1978 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.
1978 Monte Carlo
The first year for the third generation Monte Carlo saw a reduced size, a result of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo which significantly raised gasoline prices. The new Monte Carlo was now 800-pounds lighter and 15-inches shorter. A new V6 was the base engine, and for the first time in years a four-speed manual transmission was offered, though it was not a popular option.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1978 Monte Carlo
- Body Style
- 2 Door Sport Coupe 6-Passenger
- Engine Options
- 305 cubic inch V8-2bbl, 145hp
- 305 cubic inch V8-2bbl, 135hp (code: CRY)
- 231 cubic inch L6-2bbl, 105hp (base)
1978 Monte Carlo VIN Decoder:
First Character: Division of General Motors
Second Character: Series Designation *
Third and Fourth Characters: Body Style/Model
- 37 ~ 2-door Sport Coupe, Formal Roof
Fifth Character: Engine
- A ~ 231 L6-2bbl
- L ~ 350 V8-4bbl
Sixth Character: Year of Production
Seventh Character: Final Assembly Plant
- A ~ Lakewood, Georgia
- B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
- C ~ Southgate, California
- D ~ Doraville, Georgia
- J ~ Janesville, Wisconsin
- K ~ Leeds, Missouri
- U ~ Lordstown, Ohio
- L ~ Van Nuys, California
- N ~ Norwood, Ohio
- R ~ Arlington, Texas
- S ~ St. Louis, Missouri
Eighth through Thirteenth Characters: Sequential Production Number
Starting numbers varied depending on which plant the car was built in.
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