David Mau

Thanks to all who are interested in these 'tooned Monte Carlo prints! If you'd like to send an inquiry about them or place an order, please feel free to e-mail me at the following address: mau4fifty4@hotmail.com My actual mailing address is still valid, as well: David Mau 852 SW 125th St Burien, WA 98146-2747 Thanks, Dave

The "A"s have it. Factory GM assembly manuals list the various models under the various body designations, and the Pontiac Grand Prix was the only "G-Body" listed for 1970. I don't think the term "A-Special" was used until one of the subsequent post-'72 generations. Conceptually, the '70-'72 Monte Carlo and '69-'72 Grand Prix were similar, but due to manufacturing costs and pricing strategies the Monte Carlo stayed closer to its Chevelle roots than the "DeLorean" Grand Prix did. Dave

Good point. When the "Godfather of the GTO" Jim Wangers had a Chevrolet dealership in the early '70s, he used the COPO program to order a fleet of black '72 Vegas which he turned into special dealership editions. Black wasn't included in the [regular] color palette for Chevrolet passenger cars in '72, but Mr. Wangers didn't want to just go for close by getting them in Midnight Bronze (even though that's a beautiful color, too). He wanted black, so he went COPO. Originally Posted By: montefrazer Anything is possible and we can play what if forever. The only sure thing is none have been found, with proof, in 44 years so the odds are none ever will. I agree, Steve. This is, however, something of an "X-File" I'd love to see re-opened again someday for good reason. The truth is out there. LOL Dave

It really depends on how loud you want your car to be - both outside and inside. When I got my exhaust system replaced in 2006, I went with Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 Series mufflers. Their exterior sound is considered "moderate", while the interior sound is fairly quiet and resonance is non-existent. It's a great combo. It's my understanding that their mufflers with the name "Delta Flow" are the ones to get if you don't want interior resonance. We've driven the Monte to a couple of Western Meets that are about a six-hour trip each way (even when averaging 90mph for some of it), and it was nice to converse at normal volume even with the windows down and arrive without headaches. I believe the Flowmaster 40 Series are considered to have "aggressive" sound, but I think they're also available in "Delta Flow" versions, too. Check out their website at www.flowmastermufflers.com . I hope this is of help. Dave

That's great, Larry! I'd like to see it, too. Dave

It is a very nice car. Underneath the engine photo the caption says, "OE engine decals are missing on our feature car." I also believe the car is missing a knight/crest grille emblem and the rectangular-shaped chrome SS exhaust tips. Dave

I received mine yesterday. Gotta love Hemmings Muscle Machines! Dave

Man, no kidding! So what tune was Roy doing his "auto-fest dance" to, eh?! Dave

...September 18, 1969, that Chevrolet introduced the Monte Carlo. The 1970 brochure stated, "If you... practice the normal preventive maintenance recommendations as prescribed in the owner's manual, years of ownership could run well into double figures." Double figures? Here we are in 2012, more than four decades on, and now with thirty-four years worth of double figures! What great cars. In the words of singer/songwriter Neil Young; "Long May You Run". Dave

You're welcome, Larry. Dave

Chevrolet's head of styling at the time was the late David Holls. In the excellent and very informative book, Chevrolet SS by Robert Genat, there are quite a few commentaries by Mr. Holls about the cars and how their designs came about. Various individuals in the department came up with design proposals for the Monte Carlo (which was given the "green light" as a program in early '68), and David Holls said he chose the design created by a talented young designer by the name of Terry Henline because he felt it was the best. Creating the new model from the existing Chevelle was done to keep it cost-effective, and being that Mr. Henline wanted it to have the long hood/short rear deck proportions of the ponycars, they decided to use the slightly longer wheelbase of the '68 Chevelle 4-door (116") vs. the 2-door's (112"). 1964-67 Chevelles (both 2-doors and 4-doors), had all been built on a 115" wheelbase. When presented, the Chevrolet big-wigs loved the design and they bought it "hook, line, and sinker" according to Mr. Holls - without requesting any revisions! Larry (LEGHOME) is right about the Friends magazine. I recall seeing one somewhere before, and believe it was a Chevrolet publication that was sent to new owners of Chevys back in the day. Ford had a similar publication, Ford Times, that my dad received for a while after purchasing our family's new '71 LTD when I was a little guy. I believe both publications were similar in format to Reader's Digest magazine, and in addition to simple articles about their respective brand's car models they also included things like short stories, vacation destination articles, recipes, etc. Thanks for posting that article, Bob! Dave

That very well could've happened, Paul. I can see the black horizontal strip on all of the '71 SS454 photos shown where the rear bumper can be seen - it was technically an included part of the package. It has also long been my understanding that if you ordered bumper guards on a '71 SS454 you'd only get them on the front because the SS454's black horizontal rubber strip would take precedent over rear bumper guards (kind of like SS emblems take precedent over RS emblems on the "RS/SS" Camaros of the day that had both Super Sport and Rally Sport packages). For what it's worth, the SS Muscle Car Red Book lists options, their RPO codes, and prices. I can't locate my copy right now, but I know that for a '71 SS454 the optional bumper guards are listed as being approximately $32 with an additional figure of approximately $16 shown in parenthesis that includes a minus sign in front of the amount, i.e.: (-$16.00). This indicated an amount that was to be subtracted from the final price/credited back to the customer if bumper guards were ordered on a '71 SS454 car. Hope this helps with whatever you decide to do, Larry! Dave

That's great, Scott! Thanks for the updates, Dan. I'm sorry to read of the loss of your aunt. My condolences to you and your family, and I will continue to keep Rob and you all in my thoughts and prayers. Dave

