Man of Steel
11-08-2012, 12:31 PM
For 2000, Chevrolet not only again called upon GM Motorsports for design inspiration, but also to Monte Carlos of the past. Among the traits carried over from older Monte Carlos were the stylized wheel flares, vertically oriented tail lamps, and a stylized rear bumper. Another classic trait for 2000 was the return of the "Knight" badging, as well as a full gauge cluster, not seen on the Monte Carlo since 1988. Back again was the Super Sport moniker, replacing the Z34 designation of the Fifth Generation, which was a Lumina Coupe legacy. At the request of racing teams, Chevrolet stylists added a slight "hump" on the rear trunk - similar to, although smaller than, a Lincoln Mark. It was a distinct trait that stayed with Monte Carlo until its demise, even though later in the generation every trim level would get a spoiler that all but masked the hump. From the NASCAR circuit came the aerodynamic styling and duck tail spoiler.
Specialty Nameplates
Chevrolet released several models inspired by then-current NASCAR drivers: The first model released was the 2002 Dale Earnhardt “Intimidator Edition.” This car had one color scheme; a black body with galaxy silver rocker panels and front and rear air dams. A thin red stripe above the silver ground effects was also included. Just behind the rear side windows, the Dale Number 3 logo was placed. The car also featured silver “Intimidator” SS badges on the right side of the trunk and standard Monte Carlo SS badges the bottom of the vehicle, just in front of the rear tires. An Intimidator badge with the number 3 also appeared on the dash, and Earnhardt’s signature appeared on the gauge cluster. This edition also came with 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels and received GMs L36 3800 V6 engine.
In 2003, the Jeff Gordon edition was released. The vehicle came with a superior blue body and silver ground effects, just like the Intimidator Edition; however, the Jeff Gordon edition also received white ghost flames on the body. It featured the number 24 behind the rear side windows. A Jeff Gordon signature was placed on the right side of the trunk and inside the car received a Jeff Gordon badge on the dash board and a two-tone gray a black leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. It featured the 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels and received GMs L36 3800 V6 engine.
In 2004 the Dale Jr. Edition came out, it was red in color and sported a black high sport kit. The number 8, with an “E” stripe design carried from the doors to the rear bumper. The 5 spoke diamond cut wheels featured a black stripe through each spoke and Dale Jr.’s signature appeared on the right side of the trunk lid. On the sides, the vehicle received Monte Carlo SS badges. Inside on the dash a #8 badge appeared and Dale Jr.’s signature on the cluster. This edition also got #8 floor mats and headrests. This was also the first nameplate car to receive GMs L67 Supercharged 3800 V6 engine.
To compete, the Intimidator Edition was re-released in 2004, this time, however the vehicle featured “Intimidator” badges on the trunk lid and both side panels of the vehicle. The car was all black in color, received the 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels and this time received GMs L67 Supercharged 3800 V6 engine.
2005 marked the next and final nameplate, the Tony Stewart edition. It was all black, but featured a white/orange line that thickened as it reached the back of the vehicle and contained number 20 just before the rear tires. Tony Stewart’s signature also appeared behind the rear windows on both sides. The Chevy bowtie on the trunk was white on this edition and another was painted on the front of the hood. The Monte Carlo badge was removed and instead replaced by the black Tony Stewart grille. The wheels were the same design as the Dale Jr. Edition, except the bowtie on the center cap was white this time. This edition also received GMs L67 Supercharged 3800 V6 engine.
Pace Cars
To keep with the popularity of the Monte Carlo in NASCAR, GM released several Monte Carlos branded as “Pace Cars.” Each year featured a different color and all cars were limited to production numbers, however; all cars did have some things in common. All pace cars received: Galaxy Silver ground effects, Checkered Flagging on fenders & doors, TAZ decals on quarter panels and trunk lid behind the Monte Carlo script. It also has a "Race Inspired" rear spoiler that resembles the look of the NASCAR spoiler, Limited Edition Plaque on trunk lid, Monte Carlo script on the dash is replaced with "PACE CAR", Gauge cluster displays "LIMITED EDITION" below the speedometer where it would say "Apply Brake To Shift From Park," 16-inch Diamond-Cut Cast-Aluminum Wheels, Door Opening Kick Plates Featuring the Monte Carlo Nameplate, and Stainless-Steel Dual Exhaust Tips. Interiors had two tone leather in 2000 through 2002 to match exterior with 2003 being solid black and Chevy "Bow Tie" embroidered headrests. All cars also came with GMs L36 3800 V6 engine.
