Chevy’s popular personal luxury car, the Monte Carlo, got its first redesign in 1973 when all General Motors’ mid-size cars got an extreme makeover. GM described the new pillared bodies using frameless doors and windows as “Colonnade” styling. From 1975, this Monte Carlo Landau is said to be a two-owner car with a paltry 11,000 miles on the odometer. In remarkable original condition, this Chevy can be found in Phoenix, Arizona, and is available here on craigslist for $18,000. Thanks for the heads up on this beauty, T.J.!
The automotive community as well as the buying public were enamored with the 1973-77 Monte Carlo’s. Motor Trend was impressive enough to label it “Car of the Year” for 1973 and a sales record was achieved at more than 233,000 units that season. 1974-75 models were little changed, with stacked rectangular headlights being the most noticeable changes in 1976-77. The seller’s car was one of 259,000 built for 1975 and is the Landau version with a partial vinyl roof.
How this car has stayed off the road for much of five decades is unknown. The seller, also the second owner, acquired it in 2015 with just 9,000 miles and has only added 2,000 miles since. At the time he/she acquired it, the Chevy still had its original tires, which have been replaced with a new set of roadworthy rubbers. A variety of items have since been swapped out, as well, some of which are surprising considering the claimed low mileage, i.e. a new exhaust and new rear struts.
The Monte Carlo is powered by a 350 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor and an automatic transmission. The drivetrain is said to perform well. The factory air conditioning will run you out of the car, it has a new aftermarket stereo system, and the jack in the trunk is still wrapped in original cellophane. Besides being in exceptional condition inside and out, the car will come with all sorts of paperwork since nearly new which should help substantiate the mileage. Coming along for the ride are some parts, like the car’s original steering wheel, set of Monte Carlo hubcaps, and a few assorted odds and ends.
Is a nice mid-1970s car like this worth $18,000? Well, NADA says the number should be more like $12,000, yet other low-mileage examples are said to have been going for twice that amount. So, it boils down to whether a 47-year-old car with 11,000 miles is a good deal for someone at this price point.
A low mile 47 year old car needing a new exhaust system is not too surprising. New rear struts being installed on a car that was never factory equipped with them in 1975 is very surprising!
That will sell quickly.
Wowa, i forgot about these
I found them very ugly then
And
Still
Find them very ugly now
This one is well kept but looks like a pig with lipstick to me
I can’t believe what designers came out with sometimes
Approved by the beancounters is even more disappointing
I have to disagree. I agree that the color isn’t very appealing, but the body style is awesome. Brings back memories!!
Best looking car out there!!
A very nicely preserved Monte! Even has the not-often-seen Econominder Gauge Package. However, don’t think ‘75 Montes are supposed to have the stand-up hood ornament. Rather, the grille-mounted crest only is correct. A customization by one of the two owners (along with the steering wheel), or some other reason for that alteration?
My 75 had a hood ornament from the factory.
Mine, bought new, was a 75 Landau as well, and it did NOT have a hood ornament.
I have the sales brochures for every year Monte Carlo in my collection. The 1975 does not show any cars with a stand up hood ornament. The one on this particular car is from a 1977. It looks good though!
Great color combo as well.
The hood ornament might have been a dealer add. Having owned one, I can tell you they came in handy as a “gunsight” so you know where the big ass nose is going.
A Pig With Lip Stick Is Still A Pig…….. And These WERE Pigs
Did you ever drive one of these? Family had a ‘74 that I drove quite a bit I recall it being noted for independent rear suspension. In any case, it was very nice to drive. I’d love to drive this time capsule.
Live rear differential on these.
Not a independent rear axle, solid axle with coil springs.
Great car. Only people who make negative comments cannot afford it
I can afford the car but i would hate having to spend money for a mask to hide my face while driving this monstrosity
Beautiful looking car. This is my favourite year for the “Colonnade” style Monte Carlo.
Yes Jayps, I have driven one of these. The only car that General Motors sold in the 70’s with independent rear suspension was the Chevrolet Corvette. I owned a 1977 Corvette.
Love it. Prefer the round headlights over the later stacked ones. Pretty sure these were also available with a 454 in 1975.
Looks like a twin to one that got destroyed in a hilarious movie scene, can’t remember the name of it though.
This is the car Stacey Keach destroys in the move “Street People”!
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_6073-Chevrolet-Monte-Carlo-1975.html
The replacement steering wheel on this needs to go, especially on an 11,000 mile car. I hope they saved the original wheel.
Yup, also starring Roger Moore, still in his Bond prime.
Here is the scene in all of its glory. They really beat the living almighty snot out of it.
https://youtu.be/M586TymHSUg
** WARNING – Virtually all images will be disturbing to any GM Colonnade fan. And hilarious to anyone else.
Wow S — those pics are great, as they show the characters in the movie in their period-correct 70’s attire. The pics supplied in the Craigslist ad did show the original steering wheel comes with the car. And as one who was alive during the period, the hood ornament was only factory-issued for the 1977 model.
I had a ’74 back in the day. It was ok. Looked good. Mine had Chevy Rally wheels with RWL tires. Brown/tan, of course. Didn’t handle terribly. Bad gas mileage of course. Not particularly nostalgic to get back into one. I can think of better ways to use 18k. But this one is pretty nice if you like these.
I could understand this price tag if it had the swivel bucket seats and a 454, or at the very least a 4bbl carb w/swivel buckets. A 350 2bbl and full bench with that steering wheel (usually on hot rods) looks ridiculous to me. I still think it’s a beautiful color combo and would pay $11k myself, but there’s someone out there that would put 24’s on it and bag it destroying it! Let’s not even mention the LS conversion! Those folks would pay that much for it because it’s so straight. Those folks also don’t have to work very hard for their money and don’t know the real value of a dollar either!
Beautiful car IMO. The only thing I can’t get over are the but* ugly bumper extensions on both ends.
Sweet!! I had a 73, 18 photos and none of the engine.
Yes, I thought the same thing! Would like to see the engine compartment.I had a 73 just like that one and I loved it!!!
Love the car, that steering wheel would have to go immediately
I had all of them from 73 thru 77. Loved them all. The 75 had swivel buckets.
Nice car. Great color. Steering wheel would have to go immediately. I’ve got one,a 73 with 454 I prefer it over my new cars. My Dad had a 75 and added the stand up hood ornament when it was new. Must of been available through the dealer or something, they didn’t come that way.
These cars drove like wonderful, I guess that the engine set back was the main reason. I worked for Chevy in that time frame.
I owned a 76 and it was a comfortable riding and driving car.one of the best cars ive ever owned!
Beautiful Monte Carlo, my father bought a 74 Monte in 1981 after selling his 73 Plymouth Fury. Several years later once I grew up to a young man at 18 years old I bought a 77 Monte Carlo “Landau” with a bad steering column grey with red interior that was a great car, I fixed the column and sold it in 1986 and bought a 1980 Buick Park Avenue. The 73-77 Chevy Monte Carlo, Buick Century/Regal, Pontiac Grand Prix, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme are in my opinion the very best in what was titled “Personal Luxury Coupes” in my lifetime.