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108-598: Introduced for the 1975 model year, the Monza 2+2 and Monza Towne Coupe competed with the Ford Mustang II and other sporty coupes. General Motors' H-body variants, the Buick Skyhawk and Oldsmobile Starfire , were produced using the Monza 2+2's body with grille and trim variations and Buick 's 3.8 liter V6 engine . The Pontiac Sunbird variant was introduced for the 1976 model year, initially offered only in

216-580: A rack-and-pinion design. Named Motor Trend's 1974 Car of the Year and reaching over 1.1 million sales over four years of production, the Mustang II is noted simultaneously for both its marketing prescience and strong sales – while regarded by certain enthusiasts as having abandoned essential aspects of the Mustang heritage and in a retrospective after 40 years since its introduction described as embodying

324-483: A "reinvented" Mustang, mimicking the first version, by the traditional new model year introduction during the fall of 1973. The new Mustang II returned to a size closer to the 1965 model, ultimately winning the Motor Trend Car of the Year . The economical Mustang II became popular for consumers almost concurrently with their experience with gasoline rationing that was part of the 1973 oil crisis . "Just as

432-405: A 4-cylinder Ghia with a 4-speed manual transmission, an increasingly popular configuration. Staff found that performance was quite poor for a supposed sporty car and ranked it at the bottom of their Low-Priced Sports Car category. Capitalizing on the sales success of the previous year's racy-looking Cobra II, Mustang II sales literature for 1977 emphasized the more sporty aspects of the car, with

540-408: A Mustang as has ever been built" but mysteriously, production climbed to 192,410 units." The automotive editor of Mustang Monthly magazine describes "The Mustang II was the right car at the right time to keep the legend going into the future." The automaker noted that Mustang II has been "maligned by hardcore pony-car fans as the black sheep of the family almost since it went on sale," but "without

648-497: A Mustang for the only time for the 1974 model year (except in Mexico). "The Mustang II's attractive all-new styling was influenced by coachbuilder Ghia of Italy, which had recently been acquired by Ford. It carried through the long-hood, short-deck theme of the original, and - as Iacocca requested it - came as a notchback and hatch-equipped fastback." Mustangs lost their pillarless body style; all models now had fixed rear windows and

756-420: A V8 in the Mustang II to return "performance to respectable levels." The engine bay was re-engineered to accept the 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 option for the 1975 model year, with revised hood and header panel. The engine was limited to a two-barrel carburetor and "net" 140 hp (104 kW; 142 PS). Testing by Road & Track "recorded zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 10.5 seconds, and

864-471: A car "forever infamous for exploding when struck in the rear," caused owners anxiety that was "heightened by the fact that some Mustang IIs had Firestone 500 tires, notorious in the 70's for widespread failures." It continued: "Ford, not content to drag the revered Mustang name through the mud...added badges from Ghia , the venerable Italian studio that it had bought, to versions of the Mustang II with partial vinyl roofs and tacky opera windows." A 1995 book on

972-460: A chrome-covered "B" pillar that resembled a hardtop, but was a coupe. In Mustang advertisements, however, Ford promoted the notchback coupe as a "Hardtop". Unsure about whether or not to group the Mustang II with sporty cars, Consumer Guide initially referred to the car as a "luxury subcompact ", while Ford brochures suggested that the luxury-trim Ghia model, with its formal roofline, stylish exterior, and plush interior, be thought of as resembling

1080-436: A coupe or three-door hatchback , the new car's base engine was a 140 cu in (2.3 L) SOHC I4 , the first fully metric -dimensioned engine built in the U.S. A 171 cu in (2.8 L) V6 was the sole optional engine. Mustang II packages ranged from the base "Hardtop," 2+2 hatchback, a "Ghia" luxury group with vinyl roof , and a top-of-the-line V6-powered Mach 1. A V8 engine option would not be available in

1188-555: A four-door sedan, it is available in two trim levels known as 320T and 330T and five models. The 320T is available with a 1-litre turbocharged three cylinder engine while the 330T gets a 1.3 litre turbocharged three cylinder engine as standard. 1 litre models gain access to a 6 speed manual and 6 speed dual clutch gearbox while 1.3 litre models are only available with a 6 speed automatic gearbox. Pricing ranges between 89,900 yuan and 119,900 yuan (US$ 13,350 to 17,800). Ford Mustang II The second-generation Ford Mustang , marketed as

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1296-472: A hot item, and this helped boost the smaller Mustang's first calendar year sales to 385,993." According to automotive historian Patrick Foster, "Ford executives decided to call the car 'Mustang II', since it was a new type of pony car designed for an era of high gas prices and fuel shortages". "Many people have never warmed up to the Mustang II, some even complaining it reminds them of the Pinto. But in its day,

1404-459: A marked tendency to lean despite its performance suspension. On the momentum of the Mustang II's successful sales, a new Ford Mustang (third generation) would be introduced for the 1979 model year. The Mustang II was named Motor Trend's Car of the Year , in 1974, the last Mustang to achieve that honor until 1994. Nevertheless, there were also mixed contemporary reviews including Consumer Reports reporting that "there are better subcompacts on

1512-468: A new All-Black Sport Group option for the Mach I and an optional Rallye Package, both adding minor performance enhancements along with the sportier trim. New also was the "Cobra II" appearance package, with a black grille, simulated hood scoop, front and rear spoilers, quarter window louvers, and dual over-the-top racing stripes with matching lower rocker stripes and cobra emblems on the front fenders, echoing

