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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.
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.
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.