loved both of these cars !

[@JoeR203]

I miss my '70 Monte. Had a 350 in it but I swapped in a 400ci bored .030 over to 406ci. It was pushing around 400hp.

[@rtcturnemup7028]

Monte Carlo,impala, caprice, Tahoe,tb SS, Camaro… thank you gm 👏🏾

[@ianjay5301]

The 1970 Chevelle never had a standard V6 as you said when comparing 1970 Chevelles and Monte Carlos. ONLY an in-line.

[@stanleyshostak2737]

I had a VW Corrado. You should do a story on that car. The one I had was a VR6. That motor was plagued with overheating issues.

[@bobbyjohnson6355]

I own a 71 Monte SS, also have a 73 Pontiac Grandville. Would like to see a deep dive into that model.

[@jclark2019]

I liked those big Pontiacs, they had some balls for how heavy they were...

[@Vader1957]

Front wheel drive killed the Monte. In fact, front wheel drive has kind of killed GM. If it wasn't for trucks, they would be gone.

[@truthbetold9923]

Stopped buying Chevy cars when front wheel drive with horrible torque steer induced with hard acceleration along with unibody construction now the pick up trucks are junk too with the cylinder deactivation known as AFM have engines failures some with as little as 5000 miles

[@FullContactDrummer]

My dad had a 78 MC. He had headers installed. Sounded great.

[@brassmonkey7566]

Friend had a 78/9 with a 396 / 402 on crager ss wheels and air shocks. Classic. You out there bruce ? .

[@mikeslomski7063]

I've bought 3 Monte Carlos, 96 Z34 new, 2000 SS new, and currently own an 87 SS. I wish Chevrolet still built a mid sized cool car, I'd buy one. By the way, I bought a 92 Lumina Euro 2 door new, too.

[@nashvilleslim]

It's sad to know we'll never see another Monte Carlo, malibu, or Caprice. We will also never see a Thunderbird, Cougar, or Crown Victoria either. That's just sad. Gone are American made cars.

[@markwilliams2620]

When people start buying cars again, they'll make them. The market wants SUV's. More importantly women want SUV's so they can see where they're going.

[@dyer2cycle]

The market went to SUV's in the 1990's, but the reality is that now SUV's are almost extinct...they just hijacked the term "SUV" and applied it to those horrible, ugly "crossover" things that are really much more akin to a FWD car or minivan that an SUV...the 1990's were the heyday of SUV's..Blazers, S-10 Blazers, Broncos, Ramchargers...but the move was to new 4 door versions...the revolutionary new(real) Ford Explorer..Tahoes..Expeditions, 4 Runners, Pathfinders, Jeep XJ Cherokee, new Grand Cherokee, Durango, the iconic Suburban..and others...now, most are gone, or have had their identities transferred to otherwise unrelated crossovers....@@markwilliams2620

[@WilliamAkins-rw2hv]

Actually, it is because federal CAFE quotas required it. If CAFE is ever dropped (doubtful), then they would be allowed to make the cars that people actually want to buy.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

I love these videos man! Thanks for making them! 👌

[@jimmycline4778]

11:32 imagine if GM sold this with 430hp LS3 rear wheel drive! I 100% would own one! This looks better than a C8 Corvette to me!

[@emmanuelsantiago6641]

I literally love you for putting the Training Day scene in there

[@Sedan57Chevy]

70s and 80s Monte Carlos are still some of the coolest cars GM made during that era.

[@robertnorris9245]

My first car was a green 1971 Monte Carlo custom! It had bucket seats floor shift with consol. AM-FM 8 track tape player. The engine was a turbo fire 350 with 270 hp. I hate I ever sold it! Probably the most reliable car I ever owned and the easiest to work on with all the room under the hood!

[@jamesgeorge4874]

Ace Ventura had a dope Monte.

[@dave3657]

Just never thought of it before. 🤔 Never had one, but liked them.

[@tmklunk]

I had a 1986 LS and loved it

[@ryanmasson6905]

7:59 incredible editing as always 👌😂

[@alanmiller2250]

One of my favorite things about the monte, was the transmission. Same transmission as the very fast Grand National.

