What Model Was the ‘Tokyo Drift’ Monte Carlo?
Hannah DeWitt
· 4 min read
Cheap
car insurance
isn't hard to find for older vehicles, so we're surprised that the Chevy Monte Carlo isn't more popular. True, it doesn't have the legendary acclaim of the Chevy Camaro, a muscle car that continues to delight drivers today. It also isn't known for any special modifications, like those on Caprice and Impala donks.However, the Chevy Monte Carlo managed to make a cameo in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. The souped-up 1971 model really showed its potential, even if it never got the chance to drift on screen. It's hard for unknown contenders to stand out in such a crowded franchise, but the Monte Carlo is seriously underrated.
The original Chevy Monte Carlo
The 1971 model was part of the Monte Carlo's first generation, released long before it would be used in NASCAR races. It was sold as a luxury car, made apparent by the wood trim and vinyl upholstery inside. It also featured power windows and air conditioning, plus an optional cassette player.
The Chevy Monte Carlo came standard with a 300-horsepower small-block V-8, making it one of the most powerful ‘70s luxury cars. The optional sporty SS 454 package upped its output to 360 horsepower and came with a track-tuned suspension.
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Did the ‘Tokyo Drift’ Monte Carlo have any extra power?
MORE: How 'Fast & Furious' Movies Make Drivers Feel More Connected With Their Cars
In Tokyo Drift, the 1971 Chevy Monte Carlo belongs to Sean Boswell, who modified it himself with spare parts. Boswell didn't have much money to work with, but he wanted a car that could take on a rich rival's Dodge Viper. According to
Motor Authority
, directors pinned the relatively inexpensive Monte Carlo as the perfect fit for Tokyo Drift. Road and Track
says that the “Hero” Monte Carlo had a 572 cubic-inch engine, built by auto designer Bill Mitchell. It could make up to 800 horsepower using racing fuel, or 780 horsepower if you opted for more "conservative" gasoline. It was also built with a Hooker exhaust header, a mean Holley 1050 carburetor, and a four-speed manual gearbox. The original car purchased for the movie received some additional upgrades, including a GM 12-bolt rear end and a shatterproof bell housing cover.A total of 11 replicas were built for the movie, most of them destined to be destroyed. Although these cars had the same beefy engines, they came with automatic transmissions and didn't have any special racing equipment. Each hood was built by Dennis McCarthy, who is responsible for the appearances of some of the most iconic Fast and Furious cars.
The Hero Monte Carlo takes a lot of abuse in the movie, but a handful of them still exist today. Depending on the condition, the asking price ranges from around $40,000-$100,000.
Why isn't the Chevy Monte Carlo more popular?
MORE: Insuring the Cars From 'Fast & Furious 9' Would Cost a Pretty Penny
One of the reasons the Chevy Monte Carlo is so underrated is that it doesn't get a lot of screen time. Even after winning the race against the Dodge Viper, it ends up taking some flips before ultimately getting crushed. Later in the film, Boswell flexes his restoration skills again on a Ford Mustang to practice his newly-learned drifting abilities.
We see another vicious Chevy Monte Carlo in the franchise's second installment, but it was sadly only a brief cameo. However, the Hero's license plate was reused for a Chevy Chevelle SS in the fourth movie. We might never see this underdog again in future sequels, but the Hero Monte Carlo's performance was one to remember.
If you're on the hunt for a resale Fast-and-Furious-specced car, it usually sells rather quickly. You'll want to be ready with a good insurance plan, and that's easier than ever when you sign up with
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