It feels as if I’m in the minority (on the internet, anyway) in liking the second-generation Monte Carlo. While some find its baroque styling firmly in step with other ’70s fads such as wide collars and lurid combovers, that’s what makes it fun; the ’70s were the ’70s and you like the cars and the fashion or you don’t. If any second-generation Monte can win over the haters, however, it’s this one. It has no vinyl top, no earth tone colors, a slight rake thanks to beefier tires on the rear, and a classic set of Chevy Rally wheels. Currently on eBay with a high bid of $3,150 and a Buy It Now price of $12,500, this has to be up some Barn Finds reader’s alley.
Regardless of how people feel about them now, Chevrolet was printing money with the Monte Carlo in 1976. Perhaps the ultimate attainable personal luxury coupe of its era, over 350,000 of them were sold that year. That is a lot of cars considering there was only one basic bodystyle, although it was divided between the basic coupe and the Landau. I actually don’t mind the half-vinyl top on these cars, but I appreciate a roof without rust holes, so this one will do nicely. The interior is a vinyl-covered split bench from a time when you had several options when it came not only to seating material but also seat type. Aside from the bench in cloth or vinyl, you could order a pretty snazzy pair of swivel buckets in the Monte Carlo in ’76.
Perhaps the biggest letdown of this particular car is under its pasture-sized hood: It’s the 305 two barrel with a 140-horsepower wallop. That sounds weak-kneed, but even the top-of-the-line 400 four barrel made a mere 175 horsepower: It’s just how things were. If you’re not the low and slow type, just about anything will fit under this hood. Find a V-16, remove that fire ring of a fan shroud, and you’ll be good to go!
Seriously though, you should leave it alone. It’s awfully clean under here and everything works; as I mentioned in the title, it even has “cold air conditioning” and runs great.
I know that we all have varying opinions about values, and it’s sometimes hard to think of $12,500 as a good deal on a fairly common ’70s car, but I don’t think it’s too bad. With a newer paint job in a very tasteful color, new tires, and an immaculate interior, you shouldn’t have to put any money into it – just drive and enjoy. And don’t worry what others might think.
VERY CLEAN! I like it
Aaron, you are in the minority on this one. This almost debadged looking plain Jane shows the lines better than any I’ve seen and the lines are dramatic for the day. I try to picture one with bumper integration and a little less fender swoop, but I do like this one.
I actually prefer the 2nd generation look to the first generation. I like this one in particular, sans vinyl top and other fancy trimmings. I think his price is quite reasonable!
I liked the early restyle of these, they were good-looking cars. I believe they all had vinyl roofs (someone please correct me if I’m wrong). If it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it!
Vinyl roof was an option on all except Landau.
Another car missing a manual!
Fran, yes, the most published least read book ever. A owners manual.
I’ve read the ebay listing twice. The BF listing three times.
Is the paint the original color? Where is the car located?
Thanks to whom ever can answer.
The item description says it’s in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but it doesn’t mention if the color is original. I’d guess it is based on the pictures of the various jambs.
Color is correct for GM 1976
Surely, you jest? I think Fran is referring to the third pedal.
Thanks Aaron, due to the ebay listing not having a picture of the trim tag I just wondered if the previous owner might have done a complete color change.
This is a very nice Monte.
Glad it is original factory. Lots of great days left in her.
That is just about the best looking big bumper Monte I have seen in a long time, the color is what does it, show’s lines, takes your eyes away from hideous bumpers, price is fine, $12K is the new $7500.
As I’ve stated in other posts, the only NEW car I ever bought was a black (with gold pinstriping) 77 Monte Carlo. While not loaded, it did have AC, PS, PB, AM radio and 305 engine. Loved that GO For Baroque styling and luxurious cloth interior. Kept it for five years and 110,000 miles with only routine maintenance. One day While washing it a chrome strip between the driver’s door and wheel opening fell off, revealing a rust though hole. Since the car had been rustproofed when new by Rusty Jones, I returned to RJ, only to be told the rust was SURFACE rust, not covered by the warranty. Maybe that’s why Rusty Jones is long gone. But looking across that sculptured acres long hood made me feel like King of the Road. A friend on first seeing it called it sex on wheels. This 76 looks somewhat modified without the body side molding and a possible repaint. My 77 listed for $6,475. If this is in good condition, it’s a good buy. BTW, today’s December 7. Salute to ALL veterans and those who continue to make America 🇺🇸 the land of the FREE because of the BRAVE.
