Nice Monza in CL| Off-Topic Discussion forum |

mattmacklind UltimaDork
9/30/12 1:27 p.m.

Saw this Monza while surfing CL. Never really liked these, but this one looks so clean, it really shows the design nicely.

I know these have some fans here:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3271088958.html

ZOO SuperDork
9/30/12 2:34 p.m.

Handsome cars to be sure. Maybe an Ecotec turbo and five speed? That may address the underhood space issues these had.

Hasbro Dork
9/30/12 3:57 p.m.

I had one. Traded a Kawasaki H2 750 with a road racing frame for it. It had a hemi 440 with a racing automatic STUFFED into it. Wasn't too great in the corners but sure was fun on the straights. Awesome sleeper!

dabird Reader
9/30/12 5:25 p.m.

I like this body style too http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/3294473400.html

Gearheadotaku SuperDork
9/30/12 5:35 p.m.

clean Monzas and Vegas are hard to find. Most are beat or hotrodded. These two don't look bad. Interesting rear bumper shave on the hatchback.

friedgreencorrado PowerDork
9/30/12 6:02 p.m.

They actually handle pretty well with the V6. Buddy of mine ran one in ITA with the 3.8. They were heavy, though. Without being able to change to a much bigger wheel/tire, there were problems with the weight. It seemed like he always ran top 5 until the tires gave up half-way through and he had to nurse it home. Here's a mutual friend of ours bringing the car to grid. I still don't know what year the car is, I thought only the notchbacks got that particular grille treatment.

It was actually in the magazine once, back in the 90s. He eventually threw aside brand loyalty and replaced it with an S13 Nissan.

dabird Reader
9/30/12 6:24 p.m.

dabird Reader
9/30/12 6:26 p.m.

Streetwiseguy SuperDork
9/30/12 7:59 p.m.

ZOO wrote: Handsome cars to be sure. Maybe an Ecotec turbo and five speed? That may address the underhood space issues these had.

Good Lord. Is this not the message board where the answer to everything is LS1? Here we have a car that was designed to accept a V8...

I like the Ecotec turbo idea, but don't tell anyone.

ZOO SuperDork
9/30/12 8:39 p.m.

Streetwiseguy wrote:
ZOO wrote: Handsome cars to be sure. Maybe an Ecotec turbo and five speed? That may address the underhood space issues these had.
Good Lord. Is this not the message board where the answer to everything is LS1? Here we have a car that was designed to accept a V8... I like the Ecotec turbo idea, but don't tell anyone.

Hah -- I think "designed to accept a V8" is charitable at best

I seem to recall horror stories about accessing spark plugs, and having manifolds that were all compromises just to clear the frame.

Streetwiseguy SuperDork
9/30/12 10:00 p.m.

ZOO wrote: I seem to recall horror stories about accessing spark plugs, and having manifolds that were all compromises just to clear the frame.

I'd love to change plugs in a V8 Monza, just to see how whiney we were in the 70's. Its pretty common now to remove the intake manifold to access plugs now...

novaderrik UltraDork
9/30/12 10:50 p.m.

i had a Vega that i swapped a 350 into using Monza mounts and headers.. plugs weren't too bad. the oil filter was impossible until i put a remote mount one on the firewall, but that was because of the design of the headers and not because of anything with the chassis.. one of my cousins had 2 different Monzas that had 350's in them and plugs weren't too bad.

i'd rather put plugs in one of them than in a V8 Olds Aurora..

i want to find another Monza... a notchback 4 speed.. i've still got the mounts, oil pan, headers, and a V8 manual trans bellhousing for one, and people have figured out how to put bigger brakes and 5 lug wheels on them with junkyard G body/S10 parts. a little bit of frame stiffening and later Camaro 7.625" rear end guts and it would be a fun little toy.

Appleseed PowerDork
9/30/12 11:11 p.m.

Montana's got a Vega for $400.

Vega

Oh...and this thing:

IMSA Monza

Brett_Murphy SuperDork
10/1/12 12:13 a.m.

Is it bad I want that Vega?

Who am I kidding, asking that kind of question here.

petegossett UltraDork
10/1/12 3:06 a.m.

I have a buddy with a couple solid Vega GTs and parts. If you're interested I can get details. Located in central IL.

bravenrace PowerDork
10/1/12 6:12 a.m.

Hasbro wrote: I had one. Traded a Kawasaki H2 750 with a road racing frame for it. It had a hemi 440 with a racing automatic STUFFED into it. Wasn't too great in the corners but sure was fun on the straights. Awesome sleeper!

A Hemi 440? LOL

novaderrik UltraDork
10/1/12 6:58 a.m.

bravenrace wrote:
Hasbro wrote: I had one. Traded a Kawasaki H2 750 with a road racing frame for it. It had a hemi 440 with a racing automatic STUFFED into it. Wasn't too great in the corners but sure was fun on the straights. Awesome sleeper!
A Hemi 440? LOL

Hemi heads on a 440 isn't an unheard of combination..