All Original Survivor: 1980 Chevrolet Monza
The Monza was based upon the same platform that the Chevy Vega was built in the 1970s, adding a sporty flair that Chevy’s other subcompact, the Chevette, didn’t offer. But the Monza was devoid of the early problems that beset the Vega, like premature rust and an aluminum engine that leaked. This 1980 Monza, from its final model year, looks like a nice (but not perfect) survivor, a car you could drive any day if you wanted. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and available here on eBay, the bidding stands at $3,788.
Chevrolet rolled out the Monza (named after the Corvair from the prior decade) for the 1975 model year. It was offered as both a coupe and a 2+2 fastback (it was tiny back there). During its six-year production run, the Monza was joined at some point by the Pontiac Sunbird, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire, all built on the GM H-body rear-wheel-drive platform. More than 731,000 Monza’s were built in total, of which 169,000 were assembled in 1980. 56% of those were coupes, like the seller’s car.
This Monza was built with the “Iron Duke” I-4 engine, one that was far more dependable than what Chevy trotted out for the Vega. I had a Pontiac Sunbird 2+2 from 1980 with that same engine and – while the car itself would prove a bit troublesome while I owned it from new – it was the best part of the automobile, even paired with an automatic transmission like here. No barnburner, but the little machines were peppy enough except maybe under a sharp incline with the A/C on.
At 71,000 miles, we’re told this Monza runs very well and the seller says it should capably handle any road trip you threw at it. The body is rust-free, but the original white paint is decent but not fault-free. There is no reason to run right out and get the car repainted. The interior is in nice condition except for the plastic door panels. The red coloring on them has faded after more than 40 years so they really should be redyed.
One oddity about this car is the gas tank – there isn’t one (or one that’s used). There is a fuel cell in its place in the trunk which we assume is a viable solution. Unless you need the space to haul stuff, try it out for a while and see if it works. Online these cars don’t seem to fetch anything higher than used car prices. In other words, not on the collector radar screen. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, economical car from another era and don’t mind a few rough edges, the Monza might do the trick.
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Comments
You lost me at the fuel cell.
Right? Only a little over 6 cu. ft. in the first place.
No one makes a replacement fuel tank for these, so can’t blame the seller for doing whatever it takes to get it running.
whats up with th spots on the trunk lid/
Looks like it might have had a luggage rack bolted there at one time. That’s my guess…
Logic would dictate that the fuel cell and luggage rack were installed at the same time.
This would be a great car. My sister had an Acadian which had the same engine (I think). It was a great little car though pretty plain.
A car like this looks like a very simple classic to own. Not sure about that fuel cell though, a 20 second google search turns up plenty of tanks for under $100. What’s up with that? What else does it say about how this car was put back on the road?
@Bo
The “Acadian” during these years was actually a Canadian market Chevette, not the Monza. So your sister would have had the 1.6 litre GM Chevette engine.
Those door panels I think are in need of more than just redyed. It seems red plastic back then suffered the most. The plastic deteriorates and I can remember you could scribe your name in it with your finger nail with ease.
Maybe red was the worst, but I too have seen this severe deterioration of plastic interior parts of this era. It seems that plastics in the 60’s faded and got brittle, but (at least some) plastics of the 70’s and 80’s faded and got brittle and even decomposed.
My friend’s 1979 Impala wagon’s blue door panels looked at least as bad as these by 1986.
I had a ’77 (i think). ‘Town Coupe’ they called the little notch. Same color combo but with faux woodgrain inside, a half vinyl top, and a 262ci sbc. The rear panel was painted flat black.
It was oddly missing the gigantic fuel cell in the trunk.
The original fuel tank must be a rusty mess.
I love these, though I think the Sunbird is even better.
‘But the Monza was devoid of the early problems that beset the Vega, like premature rust and an aluminum engine that leaked.’
Fair statement but the Monza used the Vega engine for ’75 along with the 262 V8.
It got the improved Dura-Built Vega engine for 76 and 77 which addressed a lot of the engine’s problems. Iron Duke, 3.2 and 3.8 V6s and 5.0 V8 for ’78 and ’79. And just the 2.5 4 and 3.8 V6 for ’80.
These brochures are a treat: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1980_Chevrolet/1980_Chevrolet_Monza_Brochure/1980%20Chevrolet%20Monza-12.html
Great feature. Perfect size car, one of GM’s better designs and usually forgotten.
Perfect example of a car that should have been crushed by 1982
The buyer’s of the 731,000 Monza’s would have to disagree with you. 1975 Monza was the Motor Trend car of the year, even beating out a Mercede’s.
I had a 1980 2.5 liter notchback, silver metallic with red interior as my first car when i got out of college. I put aluminum slots on it with wide ones in the rear, and installed an Alpine stereo in the dash (it was the 80’s). All my friends were street racing and cruising their v8 classic muscle cars. I raced a couple other cars. Never got beat by another 4 cylinder and managed to beat a couple 6 cylinders. Always kept it tuned up. Great on gas and reliable. Replaced valve cover gasket with improved design thicker gasket, so no leaks there. Had a Sunbird also. My body shop guy raced micro midgets and he wanted the car for the engine. There is a good performance parts market to help these engines out. Another friend back then had a worked V8 notchback that he raced but didn’t have the frame tied so the body would flex under hard acceleration and the door would pop open as I recall him saying. Learned to do bootleg turns in mine, raced friends in town playing keep up with the leader until my brakes started fading, made plenty of trips to the beach, lots of good times. Bought the car for $1200 with 50k miles, put another 100k miles on it, got the trans rebuilt, fixed the shifter lockout button, and sold the car to a girl for $1000. Car was maintained well and should have last her a while.
When the administration raises gasoline to $12 per gallon, a fuel efficient collector car like this will be appealing.
I had a 1980 Monza and wouldn’t give you $3.78 for it … Probably the reason for the fuel cell is the fuel pump is located in the Gas tank and has to be pulled to replace the pump , many other problems way to numerous to list on here , in fact I think it was the last chevy I ever bought The car is a POS just like its predecessor the Vega !!!
I got one for a few hundred dollars , it had a v8
It would spin those little skinnies all the time , always abused it and never maintained it
I had a 69 camaro project so the monza was never appreciated
I junked it at some point and life went on …
This Monza makes me think the designers ran out of ideas.
i had a 79 monza with a v6 auto. it was a great car. we got rid of it becuase it was hard to get the baby in and out of the back and the trunk was so small you could barely get a stroller in it.