Had a ‘76 a lot like this one. Mine was navy blue with blue cloth interior. No vinyl top, and rally wheels. It was a good looking comfortable cruiser. For this gen I’d prefer a ‘77 Landau. There’s a fair amount of nice, low mileage clean examples showing up these days as their elderly owners are getting too old to drive anymore.
Beautiful car. Never could stand any vinyl roof. Air is cold? Would love to hear the story about that. 48 years without a leak? Freon not 69 cents a can anymore. Used to be so easy to top her off once a season and you were good to go. Of course, the ozone whined about that. I miss the thin ozone layer, I would take that in place of global warming any day. Thin ozone was easy, just wear a hat and long sleeves. Hard to dodge a hurricane, wildfire, or flood.
Love the color..would have my pick that year. Love the personal luxury body style. The 305 V8 is a letdown on a heavy immediate car. Goal is smooth strong acceleration in a wannabe Eldorado type car. Vinyl seating is cold in winter and hot in summer so not my choice. In 1976, my wish list was a GP or MC. Wound up with a nice used 74 Grand Prix with the 400 V8 and bucket seats cheaper than a new lesser equipped Chevy. This car does look great for it’s age.
Perhaps nothing says get out of my way better than that giant front end.
Aaron great write up. I may be in the minority too, as I LOVE 76 Montes. Had one more than 35 years ago as my daily driver. Had the 5.0. Bought it used with 99,000 miles for $1,400. Yeah, the quarters were rotted, but I was fresh out of Penn State and needed a car. Probably one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned and I have had 50 plus cars. Mine had the swivel buckets, so comfy. And I could do most repairs myself. To the guy who believed all Montes came with vinyl tops, NO. It was an option. Mine had a Landau half top and that is what caused the quarters to rot. Water gets underneath and KABOOM. I put another 100,000 miles on mine before the TH350 gave out. Still miss mine. It was Mahogany over Mahogany interior, Rallys.
Plop a new GM crate motor in it and drive it.
Dale, with this car only having 33k miles do you really think it would need a motor?
Personally, I would do a thorough complete fluid service and take it from there. I’d probably do a compression check and tune up while all the plugs are out. Carburetor rebuild is my Forte.
In 1966 the service manager at my uncles dealership taught me numerous things that you can do to help keep a older lower mileage car up and running. One was squirting ATF in all of the cylinders and turning the engine over numerous times throughout a week. It will make a little mess where it burps some out of the plug holes but it’s worth it. I use ATF in quite a few applications. He called it his “secret sauce”.
Love the second gen Montes, own one myself (a ‘77 Landau). Nice clean look on this one though, especially with the Rally wheels.
As for the 305, this one looks too clean to mess with, but I’ll play devils advocate here for a minute. Remove the catalytic converter and leave all else and these engines are quite good on these cars. I did a bit more with mine since I decided to do a rebuild on mine (it needed a timing chain but I just wasn’t going to open the engine and not rebuild it), so I de-smogged it entirely, added mid-length headers, a Pypes 2.5 exhaust with X pipe. That exhaust really works. It leaned the stock carburetor right out, so then replaced the stock 2 bbl with an Edelbrock 600 and manifold. Stock cam. This engine now makes all kinds of torque and the 2.56 rear gear keeps the engine where it makes it. My point is, you don’t have to go for the “crate motor” option to have a good, strong running car here.
This is a very nice looking car and would be a good investment for the price is realistic and with the low mileage makes it worthwhile, the long monte carlo body style is much better looking than when gm changed it to the smaller version which ruined them. And without the vinyl roof it looks very straight. This is what older cars should be like affordable and in good condition for all to enjoy without braking the bank and enjoying the hobby !!