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Chevrolet DeKon Monza - the American answer to the Porsche 911 RSR in racing

Name: Chevrolet Monza 1975
Brand: Chevrolet

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on September 15, 2016

Text:

Balz Schreier, Sara Räss

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Martin Spetz

Michael Keyser

Kurt Oblinger

GM / Chevrolet

William Siegfriedt

Michel Guilloux

Fred Lewis

James Boone

Balz Schreier

Paul Kooyman

Jerry Winker

Bruno von Rotz

Kurt Ahnert

Stephan Bisang

Joe Zumsteg

Gary Neese

Richard Demming

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Martin Spetz

Michael Keyser

Kurt Oblinger

GM / Chevrolet

William Siegfriedt

Michel Guilloux

Fred Lewis

James Boone

Balz Schreier

Paul Kooyman

Jerry Winker

Bruno von Rotz

Kurt Ahnert

Stephan Bisang

Joe Zumsteg

Gary Neese

Richard Demming

Archiv

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1977) - Michael Keyser (ahead of Greg Pickett in #6 Chassis 1010 Monza), last race before this car was sold to Roy Woods - Laguna Seca on May 1, 1977

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1002 (1977) - Laguna Seca Historics 2009 - in fourth ownership with Chad Raynal

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Photo gallery sorted by chassis numbers of the Chevrolet Monza

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Chevrolet Monza (1974) - how it was delivered to DeKon (Chassis #1001)

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Chevrolet Monza 2+2 (1974) - this is how the first Monza was delivered to DeKon Engineering, from this vehicle the DeKon chassis #1001 was then created

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza chassis #1001 at the suspension test facility at GM in Warren (Michigan) at the end of 1974

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1001 (1975) - Horst Kwech at the debut race - Road Atlanta 1975

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The first ever race of the Chevrolet DeKon Monza (chassis 1001 in the picture at the back): Horst Kwech drives the debut on April 20, 1975 at Road Atlanta within the IMSA Camel GT

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1002 (1976) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1976 - with Harry Theodoracopulos (USA) and Michel Jourdain (MEX)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1002 (1976) - Harry Theodorcopolis - Trans-Am Pocono Race May 9, 1976

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Harry Theodoracopulos in the 1976 Chevrolet DeKon Monza (Chassis 1002) - Trans-Am Pocono race on May 9, 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1002 (1978) - Camel GT Challenge Road Atlanta 1978 - with William Wonder (USA)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 (1975) - Al Unser - 250 Miles of Daytona 1975

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1975) - Al Unser in the #4 DeKon (chassis 1003) dueling with Allan Moffat #3 (chassis 1005) at the Daytona 200-mile race in November 1975

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1976) - Chassis #1003 - Michael Keyser (left) and his racing team at the Riverside International Raceway in California in 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1976) - Chassis #1003 - this is what this race car looked like in its first ownership by Michael Keyser (left) - Riverside International Raceway in California 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 (1976) - Michael Keyser - Road Atlanta 1976

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Two Chevrolet DeKon Monza: Chassis 1003 (1976) with Michael Keyser in #1 (right) ahead of Al Holbert #14 Chassis 1008 - 6 Hours of Mid-Ohio on August 29, 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 (1976) - Michael Keyser (first owner of Chassis 1003) - Mid-Ohio 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1976) - Chassis #1003 first owned by Michael Keyser - Mid-Ohio 100-mile race 1976

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1003 (1976) - 250 Mile Final at Daytona 1976 - Overall Winner Michael Keyser (November 28, 1976)

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1003 (1976) - 500km Road Atlanta 1976 - Michael Keyser and Jim Trueman took 3rd place in this round of the Camel GT (September 19, 1976)

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Special road version of the Chevrolet Monza Rapide (later Mirage) (1977) - the paintwork of this road version is strongly reminiscent of the racing version of the DeKon Monza chassis #1003 by Michael Keyser the year before

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 (1977) - Brad Frisselle (bought chassis 1003 from Michael Keyser) - Lime Rock 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 at Sears Point 1977 with Brad Frisselle

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1977, Chassis 1003) by Brad Frisselle - Sears Point 100 Miles 1977

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza (1977) chassis #1003 in second ownership with Brad Frisselle

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Brad Frisselle in his 1977 Chevrolet Monza (chassis 1003) at the Mid Ohio 3-hour race of the IMSA Camel GT Championship

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 (1977) - Daytona Firecracker 400 (Daytona 250 Miles Paul Revere) 1977 - driven by Brad Frisselle (USA)

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Five of the seven Chevrolet DeKon Monza starters at Laguna Seca on October 9, 1977 in one photo! From left to right: Chassis 1004 (Tom Frank), 1006 (Roy Woods), 1010 (Greg Pickett), 1011 (Chris Cord), 1003 (Brad Frisselle)

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza (Chassis 1003) (1975) from Brad Frisselle Racing at Le Mans 1978 - Brad Frisselle bought this Monza from first owner Michael Keyser

