Well, this is an interesting find, courtesy of Curvette, and for more than just one reason. It’s a 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and a 454 CI V8 engine powers it – more on that attribute in a bit. It’s also a very early production example, having rolled off GM’s Baltimore assembly line in the second week of September 1969. Condition? Let’s check it out and see what’s what. Located in Mesa, Arizona, this first edition Monte is available here on eBay for a current bid of $19,100, with the reserve not yet met.
The Monte Carlo’s first edition spanned the years 1970-1972 and is, subjectively, my favorite. The Bowtie moved 159K units in the Montes’ inaugural year – not a bad start, but a bit off the planned mark due to a labor strike. A single two-door hardtop body style was spread over two trim levels, standard and Super Sport (RPO Z20 – a $420 option). The SS option was not widely selected, as there were only 3,800 produced – and it was an inconspicuous upgrade with the only indicative badging consisting of obscure SS emblems attached to the leading edge of either rocker panel. The curious thing is that the standout feature of the Z20 option was a 454 CI V8 engine – it was the only way to secure a Monte Carlo so equipped. Our subject car has that engine, but it’s missing the telltale badging. Were the outward signs removed, or is this a standard model that underwent an engine transplant? Hard to know for sure. This Chevy is being sold by “Streetside Classics“, a known entity in the classic car biz, so an available trail of provenance details is unlikely.
Anyway, the engine in question, if it’s original, would have started life as a 360 gross HP powerplant, but this car’s prime mover has been modified with an aluminum intake manifold, a replacement carburetor, an open-element air cleaner, and headers. There’s no verifiable mileage and total silence regarding operational characteristics. A Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic gearbox makes the rear-wheel connection, and it’s the only transmission that was offered with the big-inch engine.
The interior is nicely outfitted with black vinyl bucket seats and a center console – it all appears to be in fine nick. The steering wheel, however, is a cheesy, ubiquitous Chevy piece from the mid to late seventies, one that adorned Vegas and other models. Additionally, add-on engine monitoring gauges have been affixed to the lower edge of the dash. This is a non A/C equipped car.
As for the exterior presentation, this Monte Carlo looks great! The body is straight, the finish is deep, and there’s no indication of rust. The Chevy rally wheels could be original to this car, as they were an option in ’70, though these look “deeper” to my eye than what was factory provided. I’d suggest the finish is non-original as I can’t find a red-orange hue available in the ’70 Monte Carlo color palette.
So, what to think here? I’d like to know more about this car’s provenance, primarily due to that SS454 badging issue. Beyond that, it seems sound – these first-gen cars have come into their own as their closely related Chevelle siblings have reached extra-terrestrial pricing. As for the early build date, some will try to spin that as a selling feature; I don’t think early, late, or somewhere in between really matters. OK, that’s all I have; trust but verify, right?
Very nice, it’s got more power than most people ever need or know how to control. It’s not 100% original and I for one don’t care and best of all it’s not white or silver. BTW where have all the wonderful colors gone? Drive em it’s all about smiles per mile!
A monte with a 454 can stand alone
Big coupes w big motors, always a hit J.O 👍 😎 🏁
SS or not, this is one of my most favorite cars. Probably not an SS as it does not have the air compressor for the “Superlift leveling air suspension on the left fender. I would love to have it.
I had 1970 I restored my first car Loved it…
Perhaps it’s an effect of the lighting, but I agree, Jim, that there seems to be a bit too much orange in the color. The paint code on the body tag is 75, which was Cranberry Red.
i would want to see a build sheet and the trim tag. lot of doubt
I seem to remember that the SS version of these had the aluminum trim panel just beneath the decklid blacked out…
Incorrect.
The ‘71SS had that panel blacked out and added a third ‘SS’ callout on the passenger side of this panel. ‘
‘70s were body color across all models.
And all ‘72s had the decorative 3-piece molding.
Comfort grip steering wheel was an option on M/C’s my 71 SS has one, it’s listed on the build sheet
It was called a “Sports” steering wheel in ’71, and you are correct, it was an option that year.
In ’70, however, the option was known as the “Cushioned Rim” wheel, and it had three brushed steel spokes – note the attached.
JO
Definitely not original motor.
Nice looking car. But…..Certainly not a 454 SS. I may be incorrect, but I believe the 454 was not available in 1970.
I had a 1971 loaded but no 454. Just a somewhat strong 350 that moved the vehicle along just fine. I loved that car but one of my brothers wrapped it around a pole!!
Would like to have that one back too.
The first gen SS Monte Carlos were all 454 equipped cars!!
You are correct, ’70 and ’71. The SS option was dropped for ’72, but the 454 engine remained as an option on the standard M/C.
JO
The only way to get a 454 in a 1970 Monte, was with the SS option. You could get the 402 (396) in the standard Monte.
KHayes is correct!! Only SS options
Nice Monte with the bigblock. It’d be fun, SS or not! I always liked these. Did not know until recently that they were built on the Chevelle platform! Mile long hood!
Nice Monte, not an SS, listed on their website for $34,995.
I have seen a 1970 LS6 454 Monte Carlo in person before,triple black…didn’t realize they were that rare….
That was not from the factory. The only the 454 offered on the 1970 Monte, was the LS5.
I wouldn’t buy a lawnmower off of Streetside Classics let alone a beautiful overpriced, not the real deal Monte Carlo