1620-411: A separate engine sub-frame that decreased noise, vibration, and harshness . According to Ford's Chief Engineer Stuart M. Frey (younger brother of Donald N. Frey ), Iacocca expected a high level of fit and finish, wanting the car to be "a little jewel". The Mustang II production was 385,993 units the first year. The big 1973 Mustang total reached 134,867, but the 1974 version was within "10 percent of

1728-403: A single stripe, and on the sides of the car, the snake and "COBRA II" decals were replaced with large stripes raised to the middle of the body sides with large "COBRA" lettering in the middle. Louvers were added to the hatch and the side panel louvers only came in black. All of the glass moldings were painted black. With these mid-year changes, for the first time, Mustang II sales brochures featured

1836-487: A sport steering wheel (two-spoke), a special instrumentation and "stitched" instrument panel pad with added wood-grain vinyl accents (standard on 2+2), distinctive "Spyder" identification (script fender emblems, steering wheel horn button insert) and Spyder front facia and rear-lock cover. Chevrolet made extensive changes to the Spyder package including separate equipment and appearance packages with separate RPO codes found on

1944-427: A sporty 2+2 hatchback model, with its fastback lines, on the cover instead of one of the more formal-looking notchback or Ghia models,. This new cover model featured the available T-top roof with a bright wrap wrap-over band. In 1978, the "King Cobra" became available. This was a limited edition version with 4,313 units produced. It featured a deep air-dam, stripes, and a " Pontiac Trans Am style" cobra snake decal on

2052-434: A top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h)." Consumer Guide staff, though, found the new V8 to be sluggish and ill-suited to the car, with its added weight negatively affecting handling, a consideration that, along with poor visibility, uncomfortable seating, and very low fuel economy, contributed to them ranking it last that year in their Low-Priced Sport Car category. The Mustang II's 302 cu in (4.9 L) engine

2160-556: A torque arm rear suspension, also adopted for the 1975 Cosworth Vega introduced mid-1975, and later, all 1976–1977 Vegas and Pontiac Astres . The basic design was also incorporated into GM's third and fourth generation F-bodies, the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird . In April 1975, the Monza Towne Coupe was introduced — a notchback body-style with a conventional trunk featuring different sheetmetal than

2268-503: A wide variety of parts of varying qualities and prices for nearly all vehicle makes and models. Consumers have the option of repairing their vehicles themselves (the " do-it-yourself " or "DIY" segment) or can take the vehicle to a professional repair facility (the "do-it-for me" or "DIFM" segment). The aftermarket helps keep vehicles on the road by providing consumers the choice of where they want their vehicles serviced, maintained, or customized. The United States automotive aftermarket

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2376-535: Is estimated to be worth $ 383 billion (2020), contributing more than 2.3% to GDP. The aftermarket employs 4.4 million people who work at manufacturers, distributors, retailers and repair shops. In the United States, online sales of aftermarket accessories have showed year over year increases over traditional brick and mortar stores. In fact, according to Hedges & Company, "Online revenue for automotive parts eCommerce revenue will reach $ 38 billion in 2022 in

2484-680: Is now undergoing restoration in northern California. The Monza also saw success in Australia in the late 1970s and through the 1980s in the Australian Sports Sedan Championship (ASSC) (renamed the Australian GT Championship in 1982). GM's presence in Australia was represented by Holden which was Australia's own manufacturer of GM vehicles. Neither the Nova or the Monza were ever offered to

2592-569: Is the secondary parts market of the automotive industry , concerned with the manufacturing , remanufacturing , distribution , retailing , and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, equipment, and accessories, after the sale of the automobile by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to the consumer. The parts, accessories, etc. for sale may or may not be manufactured by the OEM. The aftermarket encompasses parts for replacement, collision, appearance, and performance. The aftermarket provides

2700-536: The Malaise era . The first-generation Mustangs grew in size; the 1973 model had become markedly larger than the original model. The pony car market segment saw decreasing sales in the early-1970s "with many buyers turning to lower-priced, fuel-efficient compacts like Ford's own Ford Maverick – a huge first-year success itself." The Mustang was growing to become an intermediate-sized sedan, which "was too big and alienated many in its customer base." The allure of

2808-410: The 1984 GT championship . Grice and the Monza easily won the championship, winning all but one round. Grice, who had never gotten along with Purcell, was so impressed with the car after he first drove it that he phoned Purcell to compliment him on what he felt was the best race car he had driven in his more than 20-year career. The Monza was then prepared for the 1984 Sandown 1000 , the final round of

2916-402: The 1984 World Endurance Championship . Driving alongside renowned Ron Harrop and fellow touring car ace Dick Johnson , Grice qualified the 650 bhp (485 kW; 659 PS) Monza a credible 18th (second in the invitation AC Class for Australian GT and Group A Sports Cars ), and claimed the car lost nothing on the straights to the race winning Porsche 956 B's, but lost time in the turns to

3024-471: The 1985 Australian GT Championship . Thomson competed in the car over the next few years before rebuilding it over the 1988–89 off-season which also saw the Monza body shell replaced with that of a Toyota Supra . He then sold the car in 1990 to an unknown owner who then sold it to longtime Sydney-based sports car racer Des Wall. Wall was also successful with the Supra-bodied car and retained ownership of

