Blame Ford. Ford understood the darkish cloud Detroit automakers discovered themselves underneath following the OPEC Oil Embargo of 1973. Responding shortly 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 when it comes to affordability and fuel consumption. The Mustang II was a gross sales hit.
Mustang II
Conventional lovers 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 a substitute “luxurious” variants of the wee Ford in shocking quantity.
Notice that the Mustang II was primarily based on the identical structure because the subcompact Ford Pinto, however was provided 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 analogous tack in addressing the shifting post-OPEC calls for of automotive patrons, and one instance of that technique might be seen right here.
Whereas Chevy did NOT redesign the Camaro in response to requires improved gas economic system—nor did Common 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 people who don’t know, the Monza was Chevy’s small Pinto competitor, and the alternative for the Vega. New for ’75, Chevy provided a “premium” variant of the Monza: The Towne Coupe.
Monza Trim Ranges
The 1975 Monza lineup was comprised of a low-cost “S” trim stage, which was a 2-door hatchback. Utilizing the identical physique was the sporty “2+2” trim stage. And capping the lineup, not less than when it comes to premium really feel and formal look, was the Towne Coupe. A wagon can be added to the Monza lineup for 1976.
Per the advert, the luxurious touches discovered on the Towne Coupe included:
- Bucket seats
- Improve upholstery
- Door pockets
- Improve carpeting
- Simulated chicken’s-eye maple 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 had 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 provided for 1975, as was a 4.3-liter V8 rated at 110 horsepower.
Landau Roof
However the large Towne Coupe information was its distinctive, formal roofline, which was nicely fitted to becoming of a vinyl/landau roof, one thing that changing into fairly in style within the mid-Seventies, and seen usually on Ford’s Mustang II. Nothing mentioned premium in 1975 like a landau roof.
Gross sales
The Towne Coupe seen right here is nicely geared up, that includes 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. Towne Coupe Gross sales would enhance for 1976, as Chevy accomplished its phaseout of the Vega. As for the existence of an “upscale” Chevrolet Monza? We are able to blame Ford, and the Mustang II.
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1975 Chevrolet Monza Footage