[@Linuxpunk81]

Lots of these around the neighborhood growing up. I worked with a guy who had a 2007 a few years ago. I wonder if he still has it

[@Elandycamino]

I always called the Fwds Lumina, I never liked them, but when they made the 03 Monte SS I hoped they would switch to Rwd and fill the void of the F body

[@tomm1109]

Inflation adjusted it topped out $38,000. Tells you all you need to know about todays car prices. 38k is the starting price for anything more than a compact car.

[@stephendavidcavuoti6548]

lots of Information and being so much detail on the Information Thank you for putting out this video !

[@georgewilson1184]

These were real Swinging Bachelor mobiles like Rueben Kincaid drove on the Partridge family show

[@johnwilburn8319]

Got a 70 model with a 454 in 1982 for $400.00.Double stacked air filters.Boy what fun!!!!

[@13r12ad]

Another great video

[@mzaccagnini7179]

The 2nd gen Monty's were the best in both styling and handling.

[@dannyy_riv]

Damn what a great car. Had an 84, 04 SS, and an 02.I still keep an eye out for a decent one to buy!

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

I have built a handful of Monte Carlo model kits-(70 1/25 scale AMT 70 SS454,1/25 scale AMT 70 Low Rider,1/24 scale Revell 86 SS,Revell 1/24 Scale 87 SS Aerocoupe,1/24 scale 95 NASCAR Joe Nemechek Burger King,1/24 scale Monogram 96 NASCAR Dale Earnhardt Goodwrench and 1/32 scale Monogram NASCAR 96 Dale Earnhardt Goodwrench)...

[@lancetheb.m.c]

The Last Generation Monte Carlo would have been a Grand Slam if it had one thing: A Drive Shaft!!!!!!!!!

[@markwilliams2620]

The Pontiac G8 did and it didn't sell.

[@ninji5226]

"Leaving the Corvette as G.M.'s last sport coupe", almost made me cry. That aside the 4th gen SS is one of the coolest cars to come out of the 80's and if I ever won the lottery It would be in my stable of cars, way cooler than a Lambo or Ferrari.

[@sleepyhollow783]

The 1978/79 body was the most striking & beautiful sculpture. A Holy Grail to find an unmolested, unCholofied example of one. Sad to see only ruined ones. Also enjoyed the mid-80s returning SS but wished it also came with the euro-rectangular headlights. Personal luxury rules the heart❤.

[@m.pav.8397]

I had a 76 and it was the best car. What a ride!!!!!😅

[@Where_is_Waldo]

How did I go this long never knowing that the FWD Monte Carlo got a V8? I knew the Impala got a V8 in the second of it's FWD generations but I thought they left it out of the Monte Carlo.

[@tomm1109]

most of us tuned out because it wasn't RWD

[@streetweartez5549]

Great video and channel

[@thefryingdutchman8795]

YESS finally, i commented on every video up until now and it's finally here

[@kurtisstutzman7056]

Monte Carlo is the winningest car model in Nascar history...!

[@5831a]

1st car was a brown 72 :)

[@albertomanzo5334]

I loved the look of the last gen. Just wish they had made it rwd.

[@thunderray1987]

1973-1988 Chevy Monte Carlo's are the best-looking designs out of all the Monte's history!

[@richardbutton1179]

Had a white 87 SS one of the best cars I ever owned

[@jimstewart2457]

I had 1983 Monte Carlo but it only had a 231 Buick in her. Unfortunately 2 years later she blew up and I traded her for an another Chevy.

[@GFY_29]

The 72 carlo is a thing of beauty. Bob block preferred

[@RichardHomolka]

9:23 the Pontiac equivalent, the Grand Prix 2+2, even smaller deck lid. Suitable for postage stamps I think.

[@jclark2019]

Had a '84 SS, so comfortable but that engine was crap.

