Poll: Which Chevrolet? (9/1/2023)

1972 for its clean lines. 1973 gets big bumpers and baroque styling.

While I do like the clean lines of the 1972, the unique roof treatment with the baroque windows is so unique that I went for the 1973.

I much prefer the more rational side mouldings of the '72. They also harmonise with the roofline nicely.

72 for me. I had a 1970 Monte Carlo that I should have kept. 

I've always been a huge fan of the 1st gen Monte Carlo, still am. But that '73 model was a game changer. Where the '70-'72 were simple and elegant, the '73 was bold, in your face, and polarizing. It was a daring move by Chevrolet. But it capitalized on all the new regulations and controls placed on domestic automobiles, effectively strangling them and robbing them of their power.

In 1973, Chevrolet said, "We may not have bragging rights on massive HP but we can give you a unique, hopefully trend-setting design and upgrade our interiors. Our cars may not be as fast as they were but they will be comfortable and will make a statement that is modern but harkens back to a more classic era. Those cars were slow too! But they were classy with flowing fender lines and plush interiors." GM brought that design ethic into the seventies with their A-Body cars. None made a more emphatic statement than the Monte Carlo. Where the 1st gen MCs said, "We have a personal luxury offering too!" The '73 said, "No one has anything like this!"

As controversial as the design was, it worked. Here's what the wiki says, "The 1973 Monte Carlo was named "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend on the basis of its new styling and emphasis on Euro-style ride and handling. The 1973 Monte Carlo set a new sales record for Chevrolet, with nearly 250,000 sold for the model year. The success of the Monte Carlo and Pontiac's similar Grand Prix led to several new personal luxury cars from competitors, including a revised Mercury Cougar, the Ford Gran Torino Elite, the Chrysler Cordoba, and restyled Dodge Charger as well as high-line versions of the AMC Matador that introduced a new coupe design for 1974."

@david-green I agree with you David.

@jkuvakas - Great write up John!

In 1973 I bought a new Olds Cutlass Supreme coupe with every option that was offered including the 455 engine. I looked at the Monte Carlo that year and passed on it because of those bumpers. The Olds still had bumpers that were stylish and worked well with the body...the following year that changed. 72 for me.

@david-green 

What you point out about the roof-line of the '73, is the exact reasons I DON'T like it.  The '72 is so much better looking to my eyes.  

Posted by: @jkuvakas

I've always been a huge fan of the 1st gen Monte Carlo, still am. But that '73 model was a game changer. Where the '70-'72 were simple and elegant, the '73 was bold, in your face, and polarizing. It was a daring move by Chevrolet. But it capitalized on all the new regulations and controls placed on domestic automobiles, effectively strangling them and robbing them of their power.

In 1973, Chevrolet said, "We may not have bragging rights on massive HP but we can give you a unique, hopefully trend-setting design and upgrade our interiors. Our cars may not be as fast as they were but they will be comfortable and will make a statement that is modern but harkens back to a more classic era. Those cars were slow too! But they were classy with flowing fender lines and plush interiors." GM brought that design ethic into the seventies with their A-Body cars. None made a more emphatic statement than the Monte Carlo. Where the 1st gen MCs said, "We have a personal luxury offering too!" The '73 said, "No one has anything like this!"

As controversial as the design was, it worked. Here's what the wiki says, "The 1973 Monte Carlo was named "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend on the basis of its new styling and emphasis on Euro-style ride and handling. The 1973 Monte Carlo set a new sales record for Chevrolet, with nearly 250,000 sold for the model year. The success of the Monte Carlo and Pontiac's similar Grand Prix led to several new personal luxury cars from competitors, including a revised Mercury Cougar, the Ford Gran Torino Elite, the Chrysler Cordoba, and restyled Dodge Charger as well as high-line versions of the AMC Matador that introduced a new coupe design for 1974."

Love your right up and reasoning John, but doesn't make me a fan of the '73.  That year and a couple after it, were not attractive styles for my taste.

The '72 for me please!  To my eyes, the last of the nicely styled Chevy's of that era. 

That roof-line and longer hood look of the '73 (and a few years after) were a real turn-off for my taste.  

I prefer the trimmer and cleaner lines of the '72, but like both cars.

Tough call...but for me it's the '72 with the clean and refined styling.

@jkuvakas Thank you for this insightful introduction to 1970s styling.  I have mixed feelings over this era and to better understand it will help a lot.