David Mau

I just got off the phone with my wife. She said that our thermometer is showing 94 degrees on our back porch - which is on the north side of the house and in the shade. WHEW! I'd say that we're already getting a taste of that hot Carson City weather, alright! LOL Dave

WHEW! Saved by my VIN! Hold off with the police, will ya Ed? LOL Seriously though, I hope that you're able to locate your car. Good luck. Dave

I've seen them three ways, Ed. Grey (aluminum/silver), black, and with a gold-like finish. If I remember right, it seems like someone piped up about the compressor tanks on the boards here a long time ago and said that they were supplied to GM by a couple of different manufacturers, and that could explain the different colors/finishes. The one in my '70 is grey, and I believe it to be original to the car. There is a little bit of blue overspray on it from when the car was repainted, and I believe that to have been done about a year before I bought it, which was in early '86. On most of the black and white underhood photos I see of original road tests from '69/'70 of '70 SS454 cars the tanks appear grey as well, but like I mentioned - I've seen them three ways! Maybe there were more of the black and the gold tanks in the '71s? Hmmmmmmmmmm.... Dave

That's something that we can be thankful for. Dave

It all sounds great, Aaron! Either activity or a combination of the two is fine with Janet and myself. With the great photo opportunities I'll definately be taking my 35mm and its various lenses, and we'll most likely take our Mini DV camcorder on the trip, too. It's been a really busy and hectic time ever since the kids got out of school in June (like it wasn't hectic before - LOL), so I just hope that we've got the house half-way in order by the time you and April show up in a couple of weeks! LOL Dave

Cool. It looked pretty nice from the little distance that we saw it from. Dave

Great pictures, Aaron! Thanks for sharing... it brings back many fond memories from last year. That gold '71 Monte looks like the one that we saw when we were embarking on the cruise last year. Do you know if it was in fact the same car? Since there was the red '65 Tempest-turned-GTO wagon there last year, there didn't happen to be a '70 Vista Cruiser-turned-442 wagon at the event this year, did there? LOL Dave

Well, my '70 SS has manually-adjusted buckets so that's not the answer you're really looking for here, Doug, but I just wanted to add a little something to the thread. What I find interesting is how when the Super Sport option was first made available on Impalas in '61 (or was it '62? - LOL) it wasn't really a performance option at all. Super Sports were available with any engine (including sixes) but they included bucket seats, consoles, gauges, special trimmings and badging, etc. They were considered the top of the line and I believe that they were promoted as providing "sporty luxury". When you consider that when the Chevelles were first introduced for '64, they had the "Malibu SS" - which again was available with any engine that was available in other Chevelles. In '66 that all changed, though, because by then "musclecar fever" had taken hold of the auto industry and the SS became the natural as being the muscle model Chevelle. It was no longer a Malibu, but was its own series. All Chevelle Super Sports from '66-'69 were specifically SS396s, and by '70 (when they were either an SS396 or an SS454) the SS option no longer included bucket seats, but they were optional instead. I'm guessing that it was like that because many buyers wanted to combine the musclecar brawn that the SS packages had along with the additional seating capacity that a bench seat provided. Including less of the sporty equipment as part of the SS package made big block power more affordable to people, which meant that the higher-optioned SSs were even more "super" than others. You could pretty much have it your way with the Monte Carlos, too, which was Ford's philosophy with the original Mustangs. They were "personal" cars that you could taylor to your individual tastes/needs by checking off specific boxes on the option sheet. As you can see, the Super Sports started as a sport/luxury package in the early '60s, but as the musclecar decade of the '60s went on it gradually became more of a performance-oriented option, with the buckets seats, consoles, etc. available at extra cost. I think that it was cool that you used to be able to order a car with virtually any combination of options that you wanted, instead of like it is today where everything seems to be segmented into trim levels or option packages consisting of a bunch of options together. Hey, just because I want the higher output engine, why should I have to get a sunroof with it if I don't want one? LOL Dave

Welcome back, "Desmo" Dave! Hope all is well. Dave

I agree, and I'll "second" what Rich said. Dave

Yes, indeed! Congratulations on your new position, Pete. I believe that Kevin has passed the torch of leadership into good hands. Dave

