The Chevy Monte Carlo nameplate is certainly no stranger to motorsports, boasting a long string of successes in stock car racing and NASCAR. However, the Monte isn’t exclusive to oval tracks and superspeedways. Now, we’re checking out how one fan managed to transform this classic American muscle car into a slide-tastic JDM drift machine.
As seen in the following feature video from AutotopiaLA, Timofei Kosharnyi pieced together this Chevy Monte Carlo drifter. Kosharnyi previously ran a speed shop in Russia but moved to the States a year ago and brought this American-Japanese mashup along for the ride.
The body was pulled from a 1986 Monte Carlo, while the chassis originally underpinned a Toyota Chaser, a popular Japanese mid-size sedan with its own motorsport heritage, including a run in touring cars and, naturally, drifting.
The idea behind the build was simple in concept but relatively complex in execution. Kosharnyi liked the classic Chevy Monte Carlo lines but wanted the drift-capable chassis of the Toyota Chaser, plus the popular Toyota 2JZ powerplant under the hood. Surprisingly, the body and chassis had relatively similar dimensions, making the body swap a bit easier than one might expect.
Outside, the drift machine keeps the NASCAR theme intact with humorous stock car-style decals. Providing the power is a Toyota 2JZ-GTE engine, best known as the turbocharged powerplant cradled by the fourth-generation Toyota Supra. The 3.0L inline six-cylinder 2JZ is easily capable of producing huge four-digit power, but in this particular example, the six-cylinder is running a relatively small turbo for snappy response, throwing down around 700 horsepower.
All in all, this thing combines the classic lines of an American classic with a list of proven Japanese go-fast goodies, and the result is utterly unique. Given the sideways antics seen later in the video, it looks like it’s a blast to drive as well.
Hit play to see for yourself:
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Comment
Ewww!
I’m sure the monte-carlo came with a 305 or 350. Cam and Whipple it! Why do you want a 4 pot in this???? Coworker races Mitsus. He’s gone through 4 built rice bangers. Those.motors don’t hold up.