1974 Monte Carlo
Personalized Luxury was the concept behind the all-new 1970 Monte Carlo. GM’s success with Buick’s Riviera, Oldsmobile’s Toronado, and Pontiac’s Grand Prix meant it was only a matter of time before Chevrolet also entered the field, and Chevy did in a big way. Based on the GM A-body platform, the engineers and designers created the “A-body Special” chassis which extended the wheelbase ahead of the firewall from a standard Chevelle or LeMans. This created a longer hood to proportion the Monte Carlo more elegantly. The chassis was later named “G-body” denoting the 4-inch longer wheelbase from a standard Chevelle 2-door. 1970-72 Monte Carlos are similar, featuring only minor trim and detail differences. Completely redesigned in 1973, this more baroque, “neo-classic” Monte received only minor trim and interior changes through 1977. The 1978 Monte Carlo was downsized along with its sister A-body Chevys, trimming 800-pounds and 15-inches from its 1973-77 incarnations. It retained this basic styling through 1980. In 1981 the fourth-generation Monte Carlo was introduced, refining and enlarging the earlier model’s styling. It remained the same through 1988, with an added Aerocoupe model featuring a fastback rear window to better compete in NASCAR, appearing in 1984. This body style soldiered-on through 1988, which was the last year for the Monte Carlo until the model was revised in 1994.
1974 Monte Carlo
Only minor grille and taillight changes were made for 1974. Though a three-speed manual transmission was listed as standard equipment with the 350ci V8, there are differing thoughts that Chevy never actually built any Monte Carlos with a manual transmission. Larger five-mph rear bumpers were mandated by the government in 1974, marking a visual change to the rear from 1973.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1974 Monte Carlo
- Engine Options
- 350-2bbl cubic inch V8, 145hp (base)
- 350-4bbl cubic inch V8, 160hp (base in California only)
- 400-2bbl cubic inch V8, 150hp
- 400-4bbl cubic inch V8, 180hp
- 454 cubic inch big block V8, 235hp
1974 Monte Carlo VIN Decoder:
First Character: Division of General Motors
Second Character: Series Designation *
Third and Fourth Characters: Body Style/Model
- 57 ~ 2-door Sport Coupe
- 57/Z03 ~ Landau Coupe
Fifth Character: Engine
- H ~ 350 V8-2bbl
- K ~ 350 V8-4bbl
- R ~ 400 V8-2bbl
- X ~ 400 V8-4-bbl
- Y ~ 454 V8-2bbl L54
Sixth Character: Year of Production
Seventh Character: Final Assembly Plant
- Z ~ Fremont, California
- 1 ~ St Therese, Canada
Eighth through Thirteenth Characters: Sequential Production Number
Starting numbers varied depending on which plant the car was built in.
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