We have a hard time thinking of cars during the 1980’s that fill us with any sense of high performance nostalgia. The entries from Buick, particularly in 1987 are good contenders, namely the Grand National and GNX, but other than those two, we’re usually left scratching our heads. While looking back through those days featuring smog equipment-choked, TPI-topped 305s, Chevrolet’s entrants just don’t twirl our beanie propellers.

A prime example is the ’87 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. A pale shadow of its once-sibling Chevelle SS, the ’87 Monte Carlo was plain at best. Angular, milquetoast styling inside and out, limp, lifeless power from a 5-liter V8, and a far distant relation to the Chevrolets running laps around Daytona Speedway, the Monte Carlo just wasn’t anything – at least from we can see – to write home about.

We found this dealer promo video over on Jalopnik touting the ’87 Monte Carlo SS has having the “unmistakable look of racing know how.” Originally distributed to Chevrolet dealers to familiarize the sales staff about the coupe, the video tries to amp up the Monte Carlo’s racing DNA to make it appeal more “racy.”

The promo focuses the SS’ race-inspired styling, handling and performance. Originally, the “fastback” models mentioned actually date back to 1986 where only 200 were produced for that year, the exact number to satisfy NASCAR requirements. Of course, 1987 was the final year for the Monte Carlo SS production. Although a 1988 model year was sold, production of the Monte Carlo ended December 12th, 1987.