Any substance consisting of two or more different types of atoms (chemical elements) in a fixed stoichiometric proportion can be termed a chemical compound; the concept is most readily understood when considering pure chemical substances. It managed to collect an incredible amount of dust and can get right into the corners, plus, it does pick up hair. Along its journey, it picks up dead skin cells, dirt, and even hair. Your skin contains three layers; the fibers of the second layer form a mesh-like structure that pushes against the top layer. Any other form of regular water, tap or bottled, is still better than a soda. Even without competition from the extinct Malibu coupe, Monte Carlo sales plummeted, from nearly 188,000 in 1981 to less than 93,000 for 1982 — better than a 50-percent drop. The Monte Carlo was the only 1981 Chevy to enjoy a sales increase. Moreover, with that year’s discontinuation of the coupe version of the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevy began considering the Monte Carlo as much a two-door variant of the Malibu as a model in its own right. Each offered business coupe, two-door town sedan, and four-door sport sedan; the 85 also listed a woody wagon, the DeLuxe line a sport coupe.

Unfortunately for performance buffs, the four-speed manual transmission offered (but rarely ordered) for 1979 was dropped, making a three-speed automatic the standard — and only — transmission. Like any good personal-luxury coupe, the Monte Carlo offered a host of “personalizing” options: Custom Cloth or Vinyl upholstery, a bevy of sound systems (some with built-in CB radios), power windows/locks/seats, power trunk opener, power sunroof, and “Removable Glass Roof Panels,” more commonly known as T-tops. The nose looked similar to the 1980 edition but was lower, more squared off, and wore body-colored bumpers. Horsepower ranged from 110 to 155. But added for 1980 was a turbocharged version of Buick’s 231-cubic-inch V-6 rated at 170 horsepower. A Landau edition was also offered, which added a vinyl top, pin striping, deluxe wheel covers, and visor vanity mirrors. Like other GM cars, Monte Carlo prices rose dramatically for 1981, the base model being up by $775 to $7,299, the top-line Landau V-8 increasing by over $1,200 to $8,056. At $250 more than a base Monte, the Landau didn’t sell as well. The 1982 Monte Carlo base model remained smart and handsome. Engine choices remained the same as before, except that the 4.3-liter V-6 diesel was dropped due to lack of interest.

Notable by its absence was the 3.8-liter turbocharged V-6 that had been introduced in 1980. But replacing the turbo were a pair of diesels, a 105-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 and an 83-horsepower 262-cubic-inch 4.3-liter V-6. Optional were a 150-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 and a pair of diesels: a 4.3-liter V-6 with 85 horsepower and a 5.7-liter V-8 with 105 horsepower. As with Malibu, the small 4.4-liter V-8 engine option was deleted. Powertrain availability was identical to Malibu’s, so Chevy’s 3.8-liter 229-cubic-inch 110-horsepower V-6 returned as standard, with 4.4-liter (267-cubic-inch, 115 horsepower) and 5.0-liter (305-cubic-inch, 150 horsepower) V-8s optional. The base 49-state engine was Chevy’s 110-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6; California cars got a similar Buick-built V-6. In 1979, a base V-6 coupe retailed for $5,333; for 1980, it was up to $6,524. The base 229-cubic-inch V-6 dropped from 115 horsepower to 110, matching the 231-cubic-inch Buick V-6 substituted in California. Once again, Chevy’s 3.8-liter V-6 with 110 horsepower was standard in 49-state cars, while a similar Buick-built engine was used in California. Compared to 1979, there was a slight shuffling of engine displacements and horsepower ratings, with V-6s of 229 or 231 cubic inches, and V-8s of 267 or 305 cubic inches.

V-8s of 267- and 305-cubic-inch returned, with 115 and 150 horsepower, respectively, while the top power option was again the 170-horsepower turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6. Turbocharged engines typically don’t make much power at low speeds, so the automatic transmission coupled with a tall 2.29:1 rear axle ratio meant that off-the-line punch wasn’t a Turbo Monte’s strong suit. The 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo received a mild — but much needed — reskinning. Even the Malibu’s facelift that year echoed Monte Carlo styling themes. The 1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo received its first facelift since being “downsized” for 1977. The car got a new “eggcrate” grille between rectangular side-by-side headlights, but was little changed otherwise, at least on the outside. 1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s front end. It boasted a smoother front fascia than other 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlos, with integrated bumper and lower lip spoiler. The 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, like the mechanically similar Malibu, got only a slightly revised grille to mark this version as an 1983 model. Small Appliance Repair: Once you’ve tackled the a/c, a toaster or blender seems like child’s play. SS badging, a small rear spoiler, and stiffer suspension also were included in the 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.