1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Motor Trend magazine named the Monte Carlo the Car of the Year in 1973. The second-generation Monte Carlo brought fresh new styling, European-inspired ride and handling, and V-8 power.

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was a personal-luxury coupe and for 1976, was available in both the base 'S' and Landau coupe form. Power was from a 5.0-liter V8 fitted with two-barrel carburetors and mated to a Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. They came standard with power steering and brakes, an electric clock, hideaway wipers, cut-pile carpeting, full wheel covers, and steel-belted radial tires. In the front were new vertically-stacked rectangular headlamps and an integrated-look bumper. The grille was made up of three stacked segments, each with internal crosshatching. The parking and backup lamps were repositioned. In the back were rounded horizontal parking lamps which rested below the bumper. There were new tapered vertical taillamps with emblems in the center plus small rectangular backup lenses positioned below.

The standard interiors had a full-foam bench seat, with a color-keyed instrument panel and steering wheel. They had tailored knit cloth or vinyl upholstery in a choice of three shades. Buyers could select optional swivel bucket seats with velour fabric.

Buyers who selected the Landau model received a landau vinyl roof and body-color sport mirrors (the left side was operated via a remote). They also had Turbine II wheels, pinstripe accents, dual horns, landau body identification, and a visor vanity mirror.

Nine new body colors were available, bringing the total number of color options to 14. Two-tones were available.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017