Monte Carlo
If the Camaro is the gold standard for compact muscle and the Impala is (or sadly, was) Chevy’s measure in excess, then the Monte Carlo is the refined, gentlemanly sports car of the brand. Officially marked as a personal luxury car and not an official sports car, the Monte Carlo certainly holds racing pedigree, to include acting as Chevy’ys standard bearer in NASCAR from 1971 to 1989.
Other noteworthy mentions include the SS 454 Monte Carlo, a monstrous car with a 7.4L V8, with wildly underrated power numbers – just 365 horses, apparently. But what mattered most about the Monte Carlo in the context of performance was its configuration: The Monte sported a longer-than-usual hood and relatively short wheelbase. This allowed the engine to sit further back, distributing weight exceptionally well.
The result was a car that, while billed a personal luxury car, could corner and carve the roads with refinement and prediction. Where most other American sports cars of the Monte’s many eras focused on big rears, beefy motors and wanton abandonment of anything else that could improve performance, the Monte Carlo carefully balanced all aspects of what made a good driver’s car.
What’s more, the Monte exuded appropriate aesthetics and styling for every generation. Popular Mechanics reported that, at one point, 82% of buyers purchased their Montes for the looks – just 10% disliked the amount of rear leg room, a small price to pay for the Monte’s layout and handling.
Other considerations that make the Monte Carlo a top contender on our list is its ability to have seemingly adapted to every car market of its generations. The first generation 454 SS boasted a massive motor and many upgrades: Heavy-duty suspension, wider factory wheels, and automatic load-leveling suspension.
As consumer tastes evolved and the desire for smaller sports cars grew in the early 2000s, the Monte Carlo’s completely reimagined styling featured a dramatically shortened wheelbase and overall size, while retaining plenty of performance thanks to an available 3.8L V6 sporting a factory blower. It made just shy of 300 horses. NASCAR lovers could option a Pace Car edition with checkered flag vinyl and unique paint codes with color ground effects.
