If there is one thing that vehicles from the 1970s are not known for it is longevity. You simply do not see a whole lot of middle to late 1970s stuff rolling around in stock form these days because they were just not that well made. This 1978 Monza wagon has survived the grim reaper for decades longer than the vast majority of its compatriots that came off the same assembly line. Not only has it survived, it has seemingly thrived! The car has been in California its whole life and that is likely the key to its current cherry condition. Even the interior is boss! All of the cheesy 1970s plastic seems perfect and shined up, the T-handle on the shifter is a nice period touch, and though the seats have been replaced we’d take those over some hashed stockers any day.
The engine is the factory V6 so this car has never been taken apart, hot rodded, or otherwise molested. Being a two door wagon, the short wheelbase is neat and the proportions are interesting. Monza hatches look cool, the Monza wagon looks cool, and the only one we think looks weird from this era is the coupe with the more formal roof. The back of those cars strikes us as awkward when we see them.
Looking under the hood exposes a shockingly clean engine that looks as though it has actually been maintained and cared for over the decades. Look at how clean the cap is on the HEI distributor?! Has this car been in a bubble for the majority of its life?
The auction ends very soon. Here’s what the seller wrote –
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This auction is for a ’78 Monza station wagon in good condition for a 38 year old car. Runs good powered by a factory V-6 with B&M shift kit on auto tranny. Cassette tape player, 5 bolt 15″ Weld racing wheels ,Sun tach, and Auto meter gauges. Fuel gauge does not work and a/c and heater removed to save weight. Interior mixed red and black. A California car…Usual minor scratches and dings but a nice looker..28,560 miles indicated on speedo. .Buyer responsible for pick up or transportation. $500 deposit required at time of sale.Thanx for looking…
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Check out the photos below and then hit the link and place a bid!
It’s too bad GM didn’t have the H-body more developed off-the-bat ’cause by the mid-late ’70s they were pretty good cars, although wrapping small-size bodies around the mid-size drivetrains eventually used made for a tight fit. As a 19-y.o. mechanic in ’80 with a one-hour commute across the S.F.V. to home I often had a choice of rides; a newish Granada, an early-’70s VW, or my own Vega GT…I usually took the Vega as it drove better, rode better, and was easier in traffic…not to mention the V8 Ford was kinda thirsty and gawd, 2 hours a day in a Bug sucked all-around. How VW’s remained so revered while the Vegas all got junked was a mystery to me but again had to do with the early days.
Those are the factory-optional seats, shared with the Camaro after ’71, although they look re-covered. (Incidentally they usually came along w/ nicer door panels, not those plastic things.) Comfy stuff for sure but again a tight fit.
Vegas in general seem to be seeing some pretty high asking prices now but this “Monza” version of the Kammback was produced well after most people cared, and the missing HVAC and wiring hacks look a little suspect. Even in California-condition, w/ 4 hrs. to go and no bids our seller may need to try it again with a more realistic starting price.
…and I think I -maybe- just figured out who owns it, given all clues. Ooops…:)
Always been a H-body fan since I was a kid but never liked the Monza front end. Change it to one from a 74-75 Vega and all is good.
That bad ass 6 motor & AT (with ‘shift kit’) needs a Sun tach to go with it (it really looks like it belongs mounted there) – High Performance, Ya know… Nice Steering wheel and clean gauge installation too – only a few wires showing. . .
This might have been a good beginning before Mr. Teenager got ahold of it – Now, Not So Much.
(ps) Groovy painted black door panels – Far Out.
Crash it and see what your insurance will give you $500 I had a Cutlass Calais
Quad 4 easily do 100 + without trying, broke a rod,, Was knocking and I had no choice had to go about 10 miles more to get out of the freeway construction and off the road, it blew going down the off ramp.. So I junked it couldn’t even get $200 6K ??? I wonder what he’s smoking
5 lug wheels? so basically someone put the stock motor back in but didn’t have the stock hubs and rear differential?
needs wood sides 😉