1977 Chevrolet Monza Coupe
Seen by many as either a pint-sized Camaro or a grown-up Vega, the Monza was a product of GM's response to the 1973 OPEC Oil Embargo. When the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to deprive Uncle Sam of oil for mainly political reasons, Americans panicked as the price of gasoline, (and all other petroleum-based products from home-heating oil to plastic spoons), jumped dramatically. All over America, lightly used SS396 Chevelles, Z28 Camaros, and virtually every other type of high-performance V-8 machine was rendered nearly worthless. By 1975, tens of thousands of people traded in SS454 Monte Carlos, 409 Impalas, 327 Novas, and the like as partial payment on Honda Civics, Volkswagen Rabbits, Chevy Chevettes, and other compact and subcompact offerings. In most cases, trade-in allowances were well below 20 percent of the new car's sticker price. The Monza nameplate was used on bucket seat Corvairs in the '60s but the name is the only link with the '75-80 model. But when new, the bulky bumpers were a recent phenomenon mandated on all cars to serve in lame bumper laws aimed at minimizing low-speed body damage. In theory, bumpers had to sustain no visible damage from a 5-mph impact. -Thx to Steve Magnante
For consignment, a definite "we never know what's going to come through the door next" consignment in the form of an unmolested and honest presenting 1977 Chevrolet Monza coupe wearing a title verified 79,972 title verified actual miles. We have a real toy here in this ordinary Monza that was optioned from the factory with a small block V8, automatic transmission, and all the comforts you'll need to run down to the WaWa and get a few snacks, or milk or whatever, all the while WOWING the crowds of onlookers who haven't seen a bone stock Monza since Hector was a pup. Take my hand and let's delve into this stunning brown metallic example together.
Note: Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.
Exterior
This stock Monza from Chevrolet is following in the footsteps of the pony cars that came before it with a long nose and short deck. It was then resprayed with the factory correct Brown Metallic then topped off with a trim tag matching tan vinyl top. Save for the added 13-inch gold nugget wheels and outlined white letter Radial GT 195/70R13 radials the car remains exactly like the Monza you could get from the dealer for the exterior. The gaps are good and no rust is noted anywhere. A large, (for the size of the car), chrome bumper leads the way up front and we are still in the chrome egg crate grille era with chrome bezels round headlights sunken into the front of the fiberglass header panel. Moving rearward we come to the slightly bulged hood and then the sharply raked windshield that presents with a nice polished surround. More stainless wraps the sides are rear glass and on the body sides we note a small rub strip along with chrome badging and some sexy integrated flares built into the lips that give the car a look of motion even when standing still. Out back was can breathe in the short trunk lid and just below are flush mount chrome trimmed 3 segment tail lights in white, orange and red. Just below is another large chrome bumper and single exhaust pipe peeks out from under the passenger's side.
Interior
Opening the doors we are greeted with fresh tan vinyl door panels with some thin wood applique trim panels and clean chrome cranks and actuators. This is all in amazingly good condition looking like new. To the passenger compartment where we see front buckets and a rear 2 plus 2 bench, with all these surfaces covered in a broad stitched tuck and roll tan vinyl pattern with smooth body hugging bolsters for the front buckets. These seats are all excellent in their condition. Twin consolettes ride the center hump with the rearmost unit having a small storage bin and parking brake level and up front another consolette holds the shifter within a nice applique field. The dash is all original and pristine presenting in more tan padded vinyl sporting a clean applique, gauges, and warning light cluster in front of the original steering wheel. All original in these panels, and all very clean. An aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette stereo and separate equalizer grace the center of the dash along with black bezel for the heater slides. A fairly tight fuzzy tan headliner stretches above, and tan carpet, also very clean, floods the floors.
Drivetrain
Gas crunch my ass...opening the long hood we are greeted by the factory installed 145hp 305ci V8 engine in clean condition. A 2-barrel carburetor lurks under the black painted single snout air cleaner that accentuates the Chevrolet Blue painted block and valve covers nicely. A TH200 3-speed automatic transmission is strapped to the back and way back is a 10 bolt axle and it has 2.29 conventional gas saving gears.
Undercarriage
Upfront an independent coil spring suspension is on and in back 3 link with coil springs and a panhard bar keeps things stuck to the road. Power disc brakes are for the front, and power drums for the rear. All is rust free on the bottom side of this mini boulevard bruiser with only light surface rust gracing the patinaed finish of the undercoated floors, unibody, and largely untreated suspension. We see the stock style single exhaust running rearward from the engine, but is now sans catalytic converter.
Drive-Ability
It isn't often we get a Monza in our vast inventory, and it's even rarer that we get one that is so well preserved and stock, so when this one arrived both my test driver and I ran to drive this example. It fired right up and ran beautifully at idle but was plagued with a stalling issue that was difficult to overcome. Once moving the car cornered like it was on rails, and had great acceleration. It did not drive like a 46 year old car. Also a good cruiser, with a smooth ride with all functions operational save for the AC not blowing cold as the belt was removed due to a seizing clutch.
We can categorize this car as a survivor simply because they are rarely seen anymore. All clean and ready to be enjoyed by the next proud owner. An original drivetrain and clean interior and it looks the part, and the snappy brown on tan combination will have you ready to race off into the sunset, or to the next car show.
1M27U72125158
1-Chevrolet
M-Monza Coupe
27-2 Door Notchback Pillared Coupe
U-305ci 2bbl V8
7-1977
2-St. Therese, Quebec, Canada Assy Plant
125158-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888
