| Chevrolet introduced the 1970 Monte Carlo as an | | | | options than the typical Chevelle, such as air |
| answer to the restyled 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix, | | | | conditioning (yes, in 1970, air conditioning was |
| and to compete with the Ford Thunderbird. Both | | | | considered a luxury option, unlike today!), power |
| cars were based on the mid-size GM A-Body | | | | windows, and other items that increased the |
| platform, and rode on the same 116 inch | | | | vehicle weight. Fender skirts were also a popular |
| wheelbase as the four-door Chevelle and the El | | | | option. |
| Camino. The 1970 Monte Carlo was only available | | | | There were somewhere between 130,000 and |
| as a two-door coupe, and it holds the distinction | | | | 146,000 Monte Carlos produced in 1970, |
| of having the longest hood ever installed on a | | | | depending on what resource you reference. Only |
| Chevrolet! It was billed as a "personal luxury" car, | | | | 3,823 of those had the SS-454 package, and |
| or a "gentleman's performance" car. | | | | those cars are highly sought after today by |
| The standard engine was a 250 HP 2-barrel | | | | enthusiasts. The early cars (1970-1972) have an |
| version of the ubiquitous small block 350 CID V8. | | | | active following, with several clubs and online |
| It could be ordered with a 300 HP 4-barrel 350 | | | | forums dedicated to them. Since it shared the |
| small block, a 265 HP 2-barrel 400 CID small block | | | | same platform as the Chevelle, many |
| V8, or a 330 HP 4-barrel 402 big block V8 that | | | | aftermarket high-performance parts that were |
| Chevrolet for some reason marketed as a 400. | | | | designed for the Chevelle will fit the Monte Carlo. |
| There was also a Monte Carlo SS version available | | | | Even though it was marketed primarily on the |
| that came with a 360 HP version of Chevrolet's | | | | basis of luxury, it became a popular model for |
| brand new big block 454 V8 engine with a stiffer | | | | stock car racing. Several big names in NASCAR |
| suspension, front disc brakes, and some discreet | | | | drove Monte Carlos, such as Bobby Allison and |
| badging. The SS-454 was a lively performer, with | | | | Neil Bonnett. |
| a zero to sixty time of 7.5 seconds. There were | | | | The 1970 Monte Carlo succeeded very well in its |
| reportedly ten cars that year special ordered with | | | | original purpose: to compete with the Pontiac |
| the 450HP LS-6 454 engine. The small block | | | | Grand Prix and the Ford Thunderbird. There were |
| equipped cars generally came with the | | | | more 1970 Monte Carlos sold than the Pontiac |
| Turbo-Hydramatic 350 transmission, while the big | | | | Grand Prix and the Ford Thunderbird combined! |
| block cars typically had the heavier-duty | | | | The sculpted body, long front fenders and slight |
| Turbo-Hydramatic 400. | | | | "Coke Bottle" shape made it a muscular-looking, |
| The base 1970 Monte Carlo weighed in at 3460 | | | | classy car, and to me it is much better looking |
| lbs, about 200 lbs. more than a | | | | than the Chevelle. It is one of my favorite body |
| comparably-equipped 2-door Chevelle with the | | | | styles; I just wish they had made a 9/10 size |
| shorter 112-inch wheelbase. Many Monte Carlos | | | | version of the car! |
| however, were equipped with more luxury | | | | |