2006/2007 Monte Carlo SS

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was first introduced in 1970 to compete with the Ford Thunderbird and has gone through six generations since its humble beginnings.

I want to talk about the sixth generation Monte Carlo SS, no, not the weak 2000 to 2005 grocery getter but the sportier more defined 2006/2007 models which brought back some of the style and flare from the older Monte Carlos but separated itself from the pack with a distinct front-end look, NASCAR-style spoilers and Corvette-inspired exhaust outlets.

303 Horsepower – The highest it’s been in a long time!

The Monte Carlo SS are equipped with a V-8, 5.3-liter small-block that produces 303 horsepower and 323 pounds of torque; the highest it’s been in a real-real long time. It also utilizes a “displacement on demand” function that shuts down select cylinders when not needed to save fuel. The 63 horse power increase from the 2005 SS model (which was a V6) raised some eyebrows considering it was being placed on a front wheel drive car, the first front wheel drive SS in the Chevy lineup.

The Monte Carlo SS comes with the FE4 suspension, which is tuned to provide a sporty ride that complements the 5.3L small-block V-8’s performance. It offers increased stiffness and ride control, with reduced body lean and greater high-speed stability. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels with 235/50 R18 Goodyear Eagle performance tires compliment the package.

2007 was the last year of the Monte Carlo SS and while it was speculated that General Motors was considering a rear wheel drive replacement for the Monte Carlo we now know the 2010 Chevy Camaro will fill the sports coupe void that was left behind in 2007.

Do you consider the 2006/2007 Monte Carlo SS a future classic? Better yet do you consider any Monte Carlo a classic/future classic? Leave us your feedback.

96 Impala SS

What does it take for a car to become a classic? Is it the rarity of a vehicle, custom desired modifications, or maybe just a high profile name that can make a car a classic? A classic car should be able to stand the test of time… The same way your favorite movies as a kid could 30 years later bring the same  joy to your son or daughter.  And a large part of what defines a Classic is the  fans who toil and sweat to keep Classic heritage alive. From one generation to the next they play a significant roll in keeping that legacy going.

I believe the second generation Chevy Impala SS can pass that test. With its brute, yet sleek body style, and LT1 V8 engine, what kid 30 years from now wouldn’t love to have one?

Chevy brought back the second generation Impala SS in 1994. This was the first four door ” Impala SS,” and was only available in black (previous Impala SS models were either coupes or convertibles.)

Chevy made sure that it lived up to its heritage with a 5.7 liter LT1 V8 engine that produced 260 Horsepower and ran 0-60 in 7.1 seconds. In the first year of production we saw about 6,000 Impala SS made.

Besides foldaway mirrors there were minimal changes to the 1995 Chevy Impala SS.  One major plus, was the Impala was now available in three colors: Black, Dark Cherry, and Dark Green-Grey. Production increased to over 18,000 that year.

My favorite second generation Chevy Impala SS was produced in 1996. The shifter was now mounted on the console, and the dash sported an analog gauge cluster. The fuel pressure and voltage gauges were replaced with a tachometer and analog speedometer. This was the last year of production for the second generation Impala SS. Comparatively, there was an unprecedented production run of about 41,000.

So do you agree in my first choice for a Future Classics?

I have a few more cars I believe will be classics that I will talk about in future blogs.

So keep reading and send me a list of cars you think would fit those criteria.