• Chevy built the 2004 Monte Carlo SS on the same platform raced by NASCAR drivers.red sports car image by palms from Fotolia.com
  
  In 2004, Chevrolet offered the SS option on its Monte Carlo model, a performance and styling package it has intermittently produced since introducing the Monte Carlo in 1970. The Monte Carlo SS took on the same sporty design as the model raced that year by NASCAR drivers such as Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Car and Driver magazine reports that the 2004 Monte Carlo SS had an MSRP of $27,395, or just over $3,300 more than the base model Monte Carlo.
  
  

Physical Dimensions

• The 2004 SS is 197.9 inches long and 55.2 inches high, with a wheelbase that spanned 110.5 inches. Car and Driver noted that it sat low to the ground for improved handling. The interior could seat five in the two front bucket seats and rear bench. Passengers in the rear could stretch out with 35.8 inches of legroom, while the driver and front passenger enjoyed 42.4 inches of legroom.
  
  

Drivetrain

• The SS option came equipped with Chevy's 3800 Series II supercharged V6, a 3.8-liter displacement, six-cylinder engine fitted with a 90-cubic-inch supercharger. An electronic fuel injection system fed gas through two valves per cylinder, for a total of 12 valves and a compression ratio of 8.5 to 1. Chevrolet paired this engine to its Hyrda-Matic four-speed automatic transmission.
  
  

Performance

• The 2004 Monte Carlo SS could achieve 240 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and crank out 280 ft.-lb. of torque 3,600 rpm. Car and Driver praised the high torque and complimented the improved performance over the previous model year, which did not offer the supercharged option. The SS could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and reach 93 mph in the quarter-mile with a time of 15.1 seconds. If equipped with a towing hitch, the 2004 Monte Carlo SS could pull 1,000 lb. of cargo.
  
  

Fuel Economy

• The 2004 Monte Carlo SS had a 17-gallon gas tank. It earned an EPA estimated 28 mpg when driven on the highway and 18 mpg under start-and-stop city driving.
  
  

Styling

• In addition to the high-performance drivetrain, Chevrolet differentiated the SS package with styling options. Buyers could order the 2004 Monte Carlo SS in one of eight colors or two-toned themes. The body trim of the 2004 SS featured a rear spoiler, stainless steel exhaust, flush fog lights, body moldings and ground effects.
  
  

Amenities

• Some of the 2004 Monte Carlo SS standard features included air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and an AM/FM stereo with cassette player. Buyers could opt for a power moonroof, leather interior and power front bucket seats. Standard safety features protected the driver and passenger with anti-lock brakes and dual front airbags. Buyers could also purchase the 2004 SS with front side airbags.