Blame Ford. Ford understood the darkish cloud Detroit automakers discovered themselves beneath following the OPEC Oil Embargo of 1973. Responding rapidly to public demand for smaller and more-efficient vehicles, the Blue Oval carmaker downsized the Mustang. It was a dangerous enterprise, however the payoff was completely large. Dubbed Mustang II, the brand new little pony automotive hit a market candy spot by way of affordability and fuel consumption. The Mustang II was a gross sales hit.
Mustang II
Conventional fans scorned the brand new little Mustang, however mainstream automotive patrons flocked to Ford sellers—money in hand—to safe the brand new, arguably good trying, little ‘Stang. Curiously, Mustang II patrons weren’t particularly within the automotive’s efficiency heritage, shopping for as an alternative “luxurious” variants of the wee Ford in shocking quantity.
Word that the Mustang II was primarily based on the identical structure because the subcompact Ford Pinto, however was supplied with nicer cabins, extra highly effective engine choices, and funky sounding luxury-themed trim ranges together with Ghia.
Chevrolet
Ford crosstown rival Chevrolet took an identical tack in addressing the shifting post-OPEC calls for of automotive patrons, and one instance of that technique will be seen right here.
Whereas Chevy did NOT redesign the Camaro in response to requires improved gasoline financial system—nor did Normal Motors replace the same Pontiac Firebird—it did start to supply upscale variants of its small and reasonably priced Monza—assembly the Mustang II in about the identical place marketwise.
Monza Towne Coupe
For folk who don’t know, the Monza was Chevy’s small Pinto competitor, and the substitute for the Vega. New for ’75, Chevy supplied premium variants of the Monza, such because the Towne Coupe seen right here.
Monza Trim Ranges
The 1975 Monza lineup was comprised of a low-cost “S” trim degree, which was a 2-door hatchback. Utilizing the identical physique was the sporty “2+2” trim degree. And capping the lineup, a minimum of by way of premium really feel and formal look, was the Towne Coupe. A wagon could be added to the Monza lineup for 1976.
Per the advert, the posh touches discovered on the Towne Coupe included:
- Bucket seats
- Improve upholstery
- Door pockets
- Improve carpeting
- Simulated fowl’s-eye instrument panel veneer
The advert throws some numbers at your, together with an axle ratio, and engine displacement. Whereas making a 5-speed handbook out there in an American automotive within the Seventies was fairly cool (4-speed manuals have been then the norm), The Monza’s customary 2.3 liter 78-horsepwer engine was not going to engender a lot pleasure. An 87-horsepower 4 was additionally supplied for 1975, as was a 4.3-liter V8 rated at 110 horsepower.
Landau Roof
However the huge Towne Coupe information was its distinctive, formal roofline, which was nicely suited to becoming of a vinyl/landau roof, some that changing into fairly widespread within the mid-Seventies, and seen usually on Ford’s Mustang II.
Gross sales
The Towne Coupe seen right here is nicely outfitted, with an AM/FM radio, air con, and presumably the out there leather-based seating surfaces. Chevrolet bought 69,238 Towne Coupes for 1975, making the most well-liked Monza variant that 12 months. Gross sales would enhance for 1976, as Chevy accomplished its phaseout of the Vega. As for the looks of an “upscale” Chevrolet Monza? We are able to blame Ford, and the Mustang II.
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1975 Chevrolet Monza Footage
