Chevy rolled out the Monte Carlo in 1970 to carry its flag in the personal luxury market. It initially shared the same platform with the Pontiac Grand Prix but went to the GM A-body intermediate platform for 1973-77, the Colonnade-styling era. It was a top seller in the Chevy line-up for years, including 1977 when more than 410,000 units were built, in spite of the shift to more fuel efficient cars during this period. This ’77 Monte Carlo is said to have just 29,600 miles on the odometer and appears to be a part of an estate sale including household furnishings and appliances. It’s located in Tiffin, Ohio and available here on HiBid.com where the auctioneer is WMS Marketing Services. The current bid is $5,150.
The Monte Carlo would enjoy a long run, from 1970 through 2007, with a hiatus in 1989-94. It would carry the Chevy banner in NASCAR for several years, winning races and championships. The second-generation Monte Carlo’s were no longer hardtops, becoming pillared coupes with rear side opera windows and frameless door glass (a hallmark of the Colonnade design). The physical appearance of the car would be little changed over these five years, mainly for adjustments to bigger bumpers and headlights. By 1977, there were only two engine choices in the MC: a 305 cubic inch 2-barrel V-8 good for 140 hp net and a 350 with a 4-barrel and 170 hp. The Turbo Hydra-matic transmission was included as standard equipment. We can’t tell which of these engines is in the seller’s car.
Because an auctioneer is involved with the sale of this car, little information about its history and condition are known. We believe it’s the Landau version of the Monte Carlo, which accounted for about 45 percent of ’77 sales. This car is part of a lot of other stuff which makes it sound like a liquidation. If you’re looking for glassware, a crock pot and some furniture, that stuff is in the same lot as the car. The seller says the Chevy is clean and runs and drives as it should. But it has some fluid leaks from sitting (oil, transmission or brakes?). The photos show a clean white exterior with a red vinyl top and matching interior which could have some fading going on. I’ve always been a fan of Keystone mag wheels and these look so ’70s on this car!
Unfortunately, all the photos provided with the listing have the seller’s watermark, but they don’t detract from gauging the quality of the vehicle. If you were to bid on the car, be advised that a 10 percent “buyer’s premium” will be added to the final bid, apparently to compensate the auctioneer for his/her work. NADA says these are $10,000 cars in comparable condition to this one. Given the limited information provided on this car, it’s hard to say if a bargain is in the making here.
Since I bought one of these new, I can say with some authority that if it has 27,000 miles on it, the air conditioning has gone out at least once, the water pump will make a scraping sound if the engine is running, and the heater core is likely bypassed because of the enormous steaming leak. Oh, and there should be some huge bare places behind the back window where the paint has flaked off. All that said, I loved the car for its curb appeal (women would do almost anything to ride in it) and the performance of the 350 engine. A magnificent ride in town or the highway, but it was a poor example of quality construction. I must admit I was excited when I was able to trade it in on a standard shift 4-door 1981 Toyota Corolla!
Since I bought one of these new, I can say with some authority that if it has 29,000 miles on it, the air conditioning has gone out at least once, the water pump will make a scraping sound if the engine is running, and the heater core is likely bypassed because of the enormous steaming leak. Oh, and there should be some huge bare places behind the back window where the paint has flaked off. All that said, I loved the car for its curb appeal (women would do almost anything to ride in it) and the performance of the 350 engine. A magnificent ride in town or the highway, but it was a poor example of quality construction. I must admit I was excited when I was able to trade it in on a standard shift 4-door 1981 Toyota Corolla!
Agreed. I had a ’73 Monte Carlo that I loved but was a POS reliability-wise. I had to pull the heads off, one valve guide failed, so I did the whole top of the motor. New alternator, electrical bugs, typical Delco stuff….I only owned it for 6 months…
Now I have a 2016 highlander with 52K that has had ZERO problems. I know you guys like to rag on Japanese cars, but it is great having reliable transportation while you work on your collector car. My best car ever was an ’87 Camry that went 292K on the first engine and trans…
That said, I would love to have this Monte, then I can be reminded of the 2 ton doors and mushy handling….
I’m not sure,but for some reason I think this from
WMS Marketing Services.
Helps keep scammers from borrowing the photos and posting phony Craigslist ads.
VIN decodes out as a 305 2bbl. There is also a picture of the emissions sticker under hood.
She certainly is in all of her ‘day two’ glory! Aftermarket wheels, tires, mud flaps, CB radio, power antenna, and of course, driving (or are those ‘fog’ with the amber lenses?) lights. Upperclassmen in HS had a dark brown/tan version of this one, although he had the CB antenna mounted on the trunk.
Radio and exhaust look stock.
Unclemymy, I bought one brand new in June ’77. Fairly non-optioned , no AC. Cannot comment as per that but I put 65k on it never experienced any of t HG e other problems you mention.
David, I have to agree with you on that. I bought one when it was two years old… To this day, it was the best car I ever owned. I can’t say enough about how well it performed and that I don’t remember ever replacing a single part on it. After owning it for three years I sold it and bought a new Corvette but, I still miss it.
I too never experienced any of these issues. I had one as a classic/weekend car from 2001-2015 and never encountered any of the mentioned issues
One of the ugliest body styles. I love the first 3 years , 78 to 90. They style after that ugly also.
Bought a brand new 77 “orange metallic” and buckskin high end, “plastic spoke hubcaps”. It was an amazing ride. Smooth, quiet. Traded in a 75 Cutlass salon.Tan and brown. Similar ride, but the Monte felt heavier.
I have an anniversary gold with buckskin “landau” vinyl seats. Orange pinstripe. 46,000 original miles, one owner, before myself. Replaced the rear side bumper inserts, faded original paint. FOR SALE
I had one of these in High School.
Great backseat 😆
In NY these were part of what was called, The Disco crew, The Grand Prix, The Cutlass supreme, The Buick Regal, throw a 1.5 inch whitewall, and a set of Superior Basket Spokes, originally Appliance, but they were single spokes, Superior came out w double baskets, and you were club ready, especially if it had a sunroof, and a in dash am/fm 8 track, low your hair back, pull up to the club and you were in