1975 Dekon Monza

There were around 12 Dekon Monza's created for use in IMSA competition. Some state that 11 examples were created, while others claim there were more. Other work done by Dekon includes two Camaros and a Buick Skyhawk, with the Skyhawk being the only completely bodied car received from GM. The two Camaro's constructed were intended for oval track racing.

GM supplied the Monza's near the close of 1974, and DeKon reconstructed them to the customer's specifications and needs. The Dekon Monza's featured a tubular chassis, an overall weight of about 2400 pounds, and over 600 horsepower from the fuel-injected eight-cylinder engine. The cars were very fast and competitive, thanks in part to their excellent 50/50 weight distribution.

The cars were designed by Horst Kwech of Ausca Racing and Lee Dykstra and used to combat the highly successful Porsches in IMSA competition. GM aided in the project with CAD drawings, their first attempt at using this technology. The Dekon Monza's ran very well, winning the championship in 1976, 1977, and again in 1978. This makes the DeKon the most successful of all the H07 race car builders.

The name 'DeKon' represented 'D'ykstra and 'K'wech, the founders of the team. Further, 'De' represented design and 'Kon' for construction.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 1002

This is the 2nd of 12 DeKon Monza All-American GT (AAGT) chassis built. DeKon Engineering built this vehicle for Harry Theodoracopoulous (Harry T). Harry T ended up wrecking the vehicle during his first practice session and sent the car back to Dekon, where it was repaired and updated. One of the updates the car got was an extra bar, running from the main roll hoop, and down to the passenger footwell area. They named this extra bar the 'Harry bar,' because they were worried he'd need the extra bracing for his next big wreck.

In 1975 and 1976, Harry T ran the car in IMSA events at Lime Rock, Sebring and Road Atlanta. Harry also entered the car in both the Watkins Glen and Pocono Trans-Am events in 1976.

In 1978, William Wonder purchased and raced the car in IMSA

The car remained in William Wonder's possession until the late 1980s and has since been vintage raced.

In 1975 and 1976 Harry T ran the car an IMSA events at Lime Rock, Sebring and Road Atlanta, Harry also entered the car in both the Watkins Glen and Pocono Trans-Am events in 1976. In 1978, William Wonder purchased and raced the car in IMSA. The car remained in William Wonder's possession until the late 1980s and has since been vintage raced ever since.

Coupe
Chassis number: 1006

This DeKon Monza was originally purchased by Michael Keyser and began its racing career in red, white, and blue livery at Le Mans in 1976. Keyser raced the car in the IMSA Camel GT and SCCA Trans-Am until 1977. He then sold it to Roy Woods who painted it yellow and changed the bodywork. Woods and Milt Minter captured three top-five finishes in 1977. In 1978 Woods converted the 350 cubic inch V8 to twin turbochargers which produced 1000 horsepower. Woods and George Follmer drove the car but found the weakest link to be the IMSA-mandated production-based four-speed transmission. The strongest transmission that could be used was a Ford Toploader. The car retains bodywork as driven by Follmer in 1980 at Riverside and Mid Ohio.

The Chevrolet Monza was produced from 1975 through 1980. It served as a replacement for the Chevrolet Vega, though there was a three-year overlap. It had not been created to replace the Vega, it had been intended to house GM's Wankel engine. The Wankel engine was not used, in its place was a four-cylinder as standard and a V8 engine offered as optional equipment. The eight-cylinder engine just barely fit into the cramped engine bay. Not only was the eight-cylinder engine large, but it was also very heavy and often accounted for severe driveline vibrations. There was a third engine option offered, another version of the V8 in 350 cubic-inch size. The option package was called the California/High Altitude edition. The Monza was a rear-wheel-drive vehicle built atop of GM's H-platform and offered as a hatchback, coupe, and wagon.

1975 was not the first time the name 'Monza' was used on a GM vehicle; it had been used prior on the Corvair line of vehicles. The 1975 Monza was awarded Motor Trend's Car of the Year award.

In 1976 another V8 engine was added to the line-up - GM's new 305 V8. in 1977, the 262 cubic-inch V8 was discontinued. This left the 305 cubic-inch version of the V8 engine the only optional engine offered.

1976 saw the introduction of the Monza Spyder which would remain in production until 1980. It could be ordered with a performance package that saw improvements to the vehicle's suspension, brakes, and other areas. The Monza Mirage was introduced in 1977, the only year it was offered. It was offered by Michigan Auto Techniques which was an aftermarket company contracted by GM. The Mirage was basically a styling option; it was adorned in cameo white paint with red and blue racing stripes that ran the entire length of the car. The body panels were flared to give the vehicle a more aggressive stance. In total, there were about 4097 examples created.

In 1978, a station wagon body style was added to the Monza. The Monza S was also introduced in 1978, of which less than 3000 examples were created.

The Dekon Monza was a racing version of the car used in IMSA Camel GT road racing series in the US.

by Dan Vaughan