Some enthusiasts fear the thought that their classic might blend into the background like an automotive chameleon. They have spent good money to park the car of their dreams in their garage, and having it overlooked at a show or on the street is almost insulting. However, there are no such dangers with this 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. It has undergone a color change that I feel is for the better, and the seller has focused on a few fine details. The time has come for this SS to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on Facebook Marketplace in Berlin, Wisconsin. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting a car that you could take home for $20,000.

Chevrolet’s Monte Carlo enjoyed a positive year in 1985, with 119,057 cars driving off showroom floors. The SS proved a popular choice, accounting for 35,484 sales. The seller confirms that the first owner ordered this SS in Black with the traditional Red and Orange stripes and graphics. It is unclear when it underwent a color change, but I find the new look visually appealing. The Black has made way for Dark Blue, while the multi-hue contrasting Blue stripes are painted, rather than adhesive. The Monte Carlo presents nicely, with a pleasing shine and no evidence of paint or panel problems. The seller doesn’t mention rust, and there are no shortcomings visible in the supplied images. The trim and glass are excellent, with this SS scoring extra points for its removable glass roof panels. It rolls on its original reconditioned 15″ alloy wheels that are wrapped in new BF Goodrich tires.

While this Monte Carlo features significant exterior changes, those performed to the interior are more subtle and restrained. The seller substituted some replacement dash trim pieces featuring Blue lines to match the paint and stripe combo but includes the original components if the new owner plans to perform a faithful restoration. Otherwise, this interior is largely untouched. The Gray cloth and vinyl are in good order, while the prone dashpad and other plastic pieces feature little beyond a few rub marks that would probably disappear with careful polishing. I believe the stereo has been updated, but this classic retains its air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, and tilt wheel.

There is no arguing that most American manufacturers during the first half of the 1980s battled to squeeze acceptable performance from what had been muscle cars in earlier days. That is why the term The Malaise Era was coined, reflecting the fact that many vehicles became a triumph of style over substance. The 1985 Monte Carlo SS was no exception. Its 305ci “HO” V8 delivered 180hp, although it is worth noting that this figure represents a welcome improvement over the standard motor’s 150hp. Buyers could choose from a four-speed automatic transmission or…a four-speed automatic. Performance is all that you might expect from a car tipping the scales at 3,335 lbs. The ¼-mile journey should take 16.4 seconds, although it should be capable of hitting 129mph if the driver locates a long enough stretch of straight road. This classic’s paint may not be original, but the same isn’t true of its drivetrain. It retains its numbers-matching status, with the seller stating that the SS runs and drives extremely well. That will allow the new owner to indulge in immediate motoring pleasure.

Once any classic has been modified, the rules governing its potential value largely go out the window. Such is the case with this 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. Low-mile examples consistently sell for prices well north of $20,000, although considerably higher numbers can be achieved if we’re talking about a four-figure (or less) odometer reading. Is this car worth the price quoted by the seller? If it wore its original paint shade, it probably wouldn’t be. However, some enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for exclusivity. They are virtually guaranteed that with this SS, but would that be enough to tempt you to pursue it further?