Is The Monte Carlo a Chevelle?

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September 18, 2022

As I prepare to head to the Mid-America Chevelle Club car show the end of this month, I got to thinking.  Actually I’ve been thinking about this off and on for several years. Should the (at least 70-72) Monte Carlo be considered a “Chevelle” for the car shows put on by Chevelle Clubs? Most clubs I know of sort of shun the Monte Carlo yet they welcome with open arms the Canadian Beaumont and GMC pickups (El Caminos). Why? Beaumonts are not Chevelles, GMC Sprints are not Chevelles, but (70-72) Monte Carlos share the same 13xxx Chevelle series designation from Chevrolet. Even Malibus and Sprints through 1977 are welcomed at most Chevelle club shows, but not the Monte Carlo.

Yes, it’s a “Personal Luxury Car” and it’s built on a different platform, GM’s G-body as opposed to the Chevelle A-body, but the Monte Carlos shares many major components of the same drive line as the Chevelle, the Monte Carlo was produced alongside the Chevelle and was sequenced at each assembly plant with the Chevelle. By that I mean, for example, 1970 production figures for the Chevelle is widely recognized at 487,969 units and the Monte Carlo at 110,469 units yet their VIN sequence numbers are intertwined; meaning a Monte Carlo could be sequenced right behind a Malibu 4-door sedan, followed by a station wagon, followed by another Monte Carlo.

I know some people have a general disdain (or are just not turned on by) the Monte Carlo. May be some deep rooted passion there but I suspect it's more peer pressure than anything else. It would sure be nice to see that change as there are a ton of very nice Monte Carlos out there and their followers are just as passionate about their Monte Carlos as Chevelle owners are about their Chevelles, be they Malibu sport coupes, 300 Deluxe coupes, Malibu convertibles, or Nomad or Greenbrier station wagons.

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