What makes a Monte Carlo an SS?  The Super Sport badge is not bestowed on all of our beloved and often buxom Monte's.  The SS badge means more, means there is meat, means that the boat coming down the road is quite possibly a sleeper ready to put your sorry ride to bed.

The Monte Carlo SS has meant a few different things over the years, but the latest generation has meant the least.  In the first generation of the Monte Carlo there were 4 different engine configurations available.  The SS option gave the Monte it's biggest engine available, the merciless 454 cubic inch.  That option alone netted the Monte Carlo with over 360 horsepower, arguably much needed power considering how big the beast was.

1970 Monte Carlo SS

Only 3 short years later the Monte Carlo was on to it's 2nd Generation modeling.  The 454 lived on, but lacked the SS badge of the previous generation Monte.  1977 was the last year of the 2nd Generation Monte Carlo and so died the massive 454, only to have a 305 the largest engine available for the 3rd Generation Monte Carlo.

The 3rd generation Monte Carlo was kind of a ho hum period.  However, it's what was needed to start a refocusing on performance and what could potentially be the greatest Monte Carlo SS generation ever, the 4th.  The 4th Generation Monte Carlo lasted all the way until 1988 and signaled a hiatus for the Monte.

1987 Monte Carlo SS

The 4th generation Monte Carlo SS had a lot of distinguishing characteristics, to separate it from it's non SS badge wearing brethren.  Although some ques required a trained eye, lettering like SS on the door hinted at what may be lurking under the hood.  Other suttle differences of the Monte Carlo Ss were bullet style mirrors, different rear bumper, and some paint styles that were only available on the SS models.

4th Generation Monte's were in my opinion the last true to form meaty car offered, at least in optional gear.  The 5th generation Monte Carlo's were resurected as some sort of sedan, Lincoln, small car combo.  They didn't look sporty at all and if you glanced at them just right it looked like a 4-door Ford Taurus.  Hello!  The biggest power offerings in the 5th Generation Monte Carlo was a measely 215 horsepower from a V6 DOHC power plant.

1997 Monte Carlo

Finally 2000 rolled around and the Monte Carlo was starting to look more sporty and less like a chopped top mini van.  The SS was offered again and was packing a pretty hefty punch.  How about a 5.7 litre V8 with over 300 horsepower?  It's enough to get your attention, but not enough to hang onto Chevy's assembly line.  The Monte Carlo and Monte Carlo SS was abandoned in 2007 and as of this posting the future is uncertain.

2007 Monte Carlo SS

My guess is that Chevrolet is more concerned with reviving the Camaro SS and won't be bringing the Monte Carlo back any time soon.  Although with the Ford Mustang having a retro throwback, depending on how the Camaro stacks up Chevy might decide that the automotive market needs just one more power grabber on the market and label it the Monte Carlo SS.

Monte Carlo SS on eBay

Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 1984 Chevy Monte Carlo SS – True “SS” L69    US $3,495.00

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2dr Cpe SS 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2dr Cpe SS    US $212.50

Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Coupe 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Custom Modified 1 of Kind    US $6,950.00

Tags: Monte Carlo SS, SS

Automotive article was posted on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 at 8:50 am and is filed under Chevrolet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.