My mom (she has influenced a lot bad car choices, but I do give her credit for the Z26 Model Brietta) and dad bought a 79 Monte Carlo. Not a bad car, not a great car. I did a quick read on the model on Wikipedia and this is what I found.
The same transmissions were carried over from 1978, including a standard three-speed manual and optional four-speed manual, or an optional three-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic. This would be the last year that Chevrolet would offer manual transmissions on the Monte Carlo due to extremely low buyer interest.
Personally, with the redesigned body being smaller and two door, it was a crappy family car. We all had to "shrink" to get into the rear seats. My mom had a VW Fastback. I think the money spent on the Monte Carlo would have done the family better fixing up the Fastback. I could start a thread on the cars...on the cars my mom has bought.