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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:25 PM
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My son in law came over tonight and is thinking of building up a car to use as a cruiser. He wants to buy a Southern GM car that is smaller, affordable and came with a V8 and rear wheel drive. He is looking for something rust free, relatively inexpensive and something that will be a bit different from other cars you see at the local cruise night.
When did GM go to front wheel drive? Our reasoning is that you would have more success putting a V8 crate motor in a rear wheel drive car.
It also seems to me that when the mid size GM cars such as the Cutlass. Century and Monte Carlo went to FWD that they were only available with a V6.
Did they go FWD around 1981?
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:48 PM
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Is this rear wheel drive? Showing my ignorance here.:o
http://www.countryclassiccars.com/spcars_446.htm
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by corvetteronw
Is this rear wheel drive? Showing my ignorance here.:o
http://www.countryclassiccars.com/spcars_446.htm
Yep... those Monte's are RWD

I have ALWAYS liked that style Monte. Easy to work on, lots of parts out there, and they look good!!!

EDIT: I'm not sure I would classify them as small though.
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:52 PM
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Front driver?
http://www.countryclassiccars.com/spcars_436.htm
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by redls1gto
Yep... those Monte's are RWD

I have ALWAYS liked that style Monte. Easy to work on, lots of parts out there, and they look good!!!

EDIT: I'm not sure I would classify them as small though.
Thanks!
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:53 PM
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Ron,
I think it was 1988 or 1989 when the "G" body's went to front wheel drive.

I had a 1981 Cutlass and it was rear drive V8.
And yes, when they moved to front wheel drive they went to V6 at the same time.
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by corvetteronw
No, that is still rear drive.
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by RollaMo-LT4
No, that is still rear drive.
Thanks - price is not too bad. 383 with a Holley fuel injection unit, headers and Flowmasters, beefed trans, meaty tires and nice wheels, beef up the suspension and cooling system and she might be fun on the street. Not too likely to see another at the local drive in either.
I think my son in law is hinting at using my pole barn for the project.
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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 11:02 PM
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This style was the first FWD Monte. Started in '95 I believe. There was a gap from 1989? to 1994.

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Old Jul 6, 2009 | 11:06 PM
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If you want a rear wheel drive look for a 1985-1987 Monte SS
1978-1990 Impala
1978-1992 Camaro/Firebird
Just get a 1985 or newer Vette.
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 12:33 AM
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Last generation rear RWD Monte Carlo Rocked!!

Remember the Three of them?

Monte Carlo SS


442


Grand National
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 01:15 AM
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Originally Posted by PLRX
Grand National
Grand National =

I remember when I was 19 and took my 87 Vette to the drag strip for the first time. Nervous as hell... staged... heard what sounded like a Hoover vacuum beside me... then saw nothing but tail lights of an 87 GN for the next 1320 feet.
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by corvetteronw
rear
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 11:00 AM
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Now is the time to get into a 70-72 Monte Carlo, it's Chevelle based, and you can usually find a nice factory SS454 car for less than $15k. They've really never taken off, and dropped a little recently. One on Charlotte CL right now for $10,5.



Now if he wants 80's my 84 SS is a good example of what can be done, 5 speed, 12" 4 wheel discs, 275/40 R17's etc etc.....




Last edited by DarkBlue88; Jul 7, 2009 at 11:05 AM.
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 11:34 AM
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That is a nice looking ride.
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 11:44 AM
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I used to have a 1980 monte carlo with the turbo V-6 in it. was an OK car, not fast by any means but for the day it could run pretty good with the 305's of the day. Kick myself for selling it would have been a fun car to drop a grand national turbo motor in.
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 03:52 PM
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The late 70's/early 80's Malibu is pretty damn light.....
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