monza

The Monza for 1978 saw enormous changes and additions, both inside and out. Not only did outward appearances get a makeover but inside and under the hood saw additions and advancements as well. Chevrolet went from 2 basic

Monza models in 1977 to offering 6 base model Monzas

for 1978. Continuing along were the Coupe and Sport

Hatchback but Chevrolet added a Sport Coupe, a

Hatchback, an ‘S’ Hatchback Coupe and a Wagon to fill

out the Monza lineup. The Sport Coupe featured the

front end of a Sport Hatchback (replacing the Z87 option code) while the Hatchback featured the front end of the Coupe. Chevrolet then added Vega styling to the Monza lineup and using the body of the Vega Hatchback added a Monza Coupe front facia to it. The same thing was done with a Vega Kammback, using the same Monza Coupe front facia to disguise the ‘Vega’ as a Monza Wagon.

The front facia of the Sport models is redesigned allowing more airflow into the radiator and also giving the Sport a new look. The grill opening now extends across the entire width of the car with a script ‘MONZA’ emblem centred inside the opening. The quad headlights remain but the openings are smaller

and give the Sport models a more streamlined look. The

Coupe also has a redesigned front facia which features a

large grill opening with bright cross moldings and a

Chevrolet logo front and center. The facia also has a

distinct slope-back style not found on the earlier Towne

Coupes.

With changes on the outside came changes inside.

Pontiac introduced a new L4 powerplant, dubbed the ‘Iron Duke’, it was a 2.5L 151ci L4 cast-iron engine. This engine is the new standard Monza powerplant and a replacement for the old Vega 2.3L 140ci aluminum engine. Not to be outdone, Buick also came out with a new engine, a 3.2L 196ci V6. This was a smaller sibling to the also new (… to the Monza, it was already a regular with the Skyhawk, Starfire & Sunbird) 3.8L 231ci V6 engine. The 305 V8 still remains for the buyer requiring a little more power under the hood.

Other new features for the Monza include 7 new exterior colours, new vinyl and cloth interior trim choices, new bright chrome bumpers and bumper rub strips, standard wheel covers for all models, new front seat belts, new cloth covered headliners and a quiet sound group.

The Monza still offers 14 exterior colours, 5 wheel and

wheel cover choices, vinyl rooftop covers in 7 colours,

bucket seats, colour-keyed instrument panel and

steering wheel and 6 basic interior colour options. The

Spyder Equipment (Z01) and Spyder Appearance (Z02)

return for a second year with no changes from the 1977

model year's offerings.