3132-491: The Ford Mustang II , is a two- or three-door, four-passenger, front-engine/rear-drive pony car manufactured and marketed by Ford from 1973 until 1978. Introduced in September 1973 for model year 1974, the Mustang II arrived roughly coincident with the oil embargo of 1973 and subsequent fuel shortages . Developed under Lee Iacocca , it was an "entirely new kind of pony car." Ford "decided to call it Mustang II, since it

3240-587: The J-car models: Chevrolet Cavalier , Oldsmobile Firenza , Buick Skyhawk , Pontiac J2000 and Cadillac Cimarron , introduced as 1982 models. Because the forthcoming J-body cars were to be sold as 1982 models, there was a long production run of 1980 H-body models in order to provide sufficient inventory to carry dealers until the spring of 1981. Chevrolet Monzas participated in the IMSA GT Series powered by Chevrolet Corvette engines. Chevrolet Monzas were

3348-682: The Toyota Celica , Datsun 240Z , Mazda RX-3 , and the European Ford Capri – which itself was inspired by the original Mustang but built by Ford of Europe , and marketed since April 1970 in the U.S. by Mercury as a captive import . It saw a new competitor from Germany in 1974 with the Volkswagen Scirocco , and the BMW 2002 introduced earlier in the late 1960s. The new design featured rack and pinion steering and

Chevrolet Monza - Misplaced Pages Continue

3456-527: The Wankel rotary engine , and GM president Ed Cole projected its release in three years. The GM Wankel was initially targeted for an October 1973 introduction as a 1974 Vega option. The General Motors Rotary Combustion Engine (GMRCE) had two rotors displacing 206 cu in (3.38 L), twin distributors and coils, and aluminum housing, Unwilling to face the gas mileage criticism that Mazda withstood, GM felt it could meet 1975 emissions standards with

3564-423: The ground effects Porsches. Johnson later claimed that the car had more grunt from its 6.0L V8 than its handling deserved. They were eventually disqualified for receiving outside assistance from track marshals after completing 114 of the races 206 laps. After 1984, Browne sold the Monza to veteran racer Bryan Thompson, who used it (along with his usual Chevrolet powered, twin turbo Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC ) to win

3672-635: The "Italian Vega", citing styling with a strong resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 . GM had planned to introduce the GM Wankel rotary engine (licensed from NSU Motorenwerke AG ) in the Monza's 1975 model. Rotary issues included mediocre fuel economy compounded at a time of comparatively high fuel prices following the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973, and GM canceled the engine (this was the same rotary engine that AMC had planned to source from GM for

3780-410: The 105 hp (78 kW) 196 cubic inches (3.21 L) V6, 115 hp (86 kW) 231 V6, and 130 hp (97 kW) 305 V8. The Spyder performance package cost $ 164 and the Spyder appearance package added $ 231. All Monzas had a color-keyed instrument panel, and all except the base coupe had a center console, and corrosion protection was improved. Discontinued at the end of the 1979 model year were

3888-549: The 1974–1978 models exceeding 1.1 million. "As the smallest, lightest Mustang since the original, it was a fresh start for Ford's pony car and a refreshing return to rationality. And it couldn't have been better timed, introduced just two months before the first "Energy Crisis" upended America. People came in droves to see the Mustang II ;– and to buy." "Not only did gasoline prices spike up, but its very supply looked to be in jeopardy. Economy immediately became

3996-402: The 1975 Pacer). Thus, the 1975 Chevrolet Monza was launched carrying a conventional piston engine instead. The 1975 Monza 2+2 houses then-newly approved rectangular headlights and a slot-style grille in a slanted nose made of resilient polyurethane . The side window louvers are functional, part of the flow-through ventilation system. The Monza 2+2's two-door hatchback body style is shared with

4104-488: The 1983 championship at the Adelaide International Raceway and the Monza was not seen again until the end of the year when Brock finished third in a GT/ sports car invitation race as a support to the 1983 Australian Grand Prix . After being rebuilt again by Purcell, Jane sold the car to former race driver Alan Browne, who put his 1982 Bathurst 1000 pole winning co-driver Allan Grice in it for

4212-489: The 2+2 hatchback was introduced mid-year. It featured as standard the Vega one-barrel engine with a three-speed manual transmission . The sport suspension, full console, sport steering wheel, day/night rear-view mirror and wheel opening moldings were deleted on the "S". The Chevrolet Monza 2+2 won Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year award for 1975. The 1976 140 cu in (2.3 L) four-cylinder engine, as used in

4320-540: The 2+2 hatchback, but sharing its windshield and front fenders. It features single round headlamps , instead of the dual rectangular headlamps on the 2+2. The Towne Coupe was offered in response to the sales success of the Ford Mustang II notchback coupe and its luxury version, the Mustang II Ghia. The Towne Coupe is 1.5 inches (38 mm) shorter and 135 pounds (61 kg) lighter than the 2+2 and has slightly more rear head room. A lower priced "S" version of

4428-404: The 25-percent rise in sales for 1978, "not even the high-profile Cobra with its flashy decals and snazzy spats and spoilers could save the day for the second-generation Mustang." According to a 2003 retrospective by Edmunds Inside Line , the 1978 King Cobra "wasn't much more than a Cobra II with revised graphics and the hood scoop turned around backward..." This model was "visually about as nutty