Well Kevin, like I've mentioned to you before; I feel that this club meets a need for many first generation Monte Carlo enthusiasts that hadn't been previously met. Yes, there are other car clubs to be sure - but having one that specializes and focuses on one particular generation of model makes for something truly personal right there. Information that is shared on this site and in the newsletter is all FGMC-related (for the most part), and I think that makes it simple for anyone to find out what information they need and is part of the club's charm. The "That's the kind of car I have!" factor is always something that can interest a "car person". I have to say that I was pretty excited after I realized that this club was going to take off, and I am glad that it has. Seeing a gathering of virtually any model of vintage car is pretty cool as far as I'm concerned, and this club gave me the opportunity to see that with the "collector car" of my choice; the first generation Monte Carlo! Man, it kind of puts a lump in my throat when I see pictures of even a few of them together. The comraderie, however, isn't solely because of the cars - but also because of the people who admire, respect, own and drive them that frequent these very message boards. The cars are what brought everyone here, but the willingness of everyone to help out their fellow FGMC owners with whatever they can is a fine showing of good will toward others. Is it any wonder that so many have said that this club is like a family? I can understand where you are coming from with your decision, but keep in mind that while you may be stepping down from your position as president of this fine club, you can't step away from the fact that what you've put into motion and built up here has had a positive impact on a lot of people. You are the club's first president - it's "founding father" - and that is an accomplishment to be proud of, regardless of what capacity you continue to be involved with it in. My soon-to-be-paid-for FGMCC hat is off to you my friend, and I think that we can all offer you a unified and resounding "THANK YOU!" We are the FGMCC! Dave

I believe that Year One carries them. You might also try Musclecars Only. I'm not sure what the material prices out at, though. The contact information for these parts places is listed under "Parts Sources" in the "Monte Carlo Archives" section of this site, which is accessible from the main page. Hope this helps, Dave

Well, I've heard of other people putting on their own vinyl tops - and I've typically heard that they turn out just "okay". So I don't know if that means that they got bubbles underneath them or what have you - but if you're not familiar with putting one on, you might want to leave it to a professional installer. Yeah, you may end up living on mac-n-cheese for a little while longer, but you'll most likely be happier with the results. Time will soon pass and you'll be able to eat regular again. Chunky soup is also a good alternative to the mac-n-cheese. LOL The other thing that was mentioned is that the top should not be put on until all of the paint work has been finished. I would agree. Paint the car first, get the new top put on and then replace the trim. That will help ensure a longer life to the new paint job and keep it from chipping/peeling/rusting around the edges. My hat's off to everyone involved in helping out Midshipman! Way to go, guys! Dave

Yep. Man, wouldn't it be cool if some of the stuff that was proposed but never produced actually had been? As we have seen from cars that have been modified from coupes to convertibles - they really are beautiful. I'm glad that they nixed the idea of a FGMC 4-door, though. The Monte Carlo was a "personal" car, and making a 4-door out of it would have watered-down that image. Dave

Personally, I find that to be very interesting, Big Dave. I'd love to see the drawing and the notations about it! Dave

I see that you are new to the message boards, 1SUPER70, so first off let me give you an official welcome! As I'm sure that you have seen already, this is a great place with all sorts of FGMC information and friendly, helpful people. Now about your question. By the term "Landau" do you mean what was sometimes referred to as a 1/2 vinyl top, where the vinyl was only covering the aft portion of the roof and extending down onto the sail panels, similar to what was often seen on 2nd generation ('73-'77)Monte Carlos? If so, I've never seen one that way, and would think that it may have been modified at some time. Typically, the first generation cars had what was referred to as a "halo" vinyl top design - where the vinyl covered over the whole roof, but stopped short of the side window drip rails. This left the A-pillars and areas surrounding all of the windows (except the rear window) as painted body color. The early version of this (what many of us refer to as the "full halo" style) stopped short of the upper windshield trim as well, and was seen on the early cars that were produced during the '70 model year. This was a "running change", as later-production '70 models often had the halo design where the vinyl ran all the way to the upper windshield trim - the way that it does on '71s and '72s. As far as your build sheet reading "C08 - Soft Roof Cover", I can't help but wonder if that was simply the terminology used at that particular assembly plant when your car was built? Considering that the RPO code was the same, that kind of a scenario makes sense to me. Perhaps someone else might be able to shed some light on this, too. Dave

