Chevrolet Announces Tony Stewart Signature Series Monte Carlo

 
Chevrolet Announces Tony Stewart Signature Series Monte Carlo
Chevy's 10th racing-themed production car will be available later this year
 
INDIANAPOLIS - Chevrolet will pay tribute to one of NASCAR's recent champions with the introduction of the 2005 Tony Stewart Signature Series Monte Carlo. The limited edition vehicle is the 10th NASCAR-inspired Monte Carlo that Chevrolet has created over the last five years.
 
"We are delighted to announce the latest edition to the Signature Series Monte Carlo line as an on-going effort to recognize NASCAR and Chevy's past and present driving stars," said Jim Campbell, director of car marketing for Chevrolet. "The Tony Stewart Signature Series Monte Carlo is a perfect way to honor Tony's success on and off the race track." 
 
The Tony Stewart Signature Series will be a black supercharged Monte Carlo built with many elements of Stewart's No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet subtly incorporated into the vehicle. 
 
The exterior of the vehicle is modeled closely after Stewart's night race paint scheme with an all black body complimented by Stewart's signature displayed on the sail panel and No. 20 graphics and Home Depot orange accents prominently lining the bottom trim of the vehicle. A Joe Gibbs Racing signature badge is also displayed on the rear decklid. The attention to custom detailing is also prevalent within the interior of the Monte Carlo with Stewart's signature embroidered on the head restraints, displayed on the door sill plates and positioned within the gauge cluster. The gauge cluster also contains orange-outlined white numerals in the same typeface as exterior graphics and Stewart's signature while both front seats are accented with orange French seams.

Beyond a unique design concept, the Monte Carlo maintains its powerful supercharged 3800 V6 engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft of torque. Other features include a heavy-duty four speed automatic transmission, sport front bucket seats with Ebony leather seating surfaces, a racing-inspired grill and 17-inch black-accented diamond-cut cast aluminum wheels. 
 
A total of 1,020 units of the Tony Stewart Signature Series Monte Carlo will be available later this year. Pricing has not yet been announced.
 
"I am honored to be recognized as a part of an elite group of Chevrolet drivers and NASCAR champions," said Tony Stewart. "The Signature Series Monte Carlo is a unique way to promote the sport of NASCAR while also raising money for many important charities through The Tony Stewart Foundation."
 
Chevrolet will make a donation from the sale of the Tony Stewart Signature Series Monte Carlo to The Tony Stewart Foundation, a private, non-profit corporation which focuses on raising and donating funds to help care for chronically ill children, drivers injured in motorsport activities and to help other charitable organizations.
 
The Tony Stewart Signature Series Monte Carlo is the 10th NASCAR-themed vehicle Chevrolet has produced over the last five years. Five Signature Series Monte Carlos and five Pace Car replicas have been offered as a unique way for racing fans to connect with their favorite Chevy race cars and drivers.  
 
2005 Tony Stewart Signature Series                                                
2004 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Signature Series                                         
2004 Intimidator Signature Series                                          
2003 Jeff Gordon Signature Series                                         
2003 Pace Car Replica                                                                    
2002 Dale Earnhardt Signature Series                                    
2002 Pace Car Replica                                                                    
2001 Pace Car Replica                                                                    
2001 Brickyard 400 Pace Car Replica                                                                  
2000 Brickyard 400 Pace Car Replica        
 
A special component of the Signature Series collection is the money it has generated for charity. For each Signature Series Monte Carlo produced, Chevrolet contributes a portion of the proceeds to a charity selected by the driver. The special edition Monte Carlos for Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, the Intimidator and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have together raised more than $1 million for a variety of non-profit organizations.
 
Chevrolet's 2005 Monte Carlo lineup offers a solid body structure, room for five passengers, plenty of cargo space, a surprising number of amenities for the price and a track record of outstanding quality, reliability and durability. Highlighting its comprehensive safety package, Monte Carlo consistently earns five stars (the highest U.S. government safety rating) in frontal crash testing for its driver and front passenger.
 
General Motors Corp. , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries.  In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market.  GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's corporate website at www.gm.com.