All of GM’s intermediate-sized cars were redesigned in 1973, including personal luxury models like the Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevy Monte Carlo. In the case of the latter, it was a sales hit, selling a quarter-million units that year. The seller offers a spectacular-looking example which we’re guessing has been treated to a restoration. It has the big-block 454 cubic inch V8 under the hood, the largest factory motor ever offered by Chevrolet. Lumberton, North Carolina is the location of the Monte and it’s available here on eBay where the bidding holds at $11,150 (no reserve).
The design technique employed on the 1973-77 Monte Carlo’s was called Colonnade, which encompassed a larger windshield and reshaped frameless side windows, fixed rear quarter windows, and roof-strengthening side pillars to help in the event of a rollover (aka safety). Bigger front bumpers were added to withstand 5 mph frontal impacts. This applied to all the GM 2-door mid-size cars, but it was the Monte Carlo that was dubbed Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” for 1973. While Chevy built loads of Monte Carlo’s that year, we don’t know how many came with the 454 V8 like in the seller’s auto. This was the last model year before the flock began to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars thanks to OPEC.
This ’73 Chevy looks beautiful and could be original, but what makes me think it has been restored is that the floor in the trunk looks brand new and has been welded in. But whatever the case, the body looks great from what we can tell (the photos provide a lot of distortion), the silver paint is bright and shiny, and not a hint of rust or body damage is visible.
“Factory” is the seller’s favorite word as he uses it several times to mention the accessories that came with the Monte Carlo, such as air conditioning, sunroof, swivel bucket seats, console, and all sorts of electrical doodads. The 454 engine is paired with a TH-400 automatic transmission, which we believe was the only way it came. The seller interprets the VIN for us and that confirms that a 454 V8 (this one or another) was in the car when it rolled off the assembly line. The odometer reading is said to be under 55,000 miles. If you were looking for one of the GM cars, this might be one to beat.
That’s all great, but what is the car behind it n the first photo?
Looks like a 76/77 Malibu.
tail lights look like a late 70s lemans
always liked these cars although be it I would feel like a pimp in one..
I like the car, but words of wisdom, Confucius say “Don’t run White letter out when you have MasterCraft tire”.
LOL! EXACTLY! Nothing screams “Look at my cheap K Mart tires!” more than a set of Cooper Cobras (or Mastercraft Avenger G/T, Pep Boys Futura GLS, Hercules H/P 4000, or Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T) junk tires. All of these are the same crap with a different name.
Amazing how many real car guys have been duped into buying this junk. I will never run anything but B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A’s or reproduction Good Year Polyglas GT’s/Firestone Wide Ovals.
wonder what the HP rating is? Smogged down might be depressingly low. Bidding is lousy with suspect bids, including the HI Bid. Seems like she’s running hot also?? Good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
Drove my brother’s ’74 as a teen… and have loved all iterations of the Monte Carlo until they changed them after Gen4.
I’ve got one with 454 too. Runs really good and strong if it’s tuned up good.
Clean and sweet. The colors are definitely 70’s funky. My brother had a ’73 with swivel buckets that he enjoyed for a short while. It was stolen at a Joe Cocker concert before the first payment was due. Oh well.
Had a black 74 454, that I put 72ss factory mags on. It looked just right. the 73 had better styling
Might be a nice car, take it outside, loose the stupid lens and show us what it really is like? We don’t need distorted pics.
fran……..Check the e bay pics. Several exterior shots out doors.
*lose
I had a 73 years ago, $18,200 now with reserve met. Swivel buckets and center console.
Here’s a better view
https://youtu.be/-FFQLVKiHhI
I like this car, for a Chevy. This screams mid-late ’70s cruiser with some Jensen speakers, amp, cassette deck and a Boston tape.
I had a ’73. With a few tweeks, it was a very good handling big car! MIne had a 350 that Ii built to LT-1 spec but added headers, ported heads, better manifold. Pulled like a freight train and would still give decent mileage of I stayed out of the pedal. Those swivel buckets are very comfortable. I might be a buyer here.
Huge fan of MC, Grand Prix, Cutlass and Regal. These Monte Carlo’s were not only beautiful they rode very comfortable. I’m the leader of live and let live, to each his own but two things about cars disturb me I can’t help if, that cheesy steering wheel cover with holes and plastic lace and white letter tires on a car like this. Hick
As others have commented, these cars are wonderful in every way, with unmatched styling and ride comfort and handling, which is why they garnered the 1973 Car of the Year award. Exactly 12,060 came off the assembly lines with the LS4 454 engine (thanks, Tim Maher for that number), which was 4% of production that year. I’m glad to see the market start to take some interest in these fantastic cars, which I have owned, driven and loved for decades. The CA1 electric skyroof made its debut that year as well in selected GM models (aside from some Cadillacs which got them starting in 1970), such as the Monte Carlo. An extremely rare option, and the only way to verify if the car came from the factory that way is to have a build sheet (unless the car is from GM of Canada, which still has records). I’ve owned two such Montes with this marvelous option. Jeff’s car here, though he claims it’s never been painted (repainted), at 0:26 in his video presenting the car on YouTube, looks to have undergone some serious work and restoration, as the folks at Barnfinds so astutely noticed. The paint is most certainly not factory, so why does Jeff claim it to be? Also, he says the interior is untouched, but many details prove otherwise. The dash appears restored; the Monte Carlo emblem on the passenger side is for the S Coupe, yet the door panels claim it’s a Landau. The console is black, while it should be red to match the rest of the red interior. So these items are not from the factory as the car was built. Where is the build sheet? We can’t prove the electric sunroof is original to the car, either! Where is the photo of the data plate on the cowl to even prove what color the car came with originally, or whether it’s a Landau or S Coupe? What happened to the VIN sticker on the driver door? These things just don’t disappear by themselves. Why does it have bright trim in the rear window (ill-fitted) if it’s a Landau? Did this car come originally with a smooth roof, or full vinyl covering (S Coupe), or Landau half-roof? So many questions, and no answers. It’s a beautiful car, and I do hope it sells for over $30K because to me, it’s worth that.
I have a 73 COPO car that is triple black fully optioned with the 3.73 400T 454 and have had it for 40+ years. I have had at least a bakers dozen of these cars over the years and have the parts to build a few more.
I have never seen a trunk pan replaced before but not out of the relm of possibility. If the trunk has been replaced I would question the rest of the car.
The roof hole probably leaks like sin. and if the car sat outside the floor pans have issues. The upgraded interior package and no vinyl roof makes me question if there is rust in the roof also.
I would only buy this car with an in person review of present condition. The Monte Carlo’s have been overlooked for years as they are big comfortable cars that were only raced in NASCAR. Now with other more intermediate body styles bringing accelerated pricing the 1973 and newer cars are beginning to gain attention for more conservative prices.
Too bad they have been overlooked for some time and were an affordable buy on the collector market. Now that these models are being seriously sought after the prices will soon double and triple in price. As seen for this car here.
Right now at 21.6 with a day left it will be fun to see the final price. Silver is a great color also so that could bring a little premium. If the car would be a darker color the bodywork would be easier to see. Been a long time since I have seen a Tuxedo Black car for sale.
I believe there has been work done to the trunk floor, but not necessarily replaced. It appears that it’s been repainted, with seam sealer at the seams. The sunroof will never leak unless the drain tubes are clogged. I own two of these CA1 Monte Carlos. In fact, you can have the sunroof fully open during a rainstorm while driving and never feel a drop of rain inside, or wind. What is a COPO Monte Carlo? Do you have any documents that your car was ordered through COPO? I’ve never seen one, but it would be cool to see that.
Took a while to find paperwork, found in ceder chest.
Car was charged to Hampton Chevrolet Mountain View MO. Built at Leeds Kansas City MO. This car as built was available as a COPO car.
Yes stated on the build sheet and the car was ordered as a Monte Carlo S Z76, M/C Landau Z03, White Stripe ZR8 Spec/Paint COPO Black, Black Trim, Black Landau Top CB1, Black Interior, LS4, M40
The ad and video (thanks Matt in Flint for the video link!) don’t mention that the trunk pan has ever been replaced and it doesn’t look like it in the “underside” part of the video. He does mention that it’s not the original 454 but regardless, this looks like a pretty good deal for somebody so far. I’d love to drive this around town if I could afford it! The wheels really set it off.
It’s nice to see the 1973 Car of the Year finally getting some recognition in the market. These are such beautiful cars, and they handle really well. I’ve owned and driven them for nearly 35 years, and particularly love how comfortable the swivel buckets are, even during all-day sprints across the country, and they hold the driver (and passenger) in as they should during maneuvers. This is a high speed driver’s car. I own two with the very rare ASC-sourced CA1 electric skyroof, which was introduced in 1973 with this generation A body (a bit earlier for some Cadillac models). This is such a brilliant roof option, allowing one to enjoy the conversation at speed, and hear the surrounding countryside as well, without a draft in the car. I’m a huge fan of these sunroofs! I hope Jeff gets big money for this car, as he should. However, I believe great caution is required on the part of the buyer, who should inspect it before purchasing. Despite the claims of the seller at 0:26 in his YouTube video that the car has never been repainted, this paint most certainly looks fresh, with overspray visible on certain elements of the car. And the claim that the interior is original and factory do not ring true. Please explain why the door panels are from a Landau, whereas the (restored?) dash is from an S Coupe. And the console is black, whereas it should be red to match the rest of the interior. Where are the pictures of the VIN plate, the VIN sticker on the driver’s door (missing completely – why?), the data plate on the cowl (which would clear up the mystery if the car came from the factory with swivel buckets or a bench, and if the car is a Landau or an S Coupe, and the original color of the car), and the very crucial build sheet, which is the only piece of documentation that can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this Monte Carlo came from the factory with that ultra-rare skyroof? Why is the rear window molding improperly fitted? Why was it even removed if the car was not painted, as claimed by the seller? And if the car is a Landau, it would have the vinyl half-roof and trim, which it doesn’t, and the rear window molding would be textured and painted, not bright. So the various claims of the seller don’t add up.
Hey Mike I’d love to learn about your two sunroof cars. I just recently got a very nice 73 and I have a factory sunroof that will be grafted into mine.
Cheers Alan
Hello Alan. Good thing I got a notification of your post via my email: carmuseum at gmail com. Please write to me there with specific questions. Or if you’re on Facebook, I have a group dedicated to the 1973-77 Monte Carlo LS4 454 CA1 sky roof registry and enthusiast group (facebook.com/groups/bigblocksunroof) which aims to support these rare Monte Carlos (and any old Big Three car with the elusive electric sliding steel sunroof). Take care, Mike