Car and Driver – 1975 Chevy Monza Vs Ford Mustang
In 1975, the Muscle Car was almost dead, thanks to new fuel emission regulations and rising gas prices (at $0.77 a gallon – we’d kill for that today!) – But there were still a few standouts, as Car and Driver mentions.
Our favorite motoring magazine recently pulled this classic bit from its archives – where they put a 1975 Chevrolet Monza up against Ford’s Mustang.
If you don’t remember Chevy’s Monza that’s ok – it’s no Malibu. But Monza contained a powerful V8 engine, which competitor Ford also had in its current (at the time) Mustang. Both ranged around 300-cubic inch (not liters, inches) powerplant, though Ford’s was more powerful – in fact it was the strongest available at the time.
From a design angle, well the 70′s were not a fantastic for any auto maker. Mustang took its look partically from the less than popular Pinto. Chevy created a more unique front end for its 1974-75 Monza, giving it a closed grill and large (especially for the time) front logo. The rear ends of both vehicles sloped down, giving each a hunchback appearance. Were they bent over like sprinters, ready for that starting gun shot? More like two old men who wanted to take a nap. Inside, Chevy’s Monza lived up to the phrase bare necessities. You had your steering wheel, tach/speed/odometer and a radio. Oh…and a glove compartment. Bucket seats were barrowed for Monza from the same generation Chevy Camaro.
And you thought your dash was boring...
At the time, a best in fuel economy mention went to Monza, which much like today was all that really mattered. As America sped into another economic crisis, car buyers were less worried about style and muscle, and more about how much they’d pay at the pump, and how may stops they’d make. Chevrolet Monza, for the time, was a reliable, economic and affordable two-door car. But does it, and Ford’s Mustang from that period, signify in part the death of Muscle Car? Probably.
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