It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that imitation is often thought of as a form of flattery, and throughout automotive history, the Rolls Royce has had no shortage of admirers who wanted to emulate the brand’s appearance in one way or another. I’m guessing many of our readers have seen a Cadillac Seville with a RR grille tacked on, or a VW Bug with the entire hood replaced to simulate the lines of a Silver Shadow. Back around the mid-seventies, one entrepreneur who wanted to take things a step further was a Florida man named Jon Tedesco, who thought it would be a good idea to take an ordinary Chevrolet Colonnade and turn it into something more opulent, and that’s when the Monte Carlo Custom Cloud was born. This one’s in Toledo, Ohio, and can be spotted here on Facebook Marketplace, and I’m not sure you can get much more head-turning potential than this Cloud offers for $14,000. JimA, thanks for your fun tip here!
While the blending of a Chevrolet and a Rolls Royce won’t appeal to everyone, the seller believes his car is one of only about 12 still left in the world, so in terms of rarity, it’s doubtful anyone else in your town will be pulling up in one of these at any local car gatherings. However, they were ever-so-slightly more common about 50 years ago, especially in The Sunshine State where Jon’s vision was to create something that would lure more customers into Southern Florida Chevy dealerships. The story goes that Mr. Tedesco established Custom Cloud Motors, Inc. with an individual named Lenny Borger, and the pair had their first car ready in time for the 1975 Miami International Motor Show. I couldn’t locate a definitive number of how many of these were produced, although one source mentioned around 20, with another putting the amount at 100 before Rolls filed a lawsuit.
The Cloud being offered here began life as a 1977 Monte Carlo, and considering how long ago that was, the car still appears to be in decent shape overall considering its age. There’s no word on how old the two-tone paint is, and some imperfections in the finish can be seen around the drip rails and sunroof if you want to get picky. The grille’s going to need some bars replaced as well, but for the most part, this one’s a fairly nice driver just as it is.
It’s pretty cool too that this car began as such a well-optioned Monte Carlo, with some power accessories such as windows and door locks. However, other than a different steering wheel with an “R” in the center, the interior appears much like a stock MC would have looked back in ‘77. Fortunately, the condition inside seems more than acceptable, so preservation will be the main focus here for the next owner rather than attention.
We don’t get to see a photo with the hood raised, but the 350 engine is said to be running smoothly, and it’s recently gotten a new alternator in addition to a full tune-up. A small exhaust leak is mentioned, but hopefully, that’ll be an inexpensive and easy repair, then you’ll be ready to cruise quietly and let the form be the attention-getter instead of the noise. The seller believes his asking price is fair, but is also up for considering offers if $14k is sounding optimistic. What are your thoughts on this Monte Carlo Custom Cloud, and how much would you be willing to spend here?
Cloud ☁️ mobile. Nicely executed variant of the popular Monte Carlo.
I could be wrong but I think that steering wheel was out of a late 70s Riviera. The insignia is on the steering wheel. I guess technically since they’re copying a Rolls Royce there should’ve been 2 R’s on the horn button, but since its less than half the price originally just one R I guess would suffice. I guess it just stands for Rolls..
Or possibly Royce…..
I was working at the Oshawa G.M plant back hen and one could get a steering wheel like that as an option only the horn button is different.
Or, ruse.
That’s really funny- Rolls Ruse. A non-functional thumbs up for you!
Just hang a couple candelabras off the front fenders and go looking for the president
“Nobody messes with The Duke”
I’d rather see a Rolls Royce with a Monte Carlo grill and tail lights than this.
Correct. This must be the fugliest Yank tank that I have ever seen! What an insult to Rolls Royce.
Yank tank , that’s good, real good , i must admit that i never liked the huge American boats either !
Just funky enough to be cool,at least that Monte didn’t get turned into a Demo Derby car like thousands did..
It might look better if it had.
It’s certainly not to late!!!
Love that idea.
At least the Volkswagen Beetles with RR grilles were clever.
And far better looking than this POC.
Does any of that wash off?
The owner is not fooling anybody.
There is one of these for sale listed as a 1973 in Staunton Illinois at Country Classics for $6900. According to the dealer the car is #3 and belonged to Sammy Davis Jr. Does it add any intrinsic value? I’m thinking not. Bragging rights? Maybe for older generations that might remember him.
The seller mentions that they aren’t sure how to price it and thought 14K sounded good to them.
If you pointed out the other one for sale for half the ask here, they might price theirs accordingly.
I find it hard to believe that Sammy would buy a mocked up Monte Carlo when he could buy the real thing without blinking a [glass] eye!
That’s just it, he had one good eye and couldn’t tell it from a RR
You cannot be serious! This clown car would not even make a good joke at a small-town parade. I had a new ’77 Monte Carlo that was in my opinion, stunning. (Tan with a buckskin interior, close to every available option, 8″ American Vectors w/TA radials, and a T-Top) This thing, whatever it is, is far from being a useable ’77 Monte Carlo. I see absolutely no value in this aberration..