Chevrolet Monza - Misplaced Pages Continue

4536-478: The 3.2 liter V6 in California and high-altitude areas was Buick's 3.8 liter (231 CID) 105 hp (78 kW) V6 engine. Four-cylinder engines and the 3.2 liter V6 were not available in high-altitude areas. The 145 hp (108 kW) 305 cubic-inch V8 remained optional in all but the "S" hatchback and wagon models. Discontinued at the end of the 1978 model year were the S hatchback, Towne Coupe sport option and

4644-539: The 350 V8. The 262 was again the optional engine in 49 states. A redesigned dashboard replaced the Vega-derived one. A mid-year option for 1976 was a " Sport " front end available for the Towne Coupe, which featured the 2+2's polyurethane front end and quad headlamps. The Monza Spyder equipment package was introduced in 1976 for both the 2+2 hatchback and Towne Coupe. It featured a two-barrel carburetor version of

4752-510: The Australian public. Allan Moffat otherwise imported a DeKon Monza to Australia and won the inaugural ASCC in 1976 (also driving a 'Cologne' Ford Capri RS3100 ). In 1978, driver and prominent businessman Bob Jane imported a DeKon Monza, which was rebuilt and engineered by his chief mechanic Pat Purcell and driver-engineer Ron Harrop. Jane had some success with the car but it was at times plagued by poor reliability, and when he retired at

4860-466: The Monza Towne Coupe body with the 2+2 hatchback added for the 1977 model year. The Monza nameplate originated in mid-1960 for the sport version of the Chevrolet Corvair . The Monza 2+2 debuted as a single-model 2+2 hatchback. The Monza is 4 inches (100 mm) longer and weighs 180 lb (82 kg) more than the Vega from which it is derived. General Motors' John DeLorean nicknamed it

4968-486: The Monza wagon, the 196 cu in (3.2 L) V6 and the 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8. The 1980 model year lineup consisted of a base 2+2 hatchback, notchback, and 2+2 sport hatchback; the 151-cubic-inch (2.5-liter) four-cylinder engine remained standard and the only engine option was the 3.8 liter (231 CID) Buick V6. The wagon was discontinued as the Citation hatchbacks offered equal cubic cargo capacity with

5076-522: The Monza's potential. By the end of the 1975 season, he had ordered a brand new car, built and prepared by Lee Dykstra and American-based Australian Trans-Am driver Horst Kwech at DeKon Engineering. Chassis No. 1008 was used starting the 1976 season. In 1976 and 1977, he was the IMSA Camel GT champion, beating Hans Stuck , Brian Redman and Peter Gregg . In Holbert's successful 1977 campaign he captured another Camel GT crown. However, it would be

5184-614: The Mustang II badged as a Capri (as evidenced by a proposal using the Mustang II's 2+2 body with a rounded rear quarter window style and characteristic bodyside sculpting) was briefly considered, but the strong sales of the Ford Capri (Mk1) as a captive import through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships shelved plans for a corporate twin. Lincoln-Mercury continued to import the Capri in the updated MkII version until 1978. The Mercury Capri for 1979 became Mustang's American-built corporate twin, sharing

5292-488: The Mustang evolved from an even smaller platform, the Pinto that was rolled out in 1971. Rather than replicating the unchanged designs of the GM pony cars, Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird , the Mustang II now competed against sporty subcompact models that included GM's Buick Skyhawk , Oldsmobile Starfire , Pontiac Sunbird , and Chevrolet Monza . The new model would also better compete with 2+2 import coupes such as

5400-535: The Pinto chassis, it was that it had a rack-and-pinion steering gear rather than the Falcon's recirculating ball, and front disc brakes were standard," Edmunds Inside Line wrote of the Mustang II: "It was too small, underpowered, handled poorly, terribly put together, ill-proportioned, chintzy in its details and altogether subpar. According to Edmunds , the 1974 base engine's 88 hp (66 kW; 89 PS)

5508-484: The Pontiac Sunbird, Oldsmobile Starfire and Buick Skyhawk . The standard engine was the Vega's aluminum-block 140 cu in (2.3 L) inline-four engine with a single barrel carburetor generating 78 horsepower (58 kW) at 4,200 rpm . Optional was the two-barrel carburetor version that generated 87 horsepower (65 kW) at 4,400 rpm. Chevrolet's new 262 cu in (4.3 L) V8 engine

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5616-570: The US." That includes $ 19.8 billion from first-party 1P eCommerce websites and $ 18.3 billion from third-party 3P marketplaces. Singapore , which does not have a domestic automobile industry, is an especially important destination for businesses exporting automotive parts and accessories due to its high automobile turnover stemming from the peculiarities of its driving laws . (In short, car owners are legally required to get rid of their cars after ten years of use and Singapore's compensation scheme to offset

5724-460: The USA. In the 1982 championship, Brock came up against Jones in a well sorted, and slightly more powerful Porsche 935 turbo. Brock and the Monza consistently matched the speed of Jones and the two put on some of the best racing ever seen in Australia, but reliability was still a problem with the car and results were not forthcoming. Brock was involved in a spectacular start line crash in round three of

5832-633: The United States, excluding online auctions and used parts, have been projected to pass $ 10 billion in 2018. Automobile manufacturers have attempted to hinder or suppress automotive aftermarket sales by means of copyright or patent infringement litigation. For example, in British Leyland Motor Corp. v Armstrong Patents Co. in the UK, the House of Lords decided in 1986 that Leyland could not claim copyright infringement in order to prevent

