Mention the 1973 Monte Carlo around car fanatics and you’ll get some surprisingly disparate responses. Many find the styling heavy-handed and reeking of the worst of 1970s excess, while others argue that hundreds of thousands of happy buyers couldn’t have been wrong. The seller of this 73,000-mile example needn’t worry too much, however, because there are enough fans out there ready to fork over fair money for the second-generation example of Chevrolet’s personal-luxury coupe. It doesn’t hurt that this one has the big 454 under the hood either. Barn Finding expert T.J. sent us the craigslist link from Henderson, Nevada, and the asking price is $16,000.
The Monte Carlo was perched upon the longer of the A-Body wheelbases, 116 inches, but it was the massive hood that drew the stares; indeed, some of the fan shrouds GM used in its ’70s coupes were veritable campground fire rings. It’s not so bad with the big-block under the hood, but there is still a lot of space left vacant in the name of styling. The 454 was not quite the street-sweeper it was back in 1970, when the LS-6 was in the first class of factory muscle, but it still produced a potent 245 net horsepower, the most you could get in a Monte Carlo. This one is fed by a new carburetor, fuel pump, fuel lines, and fuel tank, and the seller mentions that it has “lots of power actually.”
While it doesn’t get much better than having a 454 under the hood, the “swing-out Strato-bucket seats” might be a close second. Chevy promoted this option fairly heavily in 1973, and while I don’t know if it truly offered the driver and passenger “easy entry and exit,” or at least any easier than normal, it was a unique touch, kind of like Ford’s Swing-Away steering wheel. The interior itself looks nearly immaculate, and the engine compartment shows that this Monte Carlo has air conditioning. (The ad doesn’t mention whether or not it works, so it probably doesn’t.) The only obvious flaw is barely visible in this picture: The vinyl top appears to have suffered from some significant fading.
Aside from that, I would probably spring for a new set of tires and do little else; those Dunlop G/T Qualifiers don’t look that much newer than the car itself. Leaving the aftermarket wheels would be a coin flip; they are period appropriate, but I prefer a more factory look. I like the second-generation Monte Carlo’s styling, especially the round-headlight 1973-75 examples. If you count yourself as a fan, this might be the one to have.
Always reminded me of a bit of the Avanti frontend with this era Monte. Nice write up Toth 👍 thank you.
I’ve always thought that the earlier ones were elegant designs,
but not this.
I do like the round eye baroque Monte Carlos such as this quite a lot,but truely hate the square eye ones..totally ruined the look.If one was to have a round eye Monte Carlo this is how i’d outfit it,all the best options and the engine that still had some quality scoot.
As per the a/c the belt is still on so thats a positive note. Euh black console ?? Resprayed or later add on, it might be me but it don’t look right so please correct me if i’m in left field
Good catch. I believe the console should be the same color as the interior. I would also check the VIN to make sure it’s an original 454 car. It probably is judging by the looks of it, but I would be sure. That was a very rare option on these. Most of them had the 350 or 400 small block, and the seller is not very explicit about this key point in his ad.
I had a HS buddy with the everything black edition from Vinyl, paint and interior with the swivels plus the 454 engine. I prefer the first gen models that were smaller but his one is clean and looks good with the red interior and a nice starter collector car for someone to enjoy at car shows.
I like these much better now that every parking lot is not loaded with a minimum of 20+ . My HS used to joke that everyone has a MC like a (rear end … cleaning up the other word used) because 15 were driven daily. I drove a. punch up small block black 55 Belair hardtop and later a blue and white stripes 69 Rally Z28 back in the day. (five Camaro vehicles were in the lot too.). :-).
I think the price is good and the body looks nice being in a dry state.
I remember one of the car magazines had a feature on one back in the day. The owner pulled the smog engine out and dropped in a crate LS7 big block. They titled the story “While You Were Sleeping “. I had to let my magazine collection go years ago, but I wish that I could find this article again.
According to just about all he history I can find on the LS-7 engine, they were a “pipe dream” of some Chevrolet engineers, and while there were a very few experimental engines produced, the motor was never made available to the public. I could be wrong, but if someone got one from the factory, they must of had some connections.
About 18 months ago someone had a NOS claimed LS7. Still in the crate!
It had labeling for off road or marine use only. It was on Hemmings for $35k.
Had this exact color combo on a 77′ Monte. The swivel buckets indeed made it easier to enter/ exit. This one looks like a good deal for the ask.
She’s a beauty. That rat with carry her just fine.
had the twin to this in the mid 80s but with a s/b great riding and handling cars. paid 500.00 for it drove it year sold to my brother for 1000.00. he drove 5 more years. i would lose those old Dunlop’s as previously said and the wheels and put a set of factory rally wheels on it. rare with a 454 in it
I had a 76 Monte ftom 1982 to 1991. Mahogany over Mahogany swivels. That black console is incorrect. Shoild be intrripr color. Bought mine with 99,000 miles. Put om another 100,000 wih only
Inor issues. Miss it. Oh, I paid $1,800 for mine. Those days forever.
The 73 had a unique one year backside style and not one pic taken.
Despite the seller’s claims this car has been repainted.;
I agree with A.G. that the car has been repainted by looking at the latch on the passenger door with overspray. Looks like that carpet is brand new too. Still a nice Monte Carlo.
I bought my 74 Monte in 1976. The original purchaser didn’t miss any of the option boxes, 454, 400 thm, tilt, cruise, power windows and locks, tach and gauges, sunroof, rear defroster, swivel buckets, AM/FM with 8 track, F41 suspension etc. It had a white landau half roof that I took off and put on 15 X 8 rallys with 67 Corvette caps. Wonderful car – super road manners. I traded it in 1980 for California 1966 El Camino 396 4 spd with factory AC. That car became part of our down payment when we bought our farm site in 1983. Wish I could have kept both, but couldn’t have afforded out home without giving up some toys and I do have great memories of the cars.
Take my money that is my dream car
have a 72 sold it around 1990 never should have now trying to find it
Bill West: After a discussion with some Pro Mod fellas I know l have found that you are correct. GM did in fact make a limited number of LS-7s available through their high performance parts division. Apparently a couple of the buyers were Bill Jenkins and Rick Hendrick. I stand corrected.
Very, very nice, I wish I could buy it!
Anyone know how to track down a 13 digit vin. #