Monte Carlo w/ Z28 wheels
 

I know a lot of guys did this back in the day as a cool swap, but I had never seen this factory photo showing Chevy actually considered it...

Not bad looking. I remember finding an SS 454 back in the 80's for sale. It was pretty typical of cars in those days. A few day-2 mods, dings, scratches, needing weatherstripping. Some interior wear and tear. But back then I wanted a 2nd gen Camaro.

Looks allot better than the same old tired ass looking rally wheel, JMO

https://s9.postimg.org/j6rrdp9qn/275859.jpg

From the 1970 Chevrolet Accessories Brochure

yeah the MC wore out the rally wheels IMO

I'm not a big Monte fan but those wheels sure make a difference!!

The fact that it is an SS454 doesn't hurt either!
Buddy

Still the longest hood ever,for a regular production car in Chevrolets history I believe.

I think the 70-72 Monte is a good looking car. It's amazing how much more affordable they are in today's market compared to a similarly equipped Chevelle of the same vintage.

WOW what a difference!!

Probably because the Monte Carlo was never classified as a muscle car - including the SS 454 which BTW was not available with a 4 speed, TH Auto only. There was nothing really special about the LS5 454/360 HP. In fact the previous year (1969) the "low performance" 427 made 390 HP. And Chevy copied the Nova SS by only offering white sidewall tires at a time when the whole industry was offering RWL tires on their muscle cars.

Same with the Pontiac SJ Grand Prix. These were personal luxury cars on a budget that also offered an option that would make it seem like it was a muscle car when in fact it wasn't. Remember the zenith of the Muscle Car Era was 1970.

You look at those two photos I posted in Post #10. AFAIK the B & W photo is a "what if" photo . . . what if Chevy offered the wheels and tires from the Z28/Chevelle SS on their 1971 Monte Carlo SS454. And whoever was in charge of setting up the marketing for the MC decided that if you want that look - go buy a 1971 Chevelle SS. This is a personal luxury car that we have elected to offer an SS option simply because we are Chevrolet and we do sell Super Sports and the Impala SS, the very first Chevrolet car to have the SS moniker, was put out of production at the end of 1969 model year.

LOL - but someone liked the photo itself so much that they "massaged" it by removing the Z28/Chevelle SS wheels and tires and put on the Rally wheels with the G70x15 WSW tires and that photo went into the 1971 Monte Carlo Brochure.

Also changed the side mirror.

Changed the steering wheel and added the hood emblem too!

I was waiting to see if anyone would notice the other items changed.. Theres a couple more though..

The SS454 emblem on the lower front fender is different and the B & W car has what looks like a dual pinstripe running along the top of the fenders and door.

Rear tail panel looks to have extra chrome also,,

A '70 Chevelle SS454 LS5 / TH400 must not be a muscle car either. the 1970 Monte SS454 had the same Engine, Transmission, rear axle, chassis, brakes, dash instrumentation, seats, shifter, console, available color choices, etc, and weighted about the same (within a few hundered pounds). There wouldn't be much difference on a 1/4 mile time slip.

Not sure I understand that logic? '64-67 GTOs didn't have stripes or RWL tires either, but they are still considered a "muscle car". If the very basic definition of a "muscle car" is "big engine in an intermediate chassis", the Monte Carlo qualifies.

Heh - you are definitely welcome to your opinion. Mine says the Monte Carlo SS454 is not a muscle car.

https://s13.postimg.org/5btlzk0iv/777.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/bgz2gxysp/image.jpg

Would that '71 Chevelle SS still be a Muscle car with the 270hp L48? Would it be more of a muscle car than an LS5 SS454 monte carlo? Why or why not?

You can compare any car you want to the Monte Carlo SS454. As I posted previously, IMO it isn't a muscle car. Please don't waste your time trying to convince me otherwise.

No problem. YOU brought up the comparison by posting the pictures, and I was just trying to understand your logic, 'cause I just don't understand where you are coming from.

As Chevrolet says . . . "It isn't that kind of car. It's a luxury car built for handling."

https://s26.postimg.org/yza20m0yx/19...e_Carlo-06.jpg

https://s21.postimg.org/43cplcap3/screenshot_4664.png

Here is the copy that goes with the photo out of the 1971 brochure. IMO Chevy was trying to invent something. . . A personal luxury muscle car?

Putting a couple of emblems, an LS5 454, some Rally Wheels and G70x15 WSW tires doesn't make it into a muscle car . . . in my opinion.

BTW . . . Been to numerous drag strips all over the country and I have never seen a Monte Carlo SS454.

Now do you see where I am coming from?

Now you have...

https://i1.wp.com/www.curbsideclassi...ds-Tripp-3.jpg

Yup it's a muscle car to me for sure....
And the 71 Monte SS too!

was the no 4 speed for the 454 only? I remember years ago seeing a 300hp 350 that was a 4 speed car I assumed was factory(sure looked like it) thought that was cool big ole car made to shift!

Correct.
Super Sport,(454) no 4spds.