When Chevrolet introduced the Monte Carlo for the 1970 model year, it borrowed the platform from the Pontiac Grand Prix and the firewall, rear deck, and front and rear glass from the Chevelle. The Chevelle and Monte Carlo also shared a 116-inch wheelbase and recessed round headlights. The 350 was the standard engine option on the 1970 Monte Carlo, which had a base price of $3,123 (just under $25,000 in 2024 money). Buyers who added the full suite of options, including air conditioning, power steering, windows, and seats, paid more than $5,000, which equates to about $40,000 today.
Motor Trend declared the 1970 Monte Carlo “an unqualified success in every aspect, having a lot of luxury, a lot of performance, and a lot of value.” Small revisions to the grille and lights were made in each of the next two years, but a major redesign came in 1973, along with a Motor Trend Car of the Year award win. The next year, sales jumped past the 300,000 unit mark, and in 1977, that number climbed past 400,000. By that point, American car buyers were moving into smaller, more fuel-efficient models. GM responded by shrinking the largest gas-powered V8 option to 305 cubic inches, although Chevy borrowed Oldsmobile’s leak-prone 350 cubic inch diesel-powered V8 for use in the Monte Carlo.
