The fourth-generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo isn't the most powerful or the best-looking 1980s car, but it sure is a solid platform for drag racing. We've seen several G-body Chevys rip at the drag strip recently, starting with the "Black Blur" donk. Well, here's another massively powerful Monte Carlo, but this one's not sporting large wheels or a fancy livery.
Ignore the drag-spec wheels and the bulged hood, and this boxy coupe looks like it just came out of a barn. Okay, there's no rust in sight so maybe "barn find" is a bit harsh, so I'm gonna go with "unfinished project car." The front fascia is painted blue, the front fenders are some sort of matte black, while the rest of the body is basically primer.
There are scratches everywhere, the panel gaps are uneven, and there's a wire sticking out of the trunk. Based on looks alone, you wouldn't bet on this Chevy at the drag strip. But you'd make a big mistake. This Monte Carlo is the perfect sleeper, the underdog that would smoke a polished dragster.
Because behind that green nose lurks a turbocharged V8 that sounds mean and spins the rear wheels with tremendous power. How quick is it? Well, this is some sort of test run, so there's no timing, but my stopwatch says the Monte Carlo runs for slightly less than five seconds from take-off until the driver hits the brakes.
Assuming he went for the brakes at the finish line, we could say he ran a 4.9-second 1/8-mile. Yes, it's not a full quarter-mile run, but that's an impressive result. And I have a feeling this Monte Carlo can do better than that.
G-body platform, beater looks, turbo V8? Sign me up, I want to see this bad boy go against some serious competition. Fire up them Fox-body Mustangs and Buick Regals y'all!
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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