Sometimes you come across a classic that’s been quietly preserved by time, and this 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is exactly that. Listed here on Craigslist in Deforest, Wisconsin, this two-door personal luxury coupe has a claimed 23,402 miles and is described as being in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition. Shed-kept for most of its life, it’s a remarkably original survivor that’s had some thoughtful updates and light mechanical work to keep it road-ready. A clean, lien-free title is in hand. Thanks for the tip Rocco B.!
Finished in what appears to be its original paint, this Monte Carlo presents well from every angle. The body is clean, the chrome still shines, and the classic long-hood, short-deck proportions remind us why these cars were so popular. It’s powered by a V8 engine (exact specs not listed), and has recently received fresh spark plugs and wires, a new cap and rotor, a carburetor rebuild, and a new valve cover gasket.
Inside, the Monte looks just as preserved. The dash, door panels, and seats appear original and well cared for, with only light wear. A new retro-style radio deck has been installed—designed to look like the original but now offering Bluetooth and auxiliary input for modern functionality. It’s a smart, seamless upgrade for weekend cruising.
This car isn’t without its quirks. The trunk lock needs replacing, as the car was re-keyed and the new cylinder wasn’t included. The driver’s side window regulator and crank knob also need attention—it rolls down easily, but only comes up about 7/8 of the way without manual help. These are minor fixes for someone looking to dial in the final details of an otherwise exceptional survivor.
Monte Carlos from this era offered a blend of smooth V8 power and plush ride quality, and this one appears ready to deliver just that. If you’re after a clean, low-mile, well-preserved example with all the ’70s style and just enough to tinker with, this Monte fits the bill.
Would you daily this survivor, or keep it tucked away for weekend shows and sunny cruises?
23K miles? Someone forgot to add that the Speedo has rolled over at least once. None of the body panels line up, paint doesn’t match, center caps are missing, interior is worn and the trunk key has been punched out. That’s a lot of experience for a vehicle to endure in that short of a drive!
Thank you! We need to be calling out these fake mileage claims!
Michael, that’s nothing new, by adding “the seller claims” or “without providing supporting documentation” when it comes to mileage would go a long way. Without a simple disclaimer the wording in the write ups can come across as an endorsement.
Steve R
Not to mention they are easy to clock.
Well said!!
Presents well from ever angle, maybe a visit to the optometrist is due, also one valve cover gasket or 2?
Take me back to Monte Carlo in this GO for Baroque Time Capsule. I once owned a Black on Black 77 with gold pinstriping! As a friend said it was *Sex on wheels * .After 5 years and 110,000 miles and rust issues, I reluctantly traded it. Another IF only. You know the drill 😏 If only……?
Yup 100% BS. If that’s 23,000 miles that was a hard 23,000. Just sayin.
Yup, totally BS. That was a hard 23,000 miles.
123,000 miles this Monte has been abused and misuse!! No pictures of the engine why? I will tell you. The hood hinges are shot and the engine must look like trash!! I had two 76 Montes in white with red interior and other white/ burgundy interior both those were clean near mint looking. Yes i sold them and made a nice profit. But this raga muffins won’t fetch two dollars!!😂😂 What a shame is hate to see a Monte in this shape for sale. Buyers be ware! 🐻🇺🇸
I bought one exactly like this for my oldest daughter when she turned 16. She nicknamed it the “mean machine”. I wanted her to have something sporty, but heavy enough to be safer. She drove it through high school and we then sold it and got her a Datsun 200 SX for her college commute.
Probably 123,000 miles. The steering wheel is dirty, the front seat has wear on it the shifter has rust on it an it is missing 4 center caps. Is it a 305 or 350 engine. There are no engine or undercarriage pictures. Left front headlamp looks burnt out. Not a bad car but just needs more pictures and real info.
I am up in the air about the mileage claim. I looked at the craigslist ad (more pics) and judging by the seat wear, and inner door corners, overall body cond (what we can see) I think it would be alot worse at 123xxx miles. I have several of these cars for parts o the yard here, doors are flapping, rusty dog legs/lower quarters, both ahead and behind the wheels. Trunk outer lower corners bubbling, etc. I think this one may have been driven few miles a year, over several yrs, maybe with some minor scraps dings from driving in and out of garage (would explain panel paint shade missmatch) If the body is as solid as it looks, I think it is a pretty good buy. But definitely warrants a personal inspection before purchase.
Driver side door was repainted, rubber gaskets on the doors are gone, no engine pictures and other minor things.. I dont believe the 23K milage claim, too.
Not a bad car, but I personally wouldnt pay more than 5K.
I agree it’s 123000 miles. However for a 48 year old Wisconsin car it is not in bad condition or even bad looking if its used for a just a fun old driver.
Gonna need some work if you want to show her off. It would be okay to drive but you’ll still give it a good scrubbing. Please people, put some degreaser in a pail of hot water and clean the interior. Everyone else has said the rest.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. In lieu of having any direct evidence of the mileage claim, we can only look at what we can see directly.
I see overspray on the door jamb floor strip for starters, suggesting at least some repaint at some point. The driver’s door also appears to have the infamous high mileage gap these cars are known for. No engine pics is always a red flag. The engine compartment can tell you a lot about the mileage, when carefully examined. Missing center caps (all of them) on the Turbine wheels. Window regulator issue? Not unless it had too many up and down pulls over the long haul. No underside pics, etc.
When I bought my ’77 w/81k, none of this applied. Yes anecdotal, but when all of the information is considered here, the 23k claim does not add up.
Yes, it can still be a good driver, however I am already out once a car is misrepresented as such.
The seller should just be honest about the mileage. The car itself isn’t too bad, not great, but they have lost all credibility.
Extraordinary mileage claims require extraordinary proof………This one looks like it’s 123K….
Scum bags that claim low mileage when their cars have obviously rolled over at least once, need to be stopped. It’s a form of theft to claim the value when it’s obvious that it’s not the case. Some poor shmuck may fall for this garbage.
I don’t agree with bashing or picking apart someone’s ad, it’s a used car. It is bound to have issues and surprises. Heck you can even get that in a new car. Until someone actually sets eyes on this car and checks it over, these is no definitive way to say if it is low mileage or not. The car is almost 50 years old. To me, it looks way better than a car from around here (Manitoba, Canada) that is 50 years old with 123xxx miles. I know, because I have several on the yard here, and have been a wrecker for over 35 yrs. Wisconsin is not that far away from Manitoba. Without more pictures of underneath, underhood, and in rust prone areas, or without personal inspection, we are all just speculating. To me, a solid rust free body far outweighs any mileage claims. Mechanicals are cheaper to replace or upgrade, than fixing extensive rust. At least up here in the Rust Belt.
The picking apart the ads only comes when people list cars that clearly have questionable history claims. True, a car sitting out in the weather for 20 years will be weathered. But the tell tail signs of a car that has far more than 20k miles are all over this car. If the person has evidence to the fact, then it’s more than welcome. Otherwise, these sorts of claims are no less misleading/criminal than rolling back an odometer, which is obviously illegal.
The steering wheel looks like it was used by a coal miner for a daily driver
Looks like the same Monte Carlo that Nancy Loomis aka Annie Brackett drove in the 1978 film Halloween! Great Chevrolet Monte Carlo!