5940-399: The Vega line, which ended production after the 1977 model year. Chevy grafted a new Monza front end onto the previous Vega hatchback and wagon body-styles. The Monza "S" , marketed as the Monza price leader, used the Vega hatchback body. With production of only 2,000 units, it was speculated that this was simply an effort to use up a stock of leftover 1977 Vega hatchback bodies. The Monza wagon

6048-459: The Vega, got some refinements. Named "Dura-built 140", it features quieter hydraulic lifters eliminating valve adjustments. The basic four developed 70 horsepower, but two-barrel carburetion increased the rating to 84. The 1976 model was the introduction of Chevrolet's new 5.0 liter (305 CID) V8 engine with a two-barrel carburetor generating 140 horsepower (100 kW) at 3,800 rpm, but only for California and high-altitude Monza customers, and replaced

6156-521: The Wankel or in the perpetuation of Cole's ideas. Estes had previously decided to let the Corvair , another Cole project, expire, well before the celebrated attacks of Ralph Nader . A total of 731,504 Monzas were produced in six model years. General Motors replaced the rear-wheel drive (RWD) H-body Monza, Sunbird, Skyhawk, and Starfire in the spring of 1981 with a new, front-wheel drive (FWD), line-up,

6264-482: The aftermarket sale of replacement tailpipes to purchasers of those motor cars. Aro Mfg. Co. v. Convertible Top Replacement Co. is a 1961 U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Court redefined the U.S. patent law doctrine of repair and reconstruction: "No element, not itself separately patented, that constitutes one of the elements of a combination patent is entitled to patent monopoly, however essential it may be to

6372-405: The appearance of the original 1965-68 Shelby Mustangs – available with all engine choices. The Cobra II was popular with the public, with Consumer Guide calling it an "instant success" that likely increased Mustang II's sales across the board. Automotive historian Gary Witzenburg observed that properly equipped, the thing actually performed pretty well by 1976 standards ." Full instrumentation

6480-657: The automotive aftermarket is a C$ 19.4 billion industry that employs about 420,000 people. In Australia , the automotive aftermarket industry in 2013 was estimated to generate a AUD$ 5.2 billion turnover, with 21000 staff, and 1400 manufacturers. in Europe , the total volume of Independent Aftermarket (IAM) amounted to 127 billion Euros in 2015 (end-user prices without labor and tax). At that moment there were 54 parts traders with annual turnover over 100 mio Euros in Europe, 6 of them exceeded 1 billion Euros. Meeting platform for

6588-488: The build sheet. The Spyder equipment package was a regular production option (RPO) Z01, while the Spyder appearance package was RPO Z02. The Spyder packages were available on Monza 2+2 sport hatchbacks. Spyder decal colors were determined by the body color of the Monza ordered. There were four color combinations for 1977. For 1979, there were six combinations, which included a green and a blue color scheme. In November 1970, GM paid $ 50 million for initial licenses to produce

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6696-574: The car until his death in 2012. The car is owned by his son, racing driver and race team owner David Wall . Others to drive a Chevrolet Monza in Australian Sports Sedan / GT racing included: John Briggs who raced a Monza built by K&A Engineering in Adelaide , Graeme Whincup (the uncle of multiple V8 Supercar and Bathurst 1000 champion Jamie Whincup ), who drove a Monza he built for racing in 1979, and Jeff Barnes. The Monza

6804-484: The challengers in the new AAGT class. The class was designed to allow such cars to compete with the best GT cars in the world. The 1975 season was launched with the new cars that would compete with the dominating Porsche Carreras. A very liberal set of rules allowed some body panels to be retained – the windshield, the rear window and the roof. Everything else was built from scratch. The IMSA racer and future triple Le Mans and dual Daytona 24 Hours winner Al Holbert saw

6912-488: The company announced the first postponement. Motor Trend in April 1974 predicted the outcome — On September 24, 1974, Cole postponed the Wankel engine ostensibly due to emissions difficulties and retired the same month. General Motors admitted fuel economy for the rotary was sub-standard and postponed production in favor of further development. Pete Estes succeeded Cole as GM's president and never showed any special interest in

7020-517: The cover of its main dealership brochure calling the Mustang II Ford's "small, sporty personal car." In mid-year, a 2.3 L "MPG" model was added, featuring a catalytic converter and a 3.18:1 rear-axle ratio (standard was 3.40:1) to claim EPA -version economy estimates of 23 mpg ‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg ‑imp ) in the city and 34 mpg ‑US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg ‑imp ) on

7128-550: The dealer. There were approximately 4,097 1977 Mirages made by MAT, but there were also Mirages created by Chevrolet dealerships, as the body add-ons and stripes were available through the dealer parts department. The 5.0 liter (305 CID) engine was the only V8 option for the 1977 model year. The standard Vega 2.3 aluminum-block engine was discontinued at the end of the model year, replaced with the Pontiac 2.5 "Iron Duke". The 1978 Monza line expanded to include rebadged holdovers from

7236-468: The development of a smaller Mustang for 1974 introduction. Initial plans called for a downsized Mustang based on the compact Ford Maverick , similar in size and power to the Falcon , the basis for the original Mustang. Those plans were later scrapped in favor of an even smaller Mustang based on the subcompact Ford Pinto . The original pony car was based on the compact Falcon and for its second-generation,

7344-456: The end of 1981 due to a back injury, he recruited touring car star driver Peter Brock to drive the car. Brock drove the 6.0L Monza in the 1982 and 1983 GT championships for Jane. A second Monza was built by Jane's team which was to have been raced in an IMSA street race in Miami in the early 1980s by Brock and Australia's 1980 Formula One champion Alan Jones , though it was never raced in

