text: 1976 At the start of the 1976 model year, exterior changes on the full-size C-body 1976 Dodge Monaco were minimal. However, all models (including police packages) now had the former high-series front panel with hidden headlights. Chrysler's new Lean Burn system was introduced to reduce exhaust emissions (only on the 400 cubic inch engine). The four-door hardtop, which had been part of the Dodge Monaco lineup during the previous ten model years (from 1966 to 1968, from 1969 to 1973 and from 1974 to 1975) ever since the Dodge Monaco made its debut from eleven model years earlier (1965), had been discontinued during the end of the previous model year (1975), which reduced the choice of body styles to just three offerings, the four-door wagon, four-door sedan, and two-door hardtop for the 1976 model year. A  with a two-barrel carburetor and 150 bhp became standard on the base Monaco. At the same time, the Royal Monaco Broughams and wagons were downgraded to  with 2-barrel carburetors, but the Royal Monaco continued with 1975's  with a two-barrel carburetor. The  with a four-barrel carburetor could still be ordered.
  1977 (Royal Monaco)
  For the 1977 model year, the Monaco was effectively split into two model lines, with the Royal Monaco retaining the full-size C-platform alongside the Chrysler New Yorker, with the standard Monaco replacing the Coronet B-platform intermediate. Offered in standard and Brougham trims, the Royal Monaco was produced as a two-door hardtop sedan, four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon.
  The 318 cubic-inch V8 became the standard engine for the first time. Outside of California, the 360 V8 (with a two-barrel carburetor) and the 400 V8 remained available; the 440 V8 was offered as an option. A 3-speed automatic was the only transmission available.
  The Royal Monaco was discontinued for the 1978 model year, as Chrysler offered the C-platform only through its namesake division.
  Fourth generation (1977–1978)