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History of all the cars we drive
History of the Chevy Monte Carlo #22 Factory Stock
Comments: The 1970 Monte Carlo was introduced on September 18, 1969, but
drew only a cool reception from enthusiast magazines who were still caught
up in muscle car mania. But the Monte Carlo, which was only available as
a four person luxury two door coupe, was a hit with buyers, who snatched
up 145,975 examples. Monte Carlos were based on the Chevelle but rode on
an 116 inch wheelbase and had the longest hood ever fitted onto a Chevrolet.
All Monte Carlos came with at least a 350 cubic inch V8, but any big block
Chevelle engine was available. At the top was the Monte Carlo SS454, which
3,823 buyers snatched up, which came with the mighty Chevy 454 block. The
SS45 package, option Z20, included the 454 big block engine, a heavy duty
suspension, "SS454" badging on the rocker panels and deck lid, a remote
control sport mirror, thin black rocker panel stripes, heavy-duty battery,
automatic level control suspension, air shocks, dual chrome exhaust extensions,
15x7 inch Rally wheels, and GTO-15B white stripe tires. The vast majority
of the SS454 came with the LS-5 454 engine, rated at 350 bhp. But about
10 were snuck out of the factory with the LS-6 454 engine, rated at 450
bhp. A very few four speed Monte Carlo SS454s were made too.
History of the Chevy Camaro #21 Factory Stock
When Ford introduced the Mustang in 1964 there was no immediate reaction
from General Motors, but by August of '64, just four months after the Mustang's
introduction, GM realized the appeal of a four seat sports car. Ironically,
the Mustang was created in response to the Chevrolet Corvair Monza! GM had
actually begun preliminary work on such a car as early as 1958, according
to Pontiac Designer Bob Porter. "I remember a four-passenger, sporty type
car of the general size and weight class of the Mustang being worked on
in an advanced studio. In the early '60s, similar cars were developed from
time to time. Everyone wanted to do one, but at the time there was really
no corporate interest." When the Mustang sold 100,000 units in the first
six months, and almost half a million the first year, GM took an interest.
The responsibility for GM's Mustang fighter was given to the GM Design Center's
Chevrolet Studio under the direction of Henry C. Haga. Interior design was
directed by George Angersbach, who had been heavily involved in the design
of the Corvette, Corvair, and the Chevy II, which became the Nova in 1968.
It has long been a misconception that the '67 Camaro was designed from Chevy
II components when actually it was the other way around. The Chevy II was
to be all new for '68 and it shared many parts with the '67 Camaro, but
this did lead to compromises in the design, most notably the cowl height
and hood length. One unique feature was the decision to use a front subframe
isolated with rubber 'biscuits" in combination with the unit body construction
of the rest of the car, a technique that had been used on several Europeancars,
including many Mercedes-Benz models. This combined the best of both worlds-a
larger interior and more luggage space than was possible with a traditional
frame and at the same time a quieter, smoother ride than a full uni-body
car delivered.
History of the Ford Pinto #02 MiniStock
The Ford Pinto was introduced in 1971 as competition
for the new import and domestic subcompacts. Designed to be a simple car
that Ford could produce with little time and money spent to redesign and
retool every couple of years. Those efforts were needed for the changes
made on other Ford cars to meet with new government safety regulations and
for better fuel economy. But... Things did change The changes were minor,
in the beginning, to meet with the same regulations and standards all cars
had to meet in the mid 70's. Later, many of the changes were to appeal to
the younger generation. While others were for increased fuel economy and
some for performance. New for 71 It came only as a two door sedan at first,
with a three door Runabout added mid-season to the Pinto line. The standard
equipment was ventless door windows; high back, slim line bucket seats;
all vinyl upolstery; 2 pod intrument cluster;glovebox; intertior dome light;
floor mounted transmission controls; rack&pinion steering; hot water heater;
Direct-Aire Ventilation system; and 6.00 X 13 rayon blackwall tires. The
3 door Runabout received the same standard equipment PLUS a fold-down rear
seat with load floor color-keyed carpeting and passenger compartment color-keyed
carpeting. The standard engine was a British built 1600cc inline ohv four
cylinder with a four speed transmission. A German built 2000cc inline SOHC
four cylinder was a popular option with the Cruise-O-Matic transmission.
Continuing the concept, 72-73 The next two years followed the idea of the
"worry free" car that Ford wanted to produce. The only changes in 1972 was
the Runabout received a larger rear window and a new model was introduced,
the two door wagon.In 1973 the Pinto exterior remained the same as the with
exception of front and rear bumpers. Front bumper guards were made standard
equipment for this year, but was deleted in later years. Because of the
bumper design changes, the Pinto was actually about one and a half inches
longer, although the true body length was not changed. Standard and optional
equipment remained the same in 72 and 73. Let the changes begin 74-75 More
Federally mandated safety requirements were initiated in 1974, primarily
in the form of massive safety bumpers. This brought an obvious change in
the appearance of the car. The bumper was plain on the base trim models,
but came with rubber faced, vertical guards and a black vinyl impact strip
on models with the DeLuxe Decor package. Pinto wagons could be had with
optional trim packages that included simulated wood grain exterior paneling
and rooftop luggage racks. A new engine was available, a 140 cubic inch
(2.3 liter) inline SOHC four cylinder and the 1.6 liter was dropped. A 170
cubic inch (2.8 liter) ohv V6 engine is available in 1975 as the optional
engine only in the station wagon, with the 2.3 now being standard equipment.
Changes 76 Appearance changes in 1976 included a new argent painted eggcrate
grill with inset square parking lamps, bright headlight bezels and bright
front hood lip molding. Interior features changed as well, including the
choice of all vinyl or sporty cloth - vinyl and four new trim fabrics were
offered. The Pinto Stallion appearance package was produced to target younger
drivers, along with the MPG for the budget minded. The V6 was now an option
on the sedan and hatchback. Changes 77-78 A new soft nose with sloping hood
and flexible fender extensions revised the appearance of the 1977 Pinto.
New larger rear taillights, extruded anodized aluminum bumpers and an optional
all-glass third door finished off the new exterior. Also new for 1977 was
the Cruising Wagon, styled along the lines of the Econoline Cruising Van,
aimed at youthful buyers. 1978 didn't bring much changes in the Pinto, just
a few new options, including exterior and interior colors. Mid year a panel
delivery Pinto was added, with full length flat cargo floor and metal side
panels. And More Changes 79-80 Restyling brought another new front end look
for the Pinto in 1979. This new look included rectangular headlamps in bright
housings, new sloping hood and fenders and a slat style grill. New aluminum
bumpers had black rub strips and end sections. Once again, new colors inside
and out. New for 79 was the ESS option for sedans and runabouts, with black
grill and exterior accents. The last year of the Pinto, 1980, didn't bring
much change in styling. The V6 was dropped, making the 2.3 OHC 4cyl the
only engine available. The Cruising Wagon and ESS were still available,
as was the Rallye Pack option on the hatchback and wagon. The monocoque
chassis features conventional design with the engine mounted at the front
with the power being transmitted through either a manual or automatic transmission
to an integral or removable differential type rear axle. Front suspension
is of the unequal length A-arm design with coil springs while the rear suspension
features leaf springs. Steering is manual rack and pinion with power assist
optional. Brakes are drums or disc at the front and drums at the rear with
vacuum assist as an option. Ê
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