🎵 Isn’t it Rich?🎶Oh what a pair? 🎵There ought to be Clowns! 🎶 Send in the Clowns! 🎵 Don’t bother, I’M here! 🎶. 😅 🤣 Frankly, I would love to see one of these stretched to a limo. Too much is NEVER enough!
clown car. you would have to be one to drive this
But it will draw a crowd at coffee and cars.
Steve R
Crowd of flies?
John, that’s what is typically said about the generic cars featured on this site that don’t stand on their own merit. This car falls into that category.
Steve R
I see absolutely nothing Rolls Royce about this abomination! It’s a pimped Chevy and that is all!
My,My! So much negativity about this CC. Having owned a 77 Monte Carlo, with the so called GO BAROQUE styling, this is a natural for alteration mimicking a Classic Rolls Royce. My Monte Carlo was a great car. As most of you know, OTT excessive luxury is my mantra. This was not the first alteration on a Chevrolet. 55 to 57 🤔 The El Moracco added Cadillac panache to Chevrolet bodies .
I’d say this is quite an improvement on the oddball colonnade Monte Carlo. I’d rather have this any day 🙌🏽
A small exhaust leak WILL NEVER BE be an inexpensive and easy repair.
Otherwise seller would pay to fix it.
OMG… if ugly had a face, it would be this thing!
The irony of someone using John Wayne’s ugly mug for a photo posting that something else is ugly lol.
If you ever had a chance to drive one, a tank handles better. All this add-on crap has a lot of weight to it that the chassis was never meant to handle.
I actually saw one of these in the parking lot of our local “pick a part” junkyard about a year ago. I thought it was kinda cool. I’ve driven a ’76 Monte Carlo back in ’76 but never one of these with the added weight as ACZ mentioned.
And far better looking than this POC.
A car I wish I could “unsee”.
I don’t know why, but this thing is so ugly I find it sort of irresistible!
Maybe not everyone else’s idea of their daily driver, but it did accomplish its goal of offering individual expression. Maybe on a larger scale but not different than tires, wheels, exhaust, paint, spoilers, engines. Need I go on? And those who bought these and custom vans were our family so nobody doesn’t know someone who drove a car just to get looks.
While I’m on my rant let’s talk about the expression “lure you in”. Folks, you’re never going to have any of these fine used cars if they weren’t purchased new first.
Tell me you’re a pimp without telling me you’re a pimp
@Scott M
I work in sales & rentals of the female anatomy. Now, how many hours we talking about on your new rental?
😉
@Angel
I’m afraid to even go there and touch this one. Cadillac, trunk, Italian Some things I don’t need to know. LOL
Well Frog, in another post, I stated that due to Angel’s moving to care for an ailing friend, her heart was as big as her uh … cars! Nuff said. 😉 😜. Angel, That was definitely a compliment. BTW, did you step aside as The Cadillac QUEEN 👸? Sure hope not! Nobody else could possibly fill your uh … 🤔! To the point, as I said in another post, thisis a good buy. Last week I wanted the Fifth Avenue, but hesitated for several reasons. As I understand it sold for approximately the pay now price of this . My proverb for the day is He who hesitates is a DUM 💩! LOL and Merry Christmas 🎄 to ALL! HO! 👉
HO! Point 👉 Ho! 👉! Santa 🎅 😉
Barfalicious.
“ Is it a Monte Carlo or a Rolls Royce?- it’s both”
No, seller. No.
It looks related to The Car (movie) that was about a large black car that killed people.
Let us paint it Black,
and make a movie :-)
Well it isn’t gonna be just another one of those cars that looks like all the other indistinguishable cars in a parking lot. Seems people think it’s ugly if you put work into it or it’s ugly if it’s new manufacture. At lt least it’s unique amongst all cars in a parking lot.
@Cattoo
Ugly is as ugly does (variation on Forrest Gump)
@Frog
Yeah, leave that one alone.
@Rick
I actually find this conversion rather interesting. From the back it does look like a RR. I never liked the roofline of the Monte. The front looks like a custom RR.
They could have done something more with the interior other than replace the steering wheel which looks like something out of a MG or Triumph. Not luxurious at all.
But if I had the funds I wouldn’t mind playing with it for awhile. $14 thou is just a little too much for the condition it’s in. As Frog said he knows of another one in better condition. I’d like to see that one.
@Angel
Maybe I was misunderstood. The car in Illinois was the 3rd one built and it’s pretty rough shape. A dealer has had it for quite some time if that tells you anything. Google Country Classics in Staunton Illinois. He has as many as 400 +- cars threat any given time. If you plan to go take a bag lunch and some comfortable shoes. You will likely be there all day
Hey Frog, yeah I guess I did misunderstand. Duh! Sounds like my kind of place. Thanks for the info.
I have warmed up to a lot of cars from the ’70’s that I used to think were ugly or just dumb, but this is not one of them!
No matter what one thinks of this abomination, it has certainly generated a ton of comments.
“Tell me you’re a pimp without telling me you’re a pimp”………
Just be seen driving this car around town.