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Child Of 1980: Monte Carlo Barn Find

A real barn find, this 1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Sport Coupe is ready for you to come and drive it home! This excellent example of a GM A-body (they were only designated the G-body later in life) is waiting for you in Ferndale, Washington. It’s advertised here on craigslist and is priced at only $3,700 obo — who says you can’t find a cheap classic!

One of 116,580 Sport Coupes produced in 1980, the car shows off it’s new for 1980 rallye wheels well. I remember from my days at Hub Cap Annie in college that the center caps for these frequently popped off, and you can see that two are missing from this car. Thankfully they are available inexpensively both used and new.

With only 79,000 believable miles showing on the odometer, this might be the original paint. I wonder what it would look like after a good polish? The car only has a V6 in it (the base engine) but honestly, I don’t think you would be trying to spin the tires anyway with this preserved a car, would you?

Ah, red velour seats! Nothing quite like them save my grandparents’ old couches! The seller tells us there aren’t even any cracks on the dashboard, which tells me this car has been kept under cover it’s entire life. I think some of these cracked on dealer’s lots!

You have to give GM interior stylists credit for making sure that no matter what fake wood grain you liked, they included it somewhere in the interior! From burl to straight grain and in multiple different shades! But that’s part of the charm of mid-70s to mid-80s vehicles: it’s fun to poke a little fun at them. I wouldn’t mind this coupe being in my garage – how about you?

Comments

  1. Avatar ChevyTruckGuy

    The post has been deleted already. I figured it wouldn’t last long, even though this is a bare-bones Monte. Base V6, no A/C, and AM radio. Seems well-preserved. Hopefully the new owner takes care of it.

    Like 9
  2. Avatar Steve A

    Classic???? Seriously?

    Like 6
    • Avatar VAR2018

      For someone like me born in the late 70’s…. yes, it is a classic. In the early/mid 90’s when I was in high school, these were the type of cars that kids had as hot rods. Mostly just basic 350’s with the usual add-ons. The parking lot wasn’t full of 50’s and 60’s cars, it was smog era stuff and late ’80’s stuff. I had a turd brown 79 cutlass with the corporate 305 and then a rough, worn out 77 trans am.

      Like 5
      • Avatar Todd Priest

        I can relate. I’ve always liked the Monte’s and Cutlass. Had quite a few of them with somewhat built 350’s. Had quite a few Camaro-Trans Am of mid 70’s through mid 80’s. Wish I still had a few of them today.

        Like 4
    • Avatar Todd Priest

      The Antique Automobile Club of America opines classic automobiles as “fine” or “unusual” vehicles, foreign or domestic, that are between 25 and 50 years old. I think most consider anything that is 25+ years old or older even though they may not be deemed collectible. I’d consider this a collectible car for those who like them. When’s the last time you saw one? Not unusual I guess but not something you usually see. JMO

      Like 4
    • Avatar Tim A

      By Definition, yes

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Steve R

    If you want a neo-classic this might be a good choice. Detail it, then use it as a daily driver. It will never appeal to the masses or collectors, but it could make a great choice for someone looking for economical transportation that doesn’t fit into a predetermined box.

    Steve R

    Like 4
  4. Avatar DETROIT LAND YACHT

    I liked the curvier more art deco Monte Carlo of the 70s. They lost me with this scaled -down -toothless -rescue -dog -of-a-car.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Classic Steel

    So many of these had the engines dropped at rebuild time to a small block V8. It’s hard to see as a classic but 1980 was a long time ago …
    I bet they saved 100 with no AC ,,,why?
    HAnd cranks sure ..but AC?????
    Interior looked clean and headliner had not fallen yet(maybe replaced or glued back .

    Like 2
    • Avatar Nick

      Agreed. And those 78-80 or 81s were not very popular. This is a $1500 car at most. Those 200 V6’s were junk. It’ll probably wind up as a commuter car or as we say on Long Island, a “station car”, something left at the Long Island Railroad parking lot all day while a commuter works in NYC.