I was very happy to read this tonight! Thanks for the great updates, Dan. We love Rob, and our thoughts & prayers will continue. Originally Posted By: 7tonemonte Keep yelling at him if thats what it takes Just don't kick him in the groin. Dave

It's good to see you on the boards again, Dan - although I wish the reason was better! Thanks for the information, guys. Like so many others here, I will keep Rob in my thoughts and prayers as well. Get well soon, RVP! Dave

The ol' girl looks fantastic, Larry! I'm a sucker for the "factory performance" look. Dave

Charged battery by day. Wonderful drive by evening. Dave

Thank you all again for the nice compliments! Between work, family, other side projects (and the deadlines that come with them), and "life" I simply haven't had much time to work on the additional variations. But I do have the stock, flat hood (without the big blower) and its related illustrated windshield components finished and an optional vinyl top nearly complete, as well. Next, it's on to the rally wheels! Thanks again for your interest, Dave

The '70-'73 Camaro RS (round parking light) vertical lens spear does look similar to the one in the '70 Monte Carlo lens, but I don't know if it's the same or not. '70 Monte Carlos and '70 El Caminos use the same front bumper with the round parking light cut-outs, but the light lenses are different; the Monte's is clear with the vertical spear/reflector, and the El Camino's is amber and plain. The '70's round parking lights aren't factory-correct for a '71 (rectangular) or '72 (grille-located). But regarding your modifications with the LEDs - I think they're pretty cool! You did a great job with them, and they're a nice detail that complements the race-inspired/"restomod" look you've got going. I've read that the key to a successfully modified car is to pick a theme and stick with it. You're apparently doing that, and I'd love to see your Monte in the pages of Popular Hot Rodding and Super Chevy some day! Dave

Vintage ads area great! Rob, it looked kind of like Brigitte Bardot wearing the scarf in the passenger seat, oui? After all, Louis Chevrolet was French, too. I like how the announcer says, "Whether you live in Monte Carlo - or, Monte Carlo." I should make a placard for my living room wall that says "THE WHITE HOUSE - WASHINGTON". My house is white - and it is in Washington! Then I'd just need a podium to stand behind; "Two score and two-and-a-half years ago, Chevrolet introduced the Monte Carlo..." - but I digress. Thanks for posting that, Aaron. Dave

BF Goodrich GT Qualifiers?! Those must be pretty rare, Scooter! (GT Qualifiers are made by Dunlop, aren't they?) An older friend of mine - who is kind of a "father figure" for me - has had both Cooper Cobras and BF Goodrich Radial T/As on his '87 Monte Carlo LS (which he factory-ordered the way he wanted it as basically an SS in LS trim). He said there was no comparison between the two and that the BFGs were a much better tire. However, tire manufacturers are constantly updating their products, so maybe today's Cobras are better than they were before, but I don't know. I'd recommend looking at ratings/comparisons and customer reviews on websites like www.tirerack.com . That's what I've done prior to making several tire purchases in the last ten years or so, and have been very pleased with my decisions. The last time I bought tires for my Monte (in 2006) I narrowed it down to BF Goodrich Radial T/As and Goodyear Eagle GTIIs - which both had similar reviews, scores, and high customer ratings. I wanted to buy them from a particular local retailer and availability at that time in the size I wanted ultimately ended up being the tie-breaker. The GTIIs replaced the 20 year-old Goodyear Eagle STs that I had been so happy with, so my Monte's been "going Goodyear" since 1986. No matter what, though, I wouldn't let my choice of tires be made primarily by the best/lowest price. Tires are something that I definitely don't feel it's worth it to "skimp" on. They are truly an item where I like to apply this adage: "Quality is Remembered Long After Price is Forgotten." Dave

Thanks for posting that, Bob - it's another pretty good article! It looks like the same car that was seen in the special Chevrolet 100th Anniversary issue of Hemmings Classic Car magazine from a few months ago; where the first gen Monte Carlos were recognized in the Super Sport segment as well as being one of Chevy's most significant models of all-time. Dave

The LS-6 in the Dick Harrell 1970 Monte Carlo SS454 wasn't exactly "dealer installed", though, because Dick Harrell wasn't a dealer - but a drag racer, engineer, and builder. He had worked for Chevrolet supercar dealers Nickey and Yenko, however, and the car (which was completed at Mr. Harrell's shop, Dick Harrell Performance Center) is included in the elite "supercar" family. Click on this link to read a great little bio about "Mr. Chevrolet", Dick Harrell. He was truly a super guy who built some super cars: Link to "About Dick Harrell" Dave

Man, no kidding! That's really cool, you guys. Dave

Good one, MG! Well, Jonathan's title for this post is "For Your Entertainment", after all! Bucket seats were in about 17% of '70 Monte Carlos. SS454s accounted for less than 3% of '70 production. How then can they state "Buckets, middle console + floor shifter only in SS edition"? They were optional in any Monte Carlo and not only do sales brochures support that, but so do the production numbers - let alone what we've seen in the actual cars since they were new! And unless I'm remembering incorrectly, it is my understanding that 12-bolt rear ends were in all big-block cars (not just 454s), and many 350 4-bbl cars left the factory with them as well. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here - or please verify this because I'd like to know one way or the other. Now I don't claim to be the "Galen Govier" of SS454s, but there is nothing in the photos or description about this car that indicate to me it's an SS. Man, it doesn't even have a set of repro "SS454" emblems on the rocker panel trim to make you look twice and wonder! Dave