These Classic Cars Were Only Sold For One Model Year

Vukasin Herbez December 16, 2022

Chevrolet Monza Estate Wagon

This was a strange and obscure model in Chevrolet’s history. It was a crossbreed of two cars, the Chevrolet Monza and Vega. Both of those models were economy cars from the ’70s, which were produced in big numbers and were quite common on the roads. However, for the 1978 model year, Chevrolet Introduced Monza Estate Wagon. It was, in fact, a Vega with a three-door wagon body (via Automobile Catalog).

The base engine was a 2.5-liter Iron Duke four-cylinder unit, but the bigger V6 was available for some areas. Since the Monza Estate Wagon used the leftover Chevrolet Vega bodies, it wasn’t a particularly desirable model, and Chevrolet produced less than 3000 before discontinuing it in late 1978.

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Chrysler 300 - Chrysler — Photo Credit: eBay

Chrysler 300 Hurst

Introduced in 1970, the special limited edition 300 Hurst was a unique model based on the new full-size Chrysler platform. It was built in very limited numbers of around 500 with the help of the famous transmission company Hurst. It featured a special white and gold paint job, a similarly-styled interior, and a rear spoiler integrated into the rear deck lid (via Supercars).

Under the hood, a mighty 440 V8 engine with 395 HP could propel the two-ton beast to respectful acceleration times. The model was on the market for only one year, but true Mopar aficionados will never forget these gold and white behemoths.

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AMC Hornet 360

The early ’70s marked the beginning of the end for muscle cars with downsizing, tightening emissions, and safety standards. The AMC was one of the first companies to realize that a new breed of muscle cars was needed to keep power-hungry customers happy. So in 1971, they introduced the Hornet 360 (via Hemmings).

AMC Hornet SC/360 — Photo Credit: Car Domain

Based on a regular economy car called Hornet, it was equipped with better suspension, sharper steering, and a 360 V8. This hot Hornet turned from an ordinary compact into a proper muscle car. The power wasn’t big at 245 HP. But those horses could make the Hornet fly in a lightweight body. The rest of the muscle cars offerings in 1971 all had problems with big size and weight as well as engines that didn’t make power anymore. But the Hornet 360 was one of the fastest cars on sale. Unfortunately, buyers needed to understand the forward-thinking of AMC and less than 800 Hornets were sold in 1971, making them very rare and obscure muscle cars.

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Ford Torino Talladega

In contrast to some models from our list, which were produced for 12 months or so, the Torino Talladega was made for only a couple of weeks in early 1969. This car was Ford’s answer to Dodge Daytona and Mopar’s efforts to win in NASCAR.

The idea behind the Talladega, named after the infamous NASCAR track, was to take standard Torino, give it a unique front end and a few slippery details, and homologate it for superspeedways. A total of 754 Talladegas left the factory in such a short time and many were used for racing (via Silodrome).

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Photo Credit: Auto WP

Chevrolet Vega Cosworth

After the debacle of the Corvair in the ’60s, Chevrolet was reluctant to enter the compact market again. But since the segment grew, Chevy didn’t have a choice. So a brand-new Vega was introduced as a 1971 model. The Vega was a compact, modernly-styled model with three basic body styles. The two-door coupe, two-door sedan, and practical three-door wagon. The front end resembled closely to the design of the 1971 Camaro with a similar grille, headlights, and bumper.

Photo Credit: Auto WP

In 1975, Chevrolet even introduced the very interesting but unsuccessful Vega Cosworth. The model featured a high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder twin-cam motor with 110 HP. Although it wasn’t particularly fast or powerful, the Vega Cosworth was good-looking. Along with an attractive black and gold paint job and unique wheels. GM produced the model in cooperation with British engine engineering company Cosworth known for their Formula One engines (via Auto Evolution).

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These Classic Cars Were Only Sold For One Model Year

Chevrolet Monza Estate Wagon

Chrysler 300 Hurst

AMC Hornet 360

Ford Torino Talladega

Chevrolet Vega Cosworth

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