2000 Pace Car: Production limited to 2,222 cars. Sports two-tone leather Black and Red. Exterior: Torch Red with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
2001 Pace Car: Production limited to 1,300 cars. Sports two-tone leather Black and Silver. Exterior: Black with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
2002 Pace Car: Production limited to 1,150 cars. Sports two-tone leather Black and Yellow. Exterior: Competition Yellow with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
2003 Pace Car: Production limited to 1,401 cars. Sports leather Ebony Black seats with Ebony and Gray leather-wrapped steering wheel. Exterior: Superior Blue Metallic with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
Trim levels initially consisted of the LS, and SS, the latter being the first front-wheel drive SS in the Chevrolet lineup. The LS used a 3.4 L OHV V6, while the SS got the 3.8 L V6. A Supercharged SS model was added for 2004 and 2005, though the naturally aspirated SS continued as well, but was relabeled as LT.
Refreshed Sixth Generation
2006-2007
The 2006 Monte Carlo (and the companion Impala sedan) was introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. The base engine was a 3.5 L V6 producing 211 hp (156 kW). The most notable news, though, was the SS model's use of the Generation IV small-block V8 — the first V8 since the 1988 model. The 5.3 L V8 produced 303 hp (226 kW), which raised some eyebrows considering the fact that it was being placed in a front-wheel-drive car. The interior for 2006 was mildly redesigned.
The LTZ model was available with the 3.9 L engine in 2006. For 2007 the LTZ model was dropped along with the engine in favor of utilizing the Flex Fuel 3.5 L as the exclusive engine for non-SS models.
Discontinuation
The Monte Carlo ceased production at Oshawa Car Assembly Plant #1 on June 19, 2007, following an announcement in February 2007 of its demise.[16] General Motors has released this statement: On Tuesday, June 19, 2007, the last two 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo models rolled off the line at the Oshawa Assembly Plant. The last two models were identical "SS" models with Precision Red exterior paint; Silver Rally Stripes; and Ebony Nuance leather interior. The two models features the "SS" 5.3 L V8 Engine with its "best in class" rated 303 hp (226 kW); 18" polished aluminum wheels; heated exterior mirrors; and AM/FM/CD and XM Radio"[17]
The final Monte Carlo off the production line was retained by GM for their Heritage Center collection. The second-to-last Monte off the line, the last "saleable" unit, was auctioned off on August 15, at Manheim's Statesville Auto Auction in Statesville, North Carolina. The winning bid went to Fred Simon, owner of Simon Chevrolet in Woonsocket, RI where it is on display on the dealership floor. This unit was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the weekend of July 27–29 for the 2007 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. While there, it was signed by all the current Team Chevrolet drivers who were active in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Source: Wikipedia
Specialty Nameplates
Chevrolet released several models inspired by then-current NASCAR drivers: The first model released was the 2002 Dale Earnhardt “Intimidator Edition.” This car had one color scheme; a black body with galaxy silver rocker panels and front and rear air dams. A thin red stripe above the silver ground effects was also included. Just behind the rear side windows, the Dale Number 3 logo was placed. The car also featured silver “Intimidator” SS badges on the right side of the trunk and standard Monte Carlo SS badges the bottom of the vehicle, just in front of the rear tires. An Intimidator badge with the number 3 also appeared on the dash, and Earnhardt’s signature appeared on the gauge cluster. This edition also came with 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels and received GMs L36 3800 V6 engine.
In 2003, the Jeff Gordon edition was released. The vehicle came with a superior blue body and silver ground effects, just like the Intimidator Edition; however, the Jeff Gordon edition also received white ghost flames on the body. It featured the number 24 behind the rear side windows. A Jeff Gordon signature was placed on the right side of the trunk and inside the car received a Jeff Gordon badge on the dash board and a two-tone gray a black leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. It featured the 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels and received GMs L36 3800 V6 engine.
In 2004 the Dale Jr. Edition came out, it was red in color and sported a black high sport kit. The number 8, with an “E” stripe design carried from the doors to the rear bumper. The 5 spoke diamond cut wheels featured a black stripe through each spoke and Dale Jr.’s signature appeared on the right side of the trunk lid. On the sides, the vehicle received Monte Carlo SS badges. Inside on the dash a #8 badge appeared and Dale Jr.’s signature on the cluster. This edition also got #8 floor mats and headrests. This was also the first nameplate car to receive GMs L67 Supercharged 3800 V6 engine.