7452-484: The engine tuned to provide better mileage. Other refinements improved mileage to a remarkable 20 mpg, but with the fuel breakthrough came related side-effect problems — apex seal failures, as well as a rotor tip-seal problem. By December 1973, it was clear the Wankel, now planned for the Monza 2+2, would not be ready for either production or emissions certification in time for the start of the 1975 model year. and after paying another $ 10 million against its rotary licence fees,

7560-403: The engines' power outputs dropped again to 89 and 93 hp (69 kW; 94 PS), respectively, and production dropped "about 18 percent to 153,117 cars." Writers of today ignore the rave reviews of 1974–1978 models, and one even describes the Mustang II as "lamentable." The New York Times said in 2006 that defective steering, together with a fuel tank of the same design as in the Pinto,

7668-535: The estate version of the wagon. The 1979 Chevrolet Monza lineup was trimmed to four models. Added standard equipment for 1979 included an AM radio, tinted glass, bodyside moldings, and sport steering wheel. Only the 2+2 sport hatchback kept the sloped Euro-look front end; others had a freshened grille. A more-potent standard 151 cu in (2.5 L) four-cylinder with a redesigned cross-flow cylinder head and two-barrel carburetor developed 90-horsepower — five more than in 1978. Three optional engines were available:

7776-418: The four-cylinder engine as standard, a floor console, sport steering wheel, F41 suspension with larger front and rear stabilizer bars, and special shock absorbers. This equipment had been standard on the original 1975 2+2 (excluding the mid-year "S" model). The 1977 Monza was highlighted by two new Spyder option packages available only for the 2+2 hatchback, one being a $ 274 Z01 performance equipment package and

7884-629: The highway. To underscore fuel efficiency , all base 2.3 L Mustang IIs were called MPG after 1975. The Mustang II achieved record sales for 1975, making it the 9th best-selling Mustang of all time, with 199,199 sold. Consumer Guide , however, noted that the car's sales had fallen by nearly fifty percent from 1974 levels. In 1976 only, Ford offered the "Stallion" appearance group, including styled wheels, blacked-out grille, bumpers, and body moldings, as well as black two-toned accent paint offered with silver, red, white, and yellow body colors. The foray into increased performance emphasis also included

7992-468: The history of the Mustang refers to the introduction of "a lukewarm optional 302 V8 in 1975" and says that "the token revival of the Cobra name – appearing as the taped-and-striped Cobra II – the following year did little to stem the tide as customers grew less enchanted with the Mustang II's cramped quarters and weak performance." There was "a steady slide in 1976 and '77." Despite

8100-498: The hood. The King Cobra was available only with the V8 to help bolster the car's performance image. Following a marketing change initiated the previous model year, Mustang II sales literature continued to emphasize sportiness over the luxury that had been emphasized for most of the Mustang II's existence, again placing the 2+2 hatchback model with the optional T-top roof on the cover of the sales brochure. A "chic" Fashion Accessory Package

8208-632: The international automotive aftermarket is the B2B trade fair Automechanika which takes place every two years in Frankfurt. At last edition the hot topics were connected cars, autonomous driving, alternative drives and the workshop of the future. Among online retailers, Amazon.com and eBay Motors are the largest sellers of aftermarket parts and accessories in the U.S. by both units sold and revenue, and are expected to grow 25% in 2014, far outstripping traditional chain stores. As DIY parts sales soften at

8316-518: The last title for an American car. The Porsche 935s were becoming unbeatable right from the beginning of the 1978 season. However, the DeKon built Chevrolet Monza left its footprint on the IMSA Camel GT. They were quite unbeatable in 1976–1977. Chevrolet Monzas were seen in IMSA until 1986. Chris Cord's original DeKon Monza is owned and vintage raced today by Ken Epsman, while Holbert's Monza has been found and

8424-516: The market than the Mustang II" and recommended the AMC Gremlin as a car that was at least as good, and in some respects superior, in terms of seating, noise level, normal and emergency handling, and acceleration; and Road & Track described that the Ford was neither fast nor particularly good handling. Consumer reaction to the Mustang II was enthusiastic with a combined total production of

8532-485: The new Fox platform . Based on the Ford Pinto, the initial Mustang II production design was done by young Ford designer Howard "Buck" Mook and was personally selected by Iacocca The new model, however, was "less of a Pinto than the '64½ had been a Falcon." Two body styles were available; a two-door notchback coupe and a sportier three-door "2+2" hatchback (also referred to as a " liftback "). A folding rear seat

8640-505: The new direction forged by Mustang II, Ford almost certainly wouldn't be celebrating 50 years of Mustang today." Ford hosted the first "National Mustang II Reunion" in 2016 at the company's offices where the pony car re-invented "for an all-new era when build quality and fuel efficiency were more important to buyers than no-frill options and high-horsepower." [REDACTED] Media related to Ford Mustang II at Wikimedia Commons Aftermarket (automotive) The automotive aftermarket

8748-399: The original Mustang had been based on mundane Falcon components, Iacocca and company decided to use some of the parts from the new-for-1971 subcompact Ford Pinto as the basis for the Mustang." The new Mustang was viewed as a "fun-to-drive economy" car, but "in reality, it shared its underpinnings with the ... Pinto." The Mustang II carried handling and engineering improvements; its performance

