1976 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.
1976 Monte Carlo
A new grille and stacked headlights identify the 1976 Montes. Rosewood trim was available on the gauge cluster and steering wheel rim, and “Fashion Tone” exterior two-tone paint was also optional. The vaunted 454ci big block was no longer available. Monte Carlo production hit 353,272 cars built, which was another record.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1976 Monte Carlo
- Engine Options
- 305-2bbl cubic inch V8, 140hp (base)
- 350-2bbl cubic inch V8, 145hp
- 400-4bbl cubic inch V8, 175hp
- 350-4bbl cubic inch V8, 155hp(California only)
- 250-1bbl cubic inch L6, 105hp
1976 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, Formal Roof
Fifth Character: Engine
- V ~ 350 V8-2bbl
- Q ~ 305 V8-2bbl
- U ~ 400 V8-4-bbl
- V ~ 350 V8-4bbl
Sixth Character: Year of Production
Seventh Character: Final Assembly Plant
- Z ~ Fremont, California
- B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
- D ~ Doraville, Georgia
- R ~ Arlington, Texas
- 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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