The Monte Carlo is one of the most tenured nameplates in the Chevy lineup, having first appeared for 1970. For its entire production life, the car was Chevrolet’s version of the Pontiac Grand Prix in their brochures. This 1984 Monte Carlo, from the car’s fourth generation, is an SS model and has been a part of the same family since it was new. The car seems to have spent a good deal of time locked away, so there are resulting transmission issues as well as some rust. It’s hibernating in Ithaca, New York, and available here on Craigslist for $3,000. Thanks, Mitchell G, for giving us the heads up on this one!
Sharing its name with the Monacan City, the Monte Carlo was Chevy’s first foray into the personal luxury segment. It saw six production generations through 2007, with a sabbatical from 1989-94 when the Lumina carried that torch. Besides the Grand Prix, it would share its platform with the Olds Cutlass Supreme and Buick Regal. Chevy campaigned the Monte Carlo in NASCAR in the ’70s and ‘80s and would see Victory Lane with the likes of Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel.
In 1984, the year this Monte Carlo was built, production output exceeded 136,000 units, including 24,000 with the SS option. That package would include a 305 cubic-inch V8 at 180 hp. Not as robust as the heydays of muscle cars, the Monte Carlo SS of this era would be mostly a visual package. It could be had with Strato bucket seats and a floor console as extra-cost options, just like the seller’s car. A three-speed automatic was the only transmission choice from the factory.
According to the seller, this MC SS is a one-family car and – from the amount of accumulated dust – doesn’t look as though it’s been used much of late. The body has rust building in the rear quarter panels, front fenders, trunk lid, and doors, with the worst of it in the passenger rear quarter. The white paint appears to have held up so perhaps these areas can be fixed without repainting the whole car, but maybe that’s my optimism showing. The undercarriage is a bit crusty and the driver’s side floorboard is bordering on push through, so that needs attention sooner than later.
The interior is pretty dirty and should clean up well, but the headliner has a serious case of the droops. This was common in that time of GM cars where the glue and fabric material would begin to part company. We’re told the dash also has a few cracks, but the photos don’t show them so they must be small.
Our seller says the car starts and runs well, but don’t try to back up. The theory is the seals may have dried out, so a rebuild of the tranny might be the first order of business after a bath. The original 305 engine has been replaced by a 350 motor, origin, and power unknown. The engine compartment is also dirty, and the shiny aftermarket chrome air cleaner is no longer shiny. The odometer is said to read 97,000 miles, but we don’t know how many miles is on the replacement powerplant.
This vintage of Monte Carlo must still be considered used cars as places like Hagerty didn’t have any pricing. But NADA says $7,200 is top dollar, but that doesn’t consider the SS portion. Either way, it doesn’t seem as though one of these cars should sell for outside of five figures. Even if you add in the bodywork, headliner, and transmission service, the seller’s asking price makes it sound like a cheap SS.
I just sold a white 85 ss no motor for 1500
Mostly a visual package? By today’s standards perhaps but back in 1984 this was considered a serious performance machine. L69 305, F41 suspension, special steering box, 3:42 gears. It certainly wasn’t a tape and stripe package like the Volare Road Runner, Nova SS, Mazda Spyder, etc. of a few years before. This was a key part of the performance revival going on at the time.
Dad and I test drove a brand new one back in ’84. White like this with the buckets. It sounded fantastic and had great steering feel. Seemed very quick too. But dad decided to get a dark brown ’75 Nova with a tan vinyl roof and Ford wire wheel covers instead. Shortly thereafter, the Nova lost a piston ring and spewed oil smoke like a mosquito abatement truck and got passed down to me.
I remember the Monte SS we test drove was so shiny and new. This looks very dull and tired. These are available in great condition for under 10k. I’d hold out if I wanted one of these.
This was my very first brand new car ordered it without any power accessories just steering and brakes had it for 31 years before fire took it out or I’d still have it today really miss that car
Had a black 85 SS, still have a soft spot for those, hopefully someone can rescue it. One correction: these had the 200-4R 4 speed auto tranny, not a 3-speed.
The 1983 and 1984 cars have the THM 350 three-speed automatic with 3.42 gears. The 1985-88 cars have the 200-4R with 3,73 gears.
Lots of soft spots in this one…I’d pass.
I wouldn’t touch that with a ten foot pole! The amount of rust on that car is a little substantial. Owned plenty of Monte SS’s and this will be a nightmare to own.