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza (1978) by Brad Frisselle Racing at Le Mans 1978

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza (1978) by Brad Frisselle Racing at Le Mans 1978 (Chassis 1003)

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza (1978) Chassis #1003

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1003 (1975) - HSR Sebring Historics 2010 - driven by Theo Bean, owner Paul Walker

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1003 (1975) - HSR Sebring Historics 2010 - driven by Theo Bean, owner Paul Walker - rear view

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1003 (1975) - Classic 24 Hour Daytona 2014 - driven by Theo Bean, owner Paul Walker

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The original Brad Friselle Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 (1977) at the Sebring Historics 2014 - this vehicle competed at Le Mans in 1978 - now owned by Paul Walker

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1003 (1977) at the 2014 Sebring Historics - now owned by Paul Walker

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1003 (1975) at the SVRA Spring Vintage Classic in Sebring 2015 - now owned by Paul Walker

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1004 (1977) - Tom Frank - Road Atlanta 1977

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1004 (1977) - 100 Miles of Road Atlanta 1977 - Tom Frank finished 5th with the DeKon Monza from the Executive Industries Team (April 17, 1977)

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1004 (1977) - Laguna Seca Historics 2009 - fourth owned by Phil Gallant

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1004 (1975) - HSR Classic 24 Hour Daytona 2015 - owned by Pat Hogan since 2012

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1004 (1976) - Classic 24 Hour Daytona 2015

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1004 (1975) - HSR Classic 24 Hour Daytona 2015 - owned by Pat Hogan-2 since 2012

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1005 (1975) - 250 Mile Final Daytona 1975 - Allan Moffat, retired (November 30, 1975)

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1005 (1975) - Monterey Reunion 2015 - driven by Stephen Sorenson

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Michael Keyser / Eddie Wachs, Arrival at Le Mans Airport - 24 Hours of Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Greenwood Racing with the L-88 Corvette rented this garage near Arnage, where the racing cars were prepared, the team with Michael Keyser found shelter with them - 24 Hours of Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Inspection (Scruitineering) of the newcomer at Le Mans - 24 Hours of Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Scrutineering at Le Mans - 24 Hours of Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Michael Keyser - 24 Hours of Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Michael Keyser gets ready - 24 Hours of Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Michael Keyser / Eddie Wachs - 24 Hours of Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) at Le Mans 1976

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1977) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1977 - with Michael Keyser

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1006 (1977) - 100 Miles of Road Atlanta 1977 - Michael Keyser retired early due to brake problems (April 17, 1977)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis #1006 driven by Roy Woods at the 1977 Trans-Am Road America

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1978) - Roy Woods (second owner of Chassis 1006) - Trans-Am St. Jovite 1978

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1980, chassis 1006) by George Follmer/Skeeter McKitterick for Roy Woods Racing - 5 Hours of Riverside 1980

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1007 (1981) - Trans-Am Brainerd (1981) - Jerry Hansen had to retire after eight laps due to engine failure

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1007 (1982) - Trans-Am (1982)Mike Rounds drove it for the entire 1982 Trans-Am season

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1008 (1976) - 250 Mile Final at Daytona 1976 - Al Holbert started in pole position but retired (November 28, 1976)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1976) driven by Al Holbert at Mid-Ohio on June 6, 1976 (Chassis #1008)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1008 (1976) - 3 Hours of Daytona Final 1985 - original Al Holbert car from 1976, here in third ownership of Joe Gonzalez

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis #1010 driven by Greg Pickett at the 1977 Trans-Am Road America

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1011 (1977) - Chris Cord - Mid-Ohio 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1977, chassis 1011) by Chris Cord - 100 miles Searspoint 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1011 (1978) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1978

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1980) Chassis #1011 by Chris Cord - 500 Miles Road America 1980

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1980) Chassis #1011 by Chris Cord - 100 Miles Searspoint 1980

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1981, Chassis 1011) by Chris Cord/Jim Adams for Chris Cord Racing - 6 Hours of Riverside 1981

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1980) Chassis #1011 by Chris Cord - Mid Ohio 1981

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1980) Chassis #1011 by Chris Cord - Laguna Seca 1981

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza IMSA GTO 1975 - driven by Jim Adams #20 (Chassis 1012)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1981, chassis 1012) by Chris Cord/Jim Adams for Chris Cord Racing - 5-hour Riverside 1980

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1012 (1975) - Laguna Seca Historics 2009 - currently in second ownership with Ken Epsman

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1012 (1975) - Monterey Reunion 2013 - currently in second ownership with Ken Epsman

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Chevrolet Dekon Monza Chassis 1012 (1975) - Monterey Reunion 2015 - currently in second ownership with Ken Epsman

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1014 (1977) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1977 - the second Monza of Al Holbert

