1976 Dekon Monza

There were around 12 Dekon Monza's created for use in IMSA competition. Some state that 11 examples were created, other state 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: 1007

This 1976 Dekon Monza is thought to be one of the most original Dekon Monzas in this country. It was driven by Jerry Jolly in the Camel GT Circuit in 1976, 1977 and 1978. It was later raced in the Trans Am Series by Gerry Wellik from 1979 through the early 1980's. The car was placed in storage for 20 years and was found by the current owner in 2002. It is currently raced in Southern California vintage events.

This car is powered by an eight-cylinder engine capable of producing 600 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque.

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