This has been something that has been a pet peeve of mine for years so I'll bring it out for all to comment on. How is it that the '81-'88 Monte's are called a 4th Gen as the only major difference is the exterior sheet metal than what the '78-'80 Monte's have? Now being a 4th Gen A body (regardless of the G change in '82 the platform is the mid size 4th Gen) is the only real (in my opinion) way to call the '81-'88 one. But then the '78-'80's fall into that same status. Now think about it, both year groups share a lot of parts interchanges (frames, suspension, floor pans, inner sheet metal srtucture, heater & A/C systems, all glass except quarter windows, rad support, seats & interior parts except quarter window trim) much like like other models of this platform generation so how could there be two model generations with one platform generation. Think back when model year changes did include new exterior sheet metal & look at the Chevelle as an example. I'll use the 2nd Gen to show my point. Look at the '68-'69 cars, then look at the '70-'72 cars. They are all 2nd Gen but '70 had a more in depth refresh that even than the '81 A-Special's had. The '70 interiors were even more so changed that the '81had. But for some reason with the Monte for '81 they became a 4th Gen unlike the '70 Chevelle becomeing the 3rd Gen. Even the 1st Gen Chevelles between the '65 & '66 models had a simular refresh & didn't have an addition generation added. Then it seems like the other 3 A-Specials don't even have the '81 models listed as a new generation from the refresh. When I first got my car in '90 & started to learn the details on the cars I have always associated the '78-'88 as one generation as everything was the same for services & repairs other than the production changes made to freshen up or improve the platform. But in the past 20 years it seems like they somehow split into two seperate generations dispite being basicly they same car. To me my '81 is a 3rd Gen regardless of what anyone will say since no one can really prove the '81 was a new "new" car instead of a refresh like the '70 Chevelle.