To compete, the Intimidator Edition was re-released in 2004, this time, however the vehicle featured “Intimidator” badges on the trunk lid and both side panels of the vehicle. The car was all black in color, received the 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels and this time received GMs L67 Supercharged 3800 V6 engine.
2005 marked the next and final nameplate, the Tony Stewart edition. It was all black, but featured a white/orange line that thickened as it reached the back of the vehicle and contained number 20 just before the rear tires. Tony Stewart’s signature also appeared behind the rear windows on both sides. The Chevy bowtie on the trunk was white on this edition and another was painted on the front of the hood. The Monte Carlo badge was removed and instead replaced by the black Tony Stewart grille. The wheels were the same design as the Dale Jr. Edition, except the bowtie on the center cap was white this time. This edition also received GMs L67 Supercharged 3800 V6 engine.
Pace Cars
To keep with the popularity of the Monte Carlo in NASCAR, GM released several Monte Carlos branded as “Pace Cars.” Each year featured a different color and all cars were limited to production numbers, however; all cars did have some things in common. All pace cars received: Galaxy Silver ground effects, Checkered Flagging on fenders & doors, TAZ decals on quarter panels and trunk lid behind the Monte Carlo script. It also has a "Race Inspired" rear spoiler that resembles the look of the NASCAR spoiler, Limited Edition Plaque on trunk lid, Monte Carlo script on the dash is replaced with "PACE CAR", Gauge cluster displays "LIMITED EDITION" below the speedometer where it would say "Apply Brake To Shift From Park," 16-inch Diamond-Cut Cast-Aluminum Wheels, Door Opening Kick Plates Featuring the Monte Carlo Nameplate, and Stainless-Steel Dual Exhaust Tips. Interiors had two tone leather in 2000 through 2002 to match exterior with 2003 being solid black and Chevy "Bow Tie" embroidered headrests. All cars also came with GMs L36 3800 V6 engine.
2000 Pace Car: Production limited to 2,222 cars. Sports two-tone leather Black and Red. Exterior: Torch Red with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
2001 Pace Car: Production limited to 1,300 cars. Sports two-tone leather Black and Silver. Exterior: Black with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
2002 Pace Car: Production limited to 1,150 cars. Sports two-tone leather Black and Yellow. Exterior: Competition Yellow with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
2003 Pace Car: Production limited to 1,401 cars. Sports leather Ebony Black seats with Ebony and Gray leather-wrapped steering wheel. Exterior: Superior Blue Metallic with Galaxy Silver ground effects.
Trim levels initially consisted of the LS, and SS, the latter being the first front-wheel drive SS in the Chevrolet lineup. The LS used a 3.4 L OHV V6, while the SS got the 3.8 L V6. A Supercharged SS model was added for 2004 and 2005, though the naturally aspirated SS continued as well, but was relabeled as LT.
Refreshed Sixth Generation
2006-2007
The 2006 Monte Carlo (and the companion Impala sedan) was introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. The base engine was a 3.5 L V6 producing 211 hp (156 kW). The most notable news, though, was the SS model's use of the Generation IV small-block V8 — the first V8 since the 1988 model. The 5.3 L V8 produced 303 hp (226 kW), which raised some eyebrows considering the fact that it was being placed in a front-wheel-drive car. The interior for 2006 was mildly redesigned.
The LTZ model was available with the 3.9 L engine in 2006. For 2007 the LTZ model was dropped along with the engine in favor of utilizing the Flex Fuel 3.5 L as the exclusive engine for non-SS models.
Discontinuation
The Monte Carlo ceased production at Oshawa Car Assembly Plant #1 on June 19, 2007, following an announcement in February 2007 of its demise.[16] General Motors has released this statement: On Tuesday, June 19, 2007, the last two 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo models rolled off the line at the Oshawa Assembly Plant. The last two models were identical "SS" models with Precision Red exterior paint; Silver Rally Stripes; and Ebony Nuance leather interior. The two models features the "SS" 5.3 L V8 Engine with its "best in class" rated 303 hp (226 kW); 18" polished aluminum wheels; heated exterior mirrors; and AM/FM/CD and XM Radio"[17]
The final Monte Carlo off the production line was retained by GM for their Heritage Center collection. The second-to-last Monte off the line, the last "saleable" unit, was auctioned off on August 15, at Manheim's Statesville Auto Auction in Statesville, North Carolina. The winning bid went to Fred Simon, owner of Simon Chevrolet in Woonsocket, RI where it is on display on the dealership floor. This unit was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the weekend of July 27–29 for the 2007 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. While there, it was signed by all the current Team Chevrolet drivers who were active in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Source: Wikipedia