Today, we get a little history lesson about the Monza 4 door sedan from Larry Claypool at the Corvair Preservation Foundation. To learn more about the CPF, click here.
MONDAY MORNING HISTORY CLASS IS NOW IN SESSION! 4-20. Today we stroll back to December of 1960 as Chevrolet introduces the new Monza 4 Door sedan!
The Monza coupe, introduced some 8 months earlier, had become a sales sensation with its upgraded trim and bucket seat interior. So, why not apply the same formula to the 4 door! But because it was a 4 door, maybe a bench seat would be more appropriate- so a nicely upholstered bench seat with Impala quality cloth inserts was made standard, while front buckets, also with the cloth inserts was optional.
Apparently, this didn’t work out as well as the sales department thought. 3 months later, dealers were informed that only all vinyl bucket seats (same as in the coupe) would be available in fawn or green ; then the 6 weeks later, black cloth buckets were axed as well. There were likely more dealer letters advising the same fate for the white and red choices. For 62, the Monza sedan & wagon had an exceptionally nice cloth & vinyl bench seat (with special cloth insert door panels), but the bucket seat option provided you with all vinyl seats and door panels as in the coupe. 63 & 64 Monza sedans came with the vinyl bucket seats standard- no bench seats for any Monza after 62.
Another look back into Corvair History by the CPF!
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