8856-684: The original Mustang was its trim size and concept. The automakers in Detroit had "begun to receive vibrations from the only source it really listens to – new-car buyers… The message: Build smaller cars" as customers stopped buying and the inventory of unsold new cars climbed during the summer of 1973, and there were already positive market expectations for the new downsized Mustang. Automakers were "scrambling" by December 1973 as "the trend toward smaller, less extravagant cars to surge ahead faster than anyone had expected." After becoming president of Ford Motor Company on December 10, 1970, Lee Iacocca ordered

8964-485: The original Mustang's 12-month production record of 418,812." Over five years the Mustang II recorded four of the ten top model year Mustang sales. A 2009 report confirmed Iacocca's vision for the 1974–1978 Mustang II, saying it "was the right car at the right time, selling more than 1 million units in four years." The introduction of the Mustang II on September 21, 1973, coincided with the Arab oil embargo . The marketplace

9072-433: The other an additional $ 199 Z02 appearance package. An 84 horsepower (63 kW) four-cylinder engine was standard, but Monzas could be ordered with a 145 horsepower (108 kW) 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8 instead. The Monza dashboard contained round gauges in a brushed-aluminum instrument panel. The Towne Coupe Cabriolet was deleted, but a half-vinyl roof and opera windows could still be ordered. The Monza “Mirage”

9180-491: The patented combination and no matter how costly or difficult replacement may be." In 2005 Harley-Davidson filed a patent and trademark infringement lawsuit against two aftermarket engine manufacturers producing drop-in replacements for Harley's engines, namely S&S Cycle and Delkron, Inc. Harley accused S&S and Delkron of copying parts for Twin Cam engines and using Harley trademarks without permission. S&S argued that

9288-406: The popular personal luxury category of the time. Almost replicating the initial 1965 Mustang's sales rush, "even without any real performance appeal, the 1974 Mustang II brought buyers running into Ford dealerships." Sales for the Mustang II increased in 1974, making it the 6th best selling Mustang of all time with 296,041 units produced. "With oil crisis memories starting to fade," Ford needed

9396-415: The public and the press sang praises for the little Mustang II. After all, a car with excellent fuel efficiency, sporty looks and a low price tag will always find acceptance. Mustang II was a success, simply because it was the right car at the right time." Automotive journalist, Michael Lamm, described Ford's Mustang II as "the best idea of the year" with the new model arriving on the market just in time "in

9504-621: The real world of shrinking space, limited energy, and precious little clean air, dreamboat cars are out" ... this car "proves that the new breed of small cars can still be exciting!" Writers of the past few years tend to ignore the sales success of the Mustang II, pointing out flaws in the design compared to cars that came before and after, symbolizing the very start of the Malaise era in American auto design. Opinions include noting in 2003 that if there were any steps forward in technology with

9612-399: The rear seats down along with better rear-passenger accommodation. Chevrolet decided to discontinue the Monza at the end of the 1980 model year although production of 1980 models continued to the end of calendar 1980 with its "1982" Cavalier replacement debuting in early calendar 1981. The "Spyder" nameplate had been used to designate the 1962–1964 Corvair turbocharged model. The "Spyder" name

9720-626: The registration fee of new cars has incentivized more frequent turnover.) High automobile turnover and the preference for new parts means that the market for remanufactured and reconditioned auto parts is very small. Combined with a high demand for "accessories, car-care products, prestige items, and new spare parts," Singapore's automotive aftermarket is large. In fact, Singapore has become a major automotive components manufacturing base, as several leading multinational corporations (MNCs) have established international procurement offices as well as their Southeast Asia distribution centers. In Canada ,

9828-451: The retail counter, chain stores have pushed themselves into the DIFM commercial business, eating into distributors’ and wholesalers ’ market share. Since 2007, DIY sales at the chain stores have fallen a total of 3% to 5%, while commercial sales have brought in a double-digit sales increase. AutoZone’s DIFM sales in 2013 alone increased over 13%. Online sales of auto parts and accessories in

9936-475: The segment the Mustang had created, then abandoned." Ultimately, the Mustang II would be an early example of downsizing that would take place among Detroit's Big Three later in the decade. Conversely, the Mustang's former corporate twin the Mercury Cougar was upsized to the intermediate Ford Torino platform to better compete in the growing mid-size personal luxury car segment. A Mercury version of

10044-524: The words "Sweet Handling" the featured catchphrase on the cover of that year's Mustang II dealership brochure (though a luxury Ghia model still got pride of place there). Along these lines, the 1977 model year introduced a "Sports Appearance Group" for the Ghia model that was color-matched to either black or tan paint, as well as several minor styling changes and expanded color options for the Cobra II. Also new

10152-526: Was "truly pathetic" and the optional V6's 105 hp (78 kW; 106 PS) was "underwhelming" (with the addition of mandatory catalytic converters in 1975 these outputs fell to 83 and 97 hp (72 kW) respectively). In 1976, the "standard four-cylinder swelled to a heady 92 hp (69 kW; 93 PS), the V6 increased to 102 hp (76 kW), and sales were a surprisingly stable 187,567 units – a mere 1,019 less than in '75." In 1977,

10260-422: Was a T-top option for the fastback, featuring twin removable tinted glass panels. Midway through the 1977 model year, changes for the 1978 model year were pulled ahead to sell early. It is most notable on the Cobra II models, where the hood scoop was turned around to seem more aerodynamic and the graphics were revised. For the decals, the over-the-top dual stripes running the length of the car were replaced with

