1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Reviews

Well, let's say when I bought this amazing vehicle it had a bad transmission & motor, and a stock exhaust system. Don't judge a car by its stock nature.

Plastic seatbelt moldings do not hold the buckle up.

I had to repair the passenger side door rod.

Both front & rear windshields leak.

A stereo was installed by the previous owner, and he cut the instrument panel lighting power wire.

This guy is my favorite. I love how it floats over pot holes, and freeways feel like you're gliding, no matter how bumpy. The rear end spins out if you take a corner too fast, but I like it. I had a shop rebuild the TH350, and I personall7 put in a rebuilt Grand National block with '87 GN heads & a 4.1 aluminum intake & a 4 barrel. 2.5" single exhaust system, flowmaster muffler with no cat. The motor hasn't fired up yet, but I know this guy is gonna scream for a V6 (I chose the V6 for better gas mileage as this is my favorite daily driver)

Front end suspension replaced.

Valve cover gaskets replaced at 50,000.

Vinyl driver's seat torn.

Rubber window molding.

I picked this up from an old lady in Whittier, CA who had let it sit in the garage for years. No rust anywhere and very little fading on original paint. This car even had the original AM radio and rally wheels. This year Monte Carlo is one of a kind with unique tail and head lights, making it, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful Monte Carlo's every built.

The car ate starters. Went through at least 2 of those. The alternator died once. Lost stabilizer links twice. Replaced muffler and tailpipe once.

The Monte "haul" was as reliable as they come. With parts being cheap, and labor being reasonable, they Monte ran like a champ. The car was a faded maroon color, with red vinyl interior. Car had bucket seats, console, and a lot of power features, including trunk release. Car always ran smooth, but did burn a little bit of oil. The car might be on the road today if it wasn't for snow storm #17 in 1993-1994 that we had here in New Jersey. Front drivers side of car was demolished in an accident. Car was eventually junked in favor a '81 Cutlass (See review).

Nothing serious, the car is the best built vehicle I have seen ever had the pleasure of owning! I have replaced a couple of belts, and a couple of seals, but other than that, this car is in perfect running order.

These cars are awesome! They are built to last, and I guarantee this will outlast any Honda or Toyota, Hell it already has outlasted most. The car handles like a dream, it is unbeleivably powerful, hell you can smoke the tires in any gear, even in reverse! The car has some very likeable lines, and I think that the 3rd Gen Monte's are my Fav!

Door handle liked to break.

This car has exceptional take-off. Handles very well. It also has a unique look. My Monte Carlo had an after market paint job, some of the colors from the factory were pretty ugly (green and sky blue).

The car was fun and easy to work on. I added a CB, a scanner, a Knight Rider light, a PA system, a siren, headlight flashers, strobe lights, neon (purple), A Pioneer AM/FM Stereo Cassette CD changer, a Dixie air horn, American Racing Rims at 15x10 in the rear with 295 50 15 Cooper Cobra Tires. The front setup was 15x7 with 225 75 15 Cobra's.

I swapped the motor for a 350 V8. I added the chrome valve covers, breather, oil pan and air filter housing. I put a Performer RPM intake manifold with a Holley 650 vacuum secondary. The choice for the smaller carb is because it came with a 2bbl factory and I did not want to redo heads, etc. on this motor.

The tailights for this year Monte Carlo are unique to that model year car only. The trunk lid is aluminum from the factory. I installed air shocks followed by the cab controlled air compressor and inflater from JC Whitney. The car has plenty of room for customization and relaxation. My Cadillac is the only car I have owned with more room.

Also of great interest to those who own this car or are thinking of purchasing one: The 1978 through 1986 Monte Carlo has the exact same suspension. In other words if you had a Z34 like mine it had the same as suspension as an 86 SS. You can swap any and all of these parts.