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1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo: When Style Sold
I miss the ’80s. There was so much more variety in everything: TV, movies, music—and cars. Back then, you could easily tell American, Japanese, Italian or German cars apart from one another. Not like today, with everyone seemingly offering the same half-baked potato crossover shape. Today’s featured Chevy Monte Carlo is an excellent example of the now-extinct personal luxury coupe.
The Monte Carlo closely followed on the heels of the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. That car was based on the A-body mid-size chassis, but using the longer sedan wheelbase to create an extra-long hood/short deck silhouette. Starting in 1970, Chevrolet’s version appeared in showrooms—and found immediate success.
The orignal lasted through 1972, followed by the more ornate second generation from 1973-77, and the downsized third generation came on to the scene starting in 1978. The style of today’s car, a fourth-gen example, was essentially new sheetmetal on the 1978-80 chassis.
Though personally I’ve always lumped the 1978-88 Monte Carlo as one version, albeit one with an extensive facelift. In any event, the ’81 restyle enhanced the looks of the ’78-’80 version, with a less-stubby appearance. The sides flowed together better, and integrating the bumpers into the body made it look longer and better-proportioned.
What’s interesting is the dimensions—at least, the overall length and wheelbase, were unaltered from 1978: 200.4″ long with 108.1″ wheelbase. I was surprised enough that I double checked the ’79, ’81, ’83 and ’84 brochures myself and all the numbers matched! Well done, Chevrolet styling!
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By 1983, the Monte Carlo SS had returned, primarily because its aero-styled nose (adding about two inches to the length relative to a standard Monte Carlo coupe) was needed in NASCAR, as the swoopy new ‘aero’ Thunderbirds were essentially cleaning their clock. Surprisingly, all came with a bench seat that year. For ’84, bucket seats and console were added as an option—extended to the standard Monte Carlo Sport Coupe as well—as seen on our featured car.
The two primary engines were the 3.8-liter, 110 hp V-6 and 5.0-liter, 150 hp V-8. The Monte Carlo SS got the same V-8, but with 180 horses. A 5.7L diesel V-8 was also optional, but found few takers by the mid-’80s and was dropped after 1984.
There were three basic Monte Carlo models for 1984: the V-6 Sport Coupe, V-8 Sport Coupe, and SS. Prices were $8,936 ($27,440 in today’s dollars), $9,311 ($28,600) and $10,700 ($32,860), respectively.
112,730 Sport Coupes were sold for the year (Chevrolet didn’t break out V-6 vs. V-8 production), in addition to 24,050 SSs.
Of course, you could bump that base price substantially with a heavy hand on the option selection, as seen on today’s car. Options on this one include the buckets and console, T-tops, power windows, sport mirrors and wire wheel covers.
Oh, and you could get colors too! Available hues included Dark Blue, Light Fern, Beige and Dark Maroon, in addition to five different two-tone combinations. Interior colors included Dark Blue, Dark Brown, Fern and Maroon. Ah, the luxury of choice!
I was really happy to see this one in such mint condition, as it seems most 1981-88 Montes I see are the SS—naturally, more of them were saved. But I always liked the more Broughamed-up versions, and I really liked this one, with its white paint, red interior and T-tops!
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Style? 1980s American cars? What were you smoking back then? Other than square body GMC trucks, I really can’t think of anything from Detroit worth remembering in that decade.
All g bodies were awesome. If you think otherwise, youre wrong. Monte SS, hurst cutlass, grand national….
In the rust-belt, remember is all you can do regarding a square body. They rusted so badly they’re all gone.
Hmmm…Camaro/IROC-Z, Trans Am, Monte Carlo SS, 1988 Cutlass Supreme (the sleek FWD one), early-1980’s Eldorado coupe and convertible (for looks, not performance), Riviera convertible, late-1980’s Chrysler LeBaron convertible. Maybe take a look around?
Great pick, Thomas – I had a unique version of this car in the Light Fern two-tone with a lower body colour that was a shade or two darker – not sure if it was Dark Fern, or a different grey/green, separated by a pin stripe. Anyway, it was Fern inside, with high-back buckets (no headrest), tilt, console, t-tops and the multi-slot, dish-style, factory alloy wheels – no power group, no A/C, and it had the V-6, and an AM/FM stereo – can only think it was a factory order, but I was the second or third owner, and it was a very cool car – thanks for the memories!
Just a minor correction. The 116” wheelbase on the 70-72 Monte Carlo matched that of the four-door Chevelle, however, the extra four inches was added ahead of the firewall on the Monte Carlo but behind the driver on the four-door. I’m sure the 116” wheelbase frames were closely related, but they are not interchangeable.
The 81-88 Monte Carlos were really sharp, in my eye. My second favorite, after the first gen. The second and third gens were just ugly, as far as I’m concerned.
Not much uglier than the 1973-77 Monte Carlo, pontoon fenders and all. Pure K-Mart classicism, as someone once said.
I had an 84 Cutlass. Wish I kept it, but went to college and needed the $$$. It was wrecked three weeks after I sold it. Loved the whole generation of cutlasses, monte carlos, and regals.
Aah, the ’80’s.
I miss them too, but not for anything automotive.
The incredible variety of new music, and women’s fashion/stylings, yes.
To me, the Monte Carlo was always a boring also-ran.
No match for a Toronado, Riviera or Eldorado.
Of course, GM would never permit a Chevy to aspire to those levels.
You forgot the 267 ci 4.4 v8 ! I know this was an option at least for 1982..
A good engine to forget.
I preferred the Buick Regal / Grand national over this. The later Monte was more interesting to me before it went front wheel drive.
Since I hit my third decade very early in the ’80’s, I’ve got a “adult reality vs childhood” take. Bought a new ’78 El Camino. A complete pile of Detroit junk. Monte Carlo? That was for portly old men with white belt and shoes. Music and fashion were laughable bilgewater to me even then.
These were always someone’s moms that you knew.
Nice car, and very rare to see a regular (non-SS) Monte Carlo with the T-top. These cars had style, and everything today is a boring potato.
“There was so much more variety in everything: TV, movies, music—and cars.” Um, no. Pretty sure there is way more variety now. In literally everything. In the 80s I had three channels on my TV – now I have unlimited streaming of countless services. What are you smoking?
These Montes were for old men with Sansabelt slacks. The Monte Carlo SS that debuted for 1983? A totally different animal. My 1985 had one of the best combinations of handling and ride I have ever experienced, and was comfortable and roomy inside. Not a muscle car, but certainly quick for the era – and it sounded good. Too bad my particular one turned out to be a lemon!
I bought an 85 Monte in the early nineties with a bad engine, another father and son project, we installed a 350 with the loud Pete Jackson gear drive , 327 350 HP cam, headers and two and a half inch exhaust and a turbo 350 trans, one night coming home from O’Hare about a month after putting it all together I was sitting at the light on Higgins and eighty three when a collision between a van and a car at the intersection sent the van right into our just finished Monte putting me in the hospital and totaling the car, it was fun while it lasted.
we were G body collectors back in the day, we had Grand nationals, T type’s, monte Carlos, a cutlass with a grand National drive line, living in Wisconsin most if not all of them had some kind of rust issue mainly in rear frame where it kicks up over the rear axle.