      Like 1
      • Avatar VAR2018

        Depends where you are in the country. Chicago winters are hell on cars. So around here a rust free A/G body like that would get $3000-$4000 no problem.

        Like 5
      • Avatar ChevyTruckGuy

        The 200ci V6 had been discontinued before the start of the 1980 model year. The standard engine was the 229ci Chevy V6 (or 231ci Buick V6 for California). The styling of the 1980 model was unique for this particular year. A transitional model of sorts, before the updated, more aero-inspired wedge look of 1981. I’m not sure how you can say that these cars were not popular. They in fact, sold very well. If you don’t like them, nobody cares. Many people did like them, and still do.

        Like 8
  6. Avatar Superdessucke

    Claret. Lots of Claret. Very popular colour in 1980 that Chevy offer on pretty much everything. In fact, Chevy liked it so much that they called the interior and the exterior colours both Claret.

    One thing I find interesting is how much those Claret floor mats faded. Wow!

    Like 1
  7. HoA Howard A Member

    Somebody here likes Monte’s,,,one of the nicest Chevy’s made, I think.

    Like 7
    • Avatar ChevyTruckGuy

      Agreed, Howard! I’m one guy that loves the Monte Carlo!

      Like 4
  8. Avatar Rock On

    @Classic Steel- I sold cars for a living in the 80’s. Air conditioning would have added around 10% to the price of this car.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar crazyhawk

    I remember guys back in the ’80’s who thought they were car guys but really weren’t. These are what they always drove, an omnipresent Monte.

    Like 3
    • Avatar ChevyTruckGuy

      You should keep your negativity to yourself, Crazyhawk. There’s plenty of cars that are featured on Barn Finds, that I wouldn’t give the sweat off my balls for, but I don’t bash them. Why would I? This is an enthusiast website. A forum for people to celebrate the hobby. I enjoy reading every post, regardless of the subject matter. Just about any older car or truck has a following. It doesn’t matter if it is a large or small following. If you see something that you aren’t a fan of, it’s probably best to keep your crappy opinion to yourself.

      Like 10
    • Avatar Todd Priest

      I was one of those guys. Yeah, they seemed to be everywhere but they were nice cars at the time and you could come across nice clean cars for a good price. I had Monte’s from 1970 through 1980. My ’70 had a great running 402. The 1979 I had was purchased from North Carolina. I was living in Michigan so I always bought southern cars. I pulled the 267 V-8 and slipped in a 454 bored .060 over and had the respect of many which included the “omnipresent” Nova’s, Chevelle, Camaro’s, Trans Am’s, etc. Not ripping on those cars at all as I also had them over the years. My best time with that Monte Carlo was an 11.20 quarter mile on motor. Took it to Florida four times. Yep, I loved being that car guy as it wasn’t just a mere thought.

      Like 4
  10. Avatar Louden31

    My ex had one of these (80) black on black new when we were together in 1985. Nice car but sitting at stop light that oil light came on at 50,000 miles on. Junk GM v6

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Tim W

    I for one love the Monte’s, I had a 74, My Dad bought a low mile 80 Anniversary Special in Black & Gold two-tone that I painted for him. It had the little (262?) V-8 Later gave it to one of my sons. My other boy had a 85 for a while going to college. What’s not to like about the late 70’s early 80’s Monte Carlo? Full frame, rear wheel drive, fairly easily accepts any SBC or BBC. Reasonably priced, 2 doors, need I go on?

    Like 2
  12. Avatar irocrobb

    Had the same car in about 1990 and used it for a winter car. Was very reliable but not much power as mine had the 267 engine. The body stood up well and it was a comfortable ride. Always liked that car.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar 72 Monte Carlo

    After Chevrolet created the Squatty, Bug eyed 78, they lost the styling flair for the Monte Carlo. It came back to a degree in 81. But never really recovered, with the exception of some SS Models.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Mike Sagloski

    Watch the movie ”TRAINING DAY” wth Denzel Washington! MY Monte is a movie star. In the family for 41 years and still kickin.

    Like 0

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