1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

General Motors introduced the Monte Carlo in 1970 as the Bowtie Divion's entry in the burgeoning 'personal luxury coupe' segment of the market, and it was an instant sales success, delivering tremendous value against competitors like the Pontiac Grand Prix and Ford Thunderbird. Over the course of three model years, nearly 440,000 examples of the first-generation Monte Carlo found buyers.

In keeping with constantly evolving trends, the Monte Carlo essentially became a mid-size Chevelle wearing a dinner jacket for 1973. It was no longer a pillarless hardtop, as the two-door coupe now had a formal roofline with 'opera windows' and frameless door glass. The first-generation restrained styling gave way to a more flamboyant appearance, with headlamp nacelles that flowed back into the hood and soaring fender creases. It had bright rocker panel accents with front and rear extensions, a new rear bumper with rubber-faced bumper guards, and two full-width vinyl impact strips that protruded further out, resulting in three additional inches of length. The back-up lights were relocated from the bumper to beside the license-plate on the deck latch panel. The short accent moldings were no longer apart of the taillights.

Going beyond just skin deep changes and drawing inspiration from Europe's finest sports sedans, Chevrolet's engineers reworked the Monte Carlo's suspension and fitted radial tires on all but base level, manual-transmission cars. The public approved and so did Motor Trend magazine who name the Monte Carlo its Car of the Year. 'The Monte Carlo is a new concept in large-volume American road cars, an automobile that is a real pleasure to drive simply because it handles so well,' the magazine enthused.

The hardtop coupe had a base price of $3,880 and the Landau listed for $2,130. Both came standard with a three-speed manual transmission and the 350 CID V8. An automatic transmission was a required option with the larger 400 and 454 CID V8s. Although the manual was standard equipment, nearly all 1974 Monte Carlos received the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission.

The 350 CID 'Turbo-Fire' V8 was rated at 145 horsepower, the same as the previous year, with a two-barrel carburetor in 49 states. The cars destined for California came standard with a 350 Turbo-Fire V8 with a four-barrel carburetor rated at 160 horsepower (this engine was not offered in the other 49 states).

The 350, 400, and 454 CID V8s had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, hydraulic valve lifters, and five main bearings. The 400 CID V8 small block marked the first time it was on the Monte Carlo's options list since 1970, with a two-barrel carburetor version offering 150 horsepower (not offered in California) or a four-barrel version at 180 hp. The 454 CID Turbo-Jet big-block V8 produced 235 horsepower.

Standard 1974 Monte Carlo equipment included Hide-Away wipers, power front disc brakes, power steering ignition key alarm, Delco-Eye battery, PowerBeam single-unit headlights, rear quarter 'coach' style windows, cigarette lighter, carpeting, GR70-15 radial tires, wood-bur dash, steering wheel accents, flow-thru power ventilation, electric clock, door map pockets, and knit cloth and vinyl trim.

The Landau came standard with a landau vinyl top, vanity mirror, radial tuned suspension, 15x7-inch Turbine II wheels, color-keyed rear window and belt moldings, body-color Sport mirrors with the left side remote-controlled, passenger assist grips, door map pockets, and wheel covers.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021