[@jamesmcintire3800]

After the Gbody died in 1988 the Monte was never as good. A friend had a 1995 Monte Carlo Z34 that seemed to spend more time in the dealer service shop than in his driveway

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!!! 🤜🤛

[@The_Inspiration_86]

U should've let da part play when he 1st cranked er over in Training Day smfh.😮‍💨

[@a.person7825]

…“Oh, I’m Mr. Nussbaum.”

[@briantaylor6562]

Bring it back!!!!! My first car was a 1977 Monte Carlo, loved Monte Carlo's!!!! Chevy can't build cars anymore, they claim they don't sell. I say, tell Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, etc.

[@snappy452]

I was just reading last night in a book about Junior Johnson about how Chevy wasn't interested in NASCAR but a promotional stunt cooked up by he and an associate who funded the building the of the Monte Carlo racer ultimately led to their re-entry. They would get upwards of $10k per race just to appear which played off of how popular Chevrolet was with the public. Charlie Glotzbach was the first driver of the white #3.

[@clorenchrowell9880]

I had a green 2 tone 79 monte carlo 5.0 V8.. If I knew the Training Day movie would make it big I would have kept it

[@rtyt2007]

You really need to make a video on Australian cars 🙏 would make an interesting video for American viewers

[@dragorocky]

Great vid!

[@googleuser3760]

What a great video. 👍👍

[@paulradice3534]

The Grand Prix with an LS9

[@jamesjohn834]

Great video! Didn't the first gen. Monte also have the longest hood from GM?

[@robertsmythe6610]

Favorite Chevy ❤❤❤ 1970

[@garynelson5379]

I had a 84 MC SS, that was blue, just like picture. Suppressing there were 3 other MC SS in the area, they were also blue. Was blue the color of the 84 MC SS?

[@danielreiss1156]

What is the car that inspired the '70 monte'? Answer, the highly successful 1969 Grand Prix!

[@criscastillo7535]

On the movie Boulevard Nights some Monte Carlo is the main character

[@andrewdonohue1853]

The 3800 is a great engine and the supercharged versions can make excellent power with some mods. Burnouts aren't wise the transmission is the weak link

[@ilkkasaari1267]

Monte Carlo had v8 or v6. Nowadays even 5 inline sounds legendary.

[@LakeLyfe315]

I had an 85 when i was in high school

[@jimgriffin9924]

I owned A 1974 and a 1980. The 1974 was one of the best cars I've ever owned.The 1980 was garbage (Lifelong Chevy owner)

[@IrishObyrne]

Could be had with Windows and Seats?

[@tristanconnolly5675]

Nice.

[@claybowler751]

It seems like it was five when you consider the two most recent models.

[@SodiumWage]

I like the 73 Monte Carlo best.

[@acegard7801]

What v6 did chevelle offer in 1970??

[@JacobPaul-ix7oc]

He probably (like many of us have over the years) was generalizing the 6 cylinder as a V6 even though it was a 250 cubic inch Inline 6 cylinder. You have to consider too that he (like myself) grew up in the 1980s and all of the car commercials would brag about "V6 power" in the car ads, so we just assumed at the time that V6 and 6 cylinder were the same thing and it just stuck in our heads that way.

[@the_kombinator]

Do a Hyundai Pony! I can provide you with ALL the resources on it ;)

[@Packinheat1175]

True story - Saul Goodman is a friend of mine in real life.

[@Lukebarca]

I love the luxury cars. The monte carlos and the impalas. Chevy really lost their way with those cars in the 2000s.

[@wesleyclark947]

Can you do a video on the Nissan sx cars?

[@Mylittleponyplushies]

Pontiac 6000!

[@M_MTsc]

Mazda MX6. I thought it was a great looking car and then it just disappeared.

[@btrdangerdan2010]

Nissan Sentra next

[@thefettfan3994]

"Why is the Chevy Camaro being discontinued in this year, 2024?" Can anyone please tell me, what's the reason for this??

[@smoothoperator7023]

Mel Tillis ! 😁

[@WhiteTrashMotorsports]

And Terry Bradshaw

[@Whaliam]

Buick Regal, please!