10368-458: Was a new type of pony car designed for an era of high gas prices and fuel shortages." The Mustang II was 490 lb (222 kg) lighter and almost 19 in (483 mm) shorter than the 1973 Mustang, and derived from the subcompact Pinto platform . While sharing a limited number of driveline components with the Pinto, the Mustang II employed an exclusive subframe, isolating its front suspension and engine mount subframe. The steering used

10476-491: Was a one-year only (1977) sporty body modification package produced by Michigan Auto Techniques (MAT), an aftermarket company contracted by GM; the Mirage was painted white, with red and blue racing stripes along the length of the car. It also featured flared body panels and a special airdam and spoiler. The vehicles were built in GM's St. Therese plant, and sent to MAT for modification, after which MAT would ship completed cars to

10584-662: Was adjusting to the fuel crisis, increasing insurance rates, United States emission standards , safety regulations, and downturns in the economy, as well as the waning consumer demand in the pony car segment. GM had considered discontinuing the Camaro and Firebird after 1972, and in 1974 Chrysler discontinued the Barracuda and Dodge Challenger , American Motors discontinued the Javelin , and lighter, more economical imported cars became increasingly popular – "in effect, filling

10692-729: Was also a favourite of drivers in dirt track racing in Australia in both super sedan and grand national racing during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Successful Monza drivers in speedway include Sydney Grand National driver Barry Graham. In Brazil , the Opel Ascona C was sold from May 1982 until 1996 as the Chevrolet Monza. The Chevrolet Monza was revived for the Chinese market and was launched in March 2019 in Wuhan. Available as

10800-494: Was also offered in an estate wood-trimmed version, using the Vega wagon body. The 1978 Monza line gained a new base coupe and 2+2 hatchback with round headlights in an upright front end with a crossbar grille and new tri-colored taillamps. The base 2+2 hatchback also used a new blunt rear taillamp panel incorporating the license plate mount and a conventional rear bumper; its enlarged taillights with square amber turn signals were also used on notchback coupes. The new Monza Sport series

10908-535: Was also offered this year, featuring Southwest-looking, striped "Fresno cloth" seating, enhanced interior lighting, vanity pockets, and special pinstriping. Consumer Guide tested a Mustang II Cobra II that year and found that its power just exceeded that of its closest competitors in the Sporty class, the Chevrolet Monza and its General Motors siblings, but that it ranked very low in handling and ride, with

11016-416: Was called the "5.0 L" even though its capacity was 4,942 cc (4.9 L; 301.6 cu in). Other than the optional V8 engine, the car underwent minor changes in 1975. The Ghia received opera windows and a padded vinyl half-top, as well as a plush Silver Luxury Group option. Ford sales literature continued to emphasize the car's potential similarity to the era's personal luxury models, with

11124-492: Was comparable to contemporary Detroit products, yet Consumer Guide ranked it very low in handling, "near the bottom of the low-price sporty compact class". Competitors also included the Toyota Celica and the Datsun 240Z . Sales of such imports attracted fewer than 100,000 customers in 1965, but by 1972 demand had increased; therefore, the "Mustang II's mission was to capture a big slice of this sizable new pie." Available as

11232-593: Was introduced for the Chevrolet Monza in 1976. This package included performance equipment and some small appearance items. The Monza Spyder equipment package was available on all 2+2 hatchbacks and Monza Towne Coupes (with the "sport equipment" package) with five-speed manual and Turbo Hydra-matic automatic transmissions . The Spyder equipment package included a two-barrel, Dura-Built 2.3 litre engine, floor console unit, large front and rear stabilizer bars, special shock absorbers, steel-belted radial ply blackwall tires, wheel opening mouldings (chrome), day-night inside mirror,

11340-443: Was offered in both 2+2 hatchback and notchback body styles, using a modified version of the previous quad rectangular headlamps, now above a full-width open-slot grill. The 2.5 liter (151 CID) inline-four "Iron Duke" was standard for 1978, replacing the Vega's inline-four engine. Engine options were a Buick-designed 3.2 liter (196 CID) V6 engine with a two-barrel carburetor that produced 90 horsepower (67 kW) at 3,600 rpm. Replacing

11448-434: Was optional on the notchback coupe and was standard on all hatchback models. "2+2" also accurately described the rear seat capacity according to period commentators. Weight distribution was front-heavy, with a 1974 V6-equipped car having 58 percent of its weight over the front wheels. The Mustang II was also the first American car to have power-assisted rack and pinion steering. Designers and engineers worked feverishly on

11556-488: Was optional. The smallest V8 ever offered by Chevrolet, it featured a Rochester two-barrel carburetor and generated 110 horsepower (82 kW) at 3,600 rpm. For 1975 only, Monzas sold in California and high altitude areas met the stricter emissions requirement by substituting a version of the 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 engine with a two-barrel carburetor tuned to just 125 hp (93 kW). The Monza 2+2 and its Buick and Oldsmobile variants feature GM's first use of

11664-438: Was standard. For the luxurious Ghia, 1975's Silver Luxury Group was replaced by a broader Ghia Luxury Group option, with more colors available in its plush velour interiors, exterior accents, and landau roofs. A manual moon roof was optional. Sales literature continued to refer to the Mustang II as Ford's "small, sporty personal car." Following continuing public concern about fuel efficiency, Consumer Guide that year tested

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