What, only a few takers? LOL Well, it's Monday, so I guess that I've got to post the answers like I said I would, anyway. Here they are: 1) You both are correct, MarchieB and "Montefrazer" Steve - as the '70 Monte Carlo and '70 El Camino did in fact share the same front bumper. 2) You are correct, "Montefrazer" Steve. John Z. DeLorean was General Manager of Chevrolet when our FGMCs were built. 3) Well nobody correctly guessed this one. According to former Chevrolet chief designer, David Holls, the distinctive bodyside sculpturing (or "blistering") surrounding the wheel openings of the '69-'70 Impala, '70-'72 Chevelle and '70-'72 Monte Carlo came about due to his thinking that "sides should have more interest or detailing", and from his being "interested in European rally cars that started not to have wheel lips, but the surface around the wheel opening faired out." Kind of cool, eh? Thanks for your participation, guys. Dave

It's been a while since we've done this, so let's do it again! I am going to ask three questions, and will post the correct answers on Monday afternoon. It's not "Super Millionaire" or anything, but feel free to post your answers just the same! 1) The front bumper of a '70 Monte Carlo was also used for what other GM model? 2) Who was General Manager of Chevrolet when our FGMCs were built? 3) The '69-'70 Impala, '70-'72 Chevelle and '70-'72 Monte Carlo each have distinctive bodyside sculpturing (or "blistering") that surrounds the wheel openings. According to former Chevrolet chief designer, David Holls, what was the inspiration for this type of bodyside detailing? Good luck to all! Dave

(Oops. It double-posted on me. Sorry)

That would be my guess, Big Dave. But would it be possible for you to fill in that large hole so that you could use the correct '70 spear on your '70 car? Having the incorrect spear on your car would probably make for many a conversation, though. LOL James H. Moloney, author of a book titled "Chevelle & Monte Carlo - 1964-72" shows a picture of his '70 Monte Carlo where the '71 hood spear with ornament is visible. I believe that underneath that photo he stated something like, "The hood spear with ornament is actually for a '71. I know, because in '71 I 'upgraded' it a year". LOL Dave

Yes, the '72-only "CUSTOM" emblems do mean something! Cars with the "CUSTOM" emblems following the "Monte Carlo" script emblems on the sail panels are equipped with the "Custom" option. This comprised most of the '70/'71 SS454 suspension components with a few luxury/convenience items and a few special trimmings. Externally, Customs included the "CUSTOM" emblems, a driver's side remote control body-colored sport mirror, 3/4" wide "belt moldings" (wider chrome trim at the base of the side windows), and Custom wheel covers (the multi-spoked design that is often referred to as "Corvette-style wheel covers) on 15"x7" wheels shod with G70-15 blackwall tires. I also believe that in most cases it included the Custom steering wheel as well as a few other interior items. I don't know how many were produced, exactly, but I'm sure someone else could help you out in that respect. Hope this helps, Dave

My Monte has the "forward" part of this option intact. I believe that the rear package tray had been replaced at some point (prior to my purchasing the car) and most likely at that time the part of the system that monitored the rear lights was not re-installed. I sure wish I still had it. From what I understand, the system was available on many Chevrolet models from '68-'70, and that is why it wasn't available on '71 and later Monte Carlos. I've seen it on a '69 Camaro and also on a '70 Chevelle. Even though the Chevelle had a 4-headlight system, the chrome housings on that car's front fenders looked identical to the ones that were on the '69 Camaro and my '70 Monte (both with 2-headlight systems). Dave

I'm not sure if it was available in all three years or not, Ed, but I believe that Rob Peters' '70 has it. I think that the monitor was mounted underneath the dashboard, to the left of the steering column. I'm sure that someone else will know more about it than I do. Dave