GM Monza

[365DaysofMotoring]

General Motors (GM) announced ON THIS DAY (24 Sept 1974) that the release of the "Monza," its rotary-engine compact sports car, would be postponed due to problems complying with new US Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards. Environmental concerns had become an increasingly high priority with the American public, and the government had been responding accordingly. This combined with rotary issues including mediocre fuel economy compounded at a time by high fuel prices following the Arab oil boycotts of 1973 and 1974, resulted in GM cancelling the engine. When it was eventually launched in 1975 the Chevrolet Monza was powered by a conventional piston engines.