The Monte Carlo was Chevy’s entrant into the personal luxury car field beginning in 1970. It was redesigned in 1973 (along with all of GM’s mid-size autos) and would buck industry trends in sales during the fuel crisis of the mid-1970s (sales went up). This 1977 edition is the upper-level Landau model and – with regular Monte Carlo coupes – set a sales record that year (more than 411,000 copies). The seller doesn’t give us any history on this car, but it looks like a survivor in excellent condition. Located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, this Chevy is offered as a $17,500 automobile here on craigslist. Barn Finder PRA4SNW brought us this cool tip!
When GM redid its intermediates in 1977, they employed a Colonnade layout which eliminated the true hardtop although the doors remained frameless. That approach worked well, especially with the Monte Carlo, whose changes from year to year would be minimal. Unless you look closely, you can hardly tell the differences between a ’76 and a ’77 Monte Carlo. The Landau was added to class things up a bit, but that mainly included the addition of a Landau or half vinyl roof.
GM’s ’77 mid-size cars were longer, wider, and heavier than the full-size units which were treated to a downsizing that year. Intermediates like the Monte would have to wait another year to get their turn in line. Although sales were up, performance was not as there were only two engine choices, a 140 hp 305 cubic inch V8 and a 170 hp 350. We don’t know which of these motors is in the seller’s car, though we assume it runs fine at 77,000 miles. But the ability to burn rubber isn’t likely with either.
We’re only given seven words of description on this car. It’s “all original” which tells me the body, paint, and interior are from Day 1. It has new brakes and tires and was recently given a tune-up. It’s a good-looking car with aftermarket Rally-like wheels that I’m indifferent about. Without chrome trim rings or wheel-ell opening moldings, they make the car look less luxurious than it was intended to be. But that’s a personal preference.
In my opinion some of the ugliest cars ever made.
Enough said
My sister had a ’77 Monte Carlo and I agree with you 100%. They were butt ugly cars, especially when they went to stacked square headlights. Their “performance” was particularly underwhelming. Chevrolet couldn’t make them go so they decided to pimp them out. They sold a lot of them which just proves some folks have no taste.
That’s kind of what everyone in Detroit did.
HP cut to 215 from our 460 V8? Give them velour!
Car hesitates and stalls? Let them look at the world passing by through Opera Windows.
And who needs jackrabbit acceleration when that padded vinyl coach roof looks elegant, just standing still?!
It was tough times in Motor City, and imports had been building lighter weight cars with smaller, lighter, efficient four and six cylinders to sell cars in markets with expensive gas for decades.
Handsome Collonade Carlo 🙌
Someone’s future low rider, a straight body is all that matters.
The design suffered from last minute alterations to accommodate the 5mph bumper standards, along with GM’s corporate decision to lower build quality and use ugly “end caps” to save on tooling.
If you look on line, you can find images of prototype before the design was vandalized by these decisions. It could have been lovely
I disagree with the looks of the vehicle but
It was certainly the slowest thing on the road.
Trying to park it, that long nose keeps going and going, my mom never forgave my dad for buying her a beast she couldn’t park. I got to drive her around and at times borrow it. Thirsty 12mpg range car, but you felt like a real street thug in it. Rode smooth with the long wheel base, a real cloud. All my date money went into that gas tank. Hot dogs stands and 2 scoop limit for ice cream, let’s just say I didn’t ever need the rubbers I always hopefully had ready. That car had no luck. At all. My Opel Manta was my best ‘chick success’ car. Actually. Steel workers unions driving these tanks to market. The turning point was coming. But only temporarily.
I disagree the Colonade body cars from GM from 1973 to 1977 were the best’. GM switched to electronic ignition in 1974 . It made these cars bullet proof. They were personal luxury cars . And back in the 80s if you had 1 you were styling. I had the 1974 Buick Century with the Buick 350 2 barrel and it halled ass . It did burn outs 360s it handled like a dream and believe me when I say I beat the shit out of that car and it always came back for more . I had the century which was most like the cutlass. . While the Monte Carlo and Pontiac Grand Prix were fancier with there long hoods and glamorous interiors. The vast majority of these colonade body cars were used up as entry level race cars around the country because they were built like tanks . After 1977 GM stopped selling division specific motors and you could get a Chevy Oldsmobile Pontiac
The eighties S-10 wheels would be the first things to go but, I could live with everything else. I had one like this in blue back in the day. It was a great car for me. If I was in the market, this one would be on the list.
No nice options, but it does have A/C, and if it’s really a low mileage survivor, it’s a nice car. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for a buyer at that price, though. But, hey, you never know. I hope it finds a good home.
I love Steel wheels but,those S-10 wheels are the ugliest wheels GM ever put on a vehicle.
Concur! whatever the stock wheels on my Mom’s 76 Malibu Classic were better covered by the full wheel covers (I replaced them with the “Dog Dish” poverty caps)
On the brighter side, looks alot like my Mom’s 350, but don’t know what the 305 looks like as only wimps ordered them, and has gauges for Temp/Volts, but not the optional Tach or “Economy(Vacuum)” Gauge my Mom’s had,
Never cared much for these. 70-72 and 73-75 were the best years for the big Montes. A buddy had a 73, black with the black swivel seats, now that was a nice car. The S10 wheels on this one look awful, a set of SS style gray Rally’s with the chrome rings and center caps would look so much better. Not feeling the price for a bench seat column shift car.
Ugly 80s wheels, cheap bench seat, too much money. If it had swivel buckets and Rally wheels, maybe $12,000. Those body side moldings are add as well. I had a 76 Monte with swivel buckets from 1982 to 1990. One of the best cars I ever owned. Had 200,000 miles when the trans let go. Gave it to my brother.
Jeezo, Beezo, I got crap from my friend who’s mom had the same car with the “400” had like 10 more Horses. In 1977 we didn’t know about the 400’s problemos.
70 through 72 would be the only model I would want after that they lost their class
Very nice car, but at that price? It’s about $10,000 over priced in my humble opinion….
Barf.
you should try the backseat of the Nimitz class 1972 Cadillac Deville!
when this car was designed, nobody cared about efficiency, in fuel or passenger compartments.
My sister had one of these in the mid 80’s. Orange with white seats.
What a tank. The first day she had it, she took her eyes off the road for a second and ended up taking out a row of mailboxes. Not a scratch on that car.
Not for 17,000!! Cmon!! These things are everywhere and at every car show and coffee shop. And they look just as good, with 383’s or 400 sb. For around 8,000
I have an all original ,I’m the original owner 1976 Buick S/R Regal special ordered with Hurst T Tops with 30000 original miles .for sale white with black interior bucket seats and floor shift 350 v8 for sale 25.000.00.