by Guys with Rides | Feb 2023 | Craigslist ClassiFINDS, Malaise Monday
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March 13, 2023, Update – We confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.
February 21, 2023 Update – In their current listing, the seller dropped their asking price by another one thousand dollars to land currently at $5,000.
February 9, 2023 Update – The seller replaced their original expiring listing with a fresh Craigslist ad. The pictures, description, and already-lowered asking price remain the same in their last listing.
February 2, 2023 Update – The seller lowered their asking price from the original request of $7,000 to the new one of $6,000.
While many enthusiasts know American Motors’ Pacer was supposed to feature the General Motors (“GM”) version of its upcoming Wankel rotary power plant, not many realize GM designed its Vega-based “H” Body line-up to use the innovative engine as well. However, when GM pulled the plug on the rotary power development, engineers were left scrambling to design “H” Bodies with alternative powerplants. By the time GM launched the “H” Body cars for the 1975 model year, consumers could opt for either inline-four, V6, or even small-block Chevrolet power, depending on the model.
The stylish two-door, rear-wheel-drive H Body compacts sold well over six model years. However, for the 1980 model year, GM kept the rapidly aging lineup in production for an extended period so that dealers would have enough subcompact-sized inventory until the company’s new front-wheel-drive “J” Body was ready for launch in the spring of 1981.
Thus, this claimed one-owner 1980 Chevrolet Monza coupe, last listed in February 2022in Fort Collins, Colorado, is one of those stop-gap cars. Arguably, like many GM cars over the years, the last of the line is usually the most well-sorted. Not only does this Monza Coupe feature the 2.5 Liter “Iron Duke” inline-four mated to a three-speed automatic, but the seller also reports the car features working factory A/C converted to R134A refrigerant.
Last offered for $5,000 (the original ask was $7,000), Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for H Body Chevrolet Monzas of all body styles and powertrains produced between 1975 and 1980. By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the Monza featured here:
As a second data point, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $6,500 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $8,550 before making a five percent adjust for factory air conditioning.
Chevrolet produced its version of GM’s “H” Body, the Monza, 1975–1980 model years. All “H” bodies shared the Chevrolet Vega’s wheelbase width and 140 cubic inch inline-four cylinder engine. The Monza 2+2 debuted as a single-model 2+2 hatchback. Four inches longer and weighing 180 pounds more than the Vega from which it is derived, General Motors’ John DeLorean nicknamed it the “Italian Vega,” citing styling with a strong resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4. While Chevrolet originally envisioned fitting the 1975 Monza 2+2 with GM’s upcoming Wankel rotary engine, mediocre fuel economy and emissions-compliance issues canceled that engine, forcing Chevrolet to offer optional V6 and V8 power in the form of its Buick 231 cubic inch V6 and Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8 engine options.
The 1980 model year lineup consisted of a base 2+2 hatchback, notchback, and 2+2 sport hatchback; the 151-cubic-inch (2.5-liter) four-cylinder engine remained standard, and the only engine option was the 3.8 liter (231 CID) Buick V6. The wagon was discontinued as the Citation hatchbacks offered equal cubic cargo capacity, with the rear seats down and better rear-passenger accommodation. Chevrolet discontinued the Monza at the end of the 1980 model year. However, the production of 1980 models continued to the end of calendar 1980, with its “1982” Cavalier replacement debuting in early calendar 1981.
TheBionic DiscoYouTube Channel features this 1980 Chevrolet Monza commercial:
We cringe whenever a second owner touts the car they sell as a “one owner.” Sorry, but if you paid money for the car to the original owner, you are now the second owner. That nuance aside, this 1980 Chevrolet Monza Coupe is a nice survivor-quality car for sale. The only item appearing to deviate from stock are the cloth upholstered seats, which may have been redone at some point, You’ll need to confirm that with the seller.
Here’s the seller’s description:
Show or go: What would you do with this survivor-quality 1980 Chevrolet Monza Coupe for sale? Please comment below and let us know!
