Chevrolet joined the “personal luxury car” space in 1970 with its Monte Carlo. Based on the same platform as the Pontiac Grand Prix, it borrowed some styling cues from the Chevy Chevelle as well. The cars would be little changed in their sophomore year (and in 1972, as well). This example has been off the road for about a decade and needs plenty of mechanical and cosmetic attention. Located in Newark, New York, this Chevy is described as a cheap project and is available here on craigslist for $2,800 (with chrome wheels) or $2,500 (without).
Back in the 1970s, I worked at a gas station (when they pumped your gas for you) and I remember popping one of the hoods on these things. They were huge with a lot of unused space in front of the engine, making it perhaps the longest hood on a production car at the time. You couldn’t check anything from the front due to a lack of reach, so you had to go at it from the sides.
We’re told this old Monte originated in Maryland which is where it last performed about 10 years ago. The seller points out that the photos provided are recent although they are time-stamped from further back. The seller thinks the 350 cubic inch V8 and TH-350 automatic are numbers matching, but that’s a guess. Some things are not connected now, such as water hoses, so you’ll have to hook everything up before trying to get it to do anything other than crank.
Missing parts will be an issue and are known to include the driveshaft and the transmission shift linkage. The brakes aren’t working, but the car will roll and steer. As was the case with most of these vehicles, they came with factory air conditioning and this one is said to be complete. Rust is an issue in the quarter panels and trunk and where the vinyl top once lived. That looks to have been added later because the chrome pattern doesn’t jive with anything that would have come out of the factory.
Paperwork is also MIA, but the seller says getting a new registration should be no issue (I find that hard to believe, it will depend on the state you’re in terms of how much trouble the DMV is going to give you). If you like the chrome wheels currently on the Chevy, the price tag is $300 higher. Without them we assume the seller will give you some steel wheels and tires that hold air.
It’s a chevelle with a different body, these are getting rare, if I had a garage and was 20 yrs.younger I would pay 2K
Chevelles used the same basic body shell with different outer sheet metal. The Montes had a 4″ longer wheelbase (116″ vs 112″), the extra inches in front of the cowl. In my younger years ( must have had too much spare time) I had a 71 Monte roller and a kind of ratty 70 Malibu convertible. I thought it would be a good idea to make a Monte Carlo convertible. Monte doors, deck lid and quarters fit the Malibu tub perfectly. When I realized I would need to do a lot of chassis work to make it stiff enough to not end up with cowl shake I ended up abandoning the project. The Malibu with it’s rusted frame was sold to a fellow who supposedly had a 70 SS 454 convertible to harvest it’s decent stainless trim. The Monte shell was scrapped and it’s chassis became a trailer to move other junk around. I have since seen a couple first gen Monte Carlos made into convertibles – they have nice proportions as an open top car.
You were one of those guys who made those home made ElCamino’s out mid 60’s Chryslers. Very creative I like the Monte Carlo Convertible angle, but the question remains what is you time worth?
Actually the trunk lids the same !
Lies…all lies! Pictures taken this week, hmm, is it still 2017?
Love the 1st gen Monte’s. I purchased a 70 back in 1986 and remember well the space between radiator and engine. I see the fan shroud is broken… very common. Easy to work under hood as i would take shroud and fan out and stand in engine bay. This car needs a ton of work and parts are not as easily sourced as a Chevelle.
Awesome to see a real car back when they use to put them together with nuts and bolts not plastic clips looks like this would be a great project and a nice car when done correctly. Nice 70s excemple.
Honestly everyone, sometimes it’s okay to just let them die. This one is already dead. Unless you are trying to recreate some old childhood or high school memories, it’s just not worth the $$ and effort. It’s literally worth $300 as is. Just for the rims maybe.
$1500 car, at best, which is a shame because it’d be a great fix-it-as-you-drive-it candidate. If it was complete, titled, and the motor started, I might consider the asking price.
Years ago I tried to buy one of these , it had a 402 BB and a three on the tree manual trans, could not make the deal, which was a good thing because I later fooound an SS model with big block 454 and a four speed. Had ir four tears A really nice car. But alas ,I no longer have room for one of these.
Years ago I tried to buy one of these , it had a 402 BB and a three on the tree manual trans, could not make the deal, which was a good thing because I later fooound an SS model with big block 454 and a four speed. Had ir four tears A really nice car. But alas ,I no longer have room for one of these.
Tried to buy it twice Morley? LOL
tough with no papers. seller should have tried to get them before selling. kiss of death in NJ. Little too much $ for what it is. good luck.
Easy in NY as long as it’s pre’73 which it is.
There were NO factory built 70 or 71 SS454 4 speed Monte Carlo’s. All had 400 turbos. They did build 4 speeds but had a 350 or 400 in them. No SS’s in 72.
Funny the 12 bolt is missing…..
You were one of those guys who made those home made ElCamino’s out mid 60’s Chryslers. Very creative I like the Monte Carlo Convertible angle, but the question remains what is you time worth?