Fourth Generation (1981- 1988)

1981 brought about the fourth generation of Monte Carlo. Although the car kept
the same general frame, suspension and drivetrain, the body was redesigned
completely. The curved body lines of the third generation model were smoothed
and straightened. Side body panels still featured the classic Monte Carlo curves,
but they were much subdued. The car had a sharp squared look. Although the
1981 model may have appeared somewhat larger than the third generation
models, it was not. Weight stayed roughly the same. The front seemed to narrow
into a wedge-type shape. The rear contained vertical tailamps and a raised deck.
Front and rear bumpers were again molded into the body. The interior contained
similarly styled door and quarter panels, and the instrument remained the same,
overall. Powertrain choices again included the turbocharged 231 V-6 and all
engines received Computer Command Control.
The 1982 Monte Carlo continued with the same body style as 1981 and had very
few changes. As happened every previous year, the grille was updated.
Otherwise, it was difficult to tell a 1982 from a 1981. Added to the list of
available engines for the year was a diesel engine; taken off the list was the
turbocharged V-6. An automatic transmission remained standard equipment.
The 1983 model year brought big news for Monte Carlo buyers: the return of the
Super Sport “SS” package. Base Monte Carlo sport coupes continued relatively
unchanged from 1981 and 1982, but the RPO code 265 SS package added a new
high output 305 V-8 rated at 175 net horsepower, new front end styling,
suspension upgrades, twin exhaust outlets and a rear spoiler. The front end
treatment consisted of a new rounded, molded plastic nose piece with integral
grille.  This "aerodynamic" design lowered the coefficient of drag and benefited
NASCAR racers using the Monte Carte for body design. Note: Bucket seats were
not available in the Monte Carlo for 1983 and the Super Sport package included a
bench seat in one color only: blue with white trim.
For 1984 the base Monte Carlo sport coupe was again relatively unchanged.
Deleted from the choice of available engines was the V-6 diesel. The SS package
returned for 1984 with bucket seats and an available center console. Buckets
were only available in dark blue cloth and the bench seat was still only available in
dark blue with white accents. The power rating for the 305 V-8 for the SS was
upped to 180 net horsepower. The 1984 sales brochure published a .375
coefficient of drag for the SS.
Rare in Chevrolet sales literature were performance figures, but for 1985 Chevrolet
published the following specifications for the Monte Carlo SS: 0-50 mph...6.0
seconds, 0-60 mph...8.4 seconds, standing 1/4 mile... 16.1 seconds, lateral 
acceleration... .82 g. These figures were compiled by a professional driver on a
GM test track. For the base Monte Carlo, a new engine, the 4.3 liter V-6 with
throttle body fuel injection, was standard. Optional was the 5.0 liter V-8 (305, not
the same as the SS version). Also available was a new 4-speed automatic
transmission in which 4th gear was a .70:1 overdrive. The basic body and interior
design for both the base and SS Monte Cartes remained the same as the previous
year.
At the start of production in 1986, the Monte Carlo coupe carried over the same
body style and front end as 1985. Introduced later in 1986 was the Luxury Sport
Coupe, which included new front end, rear taillamps and bumpers. Up front, the
four rectangular headlamps were replaced with single composite headlamps
molded into a new, smoothed, grille and bumper design. In the rear, the taillamps
were enlarged and molded into a smoothed rear bumper cover. The SS remained
unchanged for 1986, except for the addition of the Monte Carlo Aero Coupe, a
modification that included a drastically sloped rear window and short trunk lid.
Only 200 Aero Coupes were produced for retail consumers in 1986; exactly the
number necessary to allow NASCAR racing teams using the Monte Carlo body to
legally make the modification to their race cars. This modified version of the SS
improved the aerodynamic performance of the car a high speeds like those
attained on the NASCAR super-speedways.
The popularity of the Aero Coupe Monte Carlo SS in 1986 prompted Chevrolet to
build 6,052 units for retail consumers in 1987. Otherwise, both the base Monte
Carlo Luxury Sport (LS) and the SS remained basically the same as the 1986
models. The front end styling of the 1981 through early 1986 coupes was gone
for good. Only the LS and SS models were available for 1987.
The 1988 model year marked the end of an era. The Aero Coupe had been
dropped. The Monte Carlo was made available in LS and SS versions only. After
approximately three months of production, Chevrolet opted to completely cancel
the Monte Carlo model. Sadly, production of the Monte Carlo ceased on Friday,
December 11, 1987, at 5:29 PM. The very last vehicle to roll off the dual purpose
Pontiac, MI assembly line was actually a Buick Grand National. 1988 was the last
anyone would see of the Monte Carlo for seven long years.


This information has been made available by General Motors and is intended for
non-profit use only.