From Monza to Malibu: What Pristine Examples of Chevy’s Cool Cars from the ’70s and ’80s Could Be Worth – Jalopnik

The 1970s and 1980s were unique automotive eras, characterized by velvet upholstery and chrome plastic. Yet many considered these two decades the Dark Ages for Chevrolet. The Malaise Era – brought on by the 1973 oil crisis, stricter safety and emissions regulations, and an influx of Japanese cars – was quite tough on the American auto industry. This was the moment when American automakers were moving away from their big V8 engines – considered the epitome of performance at the time – to smaller, less powerful and less desirable cars. Chevrolet was part of this too, and it made for some real doozies. However, there were also some jewels that went unnoticed: cars that today can be considered real collector’s items, although most still slip under the radar.

Enthusiasts who are fed up with modern cars with features that only seem to make them worse, and who want something interesting but relatively affordable, are now starting to look at the Chevys that have fallen through the cracks. The best part is that well-maintained, low-mileage Chevrolets can be had for as little as $20,000 – we’re talking cars like the Monza, Malibu, Cosworth Vega, Citation X11 and LUV.

However, finding one in good condition can be a challenge. Most of these cars are not as well preserved as muscle cars and are often third generation hand-me-downs. From the H-body Monza to the ill-fated Citation, let’s take a closer look at these models and explain why they were launched, why they failed and how much you’ll have to cough up to take home a good example.

During its five-year production run, the Mirage and Spyder packages were the Monza’s claim to modest fame. The Spyder was primarily a cosmetic package with suspension upgrades, while the Mirage was a wide IMSA race-inspired road car with forged aluminum wheels. The ones to look out for are the 350 V8-equipped cars offered specifically for California, which produced a paltry 125 horsepower. Monzas weren’t known for their performance, but they handled well. If you’re lucky, though, you might find one with a 140-horsepower 305 cubic-inch V8 – this engine was offered briefly, from ’77 to ’79. And while it looked fantastic, the Monza struggled against European and Japanese rivals such as the Opel Manta, Volkswagen Scirocco and Toyota Celica, which offered far superior build quality.

If you’re looking for a pristine Monza, you’re going to have to do quite a hunt. A good, drivable Monza 2+2 can be had for around $10,000, while high-quality restored examples – or the rare Mirage (only 4,124 were made) – can fetch prices around $25,000.

However, the facelifted Malibu is not the most sought-after version. That title belongs to the rare Malibu M80, a dealer-prepared package sold primarily in North and South Carolina. Approximately 1,901 examples were built, with changes limited to white paint and dark blue interiors, spoilers and rally wheels. The Malibu was a huge success, but was seen as an unexciting car. Malibus was also a popular choice for drag conversions due to their lightweight and sturdy rear-wheel drive platforms and an engine bay large enough for a big-block V8.

These days you can get a basic, clean coupe for around $12,000, while a pristine example can run you around $30,000.

The Cosworth Vega featured a 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine, all-aluminium and fitted with Bendix fuel injection, a technology years ahead of its rivals. It had to be a small American car with a European soul. Initially all Cosworth Vegas were painted black with gold pinstriping. To ensure quality control, the Cosworth Vega was assembled more slowly than other Chevys. It was also expensive, costing only $900 less than the Corvette. Unfortunately, when it debuted in 1975, emissions regulations forced Chevy to limit its output to just 110 horsepower. The price and limited performance meant that the Cosworth Vega failed to attract buyers and was discontinued a year later, with only 3,508 examples produced. Today, the Cosworth Vega is a bona fide Malaise-era collector’s item.

Examples in good condition can now be found for around $12,000, while concours-level cars can cost four times that. While most carry the curse of Vega rust, finding one with the original fuel injection is the biggest headache, as the unreliable electronics of the time caused many to be converted to a carburetor setup.

The Citation X11 had two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 90 horsepower and a powerful 2.8-liter V6 with 135 horsepower. It was distinguished from the standard Citation by its functional hood scoop, aggressive graphics, larger alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and a sporty suspension. It was available as a two-door “Club Coupé” or as a hatchback. At its peak it cost about $7,000, which was expensive for a compact sedan. The larger engine was known to deliver solid performance with a claimed fuel economy of 22 miles per gallon. The upgrades also made the Citation X11 surprisingly capable on the track. Nevertheless, five years into production, Chevy quietly discontinued the X11.

Finding a Citation A highly restored car with low mileage can cost up to $20,000. Buyers should beware of issues with the steering rack and rear brake lockout.

The LUV was a compact truck that was ahead of its time, but was discontinued to make way for the S10 pickup. The LUV had a simple 1.8-liter engine of 80 hp. Later models had a larger 2.0-litre petrol and even a 2.2-litre diesel option. From 1979 it was available with four-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line Mikado trim added a three-spoke steering wheel, better upholstery and a choice of loud graphics. It was a rugged little workhorse used as a cheap commuter and light farm truck. The problem was that the Isuzu-based LUV used thin Japanese steel, and many of these trucks simply succumbed to rust. That makes it difficult to find one that isn’t permanently rusted or has undergone a V8 swap.

Chevy LUV prices have increased. A decent example can cost as much as $5,000, while a pristine, original 4WD Mikado edition truck can cost almost $20,000. Some excellent examples have also fetched up to $45,000 at auction.