Monza Spyder: Why It Matters

The Italian Vega was also the right car at the right time. 
Ladies and gentlemen, I present my opening argument on why a V8 equipped Chevrolet Monza Spyder is a malaise era muscle car. First, almost nothing from the malaise era conforms to the purist definition of muscle car.  While the enthusiast and youth market was evolving The Big Three were still reaching out for sales from the muscle car buyer. The guy that wanted a V8 and a stick-shift in a lighter body to wrench on for more power. The Monza Spyder provided this platform with a good looking swoopy body that had Italian design cues. These smaller cars like the Mustang II were the hot new attention grabbers of magazine writers. They called them Hot Hatches and Super Coupes, lighter quick cars that could corner and brake as well. 

While they are low compression smog motors there are three different V8 you might find in one, 262, 305 and 350. Along with obvious automatic transmissions 3, 4 and 5 speed manuals were available too. Go fast parts and handling items were available at the after-market counter. Today H-Body enthusiasts can be found doing their thing at Facebook and web forums. 

Here is one I like that recently sold at Mecum for $14.3K. 

This one had 38K miles. It is equipped as how I'd order one, 350 V8 and a 4 speed manual, all it needs is a sunroof. Treat that 350 to a mild performance rebuild, maybe throttle-body EFI. I'd up size the wheels to 16" or 17" wearing some good performance rubber. I'd also do a rear disc brake conversion. 
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​What about you? Like one or had one? Hate it?

Roadkill takes one to the extreme...yes leaf-blower superchargers.