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1014 (1977) - Holbert / Keyser / Ballot-Léna - 24 Hours of Daytona 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1014 () - Al Holbert - Road Atlanta 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1977, Chassis 1014) by Al Holbert - Sears Point 100 Miles 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1977, chassis 1014) driven by Al Holbert ahead of Hurley Haywood in the Porsche 934/5 - Sears Point 100 Miles 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1014 (1978) - Dave Heinz (second owner of Chassis 1014, purchased from Al Holbert) - Road Atlanta 1978

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1014 (1978) - Camel GT Challenge Road Atlanta 1978 - Budweiser Racing Team with Dave Heinz

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1014 (1977) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1984 - originally the racing car of Al Holbert, here in use by the third and last owner Alfredo Sesana

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Privately built Chevrolet Monza Chassis Agor AM1 (1975) - Warren Agor - Lime Rock 1975

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Chevrolet Monza 1977 from the private team Warren Agor at the 6-hour race of Watkins Glen 1977

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Privately built Chevrolet Monza Chassis Agor (1976) - 500km Road Atlanta 1976 - Warren Agor in the private Chevy Monza finished 4th (September 19, 1976)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Baird & Trivette (1982) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1983 - private Chevy Monza build by NASCAR constructors Gary Baird and E.J. Trivette

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Baird & Trivette (1982) - Road Atlanta 1983 - private Chevy Monza build by NASCAR constructors Gary Baird and E.J. Trivette

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Baird & Trivette (1982) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1984 - private Chevy Monza build by NASCAR constructors Gary Baird and E.J. Trivette

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Fournier (1975) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1982 - private Monza originally built by Ron Fournier in 1975, pictured already in third ownership with Donald G. Cummings

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Fournier (1975) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1982 - private Monza originally built by Ron Fournier in 1975, pictured already in third ownership with Donald G. Cummings

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis #Fournier driven by Tuck Thomas (second owner) at the 1977 Trans-Am Road America

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Huffaker (1977) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1977

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis King by Big Apple Racing (1976) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1976 - Private Dekon Monza with drivers Stephen Behr (USA)/Janet Guthrie (USA)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Overbagh Rickets 001 (1976) - Winston GT Road Atlanta 1979 - private Chevy Monza by Hoyt Overbagh

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Overbagh Rickets 001 (1976) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1982 - private Chevy Monza of Hoyt Overbagh and Peter Kirill (in some places this car is cited as Oldsmobile Starfire)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Overbagh Rickets 001 (1976) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1982 - private Chevy Monza by Hoyt Overbagh

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Overbagh Rickets 001 (1976) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1983 - private Chevy Monza by Hoyt Overbagh

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis Trueman (1977) - 24 Hours of Daytona 1977 - private build, driven here by Jim Trueman (USA)/Jerry Thompson (USA)/Don Yenko (USA)

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Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis LaGrow (1982) - 12 Hours of Sebring 1982 - with Don Cummings (USA)/Irwin Ayes (USA)

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How Chevrolet communicated the racing genes in the Chevrolet Monza Spyder in a campaign (brochure)

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Replica Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1976) - in the Plateau 6 (1972-1979) at the Le Mans Classic 2012, Gilles Ceron

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Replica Chevrolet DeKon Monza (1976) - in Plateau 6 (1972-1979) at the Le Mans Classic 2012, Gilles Ceron

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Replica Chevrolet DeKon Monza Chassis 1006 (1976) - Plateau 6 - Le Mans Classic 2016, Gilles Ceron

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Summary

The Chevrolet Dekon Monza was produced between 1974 and 1977. It did not shine in international comparisons. However, it was often used in the All American GT, in Australia and New Zealand. Even today, the few Chevrolet Dekon Monzas that exist can be found at historic races. In Europe, however, you hardly ever see one.

This article contains the following chapters

A separate IMSA group for the Monza
Technical structure of the Chevrolet Monza AAGT
Unsuccessful debut of the DeKon Monza in April 1975
Debut at Le Mans 1976 and successful second season
Third season with large rear wing (1977)
Further race appearances
Overview of Chevrolet DeKon Monza produced
Popular in historic motorsport today
International use

Estimated reading time: 11min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the early 1970s, the Porsche 911 RSR dominated international sports car production, including in America. The IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) racing series held there therefore lost more and more of their "American flavor" and were increasingly disrupted by German racing genes. If you still wanted to sell your cars successfully, you had to get creative. Vince Piggins, manager at Chevrolet Engineering, took up this challenge. He came up with the idea of making the then newly launched Chevrolet Monza race-ready. The road-going version of the Chevrolet Monza was built from 1975 to 1980 as a compact and sporty car with four seats and rear-wheel drive in around 700,000 units. It had actually been planned to use the General Motors Wankel engine, but the oil crisis forced the developers to rethink, and in the end an economical four-cylinder engine with 2.3 liters or V8 variants with 4.3 or more liters of displacement were installed. Technically, the Monza was based on its predecessor, the Chevrolet Vega.

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