Chevy Parts | Chevy Monte Carlo Parts
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What is the history of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made automobile. Originally introduced by Chevrolet for the 1970 model year (as competition with the Ford Thunderbird), it has gone through six generations as of 2007. All Monte Carlos to date have been two-door personal luxury coupes, closely based on a contemporary mid-sized sedan.
The Monte Carlo was originally created by Scott Butler as Chevrolet's counterpart to the new G-body Pontiac Grand Prix, which had been introduced to great success for 1969. The Monte Carlo was the brainchild of Elliot M. (Pete) Estes, general manager of Chevrolet, and Chevrolet's chief stylist, Dave Holls. They modeled the styling on the contemporary Cadillac Eldorado, although much of the body and structure were shared with the Chevrolet Chevelle (firewall, windshield, decklid, and rear window were the same), adding new front end sheetmetal, wider C-pillars, and new rear fenders. Bulges were added to the fenders to create a more muscular appearance. The Monte Carlo also had the then-fashionable concealed windshield wipers.
Based upon the above statements of idling of the Monte Carlo at Oshawa, and no announced plans to continue production elsewhere, it appears the Monte Carlo will go on hiatus after the 2007 model year. This is also backed up by NASCAR's transition away from the Monte Carlo into the Impala. While, in early March 2007, GM Vice President Bob Lutz stated the Monte Carlo would return using the new rear wheel drive Zeta architecture, he later flip-flopped his optimism on the future of that platform, beyond the Camaro and G8. Future revival of a Monte Carlo may depend heavily on sales of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, and how proposed changes to CAFE affect GM's vehicle lineup.
