It’s often said that the first is the best. I have found that to be the case with many movies where the sequels just don’t measure up. Some cars hit me that way, too. Take this 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, for example. This specimen is in magnificent condition and, despite its 81K miles of use, appears to need nothing. It’s the understated styling, however, which makes this first-gen (’70-’72) such a hit with me. Succeeding generations? Fuggetaboutit. Additionally, this Monte has some less-than-common features, so let’s investigate. Willow Springs, Missouri, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on webeautos for $54,995 $59,995. Thanks are due to Jack M. for this tip!
The Monte Carlo’s inaugural year limited the single two-door body style to two trim levels, standard (our subject car) and Super Sport or SS454, which was an add-on option package of performance features and badging. Sales were brisk with almost 160K units leaving one of six Chevrolet assembly lines. Green Mist is this Monte’s hue, and we’re told that it’s a repaint. I’d suggest that it was perfectly applied because it looks like the factory-original finish. It was sprayed over a body that does not indicate ever having been afflicted with rust, dings, dents, etc., and curiously, this is one of the few Monte Carlos from this generation that I’ve seen without a vinyl roof covering – I like it! And, as is often the case, holding up all four corners are Chevrolet’s seen-everywhere rally wheels. Want to see some more? Here’s a walk-around video that shows off this car’s fine features. Finally, the listing notes that this Chevy is an award winner, specifically:
- AACA Antique Automobile Club of America Junior and Senior
- Award Winner From Hershey Car Show, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Under that stylishly long Monte Carlo hood is a first-year 265 gross HP, 400 CI, small block V8 engine. The story around this largest of Chevrolet’s small block engines is a bit unusual, as this power plant disappeared from the Monte’s option sheet in ’71 and didn’t reappear until ’74. More remarkable is this car’s four-speed manual transmission. According to Hemmings, 589 MCs were equipped with a 402 CI big block engine and a four-speed manual gearbox in ’70, but no total for four-speeds in general is referenced (they were available with four of the five engines offered, but oddly, not the big SS454 V8). The only comment regarding this car’s operational aspect is, “Everything Works as it Should.”
The interior is nicely appointed with strato-bucket seats, a center console, and full dash instrumentation. The dark green all vinyl upholstery is in excellent condition, as is the dash pad and carpeting. Good to know is that air conditioning is on the job – it’s not said if it’s operational, however. Despite this car’s length, the interior compartment shares dimensions with the Malibu two-door hardtop, and the first-year buyer’s biggest complaint was the cramped back seat.
Any demerits warranted? Not in my book, this one’s as good as it gets. This is a truly beautiful car and a reminder of what it was like 50+ years ago when you could build one your way. All that said, I’m not feelin’ the $59,995 $54,995 ask, how about you?
The Turbo Jet 400 added about 60-70 ponies.. but more importantly the 2-v still delivered the torque w 400lb/ftđThe 3.31 posi, 12 bolt and the 4sp must make this green machine a hoot to drive. Love it, and what a clean car. Beautiful Chevy. Thanks Jim. đ
I went and looked at a dealer brochure. It’s a Turbo FIRE 400 ci, 265 hp small block. I had one in my first car, a ’70 Caprice coupe. 400 emblems on the front fenders.
Beautiful car. I’d want to know for sure if the AC works.
55k and no big block? Nice Monte but a little steep on the price.
The LS3 Turbo-Jet 400 is the sole big block available the 4-speed.
Very cool Monte. I do agree though, it is on the expensive side for a SBC. But, considering the condition and the rarity of it being a 4 speed, I could see someone coming within the ballpark of the asking price to park this Monte in their garage. It’s a nice car, but personally, the only small block I could see myself paying 50k+ for would be a W31 Olds.
Or, a 340 Dart…but, yes, my ’70 W-31 was a 100% survivor that was a screamer.
This is one nice car. Another one to add to my ever growing bucket list.
I wouldâve lost money if someone bet me if there was ever a four-speed behind a small block 400 in ANYâ70 Chevrolet.
I know this stuff pretty well and I have NEVER Come across any stick SB 400 combo in a Chevy car (Trucks, yes).
I WOULD bet money that this car is fewer in production than two digits.
Build sheet in the pictures, proves it.
This is the first 4 speed Monte Carlo Iâve come across in 20 years since I sadly sold mine.
I wouldâve bet money that there was never a 400 behind a four speed in any 1970 Monte Carlo. I had a 70 with a 350 turbojet / M21 combo. It was incredibly fun to drive. All my research back then showed that there was about 859 total made with this combination in 1970 to leave the factory with a four speed in it. None of those were reported to have anything bigger than a 350. Iâm sure my total number is wrong just based off memory but itâs somewhere in the 800s.
The small block 400 didnât add much horsepower but he maybe a little steep on the price but try and find another one. My dad ordered a 72 Caprice 4 door hardtop with a 400 big block, 4barrel and dual exhaust and if I recall it was only around 25 horsepower less than a 454.
According to my ’72 dealer brochure, the 400 (402) had 210 hp while the 454 had 270 hp. I had a triple black ’72 Caprice coupe with that 402. I added dual exhaust from the manifold back which gave me 30 more hp. I also had a ’71 Caprice with same 402 except 300 hp.
The 402 (or 400 Turbo-Jet) was available with a factory dual exhaust option (RPO N10) for the B-body cars that pushed the HP to 240 SAE net from 210. The dual system was standard on the Monte Carlo, Chevelle, El Camino, and Camaro (SS396 version) when equipped with the 402 CI engine.
The ’71 that you reference was essentially the same except the power rating was SAE gross which put it at 300.
JO
That’s probably what the seller is telling people who want to low ball: go find another one.
I didn’t expect a 400 sb. Maybe a 350 or surely a 400 bb. This is a unique and well preserved Monte Carlo. Beautiful colors and great features. Proves that you could have anything you wanted in those days.
In 68 my second cousin bought a new Corvette. By 1970 he’d been in a couple accidents and had gotten so many tickets that he could no longer afford to insure the Corvette. He traded it in on a 70 Monte Carlo with a 350 4bbl and a 4 speed. But unlike this car, his had a cloth bench seat and just a rubber boot and the shifter on the trans tunnel, not a console and buckets.
This a nice car but I can’t help but think the the original owner, or his dealer screwed up when ordering the car. I have to think someone was expecting to get the 402 with a 2bbl. The 400 small block was new for 70, and not many people were aware of it or familiar with it, including dealers. Pontiac offered 400’s with a 2bbl as a credit option, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this car was ordered assuming it was coming with a 2bbl version of the big block 402, instead of a small block 400.
Rare or not, the price does seems strong to me. Even with a more desirable 350 4bbl or the 402, I think the price would be high.
There was never a two-barrel carburetor equipped version of the 402 CI big block engine produced.
JO
I understand that. I was around when the small block 400 came out.
What I was saying is that a lot of people didn’t know the small block 400 existed in 1970. I could see how a buyer, or salesperson could have been confused and ordered the LF6 400 small block, thinking it was a 2bbl version of the big block 402. Having two different 400’s caused a lot of confusion. There are still people today confused about the two 400’s, and who don’t understand that 400 badges on a Chevrolet fender doesn’t always mean a car has a big block in it.
Sure there’s confusion around the Chevrolet “400” engines. The turbo-fire (small block) 400 was developed for large cars. Max torque at low rpm with a 2bbl carb. The 400 turbo-jet (big block) or 402 was the 396 in disguise. This is how they were always distinguished in the brochure and manuals. If Chevy had called SS anything but a 396 their customers would have been turned off. It already rolled off the tounge so well. When the sb 400 didn’t take to performance like this bb 400 the gearheads turned their backs and walked away. Years later it seems like some kind of mystery motor.
“If Chevy had called SS anything but a 396 their customers would have been turned off.”
But yet they did! The ’71 and ’72 Chevelle SS used the 402 and were just referred to as an SS with a 400 Turbo-Jet engine (even the ’70 SS396 Chevelle was actually powered by a 402 but to your point they retained the SS396 badge that year). In those years (’71 &’72), only the Camaro retained the SS396 moniker despite the fact it was powered by a RPO LS3 402 (400 Turbo-Jet) engine.
As for a disguised 396? Sorta, the 402 was a 396 with a .030″ overbore. It was done to push the emission-heavy 396 over the magic 400 CI EPA barrier (facilitating the Clean Air Act of ’70) which gave it a lower hurdle to overcome in NOx and hydrocarbon allowance. It’s the same reason Ford pushed their 390 to 400 in ’71 and Mopar did the same with the 383 in’72.
In retrospect, Chevrolet should have just called the 400 a 400 and the 402 a 402.
JO
Actually to gbvette62,
Regarding part of your post about emblems. In ’72, the small block 400 had the “400” emblem on the front fender near the side marker light. The big block 400 (402) had the “400” emblem in larger numbers down between the wheel opening and back of the fender. On Caprice, it was part of the lower body molding.
You are correct that there was and still is a lot of confusion about the 400 engine back then but I do know that the 400 small block chevy had steam port for the cooling system. This is still a very nice Monte Carlo.
the only way i have seen these 4sp montes pull big money like the want for this 1 is at an in-person auction. it’s neat but not that neat. auto is more user friendly in these cars
The 400 ci small block can be stroked out to make a 427 small block .
Little typo, Jim – As if $54,995 weren’t already too steep, the actual asking price is $59,995 –
Oooops! Well, what’s $5k among friends…
JO
Ultra neat car, albeit overpriced. I had a good friend that had a ’66 427/390 4 speed Caprice that I was absolutely in love with, and one fine day he came a knockin’ driving a new Black ’70 Monte Carlo (not an SS) w/ a 454 and a 4 speed and I was in love all over again. For the right price, this would be a gas to own and drive.
I had a 1970 Monte Carlo with the 400 SBC and four-speed transmission as – get this – my dealership demonstrator! Dark green all over and it now resides about 35 miles from here as discovered when the new owner posted a photo asking if anyone knew how many were made with this powertrain. Imagine his shock when he learned about my intimate familiarity with his new car. The original engine was replaced at about 2,000 miles due to a main bearing knock due to the crankshaft main bearings being out of line bore.
The older gent who ordered our new vehicles was confused about the Monte Carlo – was it a sports car or a luxury car? -so based solely on our pre-announcement day sales information, he order two with four-speeds and equipment like the fugly color-keyed full Caprice-style wheel covers and, on a dark blue one, fender skirts!
But there sure can’t be many of them in existence today.
Ed
$60k?????? Beautiful car and I would consider owning it, but not for $60 large. In this market, high prices are behind us, but even in the old market, this wasn’t a $60k car.
As a once member and entry contestant in the AACA, I must offer that winning a trophy after passing the scrutiny of their eagle- eyed judges warrants Jim’s assessment that ” this one’s as good as it gets ” .
I’ve got a couple of those 72 Caprices sitting in my yard with the 400’s. Trying to make sure they don’t end up with demo derby guys. One is actually pretty nice low miles, but has set quite awhile.