1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

As the 1970s advanced, the automotive industry underwent significant transformations, with design trends, dimensions, and styles being shaped by fuel shortages, more stringent emission and safety regulations, and rising insurance costs. The Monte Carlo reflected these industry changes, increasing in length by four inches and incorporating the required five mph bumper in 1973, with the rear five mph bumper added the following year. During the majority of the 1970s, the Monte Carlo became both safer and more comfortable; however, as the decade neared its end, the industry began to prioritize smaller and lighter vehicles. In response, General Motors downsized all of its intermediate-sized cars for the 1978 model year, including the Monte Carlo, which lost approximately 800 pounds and was reduced in length by about 15 inches. The engine bay now housed smaller, more fuel-efficient engines. The Monte Carlo would continue to be a vital component of the Chevrolet lineup for many years, undergoing six major styling updates. It was produced for nearly forty years, starting in 1969 and concluding in 2007, with a break from 1989 to 1994. Throughout its production run, it remained faithful to its name—derived from the city in Monaco—and was recognized as Chevrolet's inaugural personal luxury vehicle.

1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
General Motors redesigned its line of intermediate (mid-sized) vehicles for 1973, including the Monte Carlo. It continued to use body-on-frame construction, and its wheelbase remained at 116 inches, but its length decreased from 206.5 inches to 212.7 inches. The previous hardtop body style was replaced by a pillared 'Colonnade' coupe with rear side opera windows and frameless door glass. A new double-shell roof resulted in a quieter cabin and improved rollover protection. The basic all-coil suspension, manual transmission, and bias-ply tires remained standard, and the 'base' engine was a 350 cubic-inch 'Turbo-Fire' V8 rated at 145 hp.

Styling
The front of the 1973 Monte Carlo included the mandatory five mph bumper, an egg-crate grille, a Monte Carlo emblem, and round headlights set into circular housings. The lip of the hood wrapped down, meeting the top of the grille at about the middle of the headlights. The rear of the vehicle had a V-shaped window, a trunk that tapered to the slanted rear end, trapezoid-shaped taillamps, horizontal moldings, and backup lights built into the bumper.

The standard 2-door, five-passenger Hardtop Coupe had a base price of $3,415. The 'S' version boosted the price by approximately $150, and a new 'Landau' listed at $3,800. The 'S' version came with a radial-tuned system and an automatic transmission. The Landau was an 'S' with Turbine II wheels, driver and passenger-side sports mirrors, and a quarter Landau vinyl roof. A vinyl top was a $123 option, and a 'skyroof' was priced at $325.

The designers of the 1973 Monte Carlo were Irv Rybicki, Charles Stewart, Bill Porter, and Leo Casillo. The Monte Carlo was assembled in Baltimore, Maryland, Doraville, Georgia, Fremont, California, Leeds, Missouri, and Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.

Interior
The interior received an all-new, wraparound 'cockpit-style' instrument panel, with gauges and instrumentation positioned within easy reach of the driver. A split bench front seat was standard, and a new 'Strato Bucket' seat design was optional. The bucket seats had a high back design with built-in headrests and could swivel nearly 90 degrees, fostering easy entry and exit. There was simulated burl elm trim, a floor console with a new shifter with knob and button, a storage compartment, and cloth and vinyl trims.

Engines
The standard 350 cubic-inch 'Turbo-Fire' V8 engine had overhead valves, a cast iron block, a 4-inch bore and 3.48-inch stroke, 8.5:1 compression, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a two-barrel carburetor and produced 145 (SAE) hp at 4,000 RPM.

A 350 CID V8 with a four-barrel carburetor produced 175 (SAE) horsepower, and a four-barrel carbureted 454 cubic-inch 'Turbo-Jet' V8 produced 245 (SAE) hp.

Was the 1973 Chevy Monte Carlo Successful?
Chevrolet produced 233,689 examples of its 1973 Monte Carlo, representing a dramatic increase over the 180,819 examples produced the previous year and the 112,599 examples built in 1971. Motor Trend magazine named it their 'Car of the Year'. Its positive reception by the industry, along with the similarly styled Grand Prix from Pontiac, prompted other automakers to introduce new personal luxury cars of their own, including the Chrysler Cordoba, AMC Matador, Mercury Cougar, and Ford Gran Torino Elite.

'Yes,' the 1973 Chevy Monte Carlo was a success, with its nearly 250,000 examples sold during the model year setting a new sales record for Chevrolet. It inspired a new generation of imitators from the competition and was recognized by the industry as being a highly favorable option.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2024