Rough looking and resting on deflated tires in an Osage City, Kansas garage, this 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454 could be one of only 3823 such specimens produced. The description here on Craigslist claims the personal luxury coupe retains its original big block motor, transmission, and rear end. The $12,000 asking price would only hold water if the documented facts on this SS check out. Thanks to Hemmings for some details, and to reader Gunter K. for spotting this silver nugget.
This Mark IV big block turns over, according to the seller, and may have a broken timing chain. The air conditioning compressor remains, always an encouraging sign. Five slot Rally wheels look perfect on the powerful luxury coupe. No interior pictures made the listing, but it’s described as a bench seat car with power steering and power brakes. You know you’ve got a long hood when it takes a trash can-sized fan shroud to reach your big block engine. Wildly satisfying in stock form, the 454 cid (7.4L) V8 can be built well into Crazyland if your budget allows. If you’re holding out for something super-rare, go find one of the 80 non-SS Monte Carlos built in 1970 with a 402 cid (6.6L) V8 and a four-speed manual transmission.
The deck lid shows what looks like Cortez Silver paint. Clearly years of outdoor storage took their toll on this once-fabulous Chevy. Priced $300 (around 10%) higher more than a Chevelle SS, the Monte Carlo put the emphasis on high style.
This handsome face shares a family resemblance with the popular contemporary Chevelle, even moreso a year later when the 1971 Chevelle switched to single headlights. With some of the longest hoods and doors ever produced, the first-generation Monte Carlo made a statement wherever it went. The shiny bits look tidy on this one. The seller has another hood which presumably comes with the sale. Would you take this might SS 454 over a similarly equipped Chevelle?
I’ll bet among body shop laborers who got stuck with sanding, they cringed at the sight of one of these gigantuan hoods. Hard to know how serious the rust is, but it was probably a blessing the vinyl top deteriorated and let loose. Original jacking instructions are still on underside of the trunk lid, a good sign. This could be well bought if it’s a real numbers matching documented “SS” and don’t you know this looked killer in its day.
For the kind of money he is asking and judging from all the vehicles he has in different states of disrepair, I’d think it would be very easy for the seller to see if the timing chain went on the car -personally I find that a lot more important than seeing an air conditioning compressor
Its a Barn Find..
Conspirecy theories aside, you eithermsee the value in its current state or not.
If the man is older, working on these, especially when the motor is tucked so far from the parimeter is not ‘easy’, as one would know if they actually wrench at all.
This is a complete, silver, 70 SS with AC and appears to be arrow straight.
The timing chain is NOT a deal breaker here.
If anything, if i bought it, it would get new chain, pump, belts, hoses, flush, etc.
A light sanding and a clear over patina and the basic services and someone gets an awesome car.
Id love this one, i must have power windows..
hmmm
One actually has and does wrench on cars, and has owned two of these. -Its not that hard , take the distributor cap off and try to start it. If the rotor doesn’t spin, you at least have a pretty good idea what could be wrong . Looking at all that’s going on in the supplied photos, I think this guy is still more than capable of car repairs. Its not a deal breaker for sure, but the price should be affected for a non runner- and of course better pics and interior shots would be a big plus !
“Mark IV”?
Hey Boatman. Mark IV is the series of motors that began with the 427. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2015/02/13/rats-chevrolets-mark-iv-big-block-v-8-turns-50 I added a link in the feature as well. Enjoy!
Hey Todd! Thanks for schooling us! (me). Darn Ford guys anyway.
The Monte Carlo SS had turn signals blinker lights mounted on top of the fenders (Similar to the Dodge approach). This car does not have them and makes me wonder if it is a real SS.
Afraid you are wrong on that point, James. I owned one. It still is an original car and the second owner still has it.
According to this same question in a previous Barn Find write up, “The fender turn signal indicators were an option. And not exclusive to the SS’s”.
I have seen these on Monte Carlo SS models in person previously but apparently not exclusive to the SS and only an option. I stand corrected.
Where did you get that information? I never heard that SS`s had fender indicators. Not true at all!
https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/topic/25940-just-for-a-laugh/#comment-239556
Photograph of 70 Monte Carlo being washed – Has the indicators.
Has the correct trim badge on the rocker panel. Load leveler is not in the engine compartment.
Here is a comprehensive overview of the 70/71 Monte Carlo SS.
https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/ss454/
Maybe worth 5,000 way tho much work and not running good luck
Has the correct trim badge on the front rocker panel.
The load leveler is missing from the engine apartment.
Here’s a link to comprehensive info about the 70/71Monte Carlo SS.
https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/ss454/
A friend of mine has one, 1971 documented Monte Carlo ss ,454 LS6. She is placer gold with a white vinyl roof. He just finished a full frame off restoration.
Turn signals on front fenders were an option.
Car must have serious issues if it is still for sale.