Chevrolet Monza

Chevrolet Monza
1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet (General Motors)
Production	1974–1980
Model years	1975–1980
Assembly	Lordstown Assembly (Lordstown, Ohio), United States Sainte-Thérèse Assembly (Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada)
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Body style	2-door 2+2 hatchback 2-door coupé 2-door hatchback 2-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	H-body
Related	Pontiac Sunbird Buick Skyhawk Oldsmobile Starfire Pontiac Astre Chevrolet Vega
Powertrain
Engine	140 cu in (2.3 L) I4 151 cu in (2.5 L) I4 196 cu in (3.2 L) V6 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 262 cu in (4.3 L) V8 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	97.0 in (2,464 mm)
Length	179.3 in (4,554 mm) (2+2)
Width	65.4 in (1,661 mm)
Height	50.2 in (1,275 mm) (2+2)
Curb weight	2,800 lb (1,270 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Chevrolet Vega
Successor	Chevrolet Cavalier

The Chevrolet Monza is a subcompact, four-passenger automobile produced by Chevrolet for the 1975–1980 model years. The Monza is based on the Chevrolet Vega, sharing its wheelbase, width and 140 CID (2300 cc) inline-four engine. The 1975 Monza 2+2 was designed to accommodate the GM-Wankel rotary engine, but due to mediocre fuel economy and emissions compliance issues the engine was cancelled, and a fuel-efficient 4.3 liter V8 engine option was substituted. The name was also used for the Latin American version of the Opel Ascona C.

The Monza 2+2 and Monza Towne Coupe competed with the Ford Mustang II and other sporty coupes. General Motors' H-body variants Buick Skyhawk and Oldsmobile Starfire were produced using the Monza 2+2 body with grill and trim variations and Buick's 3.8 liter V6 engine. The Pontiac Sunbird variant was introduced the following model year, eventually offered in both Monza body styles. The Monza nameplate originated in mid-1960 for the sport version of the Chevrolet Corvair.

The Monza 2+2, Chevrolet's sport successor to the Vega, debuted as a single-model 2+2 hatchback. The Monza is 4 inches (100 mm) longer and weighs 180 pounds more than the Vega from which it is derived.John DeLorean nicknamed it the "Italian Vega" citing styling with a strong resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4.

GM had planned to introduce the GM Wankel rotary engine, licensed from NSU Motorenwerke AG, in the 1975 Monza. Rotary issues included mediocre fuel economy compounded at a time of comparatively high fuel prices following the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973, and GM canceled the engine. Thus the 1975 Chevrolet Monza was launched carrying a conventional piston engine instead.