The first-generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo brought luxury to the masses with styling similar to General Motors’ premier two-door, the Cadillac Eldorado. Chevy called the Monte “truly aristocratic,” demonstrating its use by well-heeled silver shoppers in a promotional video. This 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Londonderry, New Hampshire shows well with shiny blue paint and a vinyl top. A 402 big block and air conditioning sweeten the deal. Check out more pictures and details in painful ALL CAPS format here on Craigslist. The $28,000 asking price buys a slice of ’70s luxury, Chevy style. Thanks to reader T.J. for spotting this tidy classic.
Overshadowed after GM smeared 45x cid V8s across its mid-size lineup for 1970, this 402 cid (6.6L) version of the Mark IV big block is no joke. Remember the 396? This is the same basic mill, bored slightly and taking nearly all the go-fast goodies that won loyal fans of the 396-powered Chevelle and Camaro. This one somehow survived the ’80s and ’90s without gaining an aftermarket intake manifold and chrome air cleaner.
Simple and elegant, the Monte Carlo’s rear features outboard tail lights as a termination of the flared slab quarter panels. The bumper splits and extends the width, stylistically and literally reflecting the upper panels in chrome. Overdone exhaust tips add some high school flair that could be easily deleted with turndowns.
Is that burled walnut? Only the best simulated wood grain decorates Chevy’s personal luxury coupe. Room for six puts this Monte Carlo a notch above most modern sedans. A column-shifted three-speed automatic transmission should pair well with highway gears and the big block for satisfying acceleration and quiet highway cruising.
Undercarriage upgrades include a nicely crafted X-pipe exhaust system and anti-sway bar. In most areas this Monte looks like an honest survivor that should simply continue accumulating miles without much fuss. Would you change anything on this big block Monte Carlo?
(IMO) The only way this beauty could be better, would be to have the full “gage” panel, buckets and console, (also, I’m a fan of pin stripe white walls). GLWTS!! :-)
And the optional 4 speed, very rare and very cool.
Talk about eating your words! Just after trash talking the Monte compared to the Grand Prix there’s this, what a beauty. I agree buckets and console would help, this can park itself in my driveway anytime.
I hope the original exhaust manifolds were saved to keep original.
I would’ve left manifolds on MC with 3 inch pipes to back for throaty
sound.
It’s a beautiful blue and white car color too.
Very Nice Monte Carlo!! I agree it should have the manifolds put back on and the exhaust tips shortened. Very nice car other than that !
My dad had one as a loaner while his Caprice was in for service, I was eleven at the time, ss454 same color and absolutely gorgeous in those colors. My dad was definitely a car guy so we pulled out of the grocery store parking lot and he put the hammer down and I had the biggest smile on my face, will never forget.
Amazing the difference a rear sway bar makes on any kind of car.
Sway Bars are nice on these, Too bad they didn’t use the correct lower control arms !
The SS’s had the boxed lower control arms. They’re easy enough to find if one wanted to upgrade.
Such nice cars come through here. The Monte Carlo was the nicest non-Corvette Chevy made. Didn’t need a Riv or a GP, Chevy had you covered. I dare anyone that likes modern cars to even try and compare. No, no info screen( that was supposed to be in your head) no radio or heater/ac that requires a college education, just your right foot, baby, and surprisingly, that was good enough.
“Overdone exhaust tips add some high school flair that could be easily deleted with turndowns.”
NO!! No turndowns!! Cut a couple inches off the current ugly tips and attach the factory OE oval exhaust tips. That’s what this car needs and deserves.
I had a 71 with the big block. Gold with black vinyl top. All the goodies with bucket seats and floor shifter. If I remember correctly, the drivers seat also swiveled. Only problem was the 402 was a dog.
No swivel seats from the factory. And if your 402 was a dog it was likely something on YOUR end. As 300 (likely underrated) HP was still plenty to make that car scoot.
Glen, not that I don’t believe you, but I wanted to find out what it was on the driver’s seat. It looks like it must’ve been a 6 or 8 position power seat switch. As far as the 402, it might have been a 72, which would explain my comments. Plus, I was a 20 year old kid back then.🤣 thank you for your knowledge.
Maybe was a 2bbl?
About 8k to much..,
Absolutely a beautiful color blue. Ditch the vinyl top as I can spot bubbling rust formation. Asking price is good. GLWTS
Nice car I remember them when they first came out. You didn’t see many of them on the road. The rear end has an oldsmobile look to it, over all the car has a very clean and balanced appearance. I would loose the vinyl top, it would look much more classic. 😂