The Monte Carlo was new in 1970, Chevy’s first entry in the personal luxury segment of the market. The car was little changed for the following year and was an off shoot of the similar Pontiac Grand Prix during its lengthy production. This ’71 edition has a rebuilt 454 V8 with some slight performance upgrades, plus a lot of chrome and aftermarket wheels. The paint is new, so it looks as though some seat cover work is about all that’s really left to do. Located in Houston, Texas, the car is available here on eBay for $12,500 (Buy It Now) or you can click the Make Offer button. Ours gratitude to Larry D for this tip!
In 1970, Chevrolet derived the name of its new 2-door coupe from the famous Monegasque city. The car would see six generations of production through the 2007 model year (with a break between 1989-94). Even though the car was intended to ooze personal comfort, the marque represented Chevrolet in NASCAR for a number of years, winning more than its share of titles.
The first generation of the Monte Carlo ran from 1970-72 before switching to the Colonnade platform the following year. The 1971 copies were largely unchanged from the year before and both model runs had their production stymied by labor issues, keeping output to 159,000 and 128,000, respectively.
A commonly chosen engine for the 1971 Monte Carlo was the 350 V8. While we don’t know what the seller’s car started out with, it now houses a sharp-looking, rebuilt 454 cubic inch edition from the early ‘70s. Besides the motor get a workover, the seller tells us the same is true of the Turbo-Hydramatic transmission and suspension. Some of the enhancements that were made for performance purposes included oval iron heads that were ported and polished with COMP Cams Magnum 280H and roller rockers.
The car has been lowered a bit thanks to front and rear BMR springs and the rest of the suspension has been treated to new tie rods, end links, upper and lower ball joints, and front and rear shocks. The tab for all the chrome work alone must have been staggering. A set of Flowmasters takes care of the exhaust system.
The body looks good having been given a recent paint job. The seller says its “not a show car but the paint is of good quality” which almost sounds as though he’s disappointed in the final outcome. This may be a project that has been nearing completion because the interior has yet to be touched. Everything there is said to be original, but the front seat bottom is largely black duct tape now, the carpet is separating from the door panels, and the headliner needs replacing. These items should be relatively inexpensive to correct. The aftermarket wheels look interesting and probably work given the performance image this rebuilt car is going after. But a set of Rally wheels would work better for me.
The seller offers quite a lot of photos, though mostly of the exterior, and also a video of the car in action. The high-end resale value of the Monte Carlo from ‘71 can approach $30,000, according to Hagerty, based on a standard 350 engine. With its mechanical modifications, this car may be worth more to enthusiasts who want more speed, while the purists may pay less because they want originality. A stock Turbo-Jet 454 with a 4-barrel in 1971 would have been good for 365 horsepower, and this one probably puts out a few more. So not too many street racers may pass it, while it’s not likely to pass many gas stations.
The first thing that jumps out to me when I looked at the first picture of this car was that those wheels look awful on this car. Maybe it’s because I’m more attracted to cars that have period correct wheels but to me, those wheels really detract from a good-looking car. Otherwise, the car presents well though that’s a lot of white. I think a black vinyl roof would tone down all that bright white. This Monte Carlo has a lot going for it; a fresh big block with a good body and nice chrome. The price seems fair even with the interior needing work. Put a little work and a few more dollars into it and you’ll have a pretty impressive muscle car.
I love Barn Finds in part because of the diversity of thought among car people.
I 100% agree with you on the wheels, they just look a little too big. Rally Wheels from the ’71 SS would look really good IMO.
Where probably split off is the vinyl roof. Growing up I don’t think I ever saw one of these WITHOUT one. That’s why I find it a pleasant surprise to see how it actually looks when not festooned with a top, more of a clean look and the way it was designed in the studio.
What makes this hobby great, is that people like different looks and anyone is free to kind of do their own thing.
Really cool Monte but they weren’t designed with big wheels like this, none of these older cars wear them all that well in appearance.
454 is sure to please everyone including Exxon/Mobil, hey if you can’t afford the gas dont bother with it.
Wheels and tires ruin the look on this car, it cheapens the design. Factory rims and maybe a little meatier tire. Very nice Chevy.
From what I see, the front bumper, grill, and trunk all are from a 1970. Either this car was rebuilt with those parts or it is a 1970 model.
Well I’m actually one of those who find low profile tires to look great on 60s-70s cars. However it appears to me these tires have an outside diameter taller than what Monte Carlos had – now it doesn’t look lowered at all more like a 4×4! I’d prefer 17-18inch Rallies with smaller outside diameter tires and even lower suspension.
Given what one have to cough up for a similar year Chevelle and the easy parts availability for these Montes this should be a fair price. If one doesn’t like the newer wheels then sell them and pick up a set of OE size Rallies – they’re dirt cheap and look good on just about any GM car
Back in the day the thing to do was swap the front bumper from a ’70 Monte to your ’70 Chevelle. Bolted right up and you now had round parking / turn signals instead of rectangular.
Nice car but yup the wheels are a no. I’d due the SS wheels, black with the trim rings and center cap or some Torque Thrusts.
I’ve Always been a big fan of this car. something looks “off” with the rear bumper fit. Also, there seems to be a significant amount of paint missing behind the left side of the rear bumper. Is the truck lid just dirty on the bottom left corner, or is that a paint chip as well? Little TLC, interior, and wheels – this could be a stunner. With all these questions, the buyer should see in in the flesh.
Swap for rally wheels would do wonders.
I agree with Big Len. The hood must have been included from a 1970 also. The 1971 hood is the only year the Monte Carlo had a hood ornament. So this could be also a ’70 hood added or this vehicle is a 1970.
My other concern is the lack of 454 trim usually found along the rocker panels and fenders
This is my original, unrestored 1970 Monte SS 454 with 86,000 original miles on it. You’ll note that it has a hood ornament.
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IMHO, clownish wheels and tires like these ruin the look of every classic vehicle they are attached to.
I believe these cars had some of the longest hoods in GM history
, Maybe third behind the 73-77 Montes and 69 -72 Gran Prix’s !
’71 to ’78 Eldorado.
Somehow I knew that was Houston without even looking. Cookie cutter architecture in bland suburbia.
The grille is from a 1970, and the bumper is either from a 1970 Monte Carlo or El Camino. It’s missing rocker panel and wheel opening moldings. That’s either for a shaved look or because it’s full of filler. Bring a trailer? Maybe. Bring a magnet? Definitely!
Good one, CC Fisher,
Bring a magnet. Definitely!!!
I totally agree
Beautiful car, horrendous wheels that belong in East El Lay.
Get Rid Of The Ghetto Rims and Fix The Ghetto Front Seat. I bet all that chrome has to add at least 10 Horse Power.
70 grille/bumper/hood. No trim. VERY expensive stuff, and another 2 grand to fix the interior on a no option car???? PASS
The hood on the 70-71 Montes were the longest hoods GM ever assembled on a car. The same 70-71 Chevelles that shared much of the same interior components without the mock wood grain were 10 and a half inches shorter when you backed the rear wheels of the cars up to a curb.
First thing I saw was the 10 bolt rear axle. Won’t last long with the torque from the big block.
SOLD for $12,500